Tag Archives: Encourage

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Where Our Help Comes From in the New Year

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Ushering out 2025 and welcoming in 2026 may bring mixed emotions. The beginning of a new year often does. Hope, uncertainty, and resolve just to name a few. Turning the calendar always gets us thinking, and we may be whispering to ourselves: “What if we need help? Where is it found?”

If this is your question today, the Bible helps answer.

“I lift my eyes up to the mountains –
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the maker of Heaven and earth.”

The Psalmist offers great encouragement in these words.

“I lift my eyes.” – Choosing Where to Look

As we start 2026, goals, plans, finances, health, and world events are all battling for the spotlight. Each creates an emotional roller coaster, but Psalm 121 challenges us to make the Lord our focal point.

The Psalmist says, “I lift my eyes.” By lifting his eyes, the Psalmist shows he was intentional in placing his focus on the Lord. This is no accident. Amid everything clamoring for attention, the Psalmist chooses to focus on the Lord.

Lifting our eyes is an act of faith. It is choosing to start 2026 with peace and stability rather than anxiety and uncertainty. Where we focus determines how we start the year.

“Where does our help come from?” – An Honest Question

A new year often exposes our struggles and challenges. The goals we have and difficulties we face may require help. The world events of which we have no control may cause angst. The result is our cry for help. An honest, open request answered in Psalm 121.

“My help comes from the Lord.” – A Confident Answer

The Psalmist answers his own cry for help with assurance. “Where does my help come from?” he asks, and immediately responds, “My help comes from the Lord.” There’s no doubt in this response. It is fully confident. The Psalmist knows the Lord is going to help him.

The same is true for us. Help is present, tailored to our needs.

Think back. How has the Lord helped you in 2025. If he helped you then, he will certainly help you in 2026. We can walk into the new year with confidence. Our help comes from the Lord.

“Maker of Heaven and earth.” – Power Behind the Promise

Notice the last phrase of our passage; “the maker of Heaven and earth.” The Lord, who helps us, is also the creator of the universe. Nothing in the coming year will be beyond his authority and awareness. If he hung the stars in the sky and birthed the universe, the Lord can certainly sustain us in the coming days. Allow this truth to anchor your hope in overwhelming circumstances.

Walking Into the New Year with Lifted Eyes

Psalm 121 reminds us we do not have to face 2026 alone. We may not have all the answers, or know everything that is going to happen, but we have assurance of help. The Lord will help us, so make a daily choice to lift your eyes. The Lord has helped us before, and he will help us again!

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

10 Rock-Solid Promises from God for an Uncertain Year

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A Free Devotional

Life rarely comes with clear answers about what’s ahead. A new year can bring hope—but it can also bring uncertainty, questions, and quiet worry about what the future holds.

The good news is this: God’s promises do not change, even when our circumstances do.

This free devotional was written to help you anchor your heart in Scripture and walk forward with confidence, no matter what this year brings.

What This Devotional Is About

Inside this devotional, you’ll find 10 rock-solid promises from God, each drawn directly from Scripture and written to encourage steady faith in everyday life.

These reflections focus on:

  • God’s presence when the path ahead feels unclear
  • God’s help in seasons of fear, anxiety, and need
  • God’s faithfulness in heartbreak, decision-making, and waiting
  • God’s eternal hope when life feels heavy

Each promise is meant to be returned to again and again—not rushed through, but carried with you throughout the year.

Who This Resource Is For

This devotional is especially helpful if you:

  • Feel uncertain about what lies ahead
  • Are seeking Scripture-based encouragement
  • Want a simple, meaningful devotional for daily reflection
  • Serve in ministry and desire encouragement for yourself or others

Whether you read it on your own, share it with someone who needs hope, or use it as a quiet moment of reflection, this resource was created to meet you where you are.

Download Your Free Copy

10 Rock-Solid Promises from God for an Uncertain YearDownload
Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

The Lifelong Pursuit of Seeking Christ

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The star appeared, and the journey started. It was not a quick trip to find Jesus. The 900 miles of terrain which separated the Magi from Jesus took some time to cross. In spite of this, the wise men continued. They didn’t give up or turn around until they found Jesus. They knew finding him was worth the pursuit.

Our Pursuit

No one needs to remind us we are not perfect. We already know, but each day we seek the Lord, we become a little more like him. Each day takes us a little closer to the prize, and each day means we can forget the things Christ has already forgiven from yesterday.

Philippians 3:12-14 says, “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection, but I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing:  forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the Heavenly prize for which God through Christ Jesus is calling us.”

Seeking Christ is a life-long pursuit. We are always in need of the Lord’s grace. We’re always in need of his leading. There is never a point in life when we stop needing Christ. It has been said life is like a cycle. The rough times lead to an easy season only to be disrupted by the rough times again. The Lord is with us every step of the way, and the prize at the end of the race is Heaven.

Philippians 3:20-21 encourage, “But we are citizens of Heaven where the Lord Jesus Christ lives, and we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak, mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.”

Are you on a life-long pursuit of the Lord? Don’t give up seeking him. He doesn’t give up on seeking us. “Come to me,” Jesus invites. “Seek me,” he encourages, “bring the burdens of life and the worries of today, and exchange them for the rest I offer.” Follow the example of the Magi. Make seeking the Lord a life-long pursuit.

Thanks for reading, and please share this.

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

The Long-Awaited Promise Fulfilled: Celebrating Jesus, God’s Greatest Christmas Gift

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For centuries, the world waited. Generation after generation clung to a promise spoken by God himself—a promise whispered in the Garden of Eden, echoed through prophets, and carried forward by faithful hearts. When the time finally drew near, God sent the angel Gabriel to announce that the waiting was over. The promise had arrived. His name was Jesus.

From Nathan to Isaiah to King David, God repeatedly assured his people that a Savior was coming—one who would rescue, restore, and redeem. Christmas is not merely the celebration of a birth; it is the celebration of a fulfilled promise. God delivered what he had promised, and the gift was his Son.

The writer of Hebrews captures the significance of this moment beautifully:

“Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways through our ancestors the prophets, and now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son, he created the universe. The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven” (Hebrews 1:1–3).

Jesus is the one generations longed to see. They trusted he would come. Today, we rejoice because he has come. Jesus is God with us—and in his coming, he brings life, help, peace, forgiveness, and hope.

Jesus Brings Life

Jesus declared his purpose clearly:

  • “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).
  • Hebrews reminds us that Jesus became fully human so that through his death he could break the power of death and free us from the fear that enslaves us (Hebrews 2:14–15).

Christmas marks the moment when eternal life stepped into human history.

Jesus Brings Help

Jesus did not come for angels—he came for us.

  • “He came to help the descendants of Abraham” (Hebrews 2:16).
  • Because he suffered and was tested, Jesus understands our struggles and is able to help us when we face trials (Hebrews 2:18).

No matter what you are facing today, you are not alone.

Jesus Brings Peace

The peace Jesus offers is unlike anything the world can provide.

  • Philippians 4 reminds us that the peace of God—beyond all understanding—guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Christmas peace does not depend on circumstances; it rests in Christ.

Jesus Brings Forgiveness

Forgiveness required sacrifice.

  • Jesus became like us in every way so he could serve as our merciful and faithful High Priest, offering himself to take away our sins (Hebrews 2:17–18).
  • “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5).

At Christmas, forgiveness was set in motion at the manger and fulfilled at the cross.

Jesus Brings Hope

Hope looks beyond today.

  • Jesus promised in John 14 that he is preparing a place for us and will return to take us to be with him.
  • Paul reminds us that our present troubles are light and temporary compared to the eternal glory that awaits us (2 Corinthians 4).

Because Jesus came, our future is secure.

The long-awaited promise has been fulfilled. God gave us Jesus for Christmas.

Take a moment today to thank God for his gift. Thank him for his faithfulness, his goodness, and his love. And as you reflect on the miracle of Christmas, may your heart be filled with gratitude and joy.

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Embracing Faith: The Call to New Journeys

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Stepping into the unknown is rarely comfortable. We like clarity, certainty, and well-marked paths. Yet throughout Scripture, God often invites His people to move forward before they know where the road will lead. Christmas reminds us that faith frequently begins not with answers—but with obedience.

The Courage to Begin the Journey
The Magi’s journey led them to unfamiliar places and introduced them to new people. When they noticed a new star in the sky, something stirred within them. Their anticipation and desire to seek the newborn King compelled them to leave what was familiar and follow where the star was leading.

They did not know exactly where the journey would end, but they were willing to go. The path may have been unnerving and disruptive, yet the Magi chose obedience. They followed the star.

When God Calls Us Forward
The Lord may be pointing you toward a journey right now. It could be accepting His grace in a deeper way, speaking with a friend about that grace, or making a sacrificial decision that feels costly. Perhaps He is calling you to extend forgiveness.

Forgiveness can be especially difficult when the hurt runs deep. Yet someone must place the first stone to begin building a bridge of reconciliation. The step may feel disruptive. It may feel unsettling. Still, the Lord calls us forward.

We Are Not Alone on the Road
Though these journeys can be frightening, Scripture reminds us that we are never alone. God has always worked through people willing to step into new places.

Abraham was called to leave his homeland and enter unknown territory.
Noah was called to begin a project that made little sense to those around him.
Daniel was called into an unexpected leadership role.
The first disciples were called to leave their careers behind.
Paul was called into a radically new public life.

Each journey required trust—and each revealed God’s faithfulness.

Your Next Step of Faith
What journey is the Lord asking you to take today? Ask Him for the courage to begin. Ask Him to remind you that He goes before you and walks beside you as you step into new places.

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Anticipating the Extraordinary: What We Can Learn from the Magi

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What If Today Is the Day God Moves in Your Life?

Every now and then, life gives us moments that stop us in our tracks—moments that stir curiosity, ignite hope, or whisper that something bigger may be unfolding. The Magi had one of those moments on an ordinary night that turned extraordinary. And their story invites us to ask a powerful question: Are we living with that same sense of anticipation?

The Night the Sky Changed

Looking up at the night sky was routine for the wise men. They spent countless hours studying its beauty, its rhythm, and its meaning. But one night, something changed. A new star appeared—something unmistakably different. It captured their attention, then captured their hearts.

That star stirred memories of ancient prophecies. It brought Christ to the forefront of their minds, reminding them of the Messiah long foretold. God used an unexpected sign to reach out to the Magi…and because they were already anticipating His work, they recognized it.

Living With Our Eyes Open

What about us? Are we anticipating the Lord’s work in our own lives?
Like the Magi, we have something to study too—the Scriptures. We may not grasp every detail, but we know the story well enough to understand God’s promises. Even the most learned Bible scholar still needs a faith that looks forward, watches expectantly, and believes God will act.

Scripture urges us to stay alert and attentive:

  • “You do not know on what day your Lord will come” (Matthew 24:42).
  • “You do not know the day or the hour” (Matthew 25:13).

Anticipation doesn’t come from knowing the details. It comes from trusting the One who does.

What Are You Expecting Today?

Faith-filled anticipation shapes how we live. It keeps us seeking, praying, and watching for God’s hand in ordinary moments.

Maybe today is the day a prayer gets answered.
Maybe today clarity arrives about your purpose.
Maybe today a door opens you didn’t see coming.
Maybe today is simply one quiet step closer to the dream God planted in your heart.

Christ’s birth was one of history’s clearest reminders that God works in ways we can’t predict—but always for our good. The question is: Are we watching for Him?

Keep Anticipating

Today could be a big day.
Look up. Stay ready. Keep believing.
Just like the Magi, may we live with hearts alert to the extraordinary work of God.

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Joseph: An Unsung Hero that Steadied the First Christmas

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Every Christmas nativity scene highlights Mary cradling the newborn Savior—but look closely, and you’ll always find another figure standing quietly nearby. He doesn’t speak a word in Scripture. He doesn’t perform miracles. He never stands center stage. Yet without him, the Christmas story would look very different.

A Sudden Detour in Joseph’s Plans

Matthew’s Gospel tells the birth of Jesus from Joseph’s perspective:
“This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph.” —Matthew 1:18

Life is good for Joseph. He’s found the love of his life, and the future seems beautifully predictable. But everything changes with one sentence:
“…before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

This is not what Joseph expected. Confused and heartbroken, he initially decides to end the engagement quietly (Matthew 1:19). This simple decision reveals just how deeply righteous and compassionate he truly was.

A Man of Quiet Strength and Deep Faith

Joseph had every cultural right to shame Mary. Society would have applauded him for it. But Joseph isn’t interested in revenge or public spectacle. He chooses kindness when the world would have encouraged cruelty.

Then God steps in.
“An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream…” (Matthew 1:20–21)

Joseph learns the truth:

  • Mary has been faithful.
  • The child is from the Holy Spirit.
  • The baby’s name will be Jesus.
  • And this baby will save people from their sins.

And Joseph responds with immediate obedience.
“When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded…” —Matthew 1:24

He marries Mary. He protects her. He names the child Jesus. And he steps into a role far bigger than anything he ever imagined.

Faithful in the Background—but Essential to the Story

Joseph may not draw much attention in Scripture, but his faithfulness carried enormous weight:

  • He stayed when others might have left.
  • He protected Mary and Jesus from societal judgment.
  • He led the family to safety in Egypt.
  • He provided stability, covering, and courage throughout Jesus’ early years.

Joseph’s strength wasn’t loud—it was steady. And steady faith often changes the world more than we realize.

Encouragement for Today’s Unsung Heroes

As we celebrate Christmas, Joseph offers powerful encouragement to all the quiet servants in our lives—the ones who stay, support, guide, and give without applause.

Our families, churches, and communities would not be the same without you.
You may not stand in the spotlight, but your faithfulness matters deeply.

Without Joseph, Christmas wouldn’t be the same.
And without you, our world wouldn’t be either.

Thanks for reading.

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

The Ordinary Girl with a Dramatic Role

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Have you ever felt like your life was perfectly ordinary—nothing flashy, nothing dramatic—yet sensed that God might be writing something bigger behind the scenes? The Christmas story reminds us that God often chooses the most unexpected people for the most extraordinary purposes. And no example shines brighter than Mary, a young woman whose quiet life was interrupted by a divine invitation that would change history. This remarkable moment not only shaped the first Christmas—it also speaks directly to us today.

A Common Girl With an Uncommon Calling

She was just a common girl. Not wealthy, not impoverished—simply part of the everyday crowd. Life was steady: she was engaged, preparing for her wedding, and looking ahead to a predictable future. Mary had no idea how dramatically her life was about to change.

Gabriel’s Visit

Luke records the angel Gabriel appearing to Mary with a message that would shake her world. Luke 1:28 says, “The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored. The Lord is with you.’”

Gabriel assured Mary that his message was one of good news. She would become the mother of Jesus, the long-awaited Savior, because nothing is impossible with God. Mary may have been ordinary, but she was invited into an extraordinary role within God’s redemptive plan.

She asked about the virgin birth, but Scripture leaves room for us to wonder what else may have raced through her mind—Joseph’s reaction, the whispers of neighbors, the weight of responsibility. This was a lot for anyone to process.

Mary’s Response

Despite the questions and the unknowns, Mary listened closely to the angel’s words. Her response in Luke 1:38 reveals her heart:
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”

Mary knew obedience wouldn’t always be easy. And indeed, it wasn’t. Joseph initially planned to quietly divorce her until God intervened. After Jesus’ birth, the family fled to Egypt because of Herod’s threats. Being Jesus’ mother came with fear, danger, and sacrifice—but God was with her through it all.

Discovering Our Purpose

Your purpose may never place you on a world-changing stage, but that doesn’t make it any less meaningful in God’s plan. Like Mary, we will experience challenges, uncertainty, and moments when the path forward feels unclear. But God’s grace rests on us as surely as it rested on her. The Lord is with us—are we choosing to walk with Him?

Ask God to reveal your purpose and to give you the courage to pursue it. And when He speaks, try responding with Mary’s surrendered posture:
“I am the Lord’s servant. May His word be fulfilled.”

Thanks for reading. Tomorrow, we’ll explore the story of Christmas’s unsung hero.

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

God Can Do Anything

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We are all better prepared to do some things. Some things are better handled by a doctor. Brain surgery should never be performed by an auto mechanic. One parent is usually better at soothing a hurting child than another. Some tasks should be left for those individuals who are best prepared to accomplish them.

When it comes to “impossible” dreams or events, it is best to leave those things for God. God’s ability to do anything was once again on display during the first Christmas.

“How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’ The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you, so the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she, who was said to be unable to conceive, is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail,” records Luke 1:34-37.

Mary’s faith helped her to see the events foretold by Gabriel would happen. She just isn’t sure how they will unfold. After all, a virgin does not have a baby. That is, unless God is involved. Gabriel explains how Mary will conceive, then to boost her faith, he points to Elizabeth. “No one thought Elizabeth would have a baby, but she’s pregnant. In fact, she is already in her sixth month. Nothing is impossible with God.”

It has been said Luke 1:37 is the most reassuring verse in Scripture. When God is involved, nothing is impossible. There is no challenge too great for God. The events leading up to Jesus’ birth help us see this point. Preparing the world for Christ’s arrival, Elizabeth’s pregnancy, and Mary conceiving as a virgin are all illustrations of God doing the impossible. God can do anything.

What are your goals? What are your biggest dreams? Nothing is impossible for God. Ask God what he desires for you to do and for the abilities to get it done. God can do anything.

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

At the Right Time: Finding Hope This Christmas in Galatians 4:4

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A Christmas Reminder That God Is Never Late

Have you ever waited for something so long that you wondered if it would ever happen? A breakthrough, a change, a prayer finally answered? Christmas reminds us that God’s timing is not only perfect—it’s purposeful. And nowhere is that clearer than in Paul’s words in Galatians 4:4, a verse that captures the heart of the Christmas story in just a few powerful lines.

The Fullness of Time Has Come

Paul writes:
“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law.” — Galatians 4:4

Those words—the fullness of time—tell the entire story of Christmas.

They mean:

  • Not early.
  • Not late.
  • Not accidental.
  • Not rushed.

Perfect.
Exactly when God intended.

For centuries, God’s people waited for a Savior. Through wars, wandering, silence, and sorrow, they held onto promises many thought would never come true. But at the exact moment God planned—when the world was ready, when prophecy aligned, when hope seemed dim—Jesus stepped into history.

He came born of a woman, fully human.
He came born under the law, to redeem those burdened by it.
He came right on time, because He came according to God’s perfect plan.

Christmas: Proof That God Keeps His Promises

This season is more than lights, carols, and nativity scenes—it’s a reminder that God is faithful even when we can’t see what He’s doing.

Maybe you’re waiting for something today:

  • Healing
  • Peace
  • Restoration
  • Direction
  • A fresh start

Galatians 4:4 whispers into that waiting:
“God has not forgotten you. He is working in the fullness of time.”

Christmas proves it.

Hope for Your Season of Waiting

Jesus came at the perfect moment to bring redemption, freedom, and adoption into God’s family. His arrival tells us that God’s timing is not random—it’s redemptive. He moves with intention. He shows up with purpose. And He always arrives with grace.

If God kept His biggest promise at Christmas, He will keep His promises to you.

Reflect on the Perfect Timing of God

Take a moment today to thank God that He sent His Son at just the right time—and to trust that He is still working with the same wisdom and the same perfect timing in your life.

If this encouraged your heart, please share it with someone who needs a reminder of God’s faithfulness this Christmas.