“ They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. “   –Nehemiah 9:17

For 430 years, the Israelites suffered under the harsh rule of Egypt. When God sent Moses to lead them out of captivity, they should have been overjoyed. They had prayed for deliverance and God answered! But instead of being grateful, they complained. When faced with difficulties in the wilderness, many longed to return to Egypt. Even though it was a place of bondage, it was familiar and—to them—familiarity seemed safer than the “uncertainty” of God’s promises.

How often do we do the same? We cry out for God to bring change to our lives, to lead us into something new. But when the journey gets difficult, we hesitate. We romanticize the past, even the parts that weren’t good for us, simply because they were comfortable. Instead of walking forward in faith, we retreat back to what we know, even if it means settling for less than what God has for us.

The Israelites were meant to enter the Promised Land, a land flowing with milk and honey, but their unwillingness to trust God kept them wandering in the wilderness for forty years. How many times do we miss out on God’s best for our lives because things are more difficult than we expected? The road to freedom isn’t always easy. It requires faith, perseverance, and complete trust in God.

Jesus calls us to a life of faith, not fear. In Luke 9:62, He says, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” When God calls us forward, we can’t afford to look back. The enemy will try to convince us that life was easier before we followed God’s path. And that might be true, but nothing in “Egypt” is worth going back to. The chains may be familiar, but they’re still chains.

We have to ask ourselves: Are there areas in life where we’re clinging to the past instead of trusting God for the future? Are we resisting change because it feels uncomfortable? God has a Promised Land for each of us—a place of freedom, purpose, and blessing. But we have to trust Him to lead us there…and to keep leading us when things get difficult. The journey might be tough, but the Promised Land He has for us is worth it. 

In Luke 9:23 Jesus tells us: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”

As Christians, we call ourselves followers of Jesus. It’s the very essence of what it means to be a disciple—our goal is to follow Him. But while we love the idea of being a follower of Jesus, we often struggle with actually following Him. It’s easy to say we follow Jesus when life is smooth and His path aligns with our own, but what about when His direction challenges our desires or requires sacrifice?

When I baptize someone, I ask them a question: “Have you confessed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your life?” That question has two parts: Is Jesus your Savior? And is Jesus your Lord? The Savior part is easy to accept. If we truly recognize our sin and brokenness, why wouldn’t we want to be rescued—to be saved? But the Lord part—that’s where the real challenge begins.

To declare Jesus as Lord means recognizing His authority and submitting to His will. It means making Him the central focus of our life, allowing Him to lead instead of trying to lead ourselves. But that’s hard for most of us. We like control. We like calling the shots. And often, without even realizing it, we try to get Jesus to follow us instead of truly following Him.

In Luke 9:23, we see that following Jesus isn’t just about believing in Him—Taking up our cross means surrendering to His will. It means trusting His way over our own, even when we don’t fully understand it.

Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” We’re told here to submit to Him in all our ways. The problem is we have this way of compartmentalizing our faith. Our Church stuff goes to God, while we try to handle everything else. But God doesn’t want part of us—He wants ALL of us.

How are we doing when it comes to following Jesus? Are we truly allowing Him to lead, or are we still holding onto control? When was the last time we asked God if we were doing what He called us to do? When was the last time we sought His guidance about our work, family, finances or our future? Jesus doesn’t just want to be our Savior—He wants to be our Lord. And when we fully surrender to Him, we discover that His way is always better than our own. May we choose today to truly follow Him—not just in word, but in every area of our lives.

We’ve all had those days. We wake up feeling refreshed, ready to tackle our to-do list with optimism. The plan is set, the schedule is in place, and we head out the door expecting a productive day. But then—life happens. An unexpected phone call brings bad news. The car won’t start. Traffic is worse than usual. A last-minute responsibility derails all our carefully laid-out plans. By the end of the day, our list remains largely untouched, and frustration sets in.

Very rarely do my days go exactly the way I expect them to. Maybe you’ve felt that too. The question is, how do we respond when life doesn’t go the way we planned?

The crazy thing is, while these moments catch us off guard, they never surprise God. Psalm 139:16 reminds us, “All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.” That means God is not only aware of every detour, inconvenience, and challenge we face, but He has already gone before us in them. He knows what we need, and He is ready to help us through.

Instead of getting frustrated, anxious, or discouraged, what if we saw these moments as opportunities to turn to Jesus? What if instead of allowing the unexpected to ruin our day, we let it deepen our dependence on Him? Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Rather than grumbling and complaining when things don’t go as planned, we can choose to surrender our day to the Lord. He wants us to bring our frustrations, our delays, and our disappointments to Him. He is not bothered by them and He invites us to lean on Him. When we do, we find that He gives us the strength and patience we need to press on.

The truth is, these things we see as interruptions or inconveniences might be opportunities for growth, protection, or a deeper connection with God. Instead of allowing frustration to take over, we can choose to trust that God is at work, even in the unexpected.

So the next time our day takes an unforeseen turn, we need to take a deep breath and turn to Jesus. Give our unexpected moments to Him, and allow Him to work in ways we may not yet see. Because nothing is too big—or too small—for God.

In our Western culture, prayer has often become more about speaking than listening. We come before God with a list of requests—things we need Him to do, problems we need Him to fix, situations we want Him to change. And, though God tells us to make our requests known, prayer is meant to be more than just a one-sided conversation. How often do we take time to simply be silent before the Lord? Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” But in this fast-paced, noisy world, being still is not something we often practice.

Part of the struggle comes from the constant busyness of our lives. We move from one task to another, filling every moment with productivity, entertainment, or distractions. Silence feels unnatural because we are so used to the hum of activity around us. Technology plays a major role in this as well. Many of us have grown up with phones in our hands, always looking at something, always listening to something. We rarely allow ourselves to just sit quietly, and because of this, we miss an important aspect of prayer—listening.

The truth is, listening is essential in any relationship. A relationship cannot grow if one person does all the talking. The same is true in our relationship with God. He has much to say to us, but are we taking the time to hear Him? Elijah experienced this truth firsthand in 1 Kings 19. He was desperate to hear from God, and as he stood on the mountain, there came a mighty wind, an earthquake, and a fire—but God was not in any of them. Then came a gentle whisper, and that is where Elijah encountered the Lord (1 Kings 19:11-12). God’s voice is often found in the quiet, but we have to create space in our lives to actually hear Him.

If we only come to God with hurried requests and never take time to simply be with Him, we miss out on the depth of intimacy He desires with us. Prayer should not just be about asking for things; it should be about abiding in His presence. Jesus Himself modeled this. Luke 5:16 tells us that Jesus “often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” If the Son of God needed time away in silence with the Father, how much more do we?

What would it look like if we made space for silence in our prayers? If instead of rushing through a list of needs, we sat quietly and let God speak into our hearts? What if we embraced stillness, allowing our souls to rest in the presence of the One who holds all things together?

My prayer for myself—and for all of us—is that we would learn to practice the discipline of silent prayer. That we would take moments to pause, to unplug, and simply be with God. Because the more we do that, the more we will truly know…that He is God.

We’ve all been there—standing on the edge of an opportunity, feeling the nudge to step out in faith, but we we’re held back by our fears. Sometimes it’s the fear that we’re not equipped, that we don’t know enough. Other times, it’s the fear of failure. What if we fall flat on our faces? What if we say the wrong things?

But here’s the incredible truth: God is okay with failure. Failure means we tried. It means we stepped out in faith. And while we often see failure as the end of the road, God sees it as a lesson, a stepping stone to something greater. Romans 8:28 reminds us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” This includes our mistakes, our missteps, and even our failures.

Think about Peter. He was bold enough to step out of the boat and walk on water toward Jesus. But then fear crept in, doubt took over, and he began to sink. Yet Jesus didn’t scold him for failing—He reached out and saved him. Peter’s failure became a lesson in trust. And later, even after denying Jesus three times, Peter was restored and used mightily by God to build His Church. His story shows us that God isn’t afraid of failures—He redeems them.

The enemy wants to paralyze us with the fear of making mistakes, keeping us from stepping into all that God has for us. But the truth is, God does His greatest work through imperfect people. Moses doubted his ability to lead, yet God used him to deliver Israel. David made devastating mistakes, yet he remained a man after God’s own heart. Paul persecuted Christians, yet God transformed him into one of the greatest apostles.

So, what’s keeping us from stepping out? What’s stopping us from saying yes to what God is calling us to do? Philippians 4:13 tells us, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” That doesn’t mean we won’t stumble along the way—but it does mean that Christ will be our strength when we do.

Yes, we’re going to mess up at times. Yes, we’re going experience failure. But in God’s hands, even our mistakes can become something beautiful. He has the ability to take the messes we make and turn them into testimonies of His goodness and grace. So, let’s step out and trust in Him. He is working through both the good and the bad and everything in between to accomplish His good purpose in all of us. -Amen

Today is Valentine’s Day—a day when the world celebrates love. For some, it’s a day of romance, chocolates, and flowers, For others, it may be a reminder of loneliness or heartache. The world often defines love as a feeling, an emotion that comes and goes based on circumstances. Love, according to culture, is something we give when it benefits us and withdraw when it no longer serves our desires. But is that what love truly is?

Scripture tells us that love is so much more than an emotion. Love is not merely something God does; love is who He is. 1 John 4:8 tells us: “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” His love is not based on our worthiness, performance, or even our response. It is unconditional, sacrificial, and never-ending. Romans 5:8 reminds us, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Even when we were undeserving, God showed us love in the most powerful way—by giving His Son for us.

God’s love is radically different from the world’s love. The world says love those who love you back; God says love even your enemies (Matthew 5:44). The world says love when it’s convenient; God says love sacrificially. The world says love when it feels good; God’s love endures even in pain. Jesus didn’t just say He loved us—He showed it. Every action of His life was an expression of love, culminating in the greatest act of love: His death on the cross.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to love in this way. Not just with words, but with actions (1 John 3:18). Love is more than a Valentine’s card or a kind sentiment—it’s serving, forgiving, sacrificing, and choosing others above ourselves…over and over and over again. It’s extending grace to those who don’t deserve it and showing kindness even when it’s difficult. This kind of love doesn’t make sense to the world, but it is the love of Christ.

So today, on a day when love is celebrated, let’s examine our own hearts. Are we loving as Jesus loved? Is our love real, deep, and selfless, or is it merely surface-level and conditional? May we strive to love not as the world loves, but as God loves—genuinely, unconditionally, and sacrificially. Because in the end, true love is not found in a box of chocolates or a bouquet of roses, but in a God who gave everything to call us His own.

As a pastor, I experience criticism a lot. Whether it’s someone inside the church who thinks I should have handled something differently or someone outside the church who has issues with my biblical views or theology. I’ve come to realize that it’s just part of being a pastor. But the truth is, we all face criticism. We all experience hurt and pain from those around us. And the question is, how do we deal with those who hurt us?

Our natural response is often to retaliate. We want to defend ourselves, set the record straight, or even hurt them back. But Jesus offers us a radically different approach. In Matthew 5:43-44, He says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

Let’s be honest, this is a difficult command to obey. Loving people who have wronged us feels unnatural, even impossible at times. But Jesus calls us to a higher way of life—a way that refuses to be overcome by bitterness and anger.

I’ve heard it said, “If you respond to mistreatment with love, you’ll keep the other person from controlling you.” That’s a powerful truth. We can’t control what other people do, but we can choose to not be controlled by our frustrations with their actions. In other words, we can choose how we respond. If we let resentment take root, we allow our emotions to dictate our response. But when we choose love, we can walk in freedom.

Jesus modeled this perfectly. As He hung on the cross, suffering at the hands of those who hated Him. He could have called down angels to destroy them. Instead, He looked out at His enemies and prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34). If Jesus could love in that moment, shouldn’t we seek to love when others hurt us? 

One of the most powerful modern day examples of this is found in the story of missionary Elisabeth Elliot. Her husband, Jim Elliot, was killed by the very people he was trying to reach with the Gospel. But instead of responding with hatred, Elisabeth chose forgiveness. She went back to the same people who had murdered her husband, shared the love of Christ with them, and saw many of them come to faith. Her life was a testament to the transforming power of love.

So, when we face criticism, when someone wrongs us, or when we’re tempted to respond with anger, we must remember the words of Jesus. Love your enemies and pray for them. And trust that God is the ultimate judge. Because when we choose love, we reflect His heart and find freedom from bitterness.

Who is someone you need to pray for today? Ask God to help you love them with His love, and trust Him to do the rest.

In Romans 8:5 (NLT), Paul tells us: “Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.” 

Our thoughts have incredible power over us. They can either lift us up or drag us down. When we allow ourselves to dwell on worries, fears, and the struggles of life, we can quickly find ourselves overwhelmed, discouraged, and stuck in a cycle of negativity. The enemy would love nothing more than to see us trapped in those thoughts and weighed down by the burdens of this world. But God desires something greater for us—He wants to transform our minds and renew our perspective.

The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in changing the narrative of our thoughts. When we surrender our minds to Him, He helps us see things from a new and fresh perspective. Instead of being controlled by fear, doubt, or worldly concerns, the Spirit directs our hearts and minds toward truth, hope, and peace. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 10:5 that we need to: “take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” This means we have the power, through the Spirit, to filter our thoughts—rejecting the ones that bring us down and embracing those that align with God’s truth.

It’s like the gardener who pulls weeds from their flowerbed. If the weeds are left unchecked, they will choke out the wonderful plants and flowers. In the same way, when we allow negative and destructive thoughts to take root, they suffocate the joy and peace that God desires us to experience. But when we let the Holy Spirit work in us, He helps uproot the weeds and cultivate a mind that flourishes with His truth.

A great example of this is found in the life of David. In Psalm 42:5, he says: “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God!” David understood that his emotions and thoughts did not have to dictate his life. Instead, he made a conscious decision to turn his focus back to God. We, too, can choose to shift our focus and allow the Spirit to guide our thoughts rather than being dominated by the struggles of this world.

In Philippians 4:8 Paul encourages us to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. When we think on such things, we create space for God’s peace to dwell in us. So today, if we find ourselves weighed down by anxious thoughts, discouragement, or frustration, remember that God has given us the power to overcome through His Spirit. 

We don’t have to let our mind be controlled by the worries of this world. Instead, we can invite the Holy Spirit to renew our thoughts, to help us see through the lens of faith, and to remind us of God’s goodness. And when we do, we’ll begin to experience the freedom and peace that come from thinking about things that please the Spirit.

In our church over the last few weeks, I’ve been talking about the importance of operating in the power of the Holy Spirit. God gave us His Spirit to help us live abundantly. When we choose to follow Jesus, He gives us the Holy Spirit to lead, guide, and empower us. However, if we aren’t actively engaging with and listening to the Holy Spirit, we risk wandering down roads that God never intended us to travel.

A powerful example of this is found in Acts 16:6-7: “They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them.” 

Here, Paul and his companions were intent on preaching the Gospel in Asia and Bithynia—good intentions, no doubt. But because they were seeking and listening to the Holy Spirit, they were redirected to where God was truly calling them. Had they ignored the Spirit’s guidance, they may have missed the greater plans God had for them.

How often do we find ourselves in places we shouldn’t be, simply because we didn’t pause to seek or listen to the Holy Spirit? Or even worse, how often do we ignore His leading because His plans differ from our own?

Jonah is a great example of this. God had called him to go to Nineveh, but Jonah had other plans. He ran in the opposite direction, boarding a ship headed for Tarshish. Jonah’s disobedience led to a storm, a shipwreck, and being swallowed by a great fish. It wasn’t until Jonah finally submitted to God’s will that he experienced God’s power working through him to bring the people of Nineveh to repentance. 

Jonah’s story reminds us that resisting the Holy Spirit’s guidance often leads to unnecessary pain and delay, while obedience brings about God’s purpose and blessings.

As followers of Jesus, we have to remember that the Holy Spirit is given to us for a reason. Romans 8:14 says, “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” Are we children of God? Then we need to be led by the Spirit and this means seeking His help, listening for His voice, and being obedient to His leading. 

I believe God’s plans for each of our lives are far greater than anything we could ever hope or imagine. Ephesians 3:20 frames this for us by reminding us of God’s great power and purpose. It says that God “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” 

If we have chosen to follow Jesus, His power is at work in us. And He can do immeasurably more than we could ever hope or imagine. But to experience this, we must surrender our plans, ideas, and desires, and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us to the places where God’s purpose for our lives can be fully realized.

Are we seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance? Are we listening to His voice and responding in obedience? My prayer is that we are people who are operating in the power of the Holy Spirit, trusting that He will lead us to places that will bring glory to God and fulfill His incredible purpose for our lives. -Amen

The year 2024 has been one of my most challenging years as a pastor. It was a year filled with many trials and difficult moments, and as the calendar turned to 2025, my prayer and hope was for the year ahead to be better than the one behind. But during a time of prayer this week, I was reminded of a simple yet profound truth that we’re called to give thanks in all circumstances.  

1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” That verse doesn’t say to give thanks for all circumstances, but in all circumstances. There’s a big difference, and as I pondered this truth, I realized something—I had allowed so much of last year to be consumed by the challenges I faced that I had failed to recognize the blessings God was pouring out along the way.

It’s so easy to let the hard times overshadow the good. We can become so focused on the darkness around us that we fail to see the beams of light that are peaking through. God is with us, and His light is always breaking through the cracks of our circumstances. In Psalm 119:105, it reminds us: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”. Even in the darkest seasons, God’s light is guiding us, if we choose to look for it.

I know a pastor who keeps a gratitude journal. Every day, no matter how hard or ordinary his day has been, he writes down three things he’s thankful for. This simple task has given him new perspective. His difficulties don’t disappear, but he now sees God’s hand in the midst of them. That’s what gratitude does—it reorients our hearts, helping us focus not on what’s wrong but on how God is still working.

As I was reflecting on this truth, I began to thank God for the blessings I had overlooked—relationships that have been strengthened in the midst of trials, moments of joy that broke through the heaviness, loving people who had supported me in the difficulties and God’s faithfulness that has never wavered. And the same is true for all of us. We may not be able to change our circumstances immediately, but we can change how we respond to them. 

Gratitude invites God into our present moment, allowing His hope and strength to sustain us. It reminds us that even when life feels heavy, His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). So, as we step into this new year, let’s not just hope for better days. Let’s choose to be people who give thanks in every circumstance. Let’s turn our eyes toward Jesus, trusting that God is with us in the present and will lead us to brighter days. May gratitude shape our hearts, deepen our faith, and remind us that God is our unshakable hope—yesterday, today, and forever.