Promise for Today - Because Mercy

God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Matthew 5:7 (NLT)

Have you ever noticed that if you’re critical of others, they’re critical of you? If you’re kind to others, they’re kind to you? Or if you’re generous to others, they’re generous to you? Whatever you give in life, you’re going to get in return.

The same is true of God’s mercy. [Our verse for today -] Jesus says in Matthew 5:7, “God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (NLT)

But why does God want you to show mercy to others? Why is being merciful so important?

Because God has shown you mercy.

Ephesians 2:4-5 says, “God’s mercy is so abundant, and his love for us is so great, that while we were spiritually dead in our disobedience he brought us to life with Christ. It is by God’s grace that you have been saved” (GNT). God wants you to pass on (share) the mercy you’ve received from him.

Because God commands you to be merciful.
Do you want a summary of what life’s all about? Here it is: “The Lord has told you what is good. This is what the Lord requires from you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to live humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8 GW).

Because you’re going to need more mercy in the future.
You’re going to make a lot of mistakes between now and when you get to heaven, and you’re going to need God’s mercy. But you cannot receive what you are unwilling to give. James 2:13 says, “You must show mercy to others, or God will not show mercy to you when he judges you. But the person who shows mercy can stand without fear at the judgment” (NCV).

Because showing mercy brings happiness.
Matthew 5:7 says, “Blessed are the merciful” (NIV). The word “blessed” also means “happy,” so the more you learn and demonstrate mercy, the happier and more blessed you’re going to be.

Because so many people in the world are living for themselves, showing mercy and grace to others will always stand out. Be known for your mercy as you model for others how good God has been to you, and you will make an eternal difference!

Talk It Over

What do you think it means to “love mercy”? (Micah 6:8)

How have you seen God bless you when you’ve shown mercy to someone—even when it was difficult to do?

Think of a way you could have shown mercy to someone in the last week but didn’t. How do you think it might have changed the outcome of that situation?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

          You have shown us grace when we least deserved it, and kindness when we could offer nothing in return. Soften our hearts toward those who stumble, and open our eyes to see them as You see them— 
precious, loved, and worthy of compassion. When we are tempted to judge, remind us of the mercy You have poured over our lives. When we are hurt, teach us to respond with patience instead of anger. Let our words bring healing, and my actions reflect Your gentleness. Fill us with a love that forgives quickly, serves humbly, and seeks peace over pride. May our lives be a living testimony of the mercy we have received from You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - So Loved

God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

1 John 4:9-10 (NLT)

Everything in life changes—relationships, jobs, health, finances. But there’s one thing in the universe that will never change: God’s love. God loves you, no matter what. Your failures, your brokenness, and your sin can never diminish his love. Knowing you can count on God's love provides a rock-solid foundation for your life.

The Bible’s most famous verse, John 3:16, says, “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son” (NIV).

Consider the small word “so” that goes before “loved” in that verse. “So” suggests the extravagance of God’s love. God loves you with a generous, extravagant love that can never be taken away. It’s beyond comprehension. He loves you on your good days and your bad days. He loves you when you sin and when you are faithful to him.

It's important that you don't just recognize this lavish love intellectually. You need to experience it emotionally, to really understand it deep down in your spirit. Love is God’s nature. God created the universe and everything in it just so that he could love it. And God created you so he could love you.

In fact, in Jesus, God shows what real love, his love, looks like. The Bible says, “God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins” (1 John 4:9-10 NLT).

Many people say they love you. But God showed you he loves you. He loves you so much that it hurt. He sacrificed his Son. When Jesus died for you, he was saying he loved you so much he’d rather die than live without you.

The Bible says that’s what real love—the kind of love you can build your life on—looks like. Real love makes sacrifices. Real love gives all. Real love endures for all eternity.

That’s the kind of love only God has for you. He’s waiting with open arms to show you his goodness, mercy, and love.

Talk It Over

Why do you need to build your life on something that cannot be lost or taken away?

When do you most often doubt God’s love?

What does God’s love, demonstrated in Jesus, tell you about how you should love others?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father, 

          Thank You for the gift of Your Word, which reveals the magnitude of Your love. Help us to open our hearts and minds so we may truly understand the breadth of Your love — how it stretches across nations, generations, embracing every believer and reaching the most forgotten in our world. May we also comprehend the length of Your love — its eternal nature, stretching from the beginning of creation to the end of time. Teach us to trust in Your everlasting presence, knowing that Your love will never falter, no matter the trials we face. 

       Immerse us in the depth of Your love — the part that goes beyond surface understanding, that sees and heals our brokenness, and brings restoration to our souls. Help us to walk alongside others in their pain, reflecting Your compassion to them. And may we be lifted by the height of Your love — the glorious hope it brings, elevating us from despair to joy, from darkness to light. Call us to rise above the mundane to live a life that reflects Your holiness and majesty.

      Father, we surrender ourselves to Your love — unconditional, perfect, and complete. Let it fill every thought, word, and action, transforming us from within. Help us to share this love with others, so that they too may know the fullness of Your grace. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Promise for Today - Heaven's Reunion

There will be one huge family reunion with the Master. So reassure one another with these words. 

1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 (MSG)

When I was young, I didn't really think about heaven that much. First, it seemed so boring—at least the way the world describes it. Second, it seemed like a long way off. And third, no one I knew was there yet. But I know a lot of people who are in heaven now, and I can't wait to get there and be with them.

In heaven, we're going to be reunited with our loved ones who love the Lord. Those who are in the family of God are all going to be there.

Who would you like to talk to first in heaven? Of course, you’re going to meet and worship the Lord first. But who are you excited to see next? Every believer throughout history will be there. Would you like to talk to Moses? You can! How about Abraham or Mary or Paul? I don’t know about you, but I definitely have some questions for Jonah. You’ll see famous people from throughout Christian history and scientists and world leaders and people from every tribe and nation. You're going to have all of eternity to talk with them!

The Message paraphrase says, "There will be one huge family reunion with the Master" (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Can you imagine how emotional, how joyful that's going to be? Then verse 18 says, “So reassure one another with these words.”

My mother is in heaven, my father is in heaven, my older brother, Jim, is in heaven, and my youngest child, Matthew, is in heaven. I have many dear people who served with me in ministry in heaven. The more of my family and friends who are on that side of death, the dearer heaven becomes to me.

Are you encouraged by the thought of being in the presence of Jesus and reunited with your friends and family? When we are grieving with someone, we should share that encouragement with them. If they and their loved one know Jesus as their Savior, then death is not the end. They will see them again!

This is God’s goodness to us: there is no greater hope in life than a big family reunion for eternity!

Talk It Over

How does knowing you will see fellow members of God’s family in heaven motivate you to share the gospel?

Who in your life needs to hear about God’s offer of an eternal home in heaven? What will you do about it?

What kinds of things do you think you will want to talk about in heaven, once you’ve left the world behind?

-by Pastor Rick

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Prayer (prayer for salvation, following the 'Reunion' prayer)

Father,

         Hold close the ones we love who have gone before us. Let their laughter bloom again in the gardens of Your kingdom, where no shadow falls, and no tear is shed. Keep them in the warmth of Your presence until the day our own steps take us through the gate of pearl. Grant us patience in the waiting, faith in the unseen, and hope that does not fade with the years.
      When the trumpet of Your promise sounds, may we meet again in the embrace of forever - no more parting, no more night - only the joy of reunion in Your everlasting peace. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

****************Prayer for Salvation

Will you be part of the heavenly family reunion?

The Bible says you can only get to heaven by trusting in God through his Son, Jesus Christ. You cannot earn your way into heaven: “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).

If you’re ready to commit your life to Jesus, pray this prayer:

“Dear God, you have promised that if I believe in your Son, Jesus Christ, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day.

“I confess I have sinned, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus died to take away my sins and that you raised him to life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow him as Lord from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

Promise for Today - Ambassadors of Truth

God is not a God of confusion but of peace. 

1 Corinthians 14:33 (ESV)

God has called you to represent him everywhere you go. Just as countries send ambassadors, God is sending you out to tell others about his love and forgiveness.

But maybe you lack the confidence needed to share your faith. Maybe you think it requires having a salesperson mentality. But that simply isn’t true! You don’t have to be good at “closing the deal” to invite people into God’s family. You see, all humans have the same inner longings. So, when you tell others about Jesus, you’re offering them something they’re already looking for. What a confidence booster!

Another confidence booster in sharing your faith is this: Most people don’t really know what they believe. They may label themselves a certain way, but when you scratch beneath the surface, they sometimes don’t even know what that system believes.

Some people claim to think a certain way but end up contradicting themselves. For example, they’ll say, "There are no absolutes in life." But that’s nonsense because that statement contradicts itself. They may as well say, “There are absolutely no absolutes in life.” In fact, people who make that claim live by rules and beliefs based on absolutes all the time.

Sharing your hope in Christ can help bring clarity to people’s lives. It gives them the understanding they need. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 14:33, “God is not a God of confusion but of peace” (ESV). The truth of God’s Word sets people free from contradiction, confusion, and everything else that binds up their lives.

“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32 NIV).

Next time you lack the confidence to share your faith, you can relax, knowing that the message of Jesus will bring much-needed clarity to people’s lives.

Talk It Over

Do you live life consciously that you are an ambassador for Christ everywhere you go? If not, how might that practice change your life and the lives of those around you?

What confusing or conflicting beliefs did you once have? How has God’s Word brought clarity to those beliefs?

Who do you have who can hold you accountable to share your faith while you do the same for them?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

           Make us faithful ambassadors of Your truth. Let our words be seasoned with grace, our actions reflect Your love, and our lives bear witness to the transforming power of the Gospel. Give us the courage to speak boldly when the world is silent, and the wisdom to listen deeply when hearts are hurting.
      Clothe us with the armor of righteousness, so that we may stand firm against deception and fear. Fill us with compassion for the lost, patience for the searching, and steadfastness in the face of opposition. May we never distort or dilute Your Word, but proclaim it with clarity, humility, and love.
      Holy Spirit, guide our steps so that every conversation, every decision, and every moment becomes an opportunity to point others toward Christ. Let Your presence in our lives bring light into darkness, hope into despair, and peace into chaos.
      Father, we surrender our will to Yours. Use us as Your vessel - whether in quiet acts of kindness or in bold declarations of faith—to draw others closer to You. May our lives be living testimonies that Jesus is Lord, and may all glory be Yours forever. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Knowing What Counts

Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. 

Philippians 3:8 (NLT)

Every day when you wake up, you need to remind yourself of what counts and what doesn’t count. Don’t be distracted by things that are insignificant and petty.

Why is it important to remind yourself of what matters? It’s easy to lose your joy over some small thing. In fact, it’s usually the small irritations—not the big issues—that cause you to lose your happiness. Somebody cuts you off when you’re trying to make a turn, and you lose your happiness. The clothes you put on don’t fit anymore, and you lose your happiness. It’s the little things that sometimes affect people the most, and yet they don’t really matter.

Paul said in Philippians 3:7, “I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done” (NLT).

What was the most important thing in your life before you met Jesus Christ? Was it your career? Making money? Maybe it was getting a date or being popular. For some believers, the most important thing was collecting possessions or getting ahead or proving themselves. Paul said all those things are “worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8 NLT).

Here’s a good question to ask when you’re distracted by worthless things: How much will this matter in 100 years? Many things won’t even matter tomorrow, much less for eternity. When you ask this question, it changes your perspective. You understand that all the things you used to care about don’t even compare to the joy that comes from having a relationship with Jesus.

When you become a Christian, Jesus doesn’t only change your perspective. He changes your values. You no longer want to do the things you used to do. He changes your “wants.”

When God comes into your life, you learn the joy of knowing Jesus. And that’s what really counts.

Talk It Over

What small things have you been worrying about that are robbing you of your happiness?

What was the most important thing to you before you believed in Jesus Christ? How do you feel about it now?

What are some practical ways you can turn your focus to God and keep an eternal perspective?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

          In the words of Paul, we want to count all things but loss for the excellency of knowing You, our Lord and Savior. Help us to discern what truly matters in this life - not the achievements, possessions, or status that pass away, but the eternal value of Your love, grace, and truth. Father, we acknowledge that the world often pulls us toward things that bring temporary joy but leave emptiness behind. Teach us to see all such pursuits in their rightful perspective, so that we may set our hearts on You above all else. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - A Soul Restored

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.

Psalm 23:1-3 (ESV)

Why does your soul need to be restored—and how can God restore it?

There are all kinds of ways that souls are damaged, but they most often are damaged when we try to deal with our grudges, our guilt, and our grief on our own. The truth is, God never intended for you to carry those burdens alone. So how does Jesus bring you rest and restore your soul?

Jesus turns your hurts into holiness.
Sometimes we hold onto our hurt; in other words, we hold grudges. And when you start thinking about retaliation or getting revenge against someone who has hurt you, you become bitter. But you can trust God with your hurt. He has a way of bringing good even out of evil. Romans 8:28 promises, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (NIV).

Jesus takes your sins on himself.
You should only hold on to guilt for about five seconds—long enough to realize you were wrong, confess it to God, and let it go. But instead, many people carry around the burden of unconfessed guilt. The Bible teaches, “[Jesus] was willing to give his life as a sacrifice. He was counted among those who had committed crimes. He took the sins of many people on himself. And he gave his life for those who had done what is wrong” (Isaiah 53:12 NIRV). There’s no need for you to keep living with guilt for something that God has already forgiven and forgotten.

Jesus feels your grief and heals your heart.
Grief [can be] good; it’s how we get through life transitions. But sometimes we get stuck in our grief. And unprocessed grief will hurt you. But there’s good news: Jesus understands your grief because he’s experienced it, too. Isaiah 53:3-4 says, “He was hated and rejected by people. He had much pain and suffering... But he took our suffering on him and felt our pain for us” (NCV). However, he doesn’t just feel your grief; he heals it: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3 NIV).

God never intended for you to go through life carrying all your grudges, guilt, and grief alone. Jesus wants you to come to him for restoration. He promises, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 NLT).

Talk It Over

What hurts have you held onto and allowed to become grudges? Ask God to take those hurts and work them for good in your life.

What old sin do you still feel guilty for? Take a few minutes to confess it, to accept God’s forgiveness, and to ask God to help you live in the freedom of being forgiven.

What grief have you never processed? Ask God to help you work through it and bring you healing.

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer: (make it personal)

Father,

        My heart is heavy with the weight of grudges, the sting of guilt, and the ache of grief. I lay these burdens before You, trusting in Your mercy and grace. Help me to forgive where I have been hurt, and to seek forgiveness where I have caused pain. Wash away the shadows of regret, and fill the empty spaces with compassion and light. Teach me to let go of what I cannot change, to honor what I have lost, and to walk forward with courage and hope. May Your peace settle deep within me, healing what is broken, and guiding me toward a life rooted deeply in love. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Building Bridges or Walls

The wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy. 

James 3:17 (NLT)

Mercy is like a diamond; it is multifaceted. The Bible reveals seven facets of mercy, and if you will learn how to be an agent of mercy, it will transform your relationships.

1. Mercy means being patient with people’s quirks.
The Bible says in James 3:17, “The wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy” (NLT). The wiser you become, the more patient and merciful you become.

2. Mercy means helping anyone around you who is hurting.
You cannot love your neighbor as yourself without being merciful. Proverbs 3:27 says, “Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it” (GNT).

3. Mercy means giving people a second chance.
When somebody hurts you, it’s natural to want to get even or write that person off. But the Bible says, “Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others . . . Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ” (Ephesians 4:31-32 CEV).

4. Mercy means doing good to those who hurt you.
Mercy is giving people what they need, not what they deserve. Why should you do that? Because that’s what God does with you: “Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back . . . Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:35-36 NIV).

5. Mercy means being kind to those who offend you.
You need to be more interested in winning people to Christ than in winning an argument. The Living Bible paraphrase says it like this: “As for others, help them to find the Lord by being kind to them. . . . Hate every trace of their sin while being merciful to them as sinners” (Jude 1:23).

6. Mercy means building bridges of love to the unpopular.
This is what I call premeditated mercy, because you intentionally build friendships with people who don’t have friends or aren’t accepted at work or in society. When the Pharisees questioned why Jesus ate with tax collectors and other unpopular people, Jesus said, “‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners” (Matthew 9:13 NLT).

Talk It Over

Where in society do you see people more interested in winning arguments than in winning people to Christ? Is there a time in your own life when you have done that?

If mercy means valuing relationships over rules, what do you need to change about the way you interact with your coworkers or neighbors? What about with your family members?

This week, how can you intentionally show mercy to people around you who are hurting?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father, 

          Thank You for the mercy You have so freely given us - mercy we could never earn. Soften our hearts to see others through Your eyes, not through our judgments or frustrations. When we are tempted to withhold kindness, remind us of the countless times You have forgiven us.
Help us to listen with patience, speak with gentleness, and act with compassion. Teach us to forgive quickly, to love deeply, and to extend grace even when it feels undeserved. Let our lives be a reflection of Your mercy, so that others may feel Your love through our words and actions. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.

Promise for Today - Front and Back

The Lord watches over all who love him.” Psalm 145:20 (NIV)

When you put your trust in Jesus, you never need to fear the future. His goodness and mercy are with you every day.

In fact, the Bible says, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” 

(Psalm 23:6 ESV).

You have a Good Shepherd, and he is out in front of you with his rod and staff. Behind you are a couple of sheepdogs. In your life, those sheepdogs are goodness and mercy, guarding the flock and nipping at your heels to keep you from wandering off into a ravine. Those two sheepdogs help keep you on track as you follow the Good Shepherd.

God’s goodness is watching over you. Did you know that not one second has ever passed in your life when God was not watching you? God is always paying attention to you, because he created you to love you. He knows every detail of your life.

Not only does he watch over you, but he also protects you. The Bible says, “God will command his angels to protect you wherever you go” (Psalm 91:11 CEV).

God’s protection does not mean that only good things will happen to you. Suffering and disappointment will still come your way. But God will ensure that good will come out of everything that happens to you—whether or not you’re able to see in this lifetime how he has been working.

God’s mercy and grace are working in you. The Living Bible paraphrase says, “I will have mercy on you through my grace” (Isaiah 60:10).

Grace is when God gives you what you don’t deserve. Mercy is when God doesn’t give you what you do deserve. For all the ways you’ve sinned, failed, and made mistakes, you deserve punishment, yet God pardons and forgives you through Christ. That’s mercy. It is God’s nature to be merciful. He loves to show his mercy! He doesn’t get bored with it. He doesn’t get tired of it. He doesn’t get frustrated that you keep coming back for more. God doesn’t say, “Okay, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, I’ll give goodness, and on Tuesday and Thursday, I’ll give mercy, and on Saturday and Sunday, you’re on your own.” That’s simply not true!

The truth is, God is with you every moment of every day, always offering his goodness and mercy.

Nobody knows what’s going to happen next week, much less next year or in the next 10 years. But when you face the future, you can know this: God will fill your life to overflowing, and his goodness and mercy will be with you. There is no need to fear.

Talk It Over

Read Psalm 103:2-13. Think about all the ways God shows his mercy.

How does a right view of God’s mercy affect how content you are in life?

If you truly believed God was always working for your good, what would you have the courage to do for him?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

         In our times of trial and tribulation, we come before You, seeking Your divine grace and boundless mercy. Lord, grant us Your strength to endure life’s challenges, for we know that Your love and guidance are unending. Help us find and LEARN the lessons from our struggles, and give us the courage to face them with unwavering faith. In Your grace and mercy, we find comfort for our souls, knowing that You are by our side, leading us toward whatever lies ahead, and knowing it is Your plan for the best of our lives. We want to be as faithful to You as You are to us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Such a Pain

Guest Author: Christopher Glotzbach

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And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Romans 8:28 NLT

What’s the deal with pain? I read once that pain is an incredible gift. But if we’re being honest… nobody wants to hear that.

Yet if we really stop and think about it, a life without pain could actually be dangerous.

Pain reveals.
Pain tells us when to stop.
Pain tells us when something is wrong.
Pain tells us when we’ve gone too far.

But sometimes, I think we misappropriate our pain. Often, we blame the wrong person. Sometimes I blame God for the pain in my life. Sometimes I blame other people. And if I’m really honest and willing to examine the situation, sometimes the pain is simply the result of my own choices, my own mistakes, or my own limitations.

For example:

A few months ago, I was at the gym attempting to do pull-ups. And because I’m not strong enough to do more than one pull-up, I have to use those elastic resistance bands.  And because I’m also apparently the least flexible person on the planet, I have a hard time getting out of those bands when I’m finished.

So picture this:
The band is fully stretched out, wrapped around my foot, and sitting at the bottom of my shoe. I finish my set, and I’m trying to get out of it. The band slips out from underneath my foot… …and SMACKS ME RIGHT IN THE FACE.

I was mad.  But more than anything, I was mad at the band. And then the Lord reminded me:
“The band is a tool. It didn’t hurt you.” And that got me thinking.

How often do I misappropriate pain onto God or onto other people when, in reality, the pain came from my own mistake? 

Now, I’m not saying all pain is like this. Some pain is completely outside of our control. Some pain comes from the brokenness of this world. Some pain is caused by the choices of other people. 

But sometimes… the thing I’m blaming for my pain is actually just the tool God is using to make me stronger. And maybe that’s why Scripture tells us to “consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2). Not because pain feels good. But because God can use even our pain to form us. 

So today, my prayer is:

God, 

       Help me not to blame the tool or the vehicle You are using in my sanctification. Help me see my circumstances accurately. Give me the humility to recognize when I’ve contributed to my own pain. Forgive me when I wrongly accuse You—or others—for pain that I have caused myself. And regardless of where my pain comes from, help me trust You. Help me hold on to You. Help me walk with You. And help me allow You to use even the painful things in my life to make me more like Jesus.
Amen.

Promise for Today - You Be You

It's healthy to be content, but envy can eat you up.

Proverbs 14:30 (CEV)

To live an abundant life that overflows with God’s goodness, the first thing you need to do is start being grateful and stop complaining. The second thing you need to do is start being content and stop comparing.

God made you to be you. He doesn't want you to be anybody else! When you compare yourself to other people, you get envious and resentful, and you might even start to copy them.

But God has never made a clone. God only makes originals. Even identical twins are different in thousands of ways. If you won’t be you, then who will be?

The truth is that comparing only gets you into trouble. When you compare your looks, your grades, your spouse, your career, or your kids, it causes two problems.

One, you get full of discouragement, because you can always find someone who's doing a better job than you—someone who is better looking, makes more money, or has more talent. And two, you get full of pride. Why? Because you can always find someone who’s not doing as good a job as you.

The Bible says, “It is better to be content with what little you have. Otherwise, you will always be struggling for more, and that is like chasing the wind” (Ecclesiastes 4:6 NCV).

Because of social media, it's easier than ever to compare yourself to others. When you see posts every day that shout, “Look at me! Look what I can do! Look what I’ve got!” it can draw you into a state of envy and discontentment. It can even cause you to try to impress others with your own posts. But the thing is, you don’t have to impress anyone. A key to living a life overflowing with joy is to just be yourself, content with who God made you to be.

Are you tired of feeling overwhelmed? Do you want to be spiritually and emotionally healthy?  Contentment comes when you enjoy what you have rather than waiting for something else to make you happy. Stop comparing yourself to other people, and start being content with what God has given you—and then watch your joy overflow!

Talk It Over

What do you enjoy about your life right now?

When it looks like God is blessing others in a way he’s not blessing you, how does it make you feel? In those moments, what can you remind yourself about God’s goodness?

If you know something like social media is going to cause you to be discontented, what will you do to lessen its effect on you?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father, 

          It is written in Psalms that You make known to us the path of life; You will fill us with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand. Help us to find true satisfaction in Your presence. Let our joy not be tied to possessions, achievements, or people, but to You alone. Fill the empty places in our hearts with Your love and peace. Let Your presence be enough for us, in Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

Promise for Today - Stewing without Doing - (Doing the Two-Step)

In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing.

Philippians 2:14 (TLB)

If you want to move from an overwhelmed life to an overflowing life, there are two things you need to start doing, and three things you need to stop doing.

Today we’ll look at the first pair: Start being grateful and stop complaining.

Studies have shown that gratitude produces chemicals in your brain—dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin—that make you feel peaceful and happy.

An attitude of gratitude is something you can start the moment you wake up. Before you get out of bed, make a list of things you're grateful for. For example, your list might say, “God, I'm grateful for air; I'm grateful for this bed; I'm grateful I’m not in danger.” Even if you can't think of anything to be grateful for, the simple act of trying to be grateful will change your brain chemistry.

The Living Bible paraphrase says, “In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing” (Philippians 2:14).

When you complain about something, how does that help you? If you complain about the weather, does it change the weather? If you complain about the way you look, does it change the way you look? If you complain about your spouse, your children, or your job, does it change any of those things?

Complaining is a total waste of time. It's stewing without doing. It's worthless. Complaining will never make you feel better. Instead, God wants your life to “overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all he has done” (Colossians 2:7 TLB).

Sometimes people will say to me, “You know, I just want to know God's will. What does God want me to do in my relationship? What does he want me to do in my career? What does he want me to do in school?”

“Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God's will in Christ Jesus that you do this” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 GW). Why would God teach you step two when you haven't done step one? If you want to know God's will on who to marry, God wants you to do step one—always be thankful—and then you can move on to step two, then step three, and so on.

If you want to live an overflowing life rather than an overwhelmed life, stop complaining, and start being grateful.

 
Talk It Over

What is one thing you wouldn’t change about today? Add it to your gratitude list.

When you are tempted to complain this week, think about a specific way God has been good to you. What difference do you think it will make?

Who in your life are you grateful for? What is one way you can show them how you feel?

Want the security of God’s unbreakable promises?

Just pray this simple prayer: 

Father,

           I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died for my sins and that You raised Him to life. I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord. Jesus, please come into my life and change my priorities, my values, my purpose, and my direction. Thank You for the promise of heaven when I put my faith in You. Please transform me into the person you want me to be. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

-all by Pastor Rick

Promise for Today - No Grapes

Guest Author - Christopher Glotzbach

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Thank God He doesn’t always say “Yes.”

This morning when I opened the refrigerator, the dogs came running and sat really nicely — they were expecting a treat.

We call this the cheese tax.

Every once in a while I’ll give them some cheese, and each time the door opens it’s like Pavlov's dogs.

This morning it got me thinking, though, about the biggest mistake I ever made with our pups.

One evening before dinner, I was washing grapes and Munsee, our Blue Merle, was sitting at my feet.

This is his way of asking for something.

"Look — I’m good — now give me a reward."

And being honest, it’s sometimes how we treat the Lord, right?

“God, look at me!”

“Look at how well I’m behaving” — “How well I am doing.”

“Where’s my reward!?”

And I’m so thankful God doesn’t work this way.

Because in my foolishness, because I love my dog and because he was behaving well — I tossed Munsee a grape.

I know (Well, I didn’t know then), but Brittany did.

Panic set in — we were convinced in the moment I had killed our dog.

Thankfully — He was okay.

But, as I’ve reflected on the moment, no matter how well Munsee behaves while I’m washing grapes — no matter how badly he wants it. The answer will always be, “No”

Because I love him.

And I’m so thankful that the Lord loves me infinitely more than I could ever love anyone or anything. And even though I’m begging the Lord for the thing I think will be best for me in the moment. The answer will always be, “No,” because God loves me. And God loves you.

It’s changed a lot for me.

That I’m so thankful looking back on all the things I so desperately wanted and asked the Lord for that he said “No.” Because he knew what I didn’t— that it wouldn’t be good for me.

How many grapes do we ask for? — when God has something so much better for us.

Here’s my prayer today:

God, help me trust this section of Scripture. Help me rest in this, knowing You are a Good Father who knows what I need better than I ever could.

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭31‬-‭34‬

Your will be done in my life just as it is in Heaven. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Promise for Today - Getting Over

My cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. 

Psalm 23:5-6 (NIV)

Is your life overflowing? If you’re like most people, it may be overflowing—but not with goodness. So many people have overbooked their calendars, overspent their money, overdrawn their credit, overloaded their emotions, overworked their bodies, overcrowded their days, and overvalued the approval of others. As a result, they wind up overstressed, overanxious, and overwhelmed—and they’re over it! They are far from experiencing the goodness of God.

Why do we do let ourselves get overextended? Often the fear of missing out motivates us to do more. But the truth is you’re not missing out on anything when you rest in the goodness and provision of God.

God wants to move you from being overwhelmed to overflowing. He wants to meet all your needs—and he can! First, you need to recognize two fundamentally different approaches to life that either keep you from God’s abundance or bring you into God’s abundance: a shortage mindset and a surplus mindset.

With a shortage mindset, you constantly think, “I don’t have enough time. I don’t have enough money. I don’t have enough energy or contacts or opportunities or knowledge or education.” It’s the sense that you’re always a day late and a dollar short. A shortage mindset focuses on your limited resources, and the result is an overwhelmed life.

A surplus mindset focuses on God’s limitless resources, and the result is an overflowing life.

Have you ever worried that the person breathing next to you is stealing your air? Of course not. You know that God created more than enough air for everybody to have all they need.

The Bible includes words like abundance, plentiful, abounding, and bountiful to describe what God has to offer you. God has more than enough to meet all your needs and everybody else’s needs at the same time.

The Message paraphrase tells us what Jesus said: “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of” (John 10:10).

You don’t have to worry about running short of anything, because God is the source of your life. He wants to fill you with an endless supply of his goodness, joy, blessing, hope, and peace, so you’re able to say, “My cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life” (Psalm 23:5-6 NIV).

Talk It Over

What perspectives or emotions reflect a shortage mindset?

How does a surplus mindset produce peace in your life?

Why do we so often worry about how much others have instead of focusing on God’s abundant provision in our own lives?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father, 

          In the middle of all the noise, pressure, and concerns around us, we need Your peace. Our hearts long for calm and our minds long for quiet. Please fill our thoughts with Your presence. Replace stress with stillness and worry with trust. Help us remember that You are near in every moment. When we start to feel overwhelmed again, remind us to return to You in prayer. Help us release our burdens instead of trying to carry them alone. Your peace is greater than every problem we face. Let that peace guard our hearts and guide our decisions today. No matter what challenges appear, help us walk forward with confidence that You are beside us. Thank You for being our Refuge and our Strength. In Jesus' Name we pray.
Amen.

Promise for Today - Wanna Wrestle?

I will not let you go unless you bless me.

Genesis 32:26 (NIV)

When God blessed Jacob, he promised to give him land, multiply his family, make him a mighty nation, and use him to bless the world. He made Jacob and his family God’s chosen people.

But just like he does with you today, God gave Jacob a promise and then tested his faith in that promise.

In Genesis 32, Jacob wrestled with God all night long in a struggle that tested his patience, faith, and trust. Then God touched Jacob’s hip and injured it, putting him at a serious disadvantage. Jacob was hurt and exhausted, and yet at dawn he said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me”.

Isn't that an interesting thing to say to somebody you're wrestling with? At some point during that all-night struggle, Jacob became aware that this was no ordinary opponent. He was wrestling with God. And so, Jacob refused to let go, knowing that God could bless him.

Maybe you feel like you’re wrestling with God right now, and the struggle is lasting way too long. Maybe you don’t want to do the things God has told you to do, like be generous or obey his rules for sex or be kind to your enemies.

The very God you’re wrestling with is the one who gives you your dream for your life. He's the one who will make it happen! God’s not trying to thwart your dream—he’s getting you ready for it. Your struggle will build your stamina, deepen your patience, and increase your resilience.

Your wrestling match will also bring you to the point of commitment. At the very moment when you think it’s time to give up, you need to turn to God and say, “I’m in this struggle as long as it takes for you to do your good work in me and bless me.”

That kind of response to God’s test shows you’re ready for his anointing on your life.

Talk It Over

What things in your life do you think God wants to bless? What things are keeping you from his blessing?

How does God help you when you commit to his work in your life, even when it is painful?

Do you want God’s anointing on your life? Why or why not?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

         We confess to You that sometimes our worries seem too big. We don’t see an end to our current situation, and Your timing seems different than what we would have chosen. But we know and believe that no matter how much we’ve struggled, You alone can see the big picture. And we praise You, that You are with us in it all. Help us to hear Your voice through the difficult days. Help us to set our eyes on You alone. Help us to keep moving in the direction You are leading us. Thank You for Your reminders that through every weakness and hard place, Your strength is displayed in beautiful ways through our lives. We can’t do it on our own, Lord. We’re so freshly aware of that. But You can work Your great miracles in us, and through us.
         Thank You that this battle will never have the final say over our lives. And that because of Your power and compassion, we will come through to the other side, with greater perseverance, stronger faith, and deeper awareness of Your presence with us. Thank You that You are fighting for us, and will bring us out as gold. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

Promise for Today - Impossible Possibles

The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NIV)

God never tells you to do something without providing what you need to do it. Anointing is a sign that he is equipping and empowering you to fulfill an assignment he’s given you.

Do you want God’s resurrection power to work through your life? Then you need to understand what it means to have his anointing. To understand God’s anointing, you need to keep a few things in mind.

1. When God says to do it, you can count on his anointing. Jesus’ last assignment to his disciples was impossible. There was no way they could take the gospel to the ends of the earth—except through his power. God will often give you an assignment that looks physically impossible, but he will make it possible.

“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24 NIV).

2. God’s anointing makes difficult tasks easier. Your resources, energy, knowledge, wisdom, and talent are all limited—but God is not. With God’s anointing, you can handle things better, last longer, and go farther.

“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources [God] will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit” (Ephesians 3:16 NLT).

3. God’s anointing makes the impossible possible. In your business, marriage, health, and relationships, you’re going to come up against seemingly insurmountable problems. God is a competent Father. No problem is beyond his ability to provide.

“What is impossible with man is possible with God” (Luke 18:27 NIV).

4. God anoints your life to bless others. Jesus came to comfort the afflicted, broken-hearted, and those who are enslaved to bad habits. And he anoints you to comfort others as well.

Acts 10:38 is paraphrased in The Message this way: “Jesus arrived from Nazareth, anointed by God with the Holy Spirit, ready for action. He went through the country helping people and healing everyone who was beaten down by the Devil. He was able to do all this because God was with him.”

5. For every new challenge, you need renewed power from God. Anointing by the Holy Spirit can’t be stored up. You can’t handle today’s problems with yesterday’s anointing.

Stay in touch with God so that he can constantly fill you with his grace, love, and power. James 4:2 says, “You do not have because you do not ask God” (NIV). Ask for God’s anointing again!

Talk It Over

If you believed God wanted to bless your life, what would you ask of him?

Do you try to accomplish your tasks based on your own power or God’s power? What difference does it make?

In what ways do you see how God has anointed you, or equipped you, to fulfill whatever assignment he has given you?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father, 

         We come humbly, yet boldly to Your throne of Grace seeking fresh anointing to cleanse, refill, and align us with Your will for our lives. Let the anointing oil break off the spiritual dryness and dullness that has crept in. Lord, we need Your anointing to operate with Your power and boldness so that we may fulfill our assignments with excellence. Let Your anointing separate us from every distraction and empty pursuit, and draw us deeper into Your presence and purpose. Renew the gifts You have placed inside of us, in Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Powerful Weakness

Guest author - Christopher Glotzbach 

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

2 Corinthians 12:9

You need help.

Those are words I have a hard time believing… and an even harder time receiving.

But something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately is this:
When I receive help, I’m not just allowing someone to help me — I’m giving them an opportunity to bless. And when I refuse help, sometimes I unintentionally hinder someone else from living out the way God created them. 

The other day during a workout, I was on the ground (yes, on purpose ) trying to get a weight onto my lap so I could do some glute bridges. I was struggling. Like… really struggling. Before I knew it, a woman from the gym came over and offered to help me lift the plate into position.

Now, I’m pretty hardheaded… I mean, determined … so I was still fighting to get it myself.
She offered again and I looked at her and said: “No, I’m okay.”  She walked away, and I could tell she looked a little confused. Maybe I’m reading too much into it, but I wondered if my refusal didn’t only communicate, “I don’t need help,” but maybe even, “I don’t need you.” And that bothered me.

After my workout, I found her and apologized. But honestly, the whole thing felt awkward.
And the reality is… it didn’t have to be.
How much harder would it have been to simply say, “Yes, thank you”?
I could have humbled myself, accepted help and given someone else the opportunity to serve...

But

The reason I said no wasn’t because I didn’t need help. It was because of pride. 

And that moment has had me thinking: 

How often do I refuse help from people who genuinely want to help me? 

Over the last week, I’ve challenged myself to say yes more often. And you know what I’ve discovered? Something really beautiful happens when we allow people to lean in. We give people the opportunity to live out the way God created them. Because we weren’t created to live independently from one another. We were created to serve, encourage, carry burdens, to give ourselves away, practice hospitality.  It’s the mission of Christ through us. 

That’s part of what it means to die to ourselves.
And sometimes my refusal to receive isn’t humility — it’s actually pride. Because when I refuse help, I’m not only trying to prove I can do it on my own… I may be keeping someone else from experiencing the joy of serving.

And I wonder how often we do the same thing with God. How often is the Lord offering us help — giving us peace, wisdom, strength, or direction — and we respond: “No, I’m okay.” How often do we rely on our own strength instead of receiving His?

The apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Then Paul says: “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

Maybe weakness isn’t something we need to hide.
Maybe weakness is an invitation to experience God’s power — and the blessing of others.
Because when people are generous with their time, talent and treasure, it makes us want to be generous in the same way. Right?!

 
So today my prayer is this:
Lord, 

       Help me stay humble and open to receive help. Remind me that when I accept help, I’m not just receiving a blessing — I’m allowing someone else to be a blessing. Help me stop trying to prove I can do everything on my own. Help me boast in my weakness, knowing that Your power is made perfect in my need. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Banquet On the Battlefield

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

Psalm 23:5 (NIV)

King David knew what it meant to be attacked emotionally, verbally, and physically. As a young man, he was anointed by the prophet Samuel to be the next king of Israel, but Saul was still king and decided to kill him. David had to hide from Saul in caves while lies were being told about him across the kingdom. Yet David never retaliated, because God was preparing him to be a king who followed God’s heart.

David said of God, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” (Psalm 23:5 NIV). Does it sound like David was stressed out? No! He didn’t have to use up all his energy defending himself, because he trusted God to be his defender.

It takes a lot of faith and humility to trust God and rest when you’re under attack, when you’re misunderstood, and when rumors are spreading about you. When that happens, everything in you wants to rise up and do something about it. 

How do you handle people who attack you? You don’t. You let God handle them. Trust God to be your defender.

Not only does God want to defend you, but he also wants to fellowship with you. The Message paraphrases Psalm 5:11 this way: “You’ll welcome us with open arms when we run for cover to you. Let the party last all night! Stand guard over our celebration.”

Both Psalm 23 and Psalm 5 paint the picture of a banquet, or a party, at an unlikely time—not just when good times are happening but when you’re under attack.

If you’re in the heat of the battle right now, God knows about it. Maybe you’re fighting for your job, your health, your sanity, or your dignity. While the battle is going on, God wants to throw a banquet for you to offer just a little encouragement.

God wants to host a banquet on a battlefield. That kind of encouragement is available to you today when you surrender your worry, pain, and control to Jesus and rest in his promises to you.

If you’re a child of God, your heavenly Father is proud of you. Critics may spite you, slander you, ignore you, ridicule you, or libel you, but they can’t stop God’s blessing on your life.

As the Bible says, “He brought me to his banquet hall and raised the banner of love over me” 

Song of Solomon 2:4 GNT.

Talk It Over

What battle are you in right now? What opposition is staring you down?

What will you have to let go of in order to surrender your defense to God?

How does resting during a battle help you fight better?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father, 

         Arise, O Lord, and defend Your people. Lead us swiftly through the valley of the shadow of death. Come as a pillar of fire and illuminate our path to make it away from hostility and lead us into Your land of promise. Shield us from the plots of the wicked who would cut us off from Your life-giving grace. Instead, let us dwell in Your courts and grow in our holiness through Christ. 
     Keep our souls pure and washed clean by the blood of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Guard the doors of our hearts that nothing unclean can enter into us or have any influence over us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Where Are You?

The Lord is nearer to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)

What if you’re exactly where you need to be?

In 2026, it feels like we’re constantly being told what will make us happy. A bigger house. A nicer car. A better job. More influence. More success. That promotion. That relationship. Better neighbors. While there’s pressure from all sides, the message is always the same: “The grass is always greener...”

Monday night, a storm rolled through our house, and it hit our little garden pretty hard. Especially our jalapeños. (My favorite thing we grow.)  The wind snapped branches, flattened the plants, and, sadly, we had to remove a large section. Months of growth…Gone in one night. 
Disappointing.

It wasn’t all bad. In the next bed over, we had recently planted green beans. They hadn’t even broken through the soil yet. While the jalapeños were taking the full force of the storm, the beans rested safely beneath the surface—hidden, protected and completely out of harm's way from the wind.

As I stood there looking at both beds, I couldn’t help but wonder…

What if we spent less time wishing we were somewhere else and more time trusting God with where we are? Content.

 
Sometimes life feels like the jalapeños. The winds come. Things break. Dreams fall apart. We feel crushed by life: Devastated. When that happens, I cling to these words:
"The Lord is nearer to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
(Psalm 34:18)

The reality?
God draws nearer to us in our brokenness. Regardless of how we feel, He’s not absent in the storm. He’s especially present there.

But, man, there are other times that life feels more like the green beans. Hidden. Unseen. Waiting. Expecting. Wondering when it’s finally going to be our turn. Questions like: “Does God care about me!?” “Does God see me!?”

Maybe—just maybe—that hidden season isn’t God holding us back.
Maybe it’s His loving kindness.
Maybe He knows we’re still developing roots.
Maybe He’s protecting us from pressures we’re not ready to carry yet.

Praise God in the moments I so desperately wanted to get out of the developing season, He was kind enough to say “not yet.”

The truth is, neither season is wasted. Both are good. And maybe you’re exactly where you need to be.

 
Whether you’re weathering the storm or waiting beneath the surface — God is still at work in you. Not every season looks like it’s producing fruit. But what if the fruit it’s producing is not seen, but felt?
Like: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Written by Christopher Glotzbach, Muncie, Indiana

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,
                          Whether I’m waiting for breakthrough, enjoying seasons of peace, standing in the middle of a storm, or picking up the pieces afterward, help me remain in You. Teach me to be content where You’ve planted me. Exactly where I am. Exactly how I am. Knowing I won’t be here forever.
Increase my trust that Your timing is better than mine. Keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, because You are worthy of it all. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Promise for Today - Compassion: Anything It Takes

I came so that my sheep will have life and so that they will have everything they need. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.

John 10:10-11 (GW)

What's in our hearts often determines what we feel when we look at people. When we see a crowd, we can easily get irritated or impatient. But when Jesus saw a crowd, “he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36 ESV).

That's the same way God looks at you: with compassion. Remember: He doesn’t put you down. He lifts you up! No matter how angry, hurt, or betrayed you feel, Jesus will always respond with compassion. He knows how helpless we are without him, “like sheep without a shepherd.”

Without a shepherd, sheep are defenseless. They don't have any claws, they don't run fast, and their teeth are not very sharp. They need the protection of a shepherd.

Throughout the Bible, sheep are a symbol of God's people. John 10:10-11 says, “I came so that my sheep will have life and so that they will have everything they need. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep” (GW).

That kind of compassion comes only from Jesus, our Good Shepherd. And it’s different from sympathy and empathy.

Sympathy says, “I'm sorry you're hurt,” and it stops there. Empathy is a deeper commitment that says, “I hurt with you." But compassion says, “I will do anything it takes to stop your hurt."

And that is, in essence, what Jesus did through his life, death, and resurrection. He did anything it took to stop your hurt, even if it meant dying on the cross, even if it meant having nails pounded through his hands and feet. Compassion does whatever it takes.

Jesus said the reason he came was “not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45 NLT). Notice the two words “serve” and “give.” They define what it means to follow Jesus.

Do you look at people who are hurting and helpless the way Jesus does? Are you full of love and compassion, willing to do whatever you can to stop their pain?

The Bible repeatedly tells us that when Jesus looked at people in pain, he was moved with compassion. God wants you to be like him, which means looking at others the same way.

Talk It Over

Describe a time you were moved with compassion for someone. How did your response reflect your compassion?

Do you struggle seeing God as compassionate? Why or why not?

In what areas of your life do you think God wants to build more compassion for others?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father, 

          Open our hearts to see others with kindness, to listen without judgment, and to give without expecting. Let our words bring comfort and our actions reflect Your love. In Jesus' Name we pray.
Amen.

Promise for Today - Guide, Guard, Save

When he has led out all of his sheep, he walks in front of them, and they follow, because they know his voice.
John 10:4 (CEV)

God guides you. 

When you get confused or wander away, Jesus will find you and bring you back. Much like sheep, we tend to wander—and we get lost. So God sent Jesus on a search and rescue mission to save us, “to seek and save those who are lost” (Luke 19:10 NLT).

Why? Because every single one of us matters to him.

When God brings you back from wandering away from him, he will not punish you, but he may discipline you. Like a shepherd who wraps the legs of a sheep that is prone to wander, God may give you a “limp” to keep you from wandering.

God guards you. 

If you fail or fall, Jesus rescues you and sets you on the road to recovery. We not only wander, but, just like sheep, we also stumble and fall. The good news is that you can run to Jesus every time you mess up and expect him to rescue and restore you.

Jesus said, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a person than a sheep!” (Matthew 12:11-12 NIV). If it’s common sense to rescue an animal that stumbles, won’t God act the same way toward you when you stumble?

God saves you. 

If you trust him to save you, Jesus will keep his promise to do just that. It’s not your job to save yourself. Your job is simply to put your hand in God’s and say, “I’m all yours—the good, the bad, and the ugly.” God loves you too much to ever let you go. Jesus said it like this: “My Father gave my sheep to me. He is greater than all, and no person can steal my sheep out of my Father’s hand” (John 10:29 NCV).

When you trust in Jesus as your Savior, you’re no longer on your own. When you feel lost, confused, or like you’ve fallen into a pit, you can trust that the Good Shepherd is always there for you. He will guide you, guard you, and save you.

Talk It Over

Have you experienced God’s discipline to keep you from wandering away from him again? How would you describe his discipline?

When did God rescue you from a bad situation? In what ways did your faith change through that experience?

What does God’s promise to always come after you when you surrender to him tell you about his character?

-by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

           Guide our steps with Your wisdom and guard our hearts with Your peace. Keep us safe in Your care and lead us where we should go. Help us to always follow Your voice. In Jesus'' Name we pray. Amen.

Promise for Today - Direct and Protect

My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.

John 10:10-11 (NLT)

Sheep are essentially defenseless animals, so a shepherd carries a few tools to care for and protect his sheep. He has a rod for guarding and protecting, and he uses a staff with a little crook in it to rescue the sheep.

We are like lost sheep in need of protection and direction, so Jesus came to earth to be our Good Shepherd. He said, “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep” (John 10:10-11 NLT).

Just as a shepherd uses the physical tools of the rod and the staff for direction and protection, God wants to direct and protect you. Here are two ways he does that:

If you follow him, Jesus leads you in the right direction.
You need a guide—a shepherd—to go before you in life. You need Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who leads from the front and calls you forward. This is different from a cowboy, who drives cattle from the back. Jesus is not going to push you through life. He gets in front of you and essentially says, “Watch how I do it. Look where I go.”

John 10:4 says, “When he has led out all of his sheep, he walks in front of them, and they follow, because they know his voice” (CEV).

If you bring your hurts to him, Jesus is compassionate.
Jesus has compassion on us because he knows that we are helpless without him. Matthew 9:36 says, “When [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (NIV). The sense in the original Greek text is that Jesus hurt deeply for the people in the crowd and wanted to help them.

In the same way, when you bring your pain to Jesus, he doesn’t put you down; he lifts you up. He doesn’t hassle you; he heals you. Because of God’s goodness, Jesus directs and protects you. Jesus is our Good Shepherd, who “came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28 ESV).

Talk It Over

When have you sensed God going in front of you to lead you? In what ways did that experience grow your faith?

How have you seen Jesus’ compassion bring healing in your own life or someone else’s?

In what direction is Jesus leading you right now? In your work? Your family? Your community? Your church? Your relationships?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

          We come before You with open hearts. Guide our steps so they align with Your will, and light the path when the way ahead feels uncertain. Grant us wisdom to make choices that honor You, and courage to walk in faith even when we cannot see the whole road. Cover us with Your protection - shield us from harm, guard our minds from fear, and keep our spirits anchored in Your peace.
          Surround our loved ones with Your care, and let Your presence be the constant compass that leads us safely through each day. We trust that You go before us, and walk beside us. Watch over us always. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Fear Not

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

Psalm 23:4 (NLT)

What are you worried about today? The economy? Your health? Your bills? Your kids? Are you worried about the future? The fact is there are a lot of reasons to be afraid in today’s world. More than ever, we feel the stress of even everyday tasks that seem infinitely more difficult because of the state of the world. Life is just hard.

But God promises that, even in your darkest valleys, he is walking beside you.

It’s interesting to note that there are 365 verses in the Bible that say, “Fear not.” God provided us with one “Fear not” message for every day of the year! He wants us to hear the message: Don’t be afraid!

Why does God have to repeat himself so often when it comes to our worries and fears? It’s because our hurts and hang-ups can often cause us to think that God is out to get us, that all he wants to do is condemn us and punish us. But that simply isn’t true. Jesus is the proof of that.

When you understand God’s grace and mercy, then you have no need to fear the future. God isn’t trying to get even with you. Jesus has taken the penalty for everything you’ve ever done wrong or will do wrong. He paid for it on the cross. So, when a bad thing happens, you don’t have to think, “God’s getting even with me.” Instead, remember and pray this verse:“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me” (Psalm 23:4 NLT).

But you can’t just say this Scripture and then expect all your fears to go away once and for all. These are verses you will have to pray over and over again as your human nature slips back into worry. But keep praying. Keep reminding yourself of God’s promises.

They never fail!

Talk It Over

What promises from God’s Word can you claim when you’re tempted to worry about something in your life?

In what ways does God protect you?

Why should understanding Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross keep you from fearing the future?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father, 

          When our hearts are overwhelmed, overwhelm us with Your peace. Lead us to You, our Rock. Guide us to Your word, which gives us strength and refuge. Help us not to run from our pain but to trust fully in Your goodness and power to carry us through. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.

Promise for Today - A Never-ending Story

We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don't know what to do, we never give up. In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again . . . we know that God raised the Lord Jesus to life. And just as God raised Jesus, he will also raise us to life. Then he will bring us into his presence together.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 14 (CEV)

When the future is uncertain and there is a lot of fear, it might seem like your story is coming to an end. When life seems uncertain, remember this truth: You can’t lose! You’ll win in the end, no matter what happens. Even when you lose your life, you’re going straight into the presence of God if you believe in Jesus Christ as Savior. 

And when you arrive in heaven, your story is only just beginning.

Have you ever watched a TV show where every single episode ended in a cliffhanger and left you thinking the hero might not survive? Even though it’s just a story, the tension can feel enormous. But when all the episodes from the entire series are available to stream, you don’t feel as much tension because you know the hero survives for another six seasons. When you know the series will continue, then you know each episode is not the end of the story. The hero will make it out of a tight spot and on to the next season.

That’s how your life is. Even when you’re in a difficult circumstance, you know that the tough spot isn’t the end of your story. You can live with hope in the middle of a crisis because you have an eternal perspective.

One day, when you meet Jesus in heaven, all your pain, sickness, sorrow, sadness, stress, and grief will end. Here's what you can look forward to in heaven: "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" (Revelation 21:4 NIV).

This life is not the end of the story. We don't know what the future holds, but we do know who holds the future.

Talk It Over

In what specific areas of your life do you need to change your focus from fear to hope?

What tools do you have to remind you of the hope of Jesus when you feel discouraged or fearful?

Why is it important for the world to see that Christians have hope and confidence, even in the midst of a crisis?

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Are you certain of where you will go when you die?
One day your life on earth will end—but your story won’t end. If Jesus is your Savior, you’ll spend eternity with him in heaven. How can you have confidence that your story will continue after you die?

The Bible says that every one of us sins and that the penalty of sin is death. But God loves you so much that he sent his Son, Jesus, to pay the penalty of your sins, to bring you into the family of God, and to save you from the fear of death.

PRAYER:

If you’re ready to enter God’s family, here’s a prayer you can pray: “Dear God, I know that when I die, I’m going to give an account of my life to you directly. I confess I have ignored you. I know I have sinned against you, and I have lived by my plan, not yours. I want that to change, starting right now. I want to turn away from my sins and toward you.

“Thank you for sending Jesus to die for all I’ve done wrong so that I don’t have to pay the penalty. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I know only your grace can save me, Lord.

“Jesus, thank you for loving me so much that you took all my guilt on yourself. You made me acceptable for heaven, and I ask you to save me. Please save me from my sins and from my fear of death. I believe in you, Jesus, and your promise to save me instantly and bring me to heaven one day to continue my story with you in eternity. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.”

If you prayed the prayer above, please write and tell me at Rick@PastorRick.com. I’d like to send you some materials as you begin your journey with Jesus.

Promise for Today - Seeing Our Way Out

Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NIV)

When a crisis hits, you have to do the smart things necessary to get through it. You listen to God’s Word and godly advice, you make good choices, and you keep moving forward while remembering that this will pass. It’s not going to last forever!

The Living Bible paraphrases 1 Peter 4:12 this way: "Dear friends, don't be bewildered or surprised when you go through the fiery trials ahead, for this is no strange, unusual thing that is going to happen to you" (TLB).

In this world, there will be times of trial and testing. It’s guaranteed! Since sin entered the world, nothing works perfectly. Everything on this planet is broken—the weather, the economy, your body, and even your best plans. Nothing works perfectly in this life because sin broke everything on earth.

The Bible says, “The earth suffers for the sins of its people, for they have twisted God’s instructions, violated his laws, and broken his everlasting covenant . . . The earth has broken up. It has utterly collapsed" (Isaiah 24:5, 19 NLT).

On earth, everything is lost, abandoned, and confused. Even nature is groaning. We may wonder why God allowed sin and evil to enter the world; it’s because God wanted us to have a choice. And we're the ones who have chosen to cause evil. We're the ones who are selfish and self-centered, causing problems in society and in our environment.

This earth is not heaven. That’s why Jesus taught us to pray the Lord's Prayer—"your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10 NIV). Heaven is a perfect place with no sorrow, sickness, sadness, or stress, but we shouldn't expect heaven on earth. One day we'll get there, but we're not there yet.

You will get through whatever trial you’re facing right now. Soon enough you will marvel at all that God did in the midst of your trouble as you look at it from the other side.

There will be more challenges to face and adversity to endure. But you can always hope in this truth: "Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NIV).

Talk It Over

What are some ways you hope to grow spiritually, physically, and emotionally through a current time of trial?

God does not cause bad things to happen, but he can work to redeem those bad things. How have you seen him redeem adversity in your life or in someone else’s life?

What do you place your hope in during a crisis? Is it enough to sustain you?

- by Pastor Rick
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Prayer:

Father, 

        We come before You with humble hearts, seeking solace and strength in the midst of crisis. In times of hardship, when the storms of life threaten to overwhelm us, we turn to You, the source of all comfort and grace.

In the depths of our struggles, we find refuge in Your boundless love. As we navigate the turbulent waters of uncertainty, we lean on the pillars of faith You have provided. Grant us the wisdom to recognize the lessons hidden within the challenges we face and the courage to embrace growth in adversity.

We lift up those directly impacted by crisis—whether through illness, loss, or unforeseen challenges—and surround them with Your healing light, O God. May Your comforting embrace be felt in the darkest moments, offering reassurance that even in the midst of pain, Your love prevails. Grant resilience to those at the epicenter of chaos, infusing their spirits with unwavering strength so they may stand firm against the winds of despair. May they emerge from the tempest with newfound courage, resilient like the mighty oak that withstands the fiercest storms.

In our collective efforts to manage a crisis, instill in us a spirit of unity and collaboration. Let compassion be the guiding force, inspiring acts of kindness that ripple through the tapestry of human existence. Guide the hands of those in positions of leadership so that they may navigate these challenges with wisdom, empathy, and a commitment to the greater good. Illuminate their minds to make decisions rooted in justice, equity, and compassion.

In our moments of despair, help us find solace in the power of community and connection. Let us be reminded that we are not alone in our struggles, for You have blessed us with the gift of one another. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen