Scriptures: Isaiah 43:18-19, 1 Kings 18:44, Philippians 1:6

New Thing Coming 

There is a reason the prophet Isaiah posed the question, “Do you not perceive it?” The new thing God is stirring up takes eyes of faith to see. The prophet Elijah had faith to see a cloud the size of a man’s hand and know that God was going to send the rain, that God was going to make something out of nothing, that He was going to make streams cut right through the wasteland. 

That’s why the soul that is downcast can prophetically sing, “I can see a cloud heavy with rain and it looks like JOY is headed my way.” The soul bound by sin and shame can, in faith, declare, “It looks like freedom is headed my way.” It takes eyes of faith to see the new life God desires us to walk in and the confidence to step out of the past and into the new life we have in Christ. 

Ask God to give you eyes to perceive what He is doing and where He is leading you. And faith to know that “He who began a work in you will be faithful to complete it.” 

Scriptures: 1 John 3:1, Psalms 116:12-13, John 1:16

What A Miracle 

In this life, I’ll never be able to understand the depth of God’s love for me. I’ll never understand why His goodness leads Him to supply my daily bread, what compels Him to grant me new mercies each morning, or what manner of love held Him to that cross, purchasing my freedom and adopting me as His son. 

But I’m thankful today for the abounding, gracious, and undeserved love of my Heavenly Father. I’m grateful there is no limit to His forgiveness. I simply receive it as a miracle. There is no explanation for the breath I just took—and took again. I just receive it as a gift from God—another miracle. 

John, the apostle and friend of Jesus, was well acquainted with this and wrote, “From his fullness we have all received grace upon grace” (John 1:16). Or as Eugene Peterson puts it, “We all live off his generous bounty, gift after gift after gift.” (MSG) 

So today, as I’m reminded of the endless miracles and gifts surrounding me, I’m led as the psalmist was, to cry, “What can I give back to God for all the blessings he’s poured out on me? I will lift up his cup of salvation and praise him extravagantly for all that he’s done for me.” 

Pause now to say “thank you.” List off the many ways God has shown His kindness to you. Let it serve as a testimony to His love. 

Scriptures: Lamentations 3:21-26, Psalms 18:16-19, Psalms 36:5-7

Sure Been Good 

Have you ever gone through something so difficult it made you question the goodness of God? You’ve wondered, “Where is God in this situation?” or “How could a good God allow this to happen to me?” In my life, I have experienced the highs and lows that are natural to the human experience. I’ve had reasons to question His goodness and faithfulness in my life. But from it all, I’ve learned a valuable lesson that helps me find peace and maintain my faith when life tries to take them from me: my emotions in a moment might scream loudly, but they aren’t always telling the truth.

God’s faithfulness is best observed when I take a step back and appreciate it from a distance. When I check in with myself at any given moment, I can be blinded by circumstance and not see His hand intervening on my behalf. But when I cast my mind to seasons past, it becomes easy to count the times when God has brought me through and all the ways He has proven Himself to me. God’s previous faithfulness in my life is the evidence of His present goodness, even when I don’t see it. 

“You always knew there was a better me, but you loved me like I was.” 

God is interested in every aspect of who I am. He works with me throughout my life to constantly chip away at every part of me that isn’t in line with who He created me to be. Even though God might not send every difficulty to me, He walks with me through each of them to refine, retool, and repurpose my life and bring me to a place where I can reimagine new life in Him. He is ever-present, always active, and never tires of molding me into His beautiful vessel, fit for His work as I form to His hand. 

Oh, my God, You’ve sure been good to me. 

Scripture: Zechariah 14:8

Faithful Then / Faithful Now 

Seasons change. You and I change. But the Lord remains the same. We will inevitably experience desert periods when our passion dries up, and we’re left feeling thirsty. But we can be assured that even in the wilderness, God’s faithful presence is there. The streams of His mercy and love never stop flowing. No heat of the summer can dry up His living water, and no cold blast of the winter can freeze it from running to you and me. 

He’s remained faithful through the ages. We see it extending to every generation in the Bible, and the faithfulness of God has defined our lives, too. He’s never once left us. His grace has continually flowed day and night, season to season. And so I’m led to sing of His faithfulness, to testify of His goodness, and to acknowledge that yesterday, today, and forever, He will be with me, His steady hand guiding me. He was faithful then. He is faithful now. And He’ll never run out of faithfulness. 

Prayer: Father, I thank You today that no matter the season I find myself in, feeling refreshed or in need of refreshment, I can count on Your loving presence to stay with me. Your mercies have been there with every morning’s sun to deliver that promise. I worship You, praise You, and say thank You for your steadfast love.

Scriptures: Joshua 1:9, Romans 8:26

God Is Not Against Me 

One of my favorite Bible passages my parents taught me growing up was Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Seems like a simple life principle, huh? God tells you to do something, and you do it. As a child, I didn’t have experience with how crippling fear or anxiety could be and how easily it could sway my mind from trusting Him. 

The foundation of every good relationship is trust. If you aren’t familiar with God’s voice and the truth of His Word, it’s easy to forget He’s always for you and on your side. I quickly start doubting that He can see me through what may feel impossible. 

God commanded Joshua to stand up and lead the people of Israel after they had been wandering for years. This comes right after Moses, who led them out of Egypt, just died. So even though Joshua was inexperienced and never led the people, he was told by God to be bold and trust that He would have his back in the fight for ALL that was promised. I don’t know about you, but there are so many times I can self-isolate, and my thinking patterns can play tricks on my mind to talk me out of action because of fear, but the Lord commands us to be strong and move forward. 

What does it mean to be strong? I have recently been trying (emphasis on trying) to get into a workout routine this year. Three days of strength training per week and throwing in a little cardio on the off days is my goal. Do I meet it all the time? No! Can I tell the difference in those weeks I don’t complete my routine? Absolutely! I don’t love to work out naturally, although I’ve adopted the mindset that I need to for my age and lifestyle. It’s not only beneficial for me to stay healthy, both mentally and physically, but also for the way it reminds me of the importance of discipline in my spirituality. My spiritual health is not always perfect or easy, but when I work at it and spend time with God, He reveals so much of His plan for me. 

I love how we are reminded to “Be strong and courageous” on three different occasions in this chapter. Just like working out, if you don’t build on repetition, your muscles are weakened, and you even begin to lose the muscle. The same goes for our faith, if we give up on the routine, it’s easy to lose our strength and get stuck in patterns of thinking that scream, “You aren’t worthy, forgiven, accepted, or loved.” His words in Romans 8:26 say, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us.” 

When God speaks to us, He already knows every circumstance that comes along with that request. He knows your flaws, your habits, your strengths, and your weaknesses, yet He’s called us to serve Him! I love this song, “God is Not Against Me,” because it serves as a reminder that if God calls us to do it, He’s going to work through it. “This is not my fight, you are my defense, you hold my life, this is my confidence!” 

Just like He asked Joshua, “Have I not commanded you?” Reflect on your life today. Maybe it’s taking that big step with a new job, a hard conversation, working on that school project, a massive initiative with your new business, or maybe taking steps for your health with your family. If God whispers it to you, He’s already promised to see you through it! Don’t be afraid, trust that His voice will guide you to do it! 

Pray this with me: Jesus, there’s nothing in my life that You haven’t already seen, and with that, You already know all my plans. You know me, and You love me! Help me to trust Your Word, and help me to have the courage to follow You in all that I do. You have called me to this very moment in life, and I choose to be bold and stand firm in Your power. Send me and use me how You want as I serve You with my life. I pray that I will be a vessel for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen!

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-8

Owe You Praise 

Abraham was resting in the heat of the day when the Lord appeared to him near the Oaks of Mamre. The moment Abraham recognized God’s presence, a couple of interesting things happened. The first thing Abraham did was bow down to worship. Lowering his position testified to the posture of his soul—that Abraham was willing to submit to God’s authority and presence in his life. 

Immediately after this, Abraham sprang into action and began to serve. He instructed others to join him in preparing a meal. His wife began to make the bread. One of his servants prepared the meat. And Abraham went to work collecting the milk and side dishes. When he had the meal in hand, he offered it all to God as an act of service and worship. 

Why did Abraham do all of this? Why was his heart drawn into this posture of willful submission? His response to God’s presence was about so much more than mere hospitality. Abraham understood something then that is critical for us to understand now. 

When you recognize God for who He truly is, it changes who you are and how you behave. 

This ancient story holds timeless truths that apply to us today. Worship is not just a slow song. Worship is a decision of the heart. As we incline ourselves to focus on God, who is worthy of our affection, we become like Him. Forming to the image of Jesus, we bend our nature to His purpose as we are drawn into a lifestyle of worship and praise. Hands that were stingy become selfless. Hearts that were calloused become compassionate. Bones that were dead catch a breath and come to life. And mouths that were once prone to gossip, slander, divisiveness, and anger turn into tools for encouraging others and adoring our Creator. 

It’s far too easy for my mind to be drawn into spirals of negativity. I can lose sight of the value of keeping a grateful perspective. But I have found that remembering God’s nature compels me back into a state of worship. 

How many ways have You been good to me, God? How much of my worship do You deserve? How many “thank yous” would ever be enough? 

For the ways that You have made. For the price that You have paid. For Your mercies every day. That’s why I owe You praise! 

Scriptures: Acts 2:1-4, Hebrews 12:28-29

When Wind Meets Fire 

There’s a moment at the birth of the New Testament church when the believers were together in one place, and scripture says, “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.” 

Sounds like a sensory overload: A “VIOLENT wind.” I’m picturing hurricane-like winds that showed up out of nowhere. Then, fire suddenly appears in the shape of tongues!?! And the next thing they know they’ve received the Holy Spirit that Jesus had promised. 

I used to picture this moment as a gentle breeze that came into the room, tenderly blowing the curtain hung in the window. But that’s not what’s depicted in Acts 2. 

When God breathed, it shifted everything about their environment, arresting their attention and stirring them to begin speaking in other tongues or languages. This was not a moment that could have been ignored. It couldn’t have been casually experienced. When God speaks, things are set in motion. When He breathes, dry places start teeming with fresh life. 

And then came the tongues of fire. Hebrews says, “Our God is a consuming fire.” Not only does He intend to purify and refine us, but He wants to consume every part of us, lighting our way from the inside out so that we know and do what pleases Him. 

I want to be someone who welcomes the wind and fire of God in my life, to recognize that until He breathes, there’s no breath in me. And until I’ve allowed Him to totally consume me, I won’t experience a real Holy Spirit-filled life. 

Prayer: Lord, I lay down my life on the altar today, emptying myself of ego and self-reliance. Consume me from the inside out. Light up my lungs to sing your praise.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17

Another Stone 

I once heard a preacher refer to Resurrection Sunday as “The Church’s Super Bowl.” And I absolutely see his point! It is the Sunday when we celebrate the biggest win of the church! We pull out all the stops and put our best foot forward in with the worship set, preached word, production, hospitality, etc. We rejoice a little louder because Jesus Christ gave us victory over death, hell, and the grave. He rose with all power in His hands so we could live life abundantly and freely. He purchased our salvation with His life! HALLELUJAH. 

However, once the Super Bowl is played, the season ends and doesn’t return again for several months. So football fans are left waiting for the next season to come around so they can experience and enjoy the thrill of the game they love. They find other sports to hold them over until their favorite NFL team returns to the stadium. 

But my friends, that’s just not how RESURRECTION works. Your favorite football team will return season after season to compete, but the work of the cross IS COMPLETE. 

It doesn’t end for a period of time and leaves you waiting until it returns. You won’t have to find another fill to hold you over. It doesn’t grow weary. It doesn’t need rest or recovery. It’s not for a season or for a day. It’s for life. It’s forever! 

Jesus took on Calvary, and after He defeated death, He rose with victory! What a privilege it is to walk with this power and live in this freedom daily. 

“We’re not three days away from an empty grave.” IT’S FINISHED. Whatever your IT is, it’s no match for RESURRECTION. Resurrection is here; it’s in us, and it’s not leaving! 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬ NIV) 

Pray with me: Lord, I thank you for the finished work of Calvary. What You did was once and for all. You’ve afforded us a freedom that we could have never achieved on our own. Help me to walk in the spirit of resurrection today. The old has gone. The new is here. I’m no longer bound. I am free in Jesus. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Scriptures: Habakkuk 2:3, Galatians 4:4

Always On Time 

In our journey of faith, we often find ourselves waiting—waiting for answers to prayers, doors to open, breakthroughs, healing—waiting on God. In our limited human understanding, it can be easy to grow frustrated with God when it seems like we’ve been waiting for Him to come through—to heal us, restore a situation, or lift a burden. 

We see so many moments in the Bible when God’s people appear to be waiting on Him: Abraham and Sarah waiting for a promised child, Job waiting for God to restore what was lost, Mary and Martha waiting on Jesus to heal Lazarus, even humanity itself waiting on a Savior. Yet, time and time again, the Word reminds us of God’s faithfulness to His children. God touched Sarah’s womb in her old age, and Isaac was born to her and Abraham. God restored to Job everything he had lost tenfold. Jesus arrived what seemed 3 days late and raised Lazarus from the dead. 

Galatians 4:4 says, “But when the right time came,” God sent His perfect Son into the world to save us from our sins. When all seemed lost and hopeless from man’s perspective, God knew exactly what He was doing and was working out a plan to bring about His will in perfect GOD-timing. 

There is a line in this song that says, “If I knew then what I know now, I would be still and let you work it out.” I look back on so many moments of my life and thank God for the ways He sovereignly orchestrated His will to come to pass. I thank Him for the times He said no, or not yet, knowing that He had something better. Even if I didn’t see it in the moment, I look back now and see His fingerprints in every moment of my story. Never once was I out of His grasp or forgotten by Him. When it felt like I was tossed in the water or going through the fire, God had His hand on me the entire time, and it is the same with you. 

When we find ourselves in seasons of waiting on the Lord, we can be sure that He is purifying our souls, strengthening our faith, building our endurance, and producing ground for a miracle only He can do. Rely on him today as your sustainer, keeper, provider, and good father. The end of your strength is the beginning of His glory, might, and power. He will not let you sink. He sees you, He hears your cries, and He will not delay in saving His righteous ones. His job is to be God, and our job is to trust Him, seek Him, and be obedient to His word. 

Our God is an on-time God, faithful to complete the good work He started in us. He will surely come and will not delay. His timing in our lives is not a moment too soon or too late but at the perfect appointed time. 

A prayerful thought for you today: Instead of asking God to align His timing with your desires and expectations, pray that your desires will align with His will for your life.

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-15

Yahweh We Love You 

In Exodus 3, God speaks miraculously to Moses through a burning bush. Hearing his own name come from a voice within the bush, Moses responds by saying, “Here I am.” This phrase, “I am,” becomes a repeated theme in this significant interaction. 

God goes on to tell Moses multiple things that reveal His nature and His faithfulness: 

“I am the God of your father, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” (vs 6) 

“I am concerned about your suffering.” (vs 7) 

“I am sending you to Pharaoh.” (vs 10) 

Moses was being asked to deliver the nation of Israel from captivity, and in these three statements, God reveals multiple layers of the consistency, compassion, and care that He has for His people. God’s words were intended to highlight that He can be trusted as a present, help, and sovereign king. 

In the conversation that follows, Moses shows great hesitancy in being the one whom God has chosen to redeem the captive Israelites from the oppressive hand of the Egyptian Pharaoh. Before Moses agrees to this assignment, he asks God a question that is met with a momentous response. 

Moses asks God who he should tell the Israelites has sent him to be their deliverer. God replies, telling Moses to say, “I AM has sent me to you.” 

This name God gives to Himself—”I AM”—is more significant than we can even imagine. Though we understand God in facets of revelation, our minds cannot conceive all that He is. In the same way, the nation of Israel needed God to prove Himself to them—present, kind, and empowering—we also need God to reveal Himself to us. The good news is, He does! 

Everything I will ever need God to be is found in “I AM.” No matter the question you are asking of your Heavenly Father today, hear Him reminding you of His constant, steadfast reply: 

God, are you my healer when my body is sick or my heart is broken? He says, “I AM.” 

God, are you my comforter when my faith is weak and my hope feels distant? He says, “I AM.” 

God, are you my counselor when my mind is anxious? He says, “I AM.” 

God, are you close to me in this situation, too? He says, “I AM.” 

Set your mind on all that He is to you. There is nothing you can bring to God that He will not meet with grace and use to take you deeper into a revelation of His love for you. Any need you have, God will cover with His abundant, eternal supply. 

“Unto the great I AM, with everything I have, unto the great I AM I’m singing how great is Your name.” 

Scripture: Hosea 6:3

Another One 

Life isn’t free of problems. God never promised us we wouldn’t face obstacles or experience disappointment. And I’ve had my share of days that have dragged me toward worrying and questioning when I know I should be trusting instead. 

But I love the Lord because, despite my fears or worries about what I’m facing, He’s never left me alone. He may not have guaranteed a life of comfort and safety, but He did promise His presence. Hosea 6:3 says, “As surely as the sun rises, he will appear.” So, with every new day, there’s a sky-written promise of His presence. 

And I’m thankful that scripture is full of the ways God has made for his children and the times He’s proven himself faithful again and again and again. So, encourage yourself in the Lord today. You may be facing a problem, but He has a plan, and He’s promised His presence. 

Meditate on just some of the ways God’s shown His power and faithfulness. And trust that He’s making ways for your life today. 

If He told the sunwhen to riseand it didHe will again (Hosea 6:3) 

If He told the stormto be stilland it didHe will again (Mark 4:35-41) 

If He told the seawhere to splitand it didHe will again (Exodus 14:21-29) 

If He told the wallswhen to falland they didHe will again (Joshua 6) 

If He told the chainsWhen to breakand they didHe will again (Acts 16:25-26) 

If He told the bonescome aliveand they didHe will again (Ezekiel 37) 

If He told the stoneroll awayand it didHe will again (John 11:38-44) 

If He told the gravelet Him goand it didHe will again (Luke 24) 

Scripture: Psalms 103:1-3

Great Is 

Some of my favorite verses in the Bible are Psalms 103:1-2: 

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name!” 

The psalmist could have settled for a feeling but instead instructed our very souls to praise the Lord. For my soul to praise the Lord this means not just a surface praise but to praise Him with my whole being. The next verse goes on to say: 

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” 

It’s almost like the psalmist knew we would need to develop a discipline of reminding ourselves of God’s faithfulness because our human minds so quickly tend to forget! I can recall countless times I’ve found myself in an uncertain situation, and my first response was fear or anxiety, but the Lord has been reminding me of a powerful tool we have as believers to combat this. 

Psalms 119:24 says, “Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.” 

I love this revelation of testimonies being counselors that we can use as a reliable guide to recenter our hearts and minds on truth. Not just on the truth of God’s track record but on the truth of who He is. There’s nothing that fuels my faith more than rehearsing testimonies of the past faithfulness of God. Every time we declare the words of “GREAT, IS” my prayer is that immediately our minds would be taken back to a place of reflection—of who God is and all He’s done in our lives. I pray that no matter what we are feeling or what season of life we may find ourselves in, willwe would have the courage to command our souls to praise the Lord. Not because it’s easy but because He’s worthy. 

Prayer: Father, thank You for who You are and all the ways You’ve been faithful in my life. I pray You would allow me to look ahead with hope but not fail to stop and remember Your past faithfulness. Let my history with You be a reminder to my soul that You’ve never left my side, and You aren’t capable of failing me. Allow the confidence of Your faithfulness to give me the strength I need to take the next step of faith that You’re calling me to take. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Scripture: Matthew 17:20

Easy 

Life has its way of testing us constantly. It can so often be a balancing act with family, health issues, financial struggles, and work. If we aren’t careful, we can get stuck in a thought pattern or a cycle of hopelessness. I know there are moments when I see a “mountain” or a problem that seems impossible to change or get around, but God always reminds me of His faithfulness to show up. Jesus spoke this to His disciples: “Truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭17‬:‭20‬ ‭NASB1995 

If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, the mountain must move! Woah. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never seen a mountain move. That’s challenging for me even to imagine much less really believe it to happen. But Jesus appeals to our imaginations and frames them in a way that sparks our minds and hearts to believe the impossible. Something as small as a seed can be the catalyst for change to move something that big! 

There are countless stories in the Bible when God performed miracles: healing the sick, raising people back to life, turning a sea into a highway, and bringing city walls down with a trumpet blast. These stories and testimonies were deemed “impossible” for people at the time, but He always made them available for those who opened their hearts to trust Him. 

I love the chorus of the song “Easy.” We corporately sing to Jesus, “When you say mountains move, they do. And when you speak to the sea, it breaks in two.” Our God did that and still has the power to do that same thing today. It may not be a sea He’s going to split in your life, but maybe it’s restoring your family together, or the scholarship to the school you’ve always dreamed of going to, or perhaps the funding for a business idea you’ve been tucking in the back of your heart. He can do those things, not because He owes us anything, but because that’s who our God is! He’s a miracle worker, a chain breaker, and a grave robber. 

Pray this with me: Jesus, thank you for the truth of your Word! You are the source of our strength, and it’s through you that miracles can happen. Whatever I may be going through, you’ve already seen the ending. Your Word reminds me that if I have faith the size of a mustard seed, You can change anything. I’m coming to You today full of faith to believe You can do the impossible. When I begin to worship, You begin to move, so today, I worship You with my whole heart. Thank You for being a waymaker, chain breaker, and stone-roller, and conquering the grave for me! In Jesus’ name, I pray and believe this, amen!

Scripture: 2 Kings 3:17

All Of A Sudden 

Countless times in my life, I have been in a desperate place. Looking at the circumstances, there seemed to be no way forward. Fear and anxiety pressed in on all sides. I have felt the bitter pain of a heart out of hope. But why do I allow my situation to limit my faith and cause me to stop believing that God can move on my behalf? 

God has proven Himself to me in more ways than I can count. He’s revealed His loving nature and kindness to me. He’s intervened in my life to shift and arrange environments and order my steps so that I can follow Him. Yet, I still have this nagging propensity to rely on what I can observe, and I allow that to dictate how I expect God can operate. I forget that our God does not share in the limitations of what I perceive to be possible. 

Who can fill a valley with water when clouds produce no rain? Who can separate sea waters so that I can walk through on dry land? Who can shut the mouth of lions so I might be safe in a dangerous place? 

My God can, and my God does! He works miracles when I see misery, brings peace when I see chaos, and offers grace when I don’t deserve it. His steadfast hand sustains me, and He speaks blessings into brokenness. I am thankful that I can depend on a God who is more faithful to me than I could ever be to Him. I rest in the assurance of presence and authority. 

Prayer: Father, teach me to trust You. Help my hope stay fixed on what is possible in You, and keep my mind from wandering into the limitations of my own understanding. Will You guide me into supernatural rest? Bring me to a place of stillness in You, where I can hear Your voice and trust Your heart. Give me Your mind for my circumstances and lead me to calm waters where I can taste and see that You are good.

I breathe You in, Holy Spirit, and Your strength comes suddenly, and Your peace fills me completely.

I breathe You in, Holy Spirit, and Your strength comes suddenly, and Your peace fills me completely.

Amen