What changed for the disciples after Jesus' resurrection? They had followed Him closely, witnessed His miracles, and heard His teaching. But it wasn’t until Pentecost that they became fearless. The Holy Spirit came down and filled them with power. Cowards became courageous.

Joseph’s brothers let jealousy lead them into deception. They devised a scheme, made a cover-up, and lived a lie for years. The result? Broken relationships, deep regret, and generational wounds.

Some days, I move forward with confidence. Other days, I find myself crawling—tempted to retreat to what once felt safer, easier, more familiar. And sometimes, I’m simply wandering, distracted, moving without purpose. But God’s hand never leaves. When I reach for Him, I find Him right where He has always been.

Pride can be loud, seeking attention, craving recognition, and thriving on praise. But it can also be subtle, slipping into our thoughts and habits in ways we hardly notice.

Because at the end of the day, You don’t just want my effort—you want me. You want my heart, fully surrendered in adoration, not just in activity. You want love, not obligation. Devotion, not just duty.

God had more for me than the sentiments represented by overt displays of affection and impressive expressions of commercial love. He was teaching me to shift my focus from outward impressions to recognizing a genuine heart for God.

Life lived in the secret place of the Most High is assured and divine protection. Psalm 91 has long served as a source of comfort and confidence when God’s men or women face perilous danger. Most often, this psalm of David is prayed over physical places under siege—during war, in battles, in sickrooms, and in uncertain and threatening times.

Abiding under the shadow is a place of blessed relief. If the shadow of Almighty God is covering me, I am safe and secure.

We long to be connected and to have the ability to share and participate in others’ lives. We were created to be in relationship with one another.

Decide where your faith will stand in the first statement. Either I will believe God’s way is perfect, or I won’t. It’s a statement, a declaration—it has been established in my innermost being—when I feel like it and when I don’t.

The more familiar you become with His Word, the more you see His truth throughout the Scriptures, the more you grow in awe and understanding of His character and greatness. The more convinced and confident you become in His Word, the more you will trust that His ways are perfect. Eat it—it’s the bread of life. Allow it to nourish and strengthen your faith. Establish your life in Him and experience the proven Word.

God made a way through the plots and schemes to preserve Paul’s life. He was escorted safely to Caesarea, where he stood trial before Felix, the governor. Felix found no reason to condemn him, not even a character weakness. 

Perfection and completion are accomplished through the practice of patience. Patience, in turn, is developed through trials—the often tedious and rigorous experiences that stretch us beyond our natural ability to change our circumstances or endure their pressures. Trials come with no time limit and no guaranteed relief, yet they teach us something invaluable. Out of desperation, a deep dependence on God is born, and a measure of patience is gained.

There’s a mystery and beauty in marveling at something far greater than ourselves. When we lift our eyes to God's towering majesty, we’re enabled to reach beyond our human limits. The fear of the Lord—the awe-filled reverence for who He is—grounds us, transforms us, and ultimately brings us closer to Him.

God’s people have always had to go back to the Word. Time and time again, Scripture reminds us of His promises, His faithfulness, and His perfect timing.

I wonder what all the key players in the first Christmas story would think about the way we celebrate. They had no idea we would be telling their story more than 2,000 years later.

Time, traditions, heritage, cultures, and families have all merged together to create our vision of Christmas through art, music, pageants, plays, and programs. All over the world, the eternal hope, “Unto us a child is born,” is being proclaimed (Isaiah 9:6).

There was an extraordinary moment in history when hope entered a weary world. In the chaos and pain of humanity, Jesus came—not to bypass our struggles, but to meet us in them. His birth is a story of love and hope.

For some, the Christmas season brings joy, togetherness, and celebration. But for others, it’s a time marked by loneliness, grief, or unmet expectations. If that’s where you find yourself this year, know you are not alone. At the heart of the Christmas story is a message of hope—a light that meets us in the darkest places and reminds us we are deeply loved.

Sometimes the goodness of God shows up in such tangible ways it’s astounding.

Efficiency is often celebrated in our world. It’s the ability to do things well, with minimal waste, and achieve success. We live in a time-bound existence where failure, defeat, and wasted moments are common. This makes efficiency a prized value. But what does it mean to be spiritually efficient? How do we live a life that reflects efficiency in our walk with God?

Anxiety can overwhelm us, but God invites us to appeal to Him. Job reminds us that we are not under this world’s economy but under heaven’s ways, which are different and higher. By appealing to God, we allow His peace to change our hearts and reset our focus. Remember, Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth, and He is intimately involved in our lives.

This departure was not the end but the beginning of a powerful new chapter, ushering in the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us until Christ's return.

God creates intersections with people in our lives to fulfill His purposes for His kingdom. Our task is not to control or manipulate these intersections but to seek and discern what God desires to do through them.