Remembered by God...

Remembered by God.

People may forget your good deeds, but God never does.

Maybe they never said thank you.
Maybe they never publicly honored your service.
Maybe they never remembered what you did…

God always does. People may forget our good deeds, but God never does.

Sometimes, we may wonder if our good deeds matter or will ever be acknowledged. Hebrews 6:10 reassures us that the God who blesses a faithful life will never forget our acts of kindness and service.

Think of it this way: God has a perfect memory, and He sees, knows, and remembers every act of obedience done in His name, even if the world labels it a failure and considers you a fool. Your just and faithful God is taking note, and He will reward you.

He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” (Hebrews 6:10 NIV)

So, when you're tempted to think your efforts go unnoticed or unappreciated. When you feel forgotten or overlooked. When you’re tempted to think that what you contribute doesn’t matter, remember and hold on to the promise of Hebrews 6:10. Because God won’t forget your kindness, your faithfulness, and your service.
People may forget your good deeds, but God—He never does.

Help for the Weak...

Sometimes, in our fast-paced world, admitting vulnerability seems like admitting defeat. But if you've found yourself feeling weary, overwhelmed, or unsure of yourself, there's good news to cling to: “Our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:2 NIV)

For those in Christ, we’re not in this alone; God is our help. God’s Spirit is working in us and through us to accomplish His purposes—even when we don’t see it or feel it. He’s bringing things to mind, putting people along our path, and stirring up our hearts with that which matters to Him.

God’s Word says that His power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9), and it’s actually in our weakness that He is strong (2 Corinthians 12:10).

So the pressure to do everything, have everything, and be everything is off. You have a Helper who meets you in your vulnerability and offers you strength in every moment. So, how can you begin to trust Him to help you when you are weak?

Hearing vs. Listening...

Throughout the pages of Scripture, there’s a word that gets repeated:
"hear," or a related word, "listen." In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word "Shema" translates into English as "hear" or "listen" and is often used to emphasize the act of listening, understanding, and obeying.

Today’s culture places value on doing many things at once; we often try to listen while focusing on other tasks, which divides our focus. The sound of someone’s voice might come into our ears, but if we’re also scrolling social media, doing schoolwork, or making a meal, we might not fully understand their words.

But in the biblical context, "hearing" does not simply include sound reception; it also involves active obedience and an effort to understand.

In Mark 4:9, Jesus invites us to listen—to hear and obey, encouraging us to pay careful attention to His words: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." Jesus isn't just asking us to audibly hear His words and carry on with our personal agenda; He's urging us to actively listen and obey, to live by His truth. Listening and obeying are what build our faith in Jesus Christ. Hearing the Word of God should lead to a transformed life marked by fruitfulness.

As you reflect on the idea of listening in Scripture, consider your heart and spiritual receptivity. Are you attentive to God's Word, allowing it to transform your life, or is your hearing divided, causing you to resist His call?

The Unconditional Pursuit: A Call to Belong...

Relentlessly pursuing Jesus? Wandered off the path from Jesus? On the fence about Jesus?

Here’s what’s true: You matter to Jesus. Yes, you.

There are no qualifications for God’s love and pursuit of you. You matter to Jesus; He calls you by name to come to Him, and He desires you to be with Him.

Reread those words: He desires you to be with Him. In Matthew 18:12, Jesus shares this parable:
“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?”

It’s not just a story; it's a reassuring reality of Jesus’ love and commitment to every single one of His own. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, never gives up on His sheep. Never. He diligently seeks out the one who wanders.

We all have moments when we feel like the wandering sheep. Sometimes, we feel like we’re straying off the path. But remember this: you are not forgotten, and you matter to Jesus. He cares for the one who has strayed just as much as He does the ninety-nine who stayed close (Matthew 18:13). So draw near to Him today.

Because no matter where you are on your spiritual journey, Jesus is seeking after you, calling you by name to not only follow Him but to be with Him.

Unity Beyond Uniformity...

Unity Beyond Uniformity

Can you imagine living in a house with a cracked foundation? Over time, the walls will begin to cave in, and the ceiling could buckle or split in two.
It might not happen right away, but eventually, everything slowly falls apart. In Mark 3:25, Jesus vividly portrays the impact of division…

"If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand."

Jesus wasn't merely discussing political entities or physical homes. He was teaching a powerful principle applicable to every area of life: where there is unity, there is strength. But when division seeps into a social structure—a family, a community, a neighborhood, a workplace, or a church—it weakens.

Division often feels inevitable, but Christians are called to examine our lives to see how we can be agents of unity. But not uniformity—unity doesn't demand that we all sound and act the same, but it does mean we should strive for harmony amidst diversity.

So, consider this: How can you begin to foster unity in the spaces and relationships God has placed you in? It could be overlooking a minor offense (Proverbs 19:11), listening with understanding to someone with differing viewpoints (Philippians 2:3-4), redirecting a conversation rooted in gossip (Proverbs 20:19), or apologizing for a hasty response (James 5:16). Every day you have a choice to pursue unity. So, how is God calling you to foster the spirit of unity today?

Greed...

It wears like an invisible cloak, blending seamlessly into the fabric of modern culture. It silently seeps into our desires, clouds our judgment, and distorts our values. Greed always seeks more—more validation, more status, more comfort, more things.

But the irony of greed is this: the more earthly possessions, status, or validation we gain, the more we are left dissatisfied.
In Luke 12:15, Jesus warns how this illusion of fulfillment through relentlessly collecting more blinds us to true contentment and purpose and is an empty pursuit:

“Then he said to them, 'Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.'”

True fulfillment doesn’t happen when we store up possessions or pursue unending comfort. True fulfillment is found when we’re anchored in contentment, gratitude, and a deep relationship with God that leads to seeking His kingdom and righteousness (Luke 12:31).

Where do you have an endless craving for more—more validation, more comfort, more possessions? Are there areas of your life where the constant pursuit of more might be overshadowing the pursuit of God’s kingdom and His righteousness (Luke 12:31)?

The Unknown Day and Hour...

The Unknown Day and Hour

Imagine you work in someone’s home. One day, the master of the home leaves and entrusts you to steward their property, and you have no idea when they will return. What would you do?

Take a nap? Throw a party? Eat all the food in the pantry? Ignore instructions?

No. A faithful servant would follow their master’s directions and keep the home ready for their return.

Jesus’ parable in Mark 13:32-37 illustrates that the same is true of what our Master, Jesus, has given us—possessions, gifts, talents, and the like. It’s not really ours, after all—He left it in our care temporarily. We don’t know when He will return, "whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn" (Mark 13:35, NIV). But God’s Word tells us what we should do in the meantime. Here are a few tasks our Master has for us while we wait:
- Stay alert and vigilant. (Mark 13:33)
- Pray for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:18)
- Serve one another with our spiritual gifts. (1 Peter 4:10)
- Care for the needy. (James 2:14–17)
- Practice humility. (Philippians 2:3–4)
Let’s stay on guard for when “someday” becomes “today.”

Pray Persistently...

“Don’t give up.” These are the words every tired marathon runner, every exhausted parent, and every weary heart needs to hear. It takes courage to start a project, but often, it takes even more courage to persist when we are stuck in the middle, and we’re not sure we will make it to the end.

In Luke 18, Jesus taught the parable of the persistent widow. Through this story, Jesus teaches us how to pray persistently because He knows how easy it is to get weary and discouraged. He shows us that tirelessly bringing our needs and concerns to God is not nagging or irritating to Him, but rather a sign of faithful trust in Him.

Are you weary of praying for something? Relief from some hardship? The salvation of a loved one? Justice, peace, or deliverance? Imagine Jesus Himself standing on the sidelines of this long, long race and whispering to you: “Don’t give up talking to me about this.”

There are some prayers God will answer immediately, while others may take days, weeks, months, years, or even lifetimes. While it might seem like those requests have been forgotten or denied, Jesus’ challenge to us is this: if He were to return right now, would we still trust His faithfulness?
Will you offer Him your praise, gratitude, trust, and needs today and every day that comes after? He is faithful and just and will not leave your petition unanswered.

Pray for Peace...

If we can’t control our circumstances physically, we will fixate on them mentally; our thoughts loop around and around. This is exactly why Paul tells us not to be anxious. He understands the ramifications.

Paul, the author of Philippians, writes: do not be anxious about anything. This is not a suggestion or a recommendation. Reading his warning as optional results in our constant state of fear and we become anxious about everything.

Teaching us how to break the cycle of worry, Paul offers three antidotes:

Prayer. Present your worries to God. Let go of your mental turmoil and trust God’s sovereign power over your circumstances.
Petition. Make an earnest request to the One who has the authority to intervene. His power is strong enough to mend what’s broken in your life.
Praise. Giving thanks protects our hearts. Adoration loosens anxiety’s grip. Thank God for a breathtaking sunset, flowers blooming, snow falling, food to eat, and a warm blanket on a cool day. We can always find something to thank God for.

Paul promises God’s peace will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus when we practice prayer, petition, and praise. We won’t be anxious about anything when we go to God with everything. Nothing is too small or insignificant. If it matters to you, it matters to God. He cares about each detail of your life. Let prayer change the way you feel, exchanging worry for peace.

Humble Confidence...

At the top of John chapter 5, John explains that anyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ—the prophesied Messiah—has become a child of God.

When we become children of our Heavenly Father, we not only inherit a forever kingdom and an incorruptible legacy, but we’re also granted the privilege of approaching the King of all kings.

John said it this way:

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭5:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As the text continues, John reiterates the fact that God loves to give us what we ask for—when it’s asked with the right motive.

Think about it this way: is a child concerned about approaching his loving parent for a snack, for a hug, for advice, or for help?

When we come to God with a similar childlike confidence—in sincerity, humility, trust, and even desperation—we can be certain that He hears us. When we submit a request, we might get a yes, we might get a no, or we might get a not yet. But regardless…

We can know that God hears us as we trust Him with our prayers.

The author of the book of Hebrews put it eloquently: “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (Hebrews 4:16 NLT)

Whether you need wisdom, direction, or practical help, you can come boldly to our gracious God. You can come to God with your praises and doubts, opinions and concerns, thankfulness and questions.

And when you ask for something that aligns with His will, you’re never a bother or annoyance or nuisance, for it gives God great pleasure to give you all that you need (Luke 12:31-32).

The Power of Prayer

Prayer is powerful because of who is listening, not because of who is speaking or what they’re saying. You get to pray to your Father, the powerful God who wants you to embrace His love today.

The Lord’s Prayer begins by addressing “our Father in heaven.” A Father who holds all power and authority. A Father who loves you greatly. Unlike earthly fathers, our heavenly Father loves us perfectly—Jesus’ nail-scarred hands prove the depth of His love for us.

In this passage, Christ teaches us how to approach our loving Father in prayer: fixing our eyes on His eternal kingdom, not our temporary one. He tells us to go to God, not the world, with our daily needs. Jesus shows us how to drop the weights of sin and unforgiveness. He encourages us to be controlled by the power of God, rather than evil.

The Lord’s Prayer invites God’s influence to take root in us, guiding our hearts into right relationship with the Lord and welcoming His authority into our lives while rejecting worldly power.

Don’t run from it. Seek Him through prayer, allowing Him to guide you and carry your burdens. He might not work in ways you fully understand, but you will walk lighter knowing He hears you, and He’s fighting for you.

The Task of Evangelism...

Have you ever shared the good news of Jesus with someone in your life?

When Jesus was teaching and training the twelve disciples, he often used imagery and metaphors that were part of their culture to communicate important truths to them. In Matthew 9:37-38, Jesus relates the work that He is doing to a farmer’s work in the field.

Jesus says that the people who do not know Jesus are like a field of grain that is ready to be harvested. But, there are not enough workers to go and harvest among the fields. Jesus says to pray that God would send more workers to gather the harvest.

Essentially, there are people that are ready and willing to hear and respond to the gospel message, the hope that Jesus brings for every person. But when Jesus says "the workers are few" (Matthew 9:38), what He really means is: there are not enough people sharing the good news with others.

As Christians, we are entrusted with the free gift of eternal life, and we’re tasked with sharing that message with others. However, many Christians keep their faith to themselves.

We are to be bold in sharing the message of the cross with other people so that they can experience new life in Jesus, too.

Take a few minutes today to consider what small step you can take to begin sharing Jesus with other people. Ask your neighbors, coworkers, or friends what their spiritual background is so that you can begin having spiritual conversations. Pray for God to give you courage, and then step out and begin sharing with others.

The Sweetness of Patience...

Have you ever plucked fruit prematurely?

Perhaps you were allured by its vibrant color and sweet scent moving through the air. But when you took the first bite, you realized it lacked the ripeness you anticipated. Everything seemed right at first glance, but there was one missing ingredient…

Time.

Even the simple act of picking fruit can teach us about time and patience:

"Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You, too, be patient and stand firm because the Lord's coming is near."

James 5:7-8

The author, James, penned these words under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to a community of new Jewish converts to Christianity, dispersed throughout various regions. These early Christians faced many trials, including persecution and opposition, because of their newfound faith. James’ call to wait patiently and endure was more than mere words on a page; they were a lifeline of hope and encouragement in the midst of adversity.

And just as those early believers confronted trials, we, too, will encounter challenges and suffering in our Christian journey. And, just like those early believers, you can choose patience—allowing the fruit of the Spirit to ripen within you, no matter the season of life. And when you do, your character will mature, your faith will deepen, and your relationship with God will become sweeter than you could imagine. Patience always bears the fruit of perseverance and strength, even today and even for you!

Seeking and Finding God...

In the Old Testament, God’s presence and His relationship with His people was mediated through priests and the temple system. The people of God worshiped God and prayed to Him, but it was the priests who would enter a sacred space and speak with God on their behalf.

They revered God, but they were still separated from Him.

However, the prophet Jeremiah wrote about a time when God’s people would be able to experience a direct relationship with Him. God’s Spirit would dwell in them, and they could find Him anywhere at any time.

Through Jesus, Jeremiah's prophecy was fulfilled. Jesus sent the Spirit of God to dwell within us, to have access to God’s presence at any time.

This means that God is never far from you—just like it says in Jeremiah 29:13, He can be found when we seek Him. He is present and ready for a relationship with you.

Jeremiah also says that we must seek God with all of our heart. We don't just seek God, He seeks us as well. When you pursue a relationship with God, He wants access to every part of you. The way you think, the way you act, and even the way you feel.

He wants to transform your entire life.

At first, it may seem hard to give God access to our past, or the things we’re ashamed of. But, God is full of grace and mercy, and He wants us to be free from those things. Seeking God with all of your heart may feel risky at times, but we can trust He knows best and will love us regardless of what we’ve done.

Ask God to reveal within you any part of your life that you haven’t surrendered to God. Pray for the strength and courage to give all of your life to God. Continue to seek Him and follow Him each and every day.

Reconciled for a Purpose...

Reconciled for a Purpose

Have you ever attempted to balance a difficult equation?

There’s a lot more to it than simply getting the right answer. You need to understand the step-by-step process if you want to be able to apply it and find new solutions in the future. In fact, most solutions in life involve a process, and the idea of reconciliation is no different.

It’s not enough to know that reconciliation is the answer to disunity and injustice, though. We have to seek to understand and actively engage in the process. Reconciliation is the hard-but-good, beautiful-yet-messy, worth-it kind of work.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, you are not only called to understand and engage in the process of reconciliation; you are thoroughly equipped to be a minister of reconciliation. Scripture affirms that every believer is a minister of reconciliation, empowered by God Himself (2 Corinthians 5:11-21).
So how do we do that? Psalm 34:14 lays out a few steps for us:

“Turn from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it.”
Psalm 34:14

Turn from evil and do good. Turning from evil means both rejecting evil outwardly and addressing it inwardly within our own hearts. We confess the sin that caused the fracture by acknowledging our role in conflicts with God and others, and we turn from our old ways and actively seek peace.

Seek peace and pursue it. Peace isn’t the absence of conflict; it’s the presence of restored harmony. Seeking peace means we aren’t just peace-keepers; we are peacemakers who actively pursue being a part of restoration. We listen empathetically and strive for understanding. We see and are attentive to the brokenness around us and ask where God might be calling us to be a part of reconciliation. And we put in the work because this kingdom work is worth it.

And because of the reconciliation work of Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross, reconciliation is not a problem to be solved; it's a process that you’ve been invited to. Jesus Christ is reconciling the world to Himself. How will you join Him?

Cling to God's Promises...

What do you think about?

The thoughts you fill your mind with 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 God 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. God’s not done with you. God’s not done with you. (Philippians 1:6)

The Power of Words...

Words have power.

We use thousands of them every day to communicate. They help us share joy and sadness. They help us learn and grow. We use them to build each other up—or tear each other down…

And yet, we often underestimate the impact of our words.

Are you giving thought to the words you speak over yourself or about others daily? Are they words rooted in doubt, fear, and insecurity, or do they come from the truth, goodness, and security in God’s promises?

In Psalm 46:1, the Psalter makes a powerful declaration of God's truth and promise: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

And this declaration leads to action in the next verse: “Therefore we will not fear” (verse 2).

Our declarations have the power to guide our actions. So what is it that you are declaring? Maybe today, you need the reminder to speak the truth of the words that come from God—your refuge, strength, and ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).

As God's child, you have been given freedom in Christ to choose and use words wisely (Colossians 4:6, Ephesians 4:29).

So today, choose words of life. May your tongue be an instrument of blessing, as you declare what is true, pure, admirable, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).

God is With You...

Have you ever asked God, “Where are you?”

Some days it can feel like you’re walking alone through life. It can seem like God is not present or with you. Or maybe it feels like He has deserted you in a difficult time.

The nation of Israel experienced many moments like this. They cried out to God in the midst of pain and exile. They were honest in their prayers to God—they told Him exactly how they felt in the midst of hardship.

In turn, God spoke to them through the prophets. He spoke words of comfort and hope. He reminded them of His promises, and that His character never changes.

While it can sometimes seem like God deserts us, we know from His promises that He is always with us. Through life’s loneliest times or most difficult seasons, God is right next to us. He walks through every season of life by our side.

Not only is He with us, but He also promises to strengthen us and help us in times of difficulty. When we feel like we’ve run out of strength to continue, God will provide His strength for us.

God will provide the help we need to keep living in His will. He doesn’t promise to give us strength to do whatever we want, but rather—He gives us courage and empowerment to continue walking according to His plans for our life.

So, in seasons of hardship when we feel like we’ve run empty, we should lean in to God’s promises and trust Him. We should trust that He will empower us and strengthen us for whatever we’re facing.

Take some time today to pray to God. If He feels distant, ask Him to be close to you. If you feel weak, ask Him to strengthen you. He promises to uphold you, so trust in His promises. Continue to build a relationship with God and seek His presence. As you do, you’ll find a renewed strength as you walk through life with Him.

The Presence of God...

The writer of Psalm 27 is intentionally focusing on one of the most important aspects of our spiritual life. Throughout Scripture, we learn about the importance of the presence of God.

It is in the presence of God that we find strength and hope (Psalm 27:1). It’s also in God’s presence that our enemies lose their power over us (Psalm 27:2-3).

In Psalm 27:4 the writer of the Psalm expresses his desire to dwell within the house of the Lord, to gaze upon God’s beauty and be in His presence in the temple. In the Old Testament, the presence of God was primarily within the temple. But through spending time with God, the Psalmist found hope and restoration for his soul.

Thanks to Jesus, God’s presence is no longer confined to the temple. His presence is now available to us through the Holy Spirit who dwells within believers. We now have access to God’s presence at any time.

Just like the writer of the Psalm desired to dwell within God’s presence, we also should desire to be with God as much as possible. It is in God’s presence that we find hope, joy, beauty, and the restoration of our weary souls.

It is important that we spend time with God each and every day. We can do this through regularly reading Scripture and reflecting on what we read. We can also spend time in prayer, talking to God about what is happening in our life. Another way to spend time in God’s presence is to simply be aware that He is with you through your daily tasks each day.

Don't Lose Heart...

As we start getting older, our bodies begin to change.

Muscles might ache. Hair might gradually turn gray. Vision and hearing might eventually get less sharp. And we, or someone we love, might even struggle with significant or devastating health challenges.

The apostle Paul once offered some ageless wisdom to the believers in Corinth, Greece, which can still be helpful for us today:

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Paul knew what it was like to face hard things; he’d been beaten, shipwrecked, snake bitten, and imprisoned.

Earlier in the letter, he’d said, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:8-9‬ ‭NIV)‬‬

The ripple effects of sin’s existence in the world might frustrate us physically, but it cannot touch us spiritually.

Whether you’re dealing with a serious diagnosis, physical shame, or are simply exhausted by the weight of everyday responsibilities, don’t give up. Your body might be aching, but God can still renew your spirit—day after day after day.