As we celebrate this 4th of July weekend, our hearts are filled with gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy. Yet if we’re honest, it’s easy to take these freedoms for granted. We live in a nation where we can gather freely, worship openly, and speak boldly—blessings that many around the world still long for. And while we’re quick to celebrate these freedoms with fireworks and barbecues, how often do we pause to truly give thanks—not just to our nation’s founders or our brave service members, but to the Lord, the ultimate Giver of every good gift?

Throughout the Psalms, we are reminded to give thanks. Psalm 107:1 says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever” . Thankfulness is not just a polite response; it’s an act of worship that recognizes God’s hand in our lives. In Luke 17, Jesus heals ten men who had leprosy. They go to show themselves to the priests and are declared clean, but only one returns to give thanks. In Luke 17:17 Jesus asks, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?”. That story is a powerful reminder of how often we can receive from God and forget to return to Him with gratitude.

We are not much different from the nine. We pray, God answers. We’re blessed, we move on. We see His provision, but forget His name. We enjoy His protection, but fail to thank Him for it. This weekend, as we reflect on our freedom as Americans, let us also reflect on our freedom in Christ—the freedom from sin, shame, and death itself. As John 8:36 tells us, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed”.

Gratitude keeps our hearts and minds planted in the fullness of the freedom we’ve been given. It reminds us that we are not self-made, but grace-made. It turns our hearts from pride to praise. So, let’s not be like the nine who forgot. Let’s be like the one who returned, fell at Jesus’ feet, and simply said “Thank You.” May our hearts overflow with thankfulness—not just for our nation’s blessings, but for the unshakable, eternal freedom we have in Christ. And may this be a weekend not only of celebration, but of deep gratitude for the hand of God upon our lives.

“We love because He first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19

I recently came across a reflection by Soren Kierkegaard, the Danish theologian and philosopher, about this Bible verse. He pointed out that we often speak of God’s love in terms of the past—“He first loved us”—as if God’s love was something He showed once long ago, rather than something He continues to pour out every single moment. This idea intrigued me. I have never thought of God’s love that way, But I began to wonder how many of us do. 

Maybe we imagine He loved us back when we first believed, or before we messed things up. Before the failure. Before the doubt. Before we stopped feeling worthy of it. But the truth is, God’s love isn’t a one-time event. It’s not a past-tense kind of love. His love is present, constant, and unchanging. Jeremiah 31:3 says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” It doesn’t say, “I loved you when you had it all together” or “I loved you until you disappointed Me.” No—God’s love is everlasting. 

When I was younger, I went to a Christian school and I got in trouble more often than I’d like to admit. I can’t remember what I did one particular day, but I still remember a teacher asking, “What do you think Jesus would say if He saw you doing that?” The implication, of course, was that He would be disappointed in me. But now, with a little more understanding of grace, I think I know what Jesus would say: “I love you.” Not “I loved you before you did that,” not “I’ll love you again when you clean up your act.” Just… “I love you.”

That’s the heart of the Gospel. Romans 5:8 reminds us, “God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” His love isn’t reactive; it’s proactive. He doesn’t love us because we’re good—He loves us because He is good. He doesn’t look at our failures and shake His head; He looks at us through the lens of Jesus and sees sons and daughters, clothed in righteousness, full of potential, and deeply loved.

So if you’ve ever found yourself thinking of God’s love as something that “was,” I want to remind you that it is, right now. Forever. It never ceases. And as we let that truth soak into our hearts, we’re invited to respond—to love Him, not out of fear, but because we’re secure in the fact that we are fully known and fully loved.

A few weeks ago, I attended a special prayer meeting centered around inner healing, and it was a powerful reminder that many of us are carrying wounds and hurts that we’ve never truly dealt with. We’ve pushed them down, trying our best to forget. But the problem is that unresolved pain doesn’t stay buried. It finds its way back to the surface—often when we least expect it and in ways we don’t always recognize.

That’s why it’s so important to invite God into those broken places. Psalm 147:3 tells us that “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” God is not indifferent to our pain. He doesn’t tell us to simply “get over it.” He meets us in our brokenness, and He lovingly begins to restore what has been damaged. But I’ve discovered one of the keys to experiencing healing is learning how to forgive.

Forgiveness is not saying that what someone did was okay. It’s not minimizing the offense or pretending it didn’t hurt. Forgiveness is about releasing the pain to God so that it no longer holds power over us. When we choose to forgive, we open the door for God to begin a deep healing work in our hearts.

Jesus modeled this kind of forgiveness on the cross. In Luke 23:34, He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” If anyone had a reason to hold on to hurt, it was Jesus. Yet, even in His suffering, He chose forgiveness. And in doing so, He not only made a way for our salvation but showed us the path to healing.

Unforgiveness is like a chain around our soul—it weighs us down, robs us of peace, and stunts our spiritual growth. But forgiveness sets us free. Free to move forward. Free to love again. Free to receive all that God has for us. As Colossians 3:13 reminds us, “Bear with each other and forgive one another… Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” God’s forgiveness isn’t just something we receive—it’s something we’re called to extend.

So I encourage us to ask ourselves: Is there someone we haven’t forgiven? Are there wounds we’ve been carrying that God is calling us to release? We may never hear the apology we would hope for, but we can’t let someone else’s failure keep us from the healing God wants to give. Forgiveness is not about changing the past—it’s about releasing the future.

Take a moment to bring these hurts before the Lord. Let Him meet you right where you’re at. Choose to forgive—not because they deserve it, but because “it is for freedom that Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5:1). And holding on to unforgiveness keeps us bound and chained. Let go, and let God begin the healing work only He can do.

God, You see the pain we’ve carried—the wounds we’ve tried to hide. We invite You into those broken places today. Show us where we need to forgive, and give us the strength to do it. We choose to release the hurt to You, knowing that You are the One who heals and restores. Bind up our wounds, Lord. Bring freedom and peace to our hearts. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.” – Psalm 68:5 

This weekend, as we recognize Father’s Day, we’re reminded that this day stirs up a variety of emotions. For some, it brings joy and gratitude for a loving and faithful dad. For others, it stirs sorrow due to loss, absence, or pain. Some may have grown up with a strong father figure who pointed them to Jesus, while others carry wounds left by a father who wasn’t present, didn’t care, or didn’t know how to love well. Whatever your experience has been, here’s the hope we cling to: though our earthly fathers are imperfect—our Heavenly Father is not.

God is the Father we all long for. He is faithful when others fail. He is present when others walk away. His love is not based on performance or perfection—it is unconditional, unshakable, and everlasting. Psalm 103:13 tells us, “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.” That’s who He is. He meets us in our joy, our grief, and our disappointment. He steps into the very places where our earthly fathers may have fallen short—and He offers healing, comfort, and wholeness.

I was blessed with a father who loved me well and pointed me to Jesus. But I know that’s not everyone’s story. For those who never knew their dad, or who carry pain from that relationship, let me gently remind you: God longs to fill every crack left behind. He invites you to come to Him, not just as Lord and Savior, but as Father. Romans 8:15 says, “You received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” That word “Abba” is deeply personal—it means “Daddy.” That’s the kind of relationship He wants with us.

So this Father’s Day, whether your heart is full or heavy, turn to the One who calls you His child. Let Him show you what it means to be loved unconditionally. Let Him redefine what fatherhood looks like through His patience, presence, and perfect love. And if you’re a father yourself, lean on Him to be your example. Our kids don’t need perfection from us—they need direction toward the Father who will never let them down.

Heavenly Father, thank You for being a perfect Father to us. Thank You for loving us with a love that never fails. For those of us who carry wounds from our earthly fathers, bring healing and peace. For those who have lost their dads, bring comfort and strength. And for those who are fathers, help them lead with grace, humility, and a heart that points to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”— Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

Following Jesus isn’t always easy. In fact, He told us it would be hard: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). There are seasons when the path gets steep, when burdens feel heavy, and when quitting feels like the easiest option. 

As a pastor, I’ve felt that. There have been moments when walking away seemed far more appealing than staying the course. But every time I’ve pressed through, every time I’ve leaned into the call God has placed on my life, I’ve encountered His faithfulness in deeper ways. I’ve seen how He strengthens the weary, how He makes a way when there seems to be none, and how He uses perseverance to shape our character and deepen our faith.

It’s easy to underestimate how close we are to breakthrough when we feel the most discouraged. But the promise of Galatians 6:9 reminds us that harvest comes to those who don’t give up. Quitting might provide temporary relief, but it often robs us of long-term reward. Think of Joseph, who remained faithful in prison before God elevated him to leadership, or Paul, who endured beatings and imprisonment but never wavered in his mission. Their stories teach us that God’s greatest blessings often come after our hardest battles.

So whatever path you’re on—whether it’s ministry, parenting, a career, or simply the daily walk of faith—stay the course. God sees. He knows. And He will be with you to offer grace, strength, and purpose until you reach the other side. Don’t miss what He has for you by stepping off the path He has placed before you. Let us be people who finish well, who endure with hope, and who trust that our labor in the Lord is never in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Lord, give us the strength to stay the course. When we grow weary, remind us of Your promises. When we feel like giving up, help us to trust that You are working, even when I can’t see it. Strengthen our hearts to follow the path You’ve placed before us, and help us experience the joy and blessing of perseverance. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

This week, Stacy and I have been away at our Foursquare Connection (our national convention)—a time we look forward to every year. It’s more than just a change of scenery or a ministry event, it’s a refreshing experience for the heart and soul. We get to reconnect with friends and pastors we’ve walked with over the years, and every time we do, I’m reminded of the deep fellowship God desires for each of us. 

Every Sunday at church, before our meet and greet time, I talk about how we were made for relationship. Relationship with God, and relationship with others. But not just surface-level connections. We were designed for Koinonia—a biblical word that speaks to more than just being friendly or having coffee together. Koinonia describes a shared life, a spiritual bond of love, mutual encouragement, and deep connection. It’s the kind of fellowship that sustains us, challenges us, and helps shape us into who God is calling us to be.

Proverbs 27:17 describes it beautifully: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” That’s what Koinonia looks like in practice. We walk with one another, not just on easy days, but through the difficult ones too. We speak life, truth, and encouragement into each other’s hearts. And sometimes, that sharpening comes through challenge—through truth spoken in love and humility or comfort offered in the midst of pain. It’s not always easy, but it’s the way we are called to live. Because in the process, God forms us, strengthens our character, and deepens our unity.

The early church modeled this kind of fellowship powerfully. Acts 2:42 says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship (koinonia), to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Their shared life wasn’t seen as optional—it was central to their faith and growth. They prayed together, gave sacrificially, encouraged one another, and worshipped as one. And the result? Lives were changed, needs were met, and the presence of God was unmistakable in their midst.

In our independent culture, deep fellowship like this can feel rare or even intimidating. But we need it. We need to know others, and we need to be known. When we encourage each other and lift each other up, we help one another see our worth and purpose in Christ. We strengthen the bond of the Church, and we reflect the love of Jesus to the world around us.

So whether it’s at a ministry convention, a Bible study, a Sunday morning conversation, or a quiet moment of prayer with a friend—we need to lean into Koinonia. Don’t settle for shallow connections. Ask God to give you relationships that sharpen your faith, stir your spirit, and remind you that you’re never walking this journey alone.

Lord, we thank You for the gift of Koinonia—for the deep, life-giving relationships You designed us to have. Thank You for the people You’ve placed in our lives to walk alongside us, encourage us, and help us grow. Teach us how to love one another well, to speak life and truth, and to build one another up in Christ. Help us to be vulnerable and open, creating space for true connection and unity in and through You. May our fellowship reflect Your love and bring glory to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“If you love me, keep my commands.” -John 14:15

This week, a friend shared a couple quotes from Henry Blackaby that struck a chord in my heart. The first was this: “Our difficulty is not that we don’t know God’s will. Our discomfort comes from the fact that we do know His will, but we do not want to do it.” And the second: “Satan will try to convince you that obedience carries much too high a price, but he will never tell you the cost of not obeying God.”

These words hit hard because they speak a truth many of us feel but are afraid to admit. We hesitate because we know that obedience often costs us something…our comfort, our plans, our control. How often do we know what God wants us to do or how He wants us to live, but we push back because it’s not what we want?

We can look at people in the Bible like David and say, “Sure, I’ll obey if it leads me to the palace.” But what if instead of leading us to the throne, our obedience leads us to chains—like it did for Paul? Will we still say yes? Will we continue to follow even when God’s path takes us into hard places, unknown seasons, or even unwanted callings?

Selective obedience isn’t really obedience at all. It’s just conditional surrender. True obedience, the kind that reflects the heart of Jesus, says “yes” regardless of the cost. Jesus demonstrated this for all of us. He obeyed the Father even to the point of death, showing us that obedience isn’t always easy, but it is always worth it.

The enemy would love for us to believe that saying yes to God will ruin our lives, steal our joy, or leave us empty. But the truth is, the cost of disobedience is far greater. Think of Jonah running from God’s command—it didn’t lead to freedom, it led to a storm and a giant fish. Think of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19, who walked away sad because he wasn’t willing to pay the price of obedience. We rarely consider the opportunities, blessings, and growth we miss when we say no to God.

Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands.” Obedience is not about legalism or fear—it’s a love response. We obey because we trust Him and believe that His ways are higher. We obey because we know that in the upside-down Kingdom of God, surrender leads to freedom, and obedience leads to life.

My prayer is that we become people who say yes to God, not just when it’s easy or when it benefits us, but always. Because the cost of obedience is always less than the cost of disobedience.

Lord, thank You for loving us enough to call us into a life of obedience. Forgive us for the times we’ve hesitated, questioned, or resisted Your will. Help us to trust You more deeply, to surrender more fully, and to obey more quickly. Give us the courage to say yes, even when the cost is high, and remind us that You are always faithful. -Amen

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” — Romans 12:2 (NLT)

Have you ever stopped and asked yourself why you believe what you believe? As children, we often adopt the beliefs of our parents. As we grow, we may be shaped by our friends, teachers, culture, or significant others. All throughout our lives, we are constantly influenced—sometimes knowingly, sometimes unconsciously. And often, those influences become so ingrained in us that we accept them as truth without ever questioning them.

But what if some of those beliefs are off base? What if some of the things we were taught, or assumed, or embraced, aren’t fully in line with God’s truth? I’ll be the first to admit—I often think my way of thinking is the right way. I assume my perspective is the best or most accurate. But I also often ask myself the question: Is it possible that some of my thoughts about God, faith, and life might be skewed? Could I have adopted a version of truth that actually needs some correction?

That’s where humility and a willingness to be taught by God come in. We live in a world full of opinions, ideologies, and noise. It’s easy to gravitate toward the things that make us comfortable and ignore the things that challenge us. But true discipleship means letting Jesus shape every part of our lives—including how we think. Romans 12:2 reminds us that transformation begins in the mind. God wants to renew our thinking. He wants to reshape our thoughts with His truth—not the world’s, not culture’s, not even our family’s or friends’—but His.

That means we need to be open to change. Open to correction. Open to seeing things differently—through the lens of Scripture and with the help of the Holy Spirit. One of the most powerful prayers we can pray is: “Lord, show me where I’m wrong. Teach me Your truth. Shape my thinking.”

It’s not easy to admit we may be wrong, but the path to growth is paved with humility. In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” If our goal is truly to know and follow Jesus, then we must be willing to let Him challenge our assumptions and transform our beliefs. Let’s not settle for inherited faith or convenient beliefs. Let’s seek the Lord, dive into His Word, and ask Him to shape our minds and hearts.

Lord, I confess that sometimes I hold tightly to beliefs simply because they’re familiar. But I want Your truth to shape my life, to transform my mind, and renew my thinking. Show me where I need to grow and guide me into Your perfect will. – Amen

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” -Ephesians 5:15–17

We live in a world that moves fast and pulls us in a thousand directions. Between endless to-do lists, distractions, and demands, it’s easy to find ourselves drifting through our days rather than truly living them. That’s why Paul’s words in Ephesians 5 are so timely and vital. He reminds us to be very careful in how we live—to walk wisely, to seize every moment, and to stay in step with God’s will. This kind of living doesn’t happen by accident. It takes intentionality.

Intentionality means we make deliberate choices—about how we spend our time, where we place our focus, and how we respond to God’s leading. If we’re not purposeful in pursuing time with God, it won’t just happen. Time with Him will get squeezed out by everything else. If we don’t deliberately choose to obey God’s commands and walk in His ways, we’ll find ourselves shaped more by the culture around us than by the Spirit within us. Paul is urging us to pay attention—to live with our eyes wide open, asking each day: “Am I using my time wisely? Am I aligning my life with God’s will?”

This passage also challenges us to recognize that every moment is a gift and an opportunity. When we live intentionally, we begin to notice the divine appointments in our daily routines—chances to encourage someone, opportunities to serve, quiet moments where God wants to speak. But if we live distracted or carelessly, we’ll miss those holy moments.

Our spiritual lives are a lot like a garden. They won’t thrive without intentional care. If a garden is neglected, weeds will take over, plants will die and fruit is never produced. The same can be true of our life. But when we take the time to water it with prayer, nourish it with God’s Word, and protect it with obedience, growth happens—and fruit begins to bloom.

How are we doing when it comes to intentionality? If someone looked at your calendar or screen time report, would they say that God is your priority?  Sometimes we intend to make time for God, but if it’s not scheduled or prioritized, it often gets crowded out. 

Living with intentionality means choosing regularly to put Jesus first. It means recognizing that every day is a gift and an opportunity to walk in step with Him. Our lives will not reflect God’s wisdom unless we intentionally seek His will and direction. So let’s be intentional. Let’s choose today to live with purpose, and make the most of every opportunity!

In our fast-paced world, the idea of stopping—of being still—is often seen as unproductive or even wasteful. We live in a culture that glorifies busyness, celebrates hustle, and measures worth by how much we accomplish. But God’s rhythm is different. In Psalm 46:10, we’re given a simple yet profound invitation: “Be still, and know that I am God.” It’s not a suggestion to simply relax, but a call to enter into a deeper awareness of His presence.

In a discipleship class I’ve been leading titled: Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, we’ve been learning the value of this very thing—just being with God. Not bringing Him our long to-do lists of prayers or reading Scripture only to extract something useful, but simply sitting in silence before Him. It’s surprisingly hard. Our minds wander. We feel the pressure to move on to the next thing. But when we choose to pause, something sacred begins to happen.

Our tendency is to approach God for what we can get: answers; peace; guidance; provision. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Jesus Himself tells us to ask, seek, and knock (Matthew 7:7). But what if part of our spiritual maturity is learning to come to God not just for what He gives, but simply for who He is?

Think of it like a healthy relationship. The deepest friendships and most intimate marriages aren’t built solely on constant activity or exchanged favors—they thrive in presence. In the quiet moments. In shared stillness. Our relationship with God is no different. In fact, Jesus modeled this when He often withdrew to lonely places to pray and be with the Father (Luke 5:16). If the Son of God needed stillness, how much more do we?

Even God rested on the seventh day—not because He was tired, but because He was setting a pattern for us (Genesis 2:2-3). He knew we’d need regular pauses to recalibrate our souls and re-center our hearts on Him. In my own practice, I’ve started taking just 3 to 5 minutes, a few times a day, to sit in silence and stillness before God. No words. No agenda. Just being with Him. And what I’ve discovered is that those moments act like a spiritual reset—bringing unexpected peace, clarity, and rest to my heart.

If this isn’t something you’ve tried, I encourage you to start small: one or two minutes. Let it feel awkward. Let your mind wander and gently bring it back. But keep showing up. There’s something beautiful that happens when we learn to just be with God—not for what we can get, but simply because He is worthy of our time and attention. Take time today to stop. To breathe. To be still. And to know—deeply know—that He is God!