By William Winfield

There is a moment during the crucifixion that many people read quickly but rarely stop to truly understand.

Jesus carrying the cross.

After being scourged by Roman soldiers, beaten, mocked, crowned with thorns, and weakened from massive blood loss, Jesus was forced to carry the crossbeam to Golgotha. Roman crucifixion victims often carried the patibulum, the heavy horizontal beam, which could weigh anywhere from 75 to 125 pounds.

Now imagine the condition Jesus was already in.

Isaiah 52:14 says His appearance was so marred that He was barely recognizable as a man.

He had already been whipped with a Roman flagrum, a whip embedded with bone and metal designed to tear flesh from the body. Severe blood loss, shock, and exhaustion would have made even standing difficult.

Yet He kept walking.

The Gospels tell us that along the road to Golgotha, Jesus collapsed under the weight of the cross.

So the Roman soldiers grabbed a man from the crowd.

His name was Simon of Cyrene.

Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, and Luke 23:26 all record that Simon was compelled to carry the cross behind Jesus.

Mark even notes something interesting. Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus, which suggests his family later became known among early believers. Many scholars believe this moment changed Simon forever.

Think about the symbolism.

A man who did not wake up that morning expecting to encounter Jesus suddenly found himself carrying the instrument of Christ’s suffering.

What looked like interruption became divine appointment.

Simon did not choose the cross.

But the cross chose him.

And this moment reveals something deeply personal about our walk with God.

There are seasons in life when the weight feels unbearable.

Pain.
Loss.
Responsibility.
Pressure.
Grief.
Spiritual warfare.

Moments when it feels like the cross you are carrying is crushing you.

But here is the truth hidden in this scene.

Jesus knows exactly what that weight feels like.

Hebrews 4:15 tells us we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who was tempted and tested in every way as we are, yet without sin.

Jesus experienced exhaustion.

Jesus experienced suffering.

Jesus experienced the crushing weight of the mission placed before Him.

Yet even in that moment of agony, we see His humility.

The King of Heaven allowed Himself to be helped by a stranger.

He did not resist it.

He did not push Simon away.

He accepted the help.

That is humility.

Philippians 2 says Christ humbled Himself and became obedient even to death on a cross.

The Savior of the world allowed a man from the crowd to help carry the burden.

And that moment carries a message for every believer.

Sometimes God allows others to help carry your cross.

Sometimes your struggle becomes the moment someone else encounters Christ.

And sometimes the very burden you are carrying is shaping someone else’s faith.

But here is the most powerful truth in the entire story.

Even though Simon carried the cross for part of the journey…

Jesus still finished the mission.

He still went to the cross.

He still gave His life.

He still rose again.

And because He carried the ultimate cross, you never have to carry yours alone.

When the weight feels unbearable…

When life feels overwhelming…

Remember this.

The same Jesus who collapsed under the cross understands your struggle.

And the same Jesus who rose from the grave has the power to strengthen you to keep walking.

You may feel like the cross is heavy.

But you are never carrying it without Him.

#thecross #PREACHWILL #jesus

Verse of the day

The Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. — Deuteronomy 7:9

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
God is faithful to his promises and his people. He fulfilled every promise with a great "Amen!" in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:18-20). His covenant is far more than a set of agreements between a god and his people. God's covenant with us is a covenant of love. He will not forsake us or abandon us (Hebrews 13:5-6; Romans 8:32-39). He will treat us better than we deserve, just as a loving parent treats a rebellious child better than she or he deserves. We must tune our hearts to beat in honor of God as our God. We must not treat him as a good luck charm, a bellhop to bring us our every wish, or our weekly guest we occasionally invite to visit in the margins of our otherwise busy lives. What we do must be done with an awareness and intention that what we have done has been done before him, to honor him! As we do these things, God is faithful. He will uphold his covenant to love us, forgive us, restore us, and empower us until he brings us home to be with him.

Prayer...
Faithful God, thank you for loving me so sacrificially and steadfastly. Thank you for keeping your promises to the Israelites and for bringing Jesus just as you promised. I trust your promise to send him back to bring me home to you. Until then, please receive the deeds and words of this day as my thanks to you for your covenant of love with me and those who love Jesus. In the name of Jesus, your gift of love, I pray. Amen.

Verse of the day

Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. — Psalm 73:25-26

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
What can truly fulfill and sustain you? Maybe the best way to answer that question is by asking another: What can we keep when our bodies are placed silently in their graves at death? Only our relationship with God, our Christ-like character, and our loving relationships with Jesus' disciples are permanent. These last beyond the grave. So, if these are lasting, then why would we displace them for anything that isn't lasting? Earth's treasures fail, wither, dissolve, and decay. What we have in God is forever!
[ My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. ]

Prayer...
Mighty Yahweh, Strong One of Israel, Keeper of the Covenant and Fulfillment-Maker of every prophecy, you are my hope, my strength, and my future. I live this day in wide-eyed amazement that the Keeper of the Universe knows my name, hears my voice, and cares for me. Thank you for being my past, my present, and my future. You are the Great I Am. You, O God, are the strength of my heart forever! In the name of Jesus, my Immanuel, I pray. Amen.

Biblical Creation.
You might have a hard time seeing it, but this is a lichen katydid. It is almost identical to the lichen it hangs around. It has no idea what it looks like and has no way to control what it looks like. It took an Intelligent Creator to give it what it needed to blend in and stay hidden from another hungry predator.

Biblical Creation

WHERE DID ALL THE WATER GO?

One of the most common questions about the global Flood recorded in Genesis is, “If the entire Earth was covered in water, where did all that water go?” Scripture describes a cataclysmic event in which “all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered” (Genesis 7:19). From a biblical creationist viewpoint, the answer lies in understanding the massive geological transformations that took place during and after the Flood. As the fountains of the great deep burst forth, the Earth’s crust was broken apart, tectonic plates shifted, and new ocean basins were formed. Mountains were pushed upward, valleys and trenches were carved, and much of the water that once inundated the land drained into the newly deepened ocean floors. Today, our planet still bears the scars of that upheaval, with ocean trenches like the Mariana Trench plunging nearly seven miles deep — far deeper than Mount Everest is tall — easily holding the excess water.

From this perspective, the Flood was not just a period of heavy rain; it was a complete reworking of Earth’s surface on a scale we can barely imagine. Before the Flood, the continents may have been lower and the ocean basins shallower, allowing water to cover the entire surface more easily. But after the waters prevailed for 150 days, God caused a retreat by raising the mountains and lowering the sea floors (Psalm 104:8). Today, more than 70% of Earth’s surface is covered by water, and if the continents were leveled out, the oceans would cover the globe to a depth of nearly two miles. The water is still here — it has simply been redistributed. This understanding not only answers the skeptic’s question but also affirms the biblical account: the evidence of the Flood is not hidden — we can still see it today.

Devotion by Mark Farley

Matthew 14:28–32 Devotion – of little faith

Oh, how I wish I could buy faith like my other supplies on Amazon.

I see that they do offer “faith” based products and solutions, and like my head would like me to believe that if its on the internet then it must be true!

Maybe it’s different for you, but the school of life has taught me different.

Even better, walking with Jesus and building a daily relationship with Him has shown me that I have all the FAITH I need already built into me, … IF … I would only lean on the Holy Spirit and be willing to lean into and trust my faith.

I am a lot better at this than I used to be, but I still have those moments of doubt that come from my inner fears that life’s twists, turns, trials, tests, and temptations can stir up within me.

So, for me, I need to let go of the outer sources of “faith” and continue to rely on my inner God given FAITH!

How’s this working out for you?

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. “Matthew 14: 28-32

Peter sees Jesus walking on the water and asks to come to Him. Jesus says, “Come.” Peter steps out in faith and begins to walk toward Jesus. When he notices the wind and becomes afraid, he starts to sink and calls out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reaches out, catches him, and says, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

“Step Out, Keep Your Eyes on Jesus” These verses give a powerful picture of how faith and fear play out in life. Peter’s request—“Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come”—shows boldness and a longing to be with Jesus. When Jesus invites him, Peter does the impossible: he steps out of the safety of the boat and walks toward the Savior across raging waters.

His courageous first step was an act of trust.

But the moment he takes his eyes off Jesus and focuses on the storm; fear steals his confidence. The water, wind, and doubts become louder than the voice that called him.

His sinking begins not because the waves are stronger than Jesus, but because his trust wavered. In the very moment of weakness, Peter cries out, “Lord, save me,” and Jesus reaches out without hesitation.

The rebuke—“You of little faith”—is tender, not rebuking for failure but reminding Peter of what he already knows: Jesus is present and able.

Two simple lessons stand out:
• Faith acts. Peter didn’t sit passively in the boat; he obeyed the call and stepped out. God often asks us to move toward Him even when circumstances look impossible.
• Keep your gaze on Jesus. It’s not the absence of storms that sustains us but the presence of Christ. When fears rise, calling to Jesus brings rescue and re-orients our faith.

Challenge yourself today:
• Take one courageous step today where God is nudging you—big or small. Trust that He meets obedience.
• When anxiety or circumstances shout louder than God’s promise, practice a short prayer or Scripture reminder to refocus your eyes on Jesus (for example: “Lord, I fix my eyes on You.”

Prayer
Jesus, You called Peter into the storm and met him when he faltered. Call me, too, and give me courage to step out in faith. When winds of fear rise and my gaze drifts from You, reach out and hold me fast. Forgive my wavering trust, strengthen my faith, and help me keep my eyes fixed on You so I may walk toward You in courage and peace. Amen.

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Verse of the day:
I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither present nor the future, nor powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is ours in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Romans 8:38-39

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Separation is a primal fear, whether it is separation from something we fear, whether it's separation from a child, a parent, a sibling, a spouse, a friend, but especially separation from God is a deep fear for those of us who love him. Jesus endured separation from God by becoming a human and by going to the cross. As Paul put it so eloquently:
[ God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). ]
Because of Jesus' sacrifice, and our faith that he did it for us, we are in Christ. We know we'll never have to be separated from God's love. He bore the separation so we would never have to fear it. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God's love for us in Jesus!

Prayer...
Gracious and loving Father of all peoples, thank you for loving us in Jesus and adopting us as your children in Christ to bring us close to you. Thank you for promising that nothing can separate us from your love. Use the Spirit to help us know, deep inside, making us experientially aware of your accompanying presence in our lives as you live with us, in us, and make your home with us as we live for you (John 14:19-23). We pray this in Jesus name. Amen.

“Steadfast in the Fire”
The Martyrdom of John Hooper”

John Hooper, Bishop of Gloucester and Worcester, was a committed reformer during the reign of Edward VI. When Mary I of England restored Roman Catholic authority, Hooper was arrested and charged with heresy.

His specific crimes were theological:

He denied transubstantiation — rejecting the belief that the bread and wine in the Mass become the literal body and blood of Christ. He opposed the sacrificial nature of the Mass and rejected papal supremacy. Like other reformers, he refused to recant when examined.

For these refusals, he was condemned.

On February 9, 1555, Hooper was led to the stake in Gloucester. It was bitterly cold. He wore several layers of clothing due to the winter air, which would later prolong his suffering.

When the fire was lit, the wood was green and poorly prepared. The flames did not rise quickly. Instead, they smoldered.

The fire burned low around his legs and lower body, but failed to engulf him fully. Witnesses reported that he prayed aloud repeatedly:

“Lord Jesus, have mercy upon me… Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

The execution was agonizingly slow. The fire was rekindled more than once. It took a long time for the flames finally to consume him.

Foxe records that Hooper remained steadfast, striking his breast and lifting his eyes to heaven until his strength failed.

His death made a deep impression on the people of Gloucester. Many who witnessed it were said to be moved by the composure and endurance he displayed.

Bible Lessons:
Mark 10:46-52
Actions Based On Convictions (Faith)
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Introducing the lesson
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Faith, we might say is actions born of convictions. What we do is always tied to, and springs from what we believe. Faith is both a noun and a verb. Fascinating!
Today's lesson is centered around a character often referred to as 'Blind Bartimaeus”. While it is true that Christ Jesus performs a miraculous physical healing, restoring sight to Bartimaeus, I don't think that's the main point of the passage. As wonderful as this healing is, and as praiseworthy as our Savior is, I believe the author of this gospel is highlighting something else. That something is Faith.
Let's engage with the truths we are given, and pray God will change us into what He desires us to be.
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Section A
The Situation
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The son of Timaeus, or Bartimaeus was blind. In that time, and culture he was almost helpless, and certainly unable to provide for himself. His physical condition was hopeless, his prospects were bleak. In fact, our passage describes him engaged in his only practical option, begging for support by the roadside.
Brothers and sisters, we must understand, we must 'see' ourselves in the same predicament spiritually speaking. Blind to spiritual realities, helpless and unable to gain spiritual sight. Without the Lord we are spiritual beggars, just as surely as Bartimaeus was sitting by the road heading out of Jericho. This brings us to our next important thought.
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Section B
The Opportunity
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Jesus, the scripture informs us, had come to Jericho and was in the process of leaving. The opportunity for Bartimaeus was drawing to a close. Let's suppose he had decided to wait for the next time Jesus would visit. Imagine he wanted to wait and find out what the religious leaders up in Jerusalem had to say about the Lord Jesus. We know now that Jesus would never come back to Jericho, that the leaders would wrangle and maneuver to have Christ Jesus executed. But Bartimaeus didn't know any of that.
Thankfully, the 'blind' man could see his opportunity. He cried out to the Lord, refusing to be silent, or to be dignified. Now I wonder if someone reading this lesson is taking their opportunity for granted, not realizing it is not promised, and that the opportunity can end? Do you see as well as the blind man in our passage?
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Section C
Request, Repentance, & Restoration
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First let's consider the request.
“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” This is what Bartimaeus asked of the Lord. Let's think about what this means.
The name 'Jesus' has the meaning “Yahweh is salvation”. So our Lord's very Name speaks of Who He is, and what He came to proclaim and accomplish.
The nomenclature 'Son of David” speaks of Christ's lineage from king David, and the promise God made to the elders of Messiah coming from the line of David.
There was no bitterness, no accusations of life being unfair, no self justifying posturing coming from the lips of this blind man. But instead we hear a humble cry for mercy.
Friend, we do not want justice from a Holy and Righteous God, at least not for ourselves. The Bible is very clear that “all have sinned and fallen short...” What justice demands is eternal separation from the life and love of God. That is hell any way you look at it. The man in our story cried out for mercy, and that's what we need too.
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Next let's consider repentance.
I don't want us to miss how Bartimaeus flung away his cloak, that is, his outer garment. Brothers and sisters, this is a beautiful picture of what the Bible refers to as 'repentance.' It is a change of direction, a disassociation from what once defined us, and an ongoing decision to move in a new direction. Our man wanted Jesus more than any security his cloak represented, and more than any dignity he might forfeit in his stumbling towards the Lord. In short, more than anything else.
If you are being reached by the message of this lesson, I say to you “go, and do likewise”.
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Finally, let's think about restoration.
I'm going to get right to what I believe is a vital point in the narrative. Bartimaeus followed Jesus. Sight was restored, but not before faith was established. I am not attempting to minimize the miracle of healing our Lord performed. Not in the slightest. What I am trying to point out is the primary nature of faith. Specifically, the faith that moved a blind man and allowed him to see clearly Who Jesus is.
Why did our Lord ask the man “What do you want me to do for you?” I want to suggest that the primary relationship of faith had been established between the man and the Lord. In the gospel of John, chapter fifteen, verse seven we read “If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.” I will not claim to have a full understanding of all the particulars, but it seems to me the interaction between Christ and Bartimaeus follows a similar pattern.
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Concluding the lesson
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Faith is an indispensable part of human life. The important question is where, or more accurately, in whom will faith be placed. Will we trust in ourselves, our character, our abilities, our institutions? Or will we, like Bartimaeus, recognize our desperate situation and need for God's mercy? I will conclude today's lesson with a quote from 2 Corinthians 6:1–2:

“...we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says,
“In a favorable time I listened to you,
and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

May our gracious and merciful God grant you grace and mercy.
Amen

Boblical Creation

"THE BEST DESIGN I’VE EVER SEEN"

Deep beneath the Pacific Ocean, far from human eyes, stands a structure so refined that even seasoned engineers have stopped and taken notice. Euplectella aspergillum, also known as the Venus’ flower basket sponge, appears delicate at first glance, yet it carries a level of structural brilliance that defies that appearance.

Its body is formed as a narrow glass tube, but the true marvel lies in its internal framework. A precise lattice of vertical and horizontal beams is reinforced with diagonal supports, creating a rigid yet flexible structure capable of handling pressure without collapsing. This is not random arrangement. It is ordered, intentional, and incredibly efficient. Even modern architecture uses similar reinforcement patterns, not as an invention, but as a reflection of principles already present in creation.

Look closer and the design becomes even more astonishing. Each beam is not a single piece of glass but a layered composite made of microscopic cylinders fused together. This layered construction distributes stress and prevents cracks from spreading, allowing the structure to endure forces that should shatter something so seemingly fragile. In testing, it took the full weight of a grown man jumping on one of these structures just to produce a crack, and even then, it resisted complete failure.

One engineer examined this sponge and said it plainly, “the most perfect design I’ve ever seen.” That is not a casual statement. That is an admission. Because what we are looking at is not trial and error. It is not blind chance stumbling into success. It is precision. It is foresight. It is engineering at a level that humbles human understanding.

And that is the point. The design came first. The intelligence came first. What man builds is only an echo of what God has already created.

Verse of the day:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. — John 3:16

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Did you know the Bible doesn't just say, "God loves you." But don't let me confuse you. Scripture does tell us many times that God loves us. However, don't miss the important truth here. Each time Scripture tells us that God loves us, it also demonstrates that love by something God has done for us. You see, God's love is much more than emotion and intention. God's love is always demonstrated by what he does, has done, or will do. God loved us so much he didn't just say, "I love you." God also showed his love by sending his Son to sacrifice himself for our sins and give us his incomparable and eternal love! We never have to doubt that God means it when he says, "I love you." He always backs up his promises of love with his loving and sacrificial actions toward us.
[ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ]

Prayer...
Loving and Almighty God, thank you for loving me. Thank you for both saying you love me and demonstrating your love through your redemptive actions for me. Please know, dear Father, I love you, too! Please accept my loving emotions, words, and actions today as a testimony to my love for you. Through Jesus, I pray and thank you for your love. Amen.

Humble yourselves before the LORD, and he will lift you up. — James 4:10

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
*Humble yourselves..."* That sounds almost obscene to a world so caught up in self-promotion and willing to do almost anything for "likes" and "views" in social media. This "get ahead at all costs" and this "look at me" driven culture of self-promotion is destroying our inner character before our very eyes. Humility is a forgotten virtue. Often confused with weakness or timidity, humility is really about knowing our proper place in the world and our eternal value to God without flaunting, promoting, and exalting ourselves. Only God can exalt permanently, so the key is for us to know our place before him and let him put us in the place he chooses for us to honor him and bless others.

Prayer...
Abba Father, Most Holy God, thank you for allowing me into your presence because of your Holy Spirit and grace. When I think of all that you have done, the incredible universe you have made and hold together by your word, I am amazed you invite me into your presence and care about me. So, thank you! Thank you for knowing me and having a plan for my life. Please help me live with humility and grace before others today as I seek to glorify you in all the things I say, do, and believe. I trust my future and my influence to your grace, timing, and place. Through Jesus, I pray. Amen.

John 14:1-2 Devotion – Troubled Heart
by Mark Farley

It seems that our hearts are under attack a lot more than usual these days.

Perhaps it’s different for you but my heart seems to be exposed even more these days to life’s twists, turns, trials, tests, and temptations.

It hurts me to see so many struggling to navigate this season of turmoil and these trying times tend to pull on my heart more than usual.

In order to not fall victim to the doom and gloom that seems to try and cloak my world, I have learned to open the eyes of my heart to seek Gods will and ask the Holy Spirit to guide me through these confusing times.

Waking with Jesus has taught me that even though in this world we will have trouble, I can lean on Him to teach, guide, and Shepard me though. This keeps me from falling into the devil’s trap of allowing negativity and fear to swallow me whole.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; I am going there to prepare a place for you.” John 14:1–2

When Jesus speaks these words to His disciples, He meets their fear with a promise rooted in relationship and purpose. He does not give a theoretical comfort; He points them to Himself — the reliable way, the visible love of the Father, and the One who is actively making room for us.

In seasons of loss, anxiety, or uncertainty, this promise calls us back from frantic searching to simple faith: trust the One who knows the end from the beginning and is already preparing for our future.

Believing Jesus does not remove the pain of the present, but it changes our posture toward it: from restless fear to quiet confidence, from isolation to companionship with a Shepherd who leads us home.

Hold this truth close when worry rises. Turn your thoughts to Jesus with a short prayer, repeat His promise as a simple truth to rest on, and let His presence shape your daily choices—small acts of obedience, compassion, and hope that reflect confidence in the home He is preparing.

Prayer
Hey Jesus, I thank You that You know my heart and have prepared a place for me. When fear and doubt press in, remind me of Your promise and draw me back to trust in You. Help me rest in Your presence today, live in the assurance of Your love, and reflect Your peace to those around me. Come close, prepare my heart as You prepare a home, and lead me in hope until I see You face to face. Amen.
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Today Is Precious
BY Rosemarie Wheeler

You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. James 4:14

READ James 4:13-17:

13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. 17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

Vietnamese collector Pham has salvaged twenty church clocks from around Europe, many of which had been replaced with electronic versions. One clock, made in Italy, dates back to 1750 and, remarkably, still keeps time accurately. Pham enjoys restoring and preserving the timepieces, saying they remind him of how precious time is and to savor each moment.

In James 4, the writer encouraged his readers to recognize the preciousness of time by reminding them that their lives are like “a mist that appears for a little while” before vanishing (James 4:14). James warned against making plans to “go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money” (v. 13) without consulting God. Instead of presuming on God for the timing and success of their ventures, he reminded them that they “do not even know what will happen tomorrow” (v. 14). Designing our own successes is actually boastful and arrogant if it leaves God out of the picture.

When we recognize the brevity of our lives, we’re able to hold our plans for the future more loosely and better embrace the present moment. We live and work according to God’s design and purpose, which means we can humbly entrust our future to Him and savor each day as the gift from Him it truly is—no matter what it may hold.

REFLECT & PRAY
When have you left God out of your plans? How can you embrace today for the gift it is?

Thank You, God, for the gift of today. I trust my future to You.

Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." — 1 Peter 1:15-16

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
"Holy" is one of those words we generally associate with the "stained glass ghetto" — a word only "church folks" use around church buildings. That may be true, but it's still a great concept. Most kids know that you don't eat hot dogs and potato chips on your grandmother's china. Grandmother's china is reserved for "special company" or "special occasions." Hot dogs are for paper plates. China is for special events and occasions — special moments with special people we want to remember as special. When God is calling us to be holy, he's calling us to be china in a paper-plate world — something special just for him, and as Peter emphasizes, someone special who lives like him.

Prayer...
Holy LORD, God Almighty, I come before you knowing how great the distance is between your holiness and my commonness. I thank you for making me holy through the sacrifice of Jesus and for sending your Holy Spirit to live inside me, making me a holy temple where you dwell (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Please receive my life today as a holy offering to you. I pray in the name of Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of my faith, who has made me holy by your grace (Hebrews 2:10, 12:2; Colossians 1:21-23). Amen.

Roman Catholicism claims to have the authority of Christ, apostolic succession, the priesthood, and the sole right to interpret Scripture. Yet, it clearly teaches things not taught in Scripture. In fact, it contradicts Scripture regarding salvation and worshipping someone other than God. So, we have to ask: Is Roman Catholicism true Christianity? No, it is not. There are a lot of articles here, under different categories. They are well documented by Catholic Resources and compared with Scripture.

The Roman Catholic Church is not the sole authority to interpret scripture.

Matthew 26:41 NIV
[41] “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Look to the Lord, and be patient.
by Samuel Huff

Scripture Reference: But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Micah 7:7 (ESV)

Reflection: In order to understand the importance of this prophet, we need to gain some background on him. Micah came from Moresheth, a small rural town near Gath in the southern kingdom of Judah. His agricultural background shaped his message. A voice from the countryside who understood the struggles of ordinary people. Micah prophesied during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (mid-to-late 8th century BCE). This places him as a contemporary of Isaiah and Hosea, speaking into a world shaken by:The rise of the Assyrian Empire.The fall of the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 BCE. Widespread idolatry, political corruption, and moral decay in Judah. It is very likely that Isaiah and Micah would have crossed paths as both prophesied during the reigns of the same kings. (See Isaiah 1:1 and Micah 1:1) Our study verse speaks to a purpose that we as heirs to the Kingdom proclaim. Isaiah 8:17 proclaims the same. Isaiah 8:17 "I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him." Patience isn't only about having the ability to wait but, our attitude and how we behave while we wait.

Challenge: Micah 4:1-3 and Isaiah 2:2-4 are almost word for word the same prophetic message. Write down your thoughts answering the question; Do you feel that God will gives the same message to more than one of His children? Search and give one other instance where God or Jesus gives the same or similar message.

Prayer: Father God, In a world that often feels unsteady and uncertain, my eyes turn toward You. When circumstances shift and people fail, teach my heart to wait with quiet confidence. You are the God who hears, the God who saves, the God who sees what I cannot. Strengthen me to trust Your timing when mine feels impatient. Steady me to hope in Your goodness when my surroundings feel dark. Help me stand like Micah, looking upward, not inward; waiting faithfully, not fearfully. I rest in the assurance that You will answer, not because I am worthy, but because You are faithful. My hope is in You alone. Amen.

A good reminder for me of how to live.

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. — Micah 6:8

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
God's desires for us are not hard to discern. He wants to bless us with salvation. The incredible gift of his Son is a powerful testimony to this truth. Yet salvation from sin and death is not something he wants to happen in our lives just once. He wants our lives to reflect his salvation daily and to share that salvation with others by the way we live. When we act justly, pursue mercy in our relationships, and honor him with our worship from humble hearts, then God's salvation becomes real in our lives and impacts others with his grace. In the language of Jesus, we work for God's kingdom to come and will be done on earth, and in us, as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:9-10).

Prayer...
Almighty and compassionate Father, as I embrace this New Year, help my eyes see what your heart sees. Teach me to hate sin and to be merciful to all who need mercy. Teach me to know truth and act fairly, while hating abuse and exploitation. As I reflect on the great distance between your holy majesty and my inconsistent and flawed character, I ask for the Spirit's help to fashion me to be more and more like Jesus with greater urgency. Make me wholly your child in word, thought, and deed. I pray this in Jesus' name and to become more like him. Amen.

Good article regarding "judging".

https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/3-times-christians-actually-should-judge-others.html

Living and Powerful
by Samuel Huff

Scripture Reference: "For the word of God is living and powerful, sharper than any two‑edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)

Reflection: This familiar verse struck me anew today. What does it truly mean that God’s Word is living, powerful, and sharper than any two‑edged sword—able to reach places within us that nothing else can? Scripture teaches that once a person hears the truth, they cannot simply ignore it. Disbelief and disregard both carry weight, and the Bible gives several sobering examples of this (Matt. 12:24–31; Num. 14:11–45; Gal. 6:7–8). Our study passage reminds us that the power at work is God’s power, not our own. Whatever is accomplished through us is His doing. It also highlights how deeply the Word of God searches the heart. Human understanding cannot reach that depth, but God can. The ability to truly know the heart is a miracle made possible only through Christ.

Challenge: Reflect on the power contained in the Word of God. Ask yourself and maybe someone else; How are people’s destinies transformed by it, and if there is anything you can do to help?

With that in mind, let us turn to our Father in prayer.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Christ and His sacrifice on the cross. We pray that all would come to salvation. Though we are undeserving of Your grace, teach us to honor Your authority in our lives. Grant us boldness to share Your glory in every circumstance.

Until the day of Christ’s return, keep us diligent in prayer. Amen.

Love God. Love people. Live well in Christ, all for the glory of God. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, your family, and your communities. Love to all.

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! — 2 Corinthians 5:17

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
We all like "do-overs" — you know, second chances that allow us to do things over, only better. God does much better than that for us through his gift of Jesus! He allows us to become new again. Being the "God of new things" (Isaiah 43:19), he can make us new, fresh! Beyond forgiveness, beyond cleansing, the LORD makes us holy and wholly new through Jesus. Let's use the opportunity of a New Year as our emotional springboard to live a fresh, new, and vibrant life for God. After all, the old year is gone, and the New Year has come! Let's live it for Jesus!

Prayer...
O LORD, thank you for a New Year and a fresh start. Please give me wisdom and strength to serve you with integrity and faithfulness in this coming year. I pray that your work be done in my life as I offer myself, my plans, and my future to you. I pray this through Jesus, my intercessor and LORD. Amen.