What It Takes to Thrive

In both gardening and spiritual terms, planting and harvesting are exciting seasons. Planting is the start of an adventure; harvesting is the product of hard work. It’s easy to celebrate new beginnings and hard-earned completions—but one thing that’s not as much fun? 

The pruning process.

Who wants to acknowledge what’s dead and unproductive in their lives? Who wants to trim back what’s already blooming—leaving you smaller, awkward, and feeling extra weak?

But pruning is exactly what we need to keep producing fruit.

“He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”
John 15:2 NIV

Jesus mentions two separate actions in this process—cutting off what’s dead and pruning fruit.

Cutting out what’s dead makes sense. It’s extra weight, it’s unproductive, it’s blocking sunlight, and it’s stealing good energy from branches that could thrive. But without proper context, pruning fruit feels backwards.

However, the purpose of pruning isn’t to disable something, but to revitalize it. 

If a branch is weak or diseased, it could not only damage itself, but the surrounding trees as well. Without pruning, both the tree and the life surrounding it can never reach full potential.

Pruning creates room for more growth.
Pruning stimulates production.
Pruning keeps the plant or person strong.

God is a good Gardener. He wouldn’t be a good Gardener if He left you to yourself—overgrown, ineffective, and full of dysfunction. But He cares for those He loves. He cuts off what’s dead for your benefit. He lovingly trims back ineffective things in your life to make way for more fruit. 

You can trust God with your life because He cares about who you are and who you can become.

So what “dead branches” are you dragging around? Is it possible that God is pruning you for future growth? Take a few moments and talk to God about any areas in your life that you recognize need to change.

The Key to Real Wisdom

Would you ever build a house without blueprints? Or assemble an airplane without instructions? Or conduct open-heart surgery without training?

Hopefully your answer is “no.”

If we want to know how something works, we should look to the expert for insight. In a similar way, if we want to know how the world works, we should look to God.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”
Proverbs 9:10 ESV

God made the world and everything in it. He knows how life works best.

But too often, we look to ourselves or even to others to tell us who we are, what to think, and to explain to us how life works. The good news is:

Wisdom doesn’t begin with us—the created.
Wisdom begins with God—the Creator.

Are you interested in real wisdom? Genuine insight? True understanding? Look to God, study His ways, and consider His character. Examine Him closely and find what you’re searching for.

Real wisdom starts with a God-centered foundation. Everything else is built on that rock.

But as we do that, we must first honestly ask ourselves some hard questions: Do I want to learn from God, or would I rather do my own thing? Do I want godly wisdom, or would I rather be my own god?

Satan fell from heaven because he wanted more power than God. Adam and Eve struggled in the garden because they weren’t sure if they could trust God. And ever since, every human has been faced with a choice: to seek God, or seek life without Him. No one can make the decision for you, but—

If you want to be truly wise, you must choose God.

So right now, be real with yourself: Are you willing to surrender your way of thinking and genuinely look to God, or would you rather just do your own thing? If you feel a wall of pride going up within you, ask God to help you knock it down. Brick by brick, He can reestablish your foundation.

The Key to Real Wisdom

Would you ever build a house without blueprints? Or assemble an airplane without instructions? Or conduct open-heart surgery without training?

Hopefully your answer is “no.”

If we want to know how something works, we should look to the expert for insight. In a similar way, if we want to know how the world works, we should look to God.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”
Proverbs 9:10 ESV

God made the world and everything in it. He knows how life works best.

But too often, we look to ourselves or even to others to tell us who we are, what to think, and to explain to us how life works. The good news is:

Wisdom doesn’t begin with us—the created.
Wisdom begins with God—the Creator.

Are you interested in real wisdom? Genuine insight? True understanding? Look to God, study His ways, and consider His character. Examine Him closely and find what you’re searching for.

Real wisdom starts with a God-centered foundation. Everything else is built on that rock.

But as we do that, we must first honestly ask ourselves some hard questions: Do I want to learn from God, or would I rather do my own thing? Do I want godly wisdom, or would I rather be my own god?

Satan fell from heaven because he wanted more power than God. Adam and Eve struggled in the garden because they weren’t sure if they could trust God. And ever since, every human has been faced with a choice: to seek God, or seek life without Him. No one can make the decision for you, but—

If you want to be truly wise, you must choose God.

So right now, be real with yourself: Are you willing to surrender your way of thinking and genuinely look to God, or would you rather just do your own thing? If you feel a wall of pride going up within you, ask God to help you knock it down. Brick by brick, He can reestablish your foundation.

The Gift of Giving

Have you ever waited to do something you knew was the right thing to do? 

When Paul wrote his second letter to the Corinthians, the church in Corinth needed correction. In the ninth chapter, Paul focused on a promise the Corinthians had made a year before to help struggling Christians in Jerusalem. Not only had the Corinthians made this promise—to collect an offering and send it to Jerusalem—but they were so eager in their pledge, they had inspired other churches to follow their lead.

However, the Corinthians were taking a long time to follow through on their promise, and in the meantime, their brothers and sisters in Jerusalem were suffering. Not only that, their eagerness to give had waned, and they were no longer setting the generous example they had before. So Paul wrote:

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV

When we are reluctant to give, we miss out on the chance to bless others. Disobedience can harden our hearts toward others. We can hold on to what we have because we think we know best.

Instead, when you give with urgency, Paul says, “God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8). He will bless you “so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:11).

Now, that may not always mean God will enrich you financially. But it does mean that God will always provide you with the means to be generous—with your time, energy, and money. And because God does not wait to provide for us, we shouldn’t wait to provide for others.

Today, look for opportunities to show your generosity and share the good gifts God has given you—and when you see one, don’t wait to act! Instead, give with a cheerful spirit.

Finding Rest in God

Can you remember the last time you drank cold water after being outside in the hot sun? Or maybe diving into a lake in the middle of summer? It feels good to be refreshed physically, and all of us have different ideas about how to get refreshed. 

God’s Word tells us that God is like a Shepherd who takes care of us. He protects us from harm and He makes sure we’re nourished.

One of the jobs of a shepherd is to provide the sheep with refreshment. This is why the writer of Psalm 23 says the Lord leads him into quiet places and lush spaces. Those things were refreshing to his soul.

Have you checked on your own soul lately? 

Sometimes when we haven’t been refreshed by God, we end up living in a hurry. We keep our souls and minds busy going from one thing to the next. We become anxious. After long enough, we begin to think there might be something wrong with us.

In John 10:11, Jesus says that He is the Good Shepherd, and we are His sheep. This means that Jesus provides the right path that we should walk, spiritual protection and guidance through prayer, and also spiritual refreshment for our soul. When we spend time with Jesus, part of His job is to refresh us.

But in order to do that, we have to follow Him into those quiet spaces. We have to leave the noise and notifications of the world behind us and learn the slow pace of Jesus. We don’t have to hurry in our time with Him.

When we learn to quiet our souls by removing distractions, we can begin to enjoy simply being with Jesus. When we learn to enjoy Jesus, then He will do His job of refreshing our souls that are parched and weary without Him. 

So take some time today without distractions and spend time with Jesus. If you find that difficult, that is an indicator that your soul isn’t used to resting. Your life will be so much healthier and satisfying if you make it a daily habit to be refreshed by God.

Keep in Step

Let’s start with some backstory…

Jesus had already lived, died, and rose again. Some of His closest friends—Peter and John—were telling everyone what they’d seen and heard. They even performed some astonishing miracles in Christ’s name, like healing a beggar who’d been crippled from birth.

Thousands of people believed Peter and John’s testimonies about Jesus, but many of the religious leaders did not. In fact, in their eyes, such messages and miracles were dangerous and could ultimately take away their power.

After doing some jail time because of what they’d been teaching, as well as defending their message in front of the religious council, Peter and John went back to the other believers, praying bold prayers and trusting in God.

“And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭4‬:‭31‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Peter and John were in the habit of:

1. Gathering together with other believers
2. Praying together with other believers
3. Speaking boldly about the Word of God

As they did the natural—gathering, praying, and speaking—the Holy Spirit filled them with the supernatural power of God.

As Galatians 5:25 says, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” We keep in step with the Spirit by walking with Him, listening to Him, and following His guidance.

Like Peter and John, who faced tons of opposition for their faith, we can keep trusting in and walking with God. We can keep gathering together with like-minded believers. We can keep praying bold prayers that can’t be accomplished on our own. We can keep speaking boldly and continually about the hope we have in Jesus.

And as we do that, God’s Spirit will guide us—both naturally and supernaturally—every step of the way.

Live Empowered

Imagine God’s Spirit hovering over the face of the earth...

Everything is dark and without form until God breathes out the words, “Let there be light.” In an instant, everything changes. The light pierces the darkness, and what was once invisible is now seen clearly. This is what God’s Spirit does. He is always near—bringing light to what was once covered in darkness.

The Holy Spirit is available to anyone who becomes a follower of Jesus, empowering them to live out the calling God has placed on them.  

And what has Jesus called His followers to do? To love God, love others, and make disciples. 

Jesus’ first disciples wanted Him to stay and restore the kingdom of Israel. But in Acts 1, Jesus hints that His Kingdom wasn’t what they were imagining. His Kingdom would continue throughout history by the power of the Holy Spirit and the continual testimony of His disciples. 

The Holy Spirit is a gift from our heavenly Father that helps us live in a way that honors God and reflects His character. When we allow the Holy Spirit to shape us, He transforms the ways we think and act. 

It’s the Holy Spirit who empowers us to make Jesus known throughout the world. 

For this reason, living a Spirit-filled life requires intentionally seeking God every day. It’s through intentional time with God that we discover how to make disciples. Then, as we go through life, the Holy Spirit will help us joyfully and boldly make Jesus known to the people He places around us. He will give us the insight, discernment, and courage we need to show Jesus’ love to others.

So right now, take a few moments and thank Jesus for the gift of His Holy Spirit. Then, invite the Holy Spirit to come and change the way you think and act. Spend some time in silent reflection, and allow the Holy Spirit to bring to mind one or two people that you can share Jesus’ love with today.

There's Power in Sharing Your Story

In a letter to the Roman church, the apostle Paul asks a series of simple but powerful questions—which are highlighted in Romans 10:14:

“But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?”

Paul wanted to help them understand how the message of Jesus spreads—almost always, it’s spoken from one person to another. People seldom come to faith in isolation. It begins with hearing the Good News.

And for many, that moment didn’t come through a sermon spoken from a stage. It came through a one-on-one conversation. A friend shared what God had done in their life. A family member spoke about finding hope in a hard season through Jesus’s care. Somehow, some way, a story was told—and a life began to transform.

Sharing the Good News of Jesus doesn’t require having every answer or presenting a perfect, exemplary life. Throughout Scripture, God often works through ordinary, flawed people who are willing to speak honestly about what God has done. Neither the message nor the invitation of Jesus are about having a trouble-free life. Jesus Himself said there would be trouble. But He also promised something even bigger—to be with us through it all.

You may be thinking about a person right now—a friend, a family member, or someone going through a difficult time. Could it be that they simply need to hear an authentic, honest story of hope?

Consider taking this small step today: Share something true about what God has done. Your story can open the door to something eternal.

From Fearful to Fearless

Think of a time when you were fearful of others. For some, this might look like fearing harm or violence from a specific person or group. But for many of us, we can get sidelined by a different kind of fear...

Maybe you're worried that someone won't like you—your personality, your looks, your opinions, or your work.

Maybe you're afraid that speaking up for what's right could cost you—your job, your reputation, your comfort.

Maybe you've felt misunderstood, and the narrative has gotten twisted—with a little bit of truth and a whole lot of exaggeration. There's more to the story, but it's challenging to explain.

Maybe you’re so busy and preoccupied, making sure everyone around you is happy, that you're neglecting your own life and calling in the process.

Maybe you say “yes” to any and every opportunity or event—because you don't want to let anyone down, or get left out.

There are many ways in which we might live in fear of others. But the result is always the same: striving for man's approval leaves us anxious, exhausted, distracted, and disappointed. When we fail to trust God, it shows.

"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe."
Proverbs 29:25

We cannot trust God if we’re living in a constant state of fear, because fear is the opposite of a faith-fueled trust. God’s approval, after all, is the only approval that matters.

Pleasing God matters more than pleasing people. Being accepted by God matters more than being accepted by people.

The great news is, we don’t have to earn His acceptance! We don’t have to prove that we are worthy of His time, attention, or love. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection did this for us. We are now considered worthy because He is already worthy! When we belong to Jesus, the Holy Spirit helps us to become more like Him.

Acceptance and inclusion from others will never give us the true safety and security we desire. But God’s acceptance of us is unconditional, and it transforms us from the inside out. We simply need to receive Him—allowing His love to change the way we think and act.

As the knowledge of God's love increases in our lives, the fear of people decreases.

When we trust in God, we can rest in the assurance that we are secure for eternity. We are loved by our gracious Savior. He alone has the power to change the course of our lives.

Take some time to survey your own heart. Are your thoughts, words, and actions a result of fearing man—or trusting God? Consider a few small ways you can begin to place your trust in God rather than living in fear of what others might think.

A Worthy Guide

Is it possible to live a life that honors God? Is it achievable to train our minds and bodies to do what we know is right—instead of feeling powerless against temptation?

Paul’s letter to the churches in Galatia is a guide for such questions:

“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.”
Galatians 5:16

Without surrendering and submitting to God’s lead, our sinful nature is at war with what God has for us.

Left to ourselves, we crave what the world desires. And the more we give into our unique shades of temptation, the more we crave (like craving sweets for the sugar, or craving pornography for the dopamine rush). But with the help of the Holy Spirit, who softens and molds and reshapes our hearts, we can learn to crave what God’s deemed best.

To put it simply, the secret to living a godly life is the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit just so happens to be God—one of the three persons of the Trinity: the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit.

Jesus has already done the hard and beautiful work of salvation—by living, dying, and rising again for the sake of His children—but now He wants to continue His mighty work in us and through us. 

If it sounds impossible, it is impossible—if you’re fighting by yourself. But, as Jesus told His disciples, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27 NIV) The psalmist also brought another valuable perspective, writing, “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.” (Psalms‬ ‭119:9‬ ‭NIV)‬‬

When we cling to His Word, which was inspired by the Holy Spirit, it’s not only possible—but also probable—to live a life that honors Him.

The Greatest Story

Have you ever done something significant, but someone else stole your praise? You served behind the scenes, voiced an important idea, or crafted something wonderful—but somebody else swept in and demanded full credit?

It’s not exactly the same (because we’re not nearly as awesome as Him), but we must be cautious not to steal credit from God.

The apostle Paul, writing from a Roman prison, said:

“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:8-9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

On a foundational level, we wouldn’t even be here without our Creator and Sustainer.

We wouldn’t exist without the universe and body in which we live—a universe and body that we did not make ourselves. We wouldn’t be able to breathe without oxygen in our lungs, oxygen that hovers (within its clearly defined limits) right above our planet. We wouldn’t think or see or hear or talk without the minds, eyes, ears, and mouths He’s given us.

But on top of creating us, God is the only One who can save us.

The story of God and the story of us is that He pursued us when we didn’t deserve it—He saved us when we were lost and hopeless. We are not capable of saving ourselves. We are not capable of being the solution. We are not capable of being our own saviors…

…and that’s good news!

God saved us by His grace, and that’s a gift. Salvation isn’t something that can be earned, but a mercy that is given.

We can’t think we’re better than anyone else. We don’t get to decide who’s deserving of His love and who isn’t, because—none of us are.

Yet, in His great mercy, God has chosen to reveal Himself to us at this particular time in history—because He loves us. He initiated salvation when we couldn’t save ourselves. And He’s invited us to join Him in the greatest story on earth. 

Are you in?

Live Prepared

Pause and think of the people who, at a moment’s notice, have to be ready for anything. Maybe your list includes first responders, the military, athletes, teachers, parents, pilots, surgeons, or pastors. 

But does your list include you? 

As followers of Jesus, we are called to…

“…Be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭3:15‬ ‭NIV‬‬ (Emphasis added) 

We can’t expect people to observe what Jesus has commanded us unless we are also observing His commands ourselves.

Do we want people to learn about God’s love? Then we need to show God’s love to people. Do we want people to learn about Jesus’ compassion? Then we need to be compassionate. Do we want people to give generously? Then we need to be good stewards of our money. Do we want people to study God’s Word? Then we need to study it for ourselves.

When you give Jesus control over your life, you allow His love, joy, and hope to transform you. As this happens, your life becomes an act of worship that reveals His hope within you.

When you live like Jesus, people are drawn to Jesus in you. 

As you worship Jesus with your life, you will be able to honestly say that Christ in you is your hope and glory—and people will believe it because they will see the evidence. 

They might not like who you are or agree with what you believe, but they won’t be able to find a logical reason to hate you when your life is centered around loving people the way Jesus loved you.

So as you go about each day, aim to live with gentleness and respect toward everyone—and let Jesus’ joy, love, and hope permeate your heart, mind, and relationships.

The Spirit of Truth

One of the major promises in the Old Testament is that one day the Spirit of God would dwell within the people of God. Previously, the people of God interacted with the presence of God within the temple.

In fulfillment of Scripture, Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort God’s people. This has big implications. It means that Christians have access to the presence of God by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. God’s Spirit is with us wherever we go.

Jesus mentions in John 16:13 that the Spirit of God will guide us into all truth. God desires to be part of our daily journey through life, helping us and guiding us towards what is right. 

When we have questions about what direction in life to take, the Holy Spirit is there to help us. When we’re not sure what is right or wrong, the Holy Spirit is with us to bring light to our decisions.

Jesus says that the Holy Spirit will speak to us in accordance with the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit will also reinforce and help us understand what we read in Scripture.

Throughout this week, make an effort to be mindful of the Holy Spirit’s presence in your life. Remind yourself that God is with you every day. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and illuminate your path in life, and spend time praying to be comforted and strengthened by God.

When the Moment Comes

"For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."
Matthew 10:20 NIV

Jesus spoke these words to His disciples as He prepared them for persecution. He warned them that they’d be handed over to authorities, misunderstood, and mistreated—not for doing wrong, but for bearing witness to Him.

That might sound intimidating, but Jesus doesn’t leave them without comfort or help. He assures them: You won’t have to rely on your own words. When the moment comes, the Holy Spirit will speak through you.

This promise wasn’t just for the disciples. It’s for every believer who has ever felt nervous, unqualified, or unprepared to speak about Jesus. The truth is, we don’t need the perfect words. We need a surrendered heart.

The Spirit of God is still speaking today—through people just like you. He whispers in quiet conversations over coffee. He spurs us on to send thoughtful texts. He speaks through us in small moments at work, school, or around the dinner table.

So here’s the challenge: Don’t hold back. Don’t wait until you “feel ready.” Trust that the Spirit who lives in you will give you the words.

Step out in faith. Share your story. Speak of what Jesus has done.

Someone today needs to hear your voice—not because it’s flawless, but because the Spirit of the Father is ready to speak His truth to them through you.

When the Moment Comes

"For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."
Matthew 10:20 NIV

Jesus spoke these words to His disciples as He prepared them for persecution. He warned them that they’d be handed over to authorities, misunderstood, and mistreated—not for doing wrong, but for bearing witness to Him.

That might sound intimidating, but Jesus doesn’t leave them without comfort or help. He assures them: You won’t have to rely on your own words. When the moment comes, the Holy Spirit will speak through you.

This promise wasn’t just for the disciples. It’s for every believer who has ever felt nervous, unqualified, or unprepared to speak about Jesus. The truth is, we don’t need the perfect words. We need a surrendered heart.

The Spirit of God is still speaking today—through people just like you. He whispers in quiet conversations over coffee. He spurs us on to send thoughtful texts. He speaks through us in small moments at work, school, or around the dinner table.

So here’s the challenge: Don’t hold back. Don’t wait until you “feel ready.” Trust that the Spirit who lives in you will give you the words.

Step out in faith. Share your story. Speak of what Jesus has done.

Someone today needs to hear your voice—not because it’s flawless, but because the Spirit of the Father is ready to speak His truth to them through you.

When my mind is tired, be my peace.
When I am confused, be my direction.
When I overthink, remind me that You are still in control.

Teach me patience before action, wisdom before speaking, and understanding before judging.

Let my thoughts reflect Your heart and my decisions align with Your will.
I don’t want to be led by emotions alone.
I want to be led by Your Spirit.

Cling to God’s Promises

What do you think about? 

The thoughts that fill your mind are crucial because what you cling to influences your worldview. 

If you choose to dwell on God’s promises, you start to recognize God’s blessings during uncertain times. Trusting that God will redeem your present pain equips you to walk forward in faith and keep on fighting. 

Isaiah 12:2 reminds us that we belong to a God who is faithful to keep His promises. This God rescues us and fights for us. So when we belong to God, we have nothing to fear—all we need to do is cling to Him and wait on Him to act. 

So as you walk forward today, reflect on some of God’s promises, and let them transform the way you think: 

God will sustain you. (Psalm 55:22)

God’s peace will guard your heart. (Philippians 4:7)

God delights over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

God will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. (Psalm 32:8)

God is your refuge and strength, your help in times of need. (Psalm 46:1)

In all things, you are more than a conqueror because God loves you. (Romans 8:37)

God will never leave you or forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

God’s perfect love casts out all your fear. (1 John 4:18)

Nothing can separate you from God’s love. (Romans 8:38-39)

God’s not done with you. (Philippians 1:6)

Allow these truths to fill your mind today!

Willing to Seek Him

The story of David and Bathsheba is one of the most notorious accounts in King David's life (2 Samuel 11-12). After choosing to forgo battle with his troops and lounging about lazily in his palace, the king sees a beautiful woman bathing from his roof. What follows is adultery, conspiracy, and ultimately — murder.

When David is confronted by Nathan the Prophet, he admits his sin. It's in this darkness that he experiences anguish (Psalm 51).

Which then brings us to the joy of Psalm 32.

Here, David rejoices in the mercy the Lord has shown him. After describing the benefits of forgiveness and confession, the point of view takes a meaningful turn in verse 8 with Yahweh becoming the speaker. He says, "I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with my eye on you, I will give counsel."

The significance of that shift is no accident.

David put this story in motion by not seeking God's instruction, teaching or counsel. Instead, he listened to his own desires. He wanted to control his life, and in a sense, God let him. The results speak for themselves.

Now, after repentance and forgiveness, David's soul has regained fellowship with the Lord. And in verse 8, God is telling us a benefit of that fellowship: His loving guidance — not distant or generic, but tailored to every detail of who you are and where you've been.

When we're in right relation with God, He won't hide His way from us.

When we don’t know which way to go, He will instruct us.

When we don’t see how we can carry out what He’s called us to, He will teach us.

When we need someone in our corner, He will counsel us.

The question is whether we're willing to seek Him.

I love this song with a very profound truth that we must ponder on

Peace in the Midst of Hardship

Not long after Jesus’ resurrection, His disciples hid in a locked room, fearing that the same people who crucified Jesus would come and arrest them. It’s in the midst of their fearful circumstances that Jesus appears to them collectively, speaking words of peace over them.  

But He doesn’t stop there. 

He then tells His disciples that He is sending them out into the world. This means they are going to have to leave the safety of their locked room. But although their future is unknown, they are known by the One who holds the future. So wherever they go, and whatever they face, Jesus’ words will remain true: peace will be with them. 

And Jesus continues to offer us this same peace. 

We will all face hardship and difficulties. We all will go through seasons where we endure intense pain caused by struggling relationships, struggling economies, and struggling health crises.  

But God’s peace isn’t based on our feelings or circumstances, which is why it’s something we can consistently experience. 

God’s peace sometimes feels like a calmness in the midst of an anxious situation, or hope despite a discouraging diagnosis. It might look like unexplainable joy, or an unshakeable feeling that, regardless of what happens, God is still in control.

When our world rages, or the doctor shares something alarming, or the news reports are terrifying, God’s peace enables us to walk forward with confident assurance that the One who gives us peace goes with us. Jesus might not remove us from difficult situations, but He will always help us walk through them. 

Outside pressures don’t have the power to take away God’s perfect peace that’s given to us through Jesus our Savior. 

So take a few minutes today and thank Jesus for His peace that passes all understanding. Talk to Him about any concerns or worries you’re currently experiencing, and as you give them over to Him, envision Him saying to you, “peace be with you.”

Calling Out for Rescue

Do you remember a moment—maybe dramatic, maybe quiet—when you realized you needed help? Not just a little assistance, but rescue?

Romans 10:13 gives us this promise: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

These words were written by the apostle Paul to the people in Rome, explaining how anyone can begin a relationship with God. Just before this verse, Paul describes trusting in Jesus—believing in Him and calling out to Him. There are no prerequisites, no religious background, no good behavior, nothing else required. It is about turning to God and asking Him to save.

At its heart, this verse is about calling out for help—admitting a deep need, a need you cannot solve yourself. And it’s about trusting that God hears and responds.

This promise is for every person.

In God’s eyes, there are no insiders or outsiders, and no one is too far gone. There is a Rescuer available to all—and His name is Jesus.

Maybe you can look back and see a time in your life when you called out to God, and He answered. But so often, there is more to the story. God loves to use people to accomplish His will. Did someone share God’s hope with you, or encourage you? Did someone show you kindness or point the way forward?

There are so many who don’t yet know about this wonderful promise of God. They don’t know that there is a Rescuer, offering salvation and new life.

This message of hope is meant to be shared. You can be the one to share it. And it can be as simple as saying: There is someone who cares and is able to save you. This promise is real. And it is for you.

Who in your life might be one step away from calling out for help? Will you take a step of faith today and share the hope you’ve found in Jesus?

A Transformed Person

Have you ever felt like you needed to have a do-over? If so, you’re in good company. Peter knew this feeling well. 

Peter was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, invited by Jesus Himself to leave his life as a fisherman to join Him during His ministry on earth. On the night that Jesus was betrayed, Peter followed Him to the sham trial. The people in the area were openly and aggressively hostile to Jesus. Imagine what that must have felt like—to be surrounded by people who may choose to treat Peter the way they were treating Jesus at that very moment.  

In Matthew 26 and Luke 22, we see that Peter chose to keep a low profile. He wanted to go unnoticed by the angry mob. That didn’t work for long though—three different people recognized him as a follower of Jesus and asked him about it. Each of the three times, Peter denied ever knowing Jesus.

If we skip ahead in Scripture, though, we find Peter doing the exact opposite. In Acts 2, Peter is standing in front of a big crowd, filled with people who may persecute him. Rather than denying knowing Jesus, he proclaims the secret to life: repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and receive the Holy Spirit.

This is risky. What will people think? What if they turn on him the way that they did Jesus? Yet, he was bold anyway. He was a transformed person compared to who he had been earlier in the story. 

How did Peter transform? He was restored by Jesus. He also received the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

Two major things happened between these passages of scripture: Jesus visited Peter, and with grace, restored him. Secondly, the Holy Spirit came down from heaven for the followers of Jesus. With the Holy Spirit came power, empowering the believers to live bold, transformed lives (Acts 2).

Many of us face moments like this: moments where the right answer is boldness for Jesus, but the easy answer is to keep our heads down. What will people think? What will they do? 

Here’s some great news: we’re never alone. We don’t have to be bold on our own. The Holy Spirit is with us every day, giving us the power to be bold and transformed. We can walk out our newness each day with His help. 

You can start today. Boldness is now. The Holy Spirit is ready to walk with you.

Leave the Darkness Behind

Think back to Genesis 1 when God created the world. One of the first things God said was, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3). Just like God created light to shine upon the earth, Jesus came as a light to all mankind.

In John 8:12, Jesus says, "I am the light of the world..." He also points out that light is necessary for finding our way in this world.

Jesus is the light that guides men and women into true life. He's the light that illuminates our path, as well as the one who illuminates the rest of the world. It is by Jesus’ light that we can clearly discern what is right and good.

The picture of light in the darkness is significant. It means vision instead of blindness, confidence instead of confusion, hope instead of despair.

If you're feeling lost, disoriented, or stuck in the dark, start by saying His name: Jesus. Then, take a step—asking Him to light up the darkness. And as you continue to follow Him, one step at a time, He will show you the way.

Take a moment to thank God for shining His light in your life. Because of Jesus, you can leave the darkness behind and experience the light that leads to life.