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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?

PRAYER
God, open my heart to hear and readily receive from You. Free me from distractions. I don't want to read Your Word passively, but I want it to transform my life.
Help me to live in obedience and reflect Your light to others. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Striving Toward Unity

Almost every successful company or group in history has shared something in common: they all had a unifying mission.

As Christians, we all share the same mission. We are unified in following Christ. We're saved by His blood (Romans 5:9) and we're all called to make disciples in His name (Matthew 28:19).

And yet, even among Christians, there is so much division and disunity.

In Psalm 133:1, Psalmist reflects on how good it is when the people of God live together in unity. There is something powerful that happens among Christians when we are unified.

Unity is not putting away our differences, because there would be no need to be unified if we were all the same. No, unity is coming together with our differences and striving to make much of Jesus together.

We can accomplish so much more for God’s kingdom together than we can alone. But, we must strive for unity to make that happen. Life's better when we work together.

Take a moment to consider the people in your life who might be different from you. What steps can you take today to build a greater sense of unity with those around you? Consider a few ways that you can make Jesus famous in your life through the relationships and communities that you’re in.

PRAYER
God, You alone can unite Your children.
You make sinful hearts clean. You make broken families whole.
You make divided nations return to You.
Help me remember Your power to unite and Your will for togetherness. Mend the divisions You see in me, and mend the divisions You see in the world. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Think About It

Do you ever think about what you think about? Or recognize that your thoughts have power? Or consider how, over time, you’ll become what you think?

Writing from a Roman prison to the believers in the Greek city of Philippi, the apostle Paul knew firsthand the importance of battling hard things with true thoughts. He regularly dealt with opposition, weakness, hardship, and persecution.

But Paul also knew that Jesus-followers were called to a different way of thinking…

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Even in a broken world, God has created good things, and He’s empowered us to notice and to praise Him for it.

The apostle James also reminds us that every good and perfect gift is from God, and Jesus tells us that He is the way, the truth, and the life. So when we focus on what is good and truth-filled, our thoughts shift toward God—the giver of good things and the author of all that is true.

Focusing on what is good might look like reflecting on Jesus’ sacrifice for you. It could mean remembering a time when you felt God protect, provide, or prepare you. Or it could look like thanking God for the promises He’s kept, and the love He’s shown you.

Following Paul’s advice isn’t about practicing positive thinking—it’s about fixing our thoughts on God in order to cultivate the mind of Christ in our everyday lives.

So today, think about what you think about. Search for a rhythm of gratefulness and worship. Thank God for opportunities to shine light into a dark world. And look for what is good, pure, and true wherever you go.

PRAYER
God, sometimes it's hard to focus my mind on good things. But I know You are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy-and I am grateful I can focus my mind on You at all times. When I go through challenging situations, please remind me of Your goodness. In Jesus' name, Amen.

The Importance of Unity

What does unity mean to you? In a chaotic and divided world, sometimes the word “unity” can sound like something irrelevant, something that just can’t work in the broken world we live in. Division is nothing new. In fact, it was a challenge very early in church history and something the apostle Paul addressed head-on.

In 1 Corinthians 1, we see that Paul had received reports that believers in Corinth were segmenting themselves based on who shared the gospel with them. They said things like, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or, “I am of Christ.” Rather than being united as one body of Christ, they were dividing themselves into smaller groups and factions.

Paul was very moved by this. In 1 Corinthians 1:13 he asks them these simple questions: “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?” Paul didn’t want the believers of Corinth to get lost in comparisons and separations. He wanted them united under Christ: one King, one Gospel.

Paul brought them back to the only thing that matters: salvation is from Christ alone. Without Christ, there is no unity. But under Christ, we can be united in a way that the world has never seen or understood.

In a world of fighting and division, the body of Christ gets to show the power of the Gospel. We are united, focused on Christ and only Christ.

PRAYER
God, You know how much division there is in this world. I pray Your Church will be an example of the unity only Your love can bring. Help me foster unity in every environment 1 step into, seeking to understand and keeping my focus on Christ. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Out of This World

For thousands of years, people have gathered around campfires and peered into the night’s sky, studying the stars.

Now, thanks to telescopes and satellites and advances in modern technology, we’ve uncovered more about God’s celestial creation than ever before: diverse planets, interstellar dust, mysterious black holes, and billions of other galaxies.

What we’ve discovered, however, is not new to God. It’s the very same heavens and the very same earth that He spoke into existence at the very beginning of time. And though we’ve only scratched the surface on what’s still to be discovered, the vastness of the heavens and the brilliance of its design beckons both humility and worship.

In Psalm 8, David wrote:

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” ‭‭
Psalm ‭8:3-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The same God who hung the sun, moon, and stars in the sky also created us. He created you. It’s mystifying to think that He considers us His prized creations.

Like David, this should humble us and compel us to worship.

Who are we, after all, to be loved, chosen, and redeemed—especially when we don’t deserve it? Who are we, when we consider the magnificence of our Creator, to be made in His image? Who are we that God is mindful of us? Who are we that He cares for the details of our lives?

We are His people. His children. We belong to Him.

So today, let’s trust in our creative, compassionate, and loving God. He is where we’ll put our confidence. He is where we’ll put our hope.

PRAYER
God, when I think about the vastness of the universe, I am amazed that You chose to create us. Your creativity is beautiful, Your power is magnificent, and Your love for Your children is intentional. Thank You for thinking of me since the beginning of time-and for saving me by sacrificing Your only Son. I love You, Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Pursue What Matters Most

In the book of Romans, Paul begs Christians to give their entire lives over to God because God sacrificed everything for them. Jesus gave up His life so that we could experience His unending love and grace. We cheapen His gifts if we refuse to align our lives with the way Jesus lived.

But we give our lives to God by making Him the one thing we pursue above anything else.

So here are 5 steps you can practice—right now—to help you put God first.

Give thanks
“We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near. We recount your wondrous deeds.”
Psalms 75:1 ESV

Right now, take a moment to thank God for what He’s already done for you. Reflect on His faithfulness, and recount the stories you have seen and heard of His wonderful power.

Spend 5 minutes in silence
“Abide in me, and I in you.”
John 15:4 ESV

Abiding in Jesus starts with stillness. So right now, pause, take a deep breath, and give anything concerning you over to God. Spend 5 minutes centering your heart on the One who matters most.

Remember Whose you are
“You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV

God loves you. The price He paid for you cost Him everything. So remind yourself of Whose you are, and reflect on some of the things God says about you.

Meditate on God’s Word
“Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.”
Psalms 119:97 ESV

One of the best ways to find out how Jesus wants you to live is by spending time in Scripture. As you do, ask God to speak to you through His Word about what His will is.

Focus on what is excellent
“…If there is any excellence … think about these things.”
Philippians 4:8 ESV

You have been given the mind of Christ. If you’re not sure what you should think about, try asking yourself: What is praiseworthy? What thoughts and actions would honor God?

Make a list of whatever comes to mind, and pursue those things.

By practicing these steps every day, you can create habits that will help you pursue intimacy with God every day, and put Him first above everything else.

PRAYER
God, I surrender my life to You. You can have it all-every thought, action,
behavior, and desire. I want You to be
glorified through me.
So here I am, Lord. I surrender my life to You. Take all that I am, and use it for Your glory. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Who Are You Trying To Please?

Have you ever struggled with people-pleasing? With caring more about what a human being thinks of you than what your Creator thinks of you? With wanting to honor God, but also wanting to be loved and respected by people?

Writing to believers in Galatia, Paul had a message for those deciding if they should trust the stand-alone grace of Jesus, or add rules and regulations to Jesus’ finished work. He said:

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭1:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Every day and every moment, we have a choice: to seek human approval or God’s approval.

And if we genuinely desire to please God, how do we do so?

Contrary to many other religions, it’s not by doing enough good works to tip the scales in our favor. But as Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith it’s impossible to please God…” The only part we have to play in our salvation is having faith in the One who saves.

Faith is essentially trust, so think about it: Who do you trust? Who are you trying to please? Who are you hoping notices you and accepts you and is proud of you?

If you’re interested in evaluating your own motives—which can sometimes be difficult—you can ask yourself these questions:

- Am I influenced more by cultural trends, societal pressure, and the opinions of others—or by the Word of God?

- Am I trusting that there’s nothing I can add to the finished work of Jesus, or am I believing the lie that Jesus plus something else is required?

- Am I committed to trusting God, even when I might get canceled, blocked, fired—or even killed?

If popularity is your goal, living for Jesus might be a challenge. But if you’re committed to trusting God, then He calls you to live differently. He invites you to embrace His approval by showing others unconditional kindness, patience, grace, and love.

At the end of this life, you will stand before an audience of One. So who are you trying to please?

PRAYER
God, thank You for loving me even when I get caught up in pleasing others.
Sometimes I get so focused on what the world thinks that I forget I am not made for this world. Please refocus my heart and guide me to live for You — even if society tells me otherwise. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Made for This

Do you realize that you were purposefully, lovingly, and carefully designed by God?

King David said it like this:

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭139‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Your eyes, brain, heart, muscles, nerves, fingernails, eyelashes, smile, everything.

Not only are you wonderfully complex, but you were also planned before life as we know it existed by your Heavenly Father.

Even as you read these words, your body is doing some incredible things—without your conscious consent. Your fingers are scrolling, your eyes are capturing, your brain is processing …

All the while, your heart is pumping blood, your lungs are managing breath, your eyelids are blinking away dryness, your blood cells are multiplying by the second, your brain is directing your body while simultaneously storing memory—and so much more.

David also points out in other portions of Psalm 139 that God knows everything about us, His presence is inescapable, and He thinks about us so much that such thoughts cannot be numbered.

The point? You are uniquely and intentionally created by God to love Him and the people around you—to know Him, and make Him known.

So, be encouraged. You were made for this.

PRAYER
God, thank You for intricately forming me. Rid my mind of any self-doubt and discontentment. I am Your unique design. I am known. I am a fearfully and wonderfully made masterpiece! Teach me to fully embrace this truth and rest confidently in You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Acknowledge Jesus

The average person makes over 35,000 decisions a day. That’s an average of 1,500 decisions an hour (if you were awake for 24 hours). From opening your eyes and getting out of bed to choosing to read this sentence, your life is composed of thousands of seemingly small decisions that shape the course of your day.

Every decision we make matters, but the most important decision we will ever make is whether we choose to follow Jesus Christ. Believing in Jesus not only changes our life on earth but also determines our life for eternity. Those who believe and follow Jesus will join Him in heaven one day.

In a letter to the churches in ancient Rome, Paul says…
“If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Romans 10:9 NIV

Choosing to believe and follow Jesus changes everything. We are not only saved for eternity, but we also get to have a relationship with God today. We have this assurance because God lives in us, and we live in Him. God’s Word says that when we believe in Him, the Spirit of God lives within us, empowering us to live according to God’s will.

Wherever we go and whatever we do in life, God will always be with us. Since we have a relationship with Him, we can talk with Him anytime. His Spirit will grant us peace when we’re fearful and grace when we mess up.

The first step is to begin a relationship with Jesus. As we grow in our relationship with Him, we will have the opportunity to share the hope we have in Jesus with others. So be bold when you have those opportunities to acknowledge Jesus publicly. God lives in you and goes with you everywhere—you have nothing to fear. Thank Him for His presence and His grace today.

PRAYER
Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. Thank You for allowing me to serve You and have a close relationship with You. I am constantly in awe of Your goodness and love for Your people. Help me each day to live a life that honors You and draws others closer to You.
Amen.

All my praise and worship lovers:
What is your song this season?!

How to Build Strong Character

Paul, the author of the letter to the Church in Rome, frequently encouraged the believers in Rome amidst the persecution and adversity they were experiencing. The first half of Paul’s letter corrects some of their thinking, while the second half is focused on their character and actions.

In Romans 12, Paul is encouraging the believers to let love be the primary motivation for everything they do. When love is the foundation of who they are, then God can renew and transform every area of life. When they allow God to transform their character, that's when they're able to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.

Christians have a unique hope in Jesus–we know that Jesus is victorious over evil and will one day return to make everything right. This means we can have hope in the midst of suffering or difficult times.

Paul knew that affliction produces steadfast character within us. When we choose to endure through suffering, Jesus forms strength and confidence within us that we couldn’t attain otherwise.

But perseverance through affliction also requires constant communication with the One who transforms us through His love. Prayer is a vital part of this. It is the primary way we communicate with God, and it’s also part of how the Holy Spirit strengthens us for following Jesus.

These three things create within us a stronger character in life. They mold us into the image of Jesus who was joyful in hope, patient in suffering, and faithful in prayer. So today, take some time to think of a few ways that you can become more like Jesus in these areas.

PRAYER
God, 1 am grateful for all the plans You have made for my life.
Because You are in control, I can place my hope in You even when I face trouble. Going forward, please help me to have honest conversations with You when my future feels unclear. In Jesus'® name, Amen.

Enduring Setbacks

As a teenager, David was anointed as the next king of Israel. But instead of ascending to the throne in a blaze of glory, he spent years running from Israel’s current king (his father-in-law) who repeatedly tried to kill him.

During this time, David laments to God: he has honest conversations about his situation while holding onto the hope that God can—and will—restore him. Psalm 59 is the result of one of those conversations.

David’s laments allowed him to express his grief, cry out for justice, and remember God’s faithfulness. Focusing on God’s faithfulness reminded David of God’s character, and knowing God’s character helped him hold onto hope. That’s why he could say, “But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.” (Psalm 59:16 NIV)

Talking honestly with God helped David recognize that even though his current situation wasn’t good, God was still good, and still worthy of being worshiped. David believed that God was still in control, and that he would one day see the fulfillment of God’s promises.

And one day, God’s promises did come to pass. But God didn’t waste the years David spent as a fugitive: instead, He used them to help David become the leader and warrior Israel needed. The setbacks David endured actually strengthened his character and prepared him for his future purpose. Although his circumstances were painful, God was faithful.

And God can—and will—be faithful with your life.

When you place your hope in Jesus, you never grieve in vain because the God who is now is also the God who will be forever. And He is constantly advocating and acting on your behalf. That’s why, no matter what you face, you can hold onto this hope: Jesus can turn your setbacks and sorrows into setups for your good and His glory.

God can take your pain and use it for His purposes. He can make a way through your desert seasons. He is your source of strength and your refuge in times of trouble. Nothing is impossible for God.

So today, continue to draw closer to Him, and look for evidence of His faithfulness. As you intentionally pursue God, look for ways to worship Him like David did.

PRAYER
God, You are mighty and worthy of all my praise! When I feel overwhelmed, You want to support me. When I feel discouraged, You want to encourage me.
When I feel hopeless and alone, You surround and protect me. I will praise You because You are my source of strength. Nothing is impossible for You, and You are for me! In Jesus'® name, Amen.