Acts-Actions in Christ's Teachings

04/21/2026

04/05/2026

Celebrating the Death and Resurrection of ChristAs we come together to celebrate the profound significance of Christ's death and resurrection, we are reminde...

03/22/2026

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽: 𝗔 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿
Troy Husted
March 22, 2026

Throughout this past week, I faced challenges that tested my faith and expectations. The aspirations I had for the week didn’t materialize as I had hoped. Frustration and doubt crept in, and I found myself grappling with feelings of failure. Yet, even in the midst of these struggles, I recognized that God was continually providing and aligning my path with His will and purpose for both Judy and me.

As I prepared for our church service this morning, God presented me with a striking reminder to keep the heart of worship alive. I noticed, out of the corner of my eye, a business in a local mall named "Heart of Worship." This dance studio ignited my spirit, reminding me that we are called to worship and praise God in all things. My heart leaped at the sight of this sign, feeling the encouragement to continue thriving toward a heartfelt devotion.

However, just 500 feet away stood another business: Planet Fitness, bustling with activity as people flowed in and out, eager to strengthen their physical bodies. The contrast between these two establishments was not lost on me—while the Heart of Worship dance studio was closed, the place dedicated to feeding and strengthening the flesh was thriving. This scene illuminated a profound truth I needed to grasp: when we become focused on our earthly expectations, we may inadvertently feed our flesh, leading us to doubt God’s provision and question our commitment to drawing nearer to Him.

In reflecting upon this, I was reminded of the Israelites in the desert. Despite witnessing incredible wonders and the very presence of God through manifestations of cloud and fire, they still clamored for immediate gratification and the promised land (Exodus 13:21-22). When they experienced hunger and thirst, instead of leaning on God, they grumbled against Moses and questioned God’s faithfulness (Exodus 16:2-3). Oh, how easily we fall into that same trap of discontent when we prioritize our fleshly desires over spiritual growth!

The Bible reminds us in Philippians 4:19 that "God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." We must recognize that our physical trials can divert our focus from the abundant blessings that God continually pours out upon us. During times of struggle, it's essential to lay our burdens before the Lord and trust in His perfect timing and provision.

Psalm 55:22 urges us, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.” This is a beautiful encouragement to lean on God and allow Him to rule over our circumstances.

In moments of doubt and frustration, we must strive to keep our hearts aligned with worship. Just as I was reminded by the Heart of Worship dance studio, it is essential to cultivate an attitude of praise in our hearts. Additionally, we are reminded to dance before the Lord, just as David did. The celebration of movement reflects our joy in His presence. Dance, pray, and sing praises that delight our souls and ignite our spirits in God's goodness. As Psalm 149:3 states, "Let them praise His name with dancing, making melody to Him with tambourine and lyre."

Therefore, let this be a reminder to all of us: as we journey through life’s struggles, let us thrive after the heart of worship. Focus on the divine purpose God has for you, not solely on the fulfillment of earthly desires. Embrace the trials as opportunities to grow in faith and intimacy with the Lord. Let Jesus reign in your heart, guiding you through every trial and blessing that life presents.

Together, let us strengthen our spiritual lives through worship, surrender our burdens to the Lord, and remain steadfast in our journey of faith. May we always choose to honor the heart of worship, turning away from distractions, and boldly drawing nearer to the God who knows our needs and desires.

In closing, I am left with a beautiful reminder: to worship is to live in a posture of surrender, trusting God’s plan even when my expectations fail. As we engage in the joyous act of worship, we are reminded that hope is not merely an idea but a living, breathing experience found in God's presence. Each song we sing, every prayer we offer, and every act of worship reminds us that we are never alone—God is with us, providing comfort and strength. Let us keep our eyes fixed on Him, the true source of our strength and encouragement in every moment of our lives. As we dance, pray, and sing, may we engage in the joyous act of worship that transforms our hearts and fuels our faith, thus rekindling our hope in Him.

03/03/2026

𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲
Troy Husted
March 2, 2026

Life often has a way of testing us when we least expect it. I found myself in such a season upon returning from the Philippines in the second week of January, with hopes pinned on a new assignment in Canada. However, life had other plans. Instead of the opportunity I anticipated, I was met with uncertainty, and as the weeks passed, multiple offers emerged but ultimately fell through.

Now, three months in, I find myself waiting and searching for another assignment while juggling odd jobs to keep some income flowing. It’s been a challenging journey that forces me to confront my finances head-on. Last year, I made a commitment to surrender my struggles with money—an aspect of my life I held onto tightly. I ceased taking on new credit and focused on eliminating my debts, yet they still linger despite my efforts.

During this trying time, God has sustained me through the small openings I’ve had to bring in income. Although these opportunities feel like mere crumbs compared to what I was used to receiving, I am deeply grateful for each one. As Philippians 4:19 reminds us, "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." Even in scarcity, He provides, and I’ve learned to appreciate every little blessing.

For years, I prayed for relief from the financial burdens that have weighed heavily on me since 2020. Instead of the expected influx of income, work has been scarce. But through this struggle, I've come to realize that the challenges are not just obstacles; they are lessons. In the stillness of waiting, God revealed something profound: it was time to sell my house and break free from the past to embrace a new future.

Selling my home could wipe away my debts and open the door for a fresh start, possibly moving back to the Philippines. Yet, with three months of no steady work, I sometimes question whether I can truly make it happen. It's a battle of faith—breaking old habits, trusting God, and believing that what seems impossible can come to pass. As Romans 8:28 assures 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."

While I may not enjoy the struggles, I am grateful for the endurance and resilience I'm developing along the way. My faith in Christ reassures me that through all trials, we will emerge victorious. Each day is a step toward that victory, reminding me that even in the toughest times, there are invaluable lessons to be learned.

If you’re facing your own struggles, know that you’re not alone. Through prayer, worship, and trusting in God, we can find hope amid turmoil. Let us lean into Him and remember that even the smallest blessings can make a significant difference. Together, we can find strength in our faith and know that brighter days are ahead.

01/17/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗱'𝘀 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲
Brian Romero

Sheep do not thrive when they fear abandonment. They survive. They flinch at shadows. They startle at small sounds. They drift from the flock, not because they are rebellious, but because fear makes them restless. A sheep that believes it is alone will keep scanning for danger instead of grazing. It will live tense, guarded, and exhausted. And many believers live the same way. Not because Jesus is not enough, but because they have been trained to believe God’s nearness depends on their performance.

Fear of abandonment always produces the same fruit. You begin to measure God by feelings. If you feel peace, you assume He is close. If you feel nothing, you assume He left. You interpret silence as rejection. You interpret delay as distance. You interpret hardship as punishment. But the gospel does not train us to interpret God through emotion. The gospel anchors us in something finished. When Jesus said, “It is finished” (John 19:30), He was not describing a mood. He was declaring a completed work that settled your standing with the Father forever.

A sheep thrives in presence. Not in pressure. Not in fear. Not in constant self evaluation. Psalm 23 is not a poem about how strong the sheep is. It is a confession about how faithful the Shepherd is. “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1). Want disappears where the Shepherd is trusted. Scarcity thinking fades where His care is believed. The sheep lies down because the Shepherd is there. “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters” (Psalm 23:2). Sheep do not lie down when they think they are about to be left. They lie down when they know they are kept.

Fear of abandonment makes believers act like spiritual freelancers. Always trying to prove value. Always trying to stay worthy. Always trying to keep God interested. But Jesus did not die to bring you into a probationary relationship with the Father. He died to bring you into sonship. The cross did not create a fragile connection. It created a permanent covenant. Jesus is not a hired shepherd who clocks out when you struggle. He is the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep (John 10:11). That means His commitment to you is already proven, and it was proven at the cost of His blood.

This is where the finished work changes everything. The fear of abandonment says, “God will stay if I do well.” Grace says, “God came while I was still weak.” “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). If He moved toward you at your worst, He is not backing away now that you are His. If He adopted you by grace, He is not maintaining you by anxiety. You may feel uncertain, but your salvation is not built on your emotional weather. It is built on His finished work.

Sheep also thrive in the flock. Isolation magnifies fear. Lone sheep are easier targets, easier to discourage, easier to deceive. Scripture does not present the Christian life as independent spirituality. It is a body, a family, a household (Ephesians 2:19). The enemy loves to whisper, “No one sees you. No one cares. You are alone.” But God places His people together for strengthening, reminding, and restoring. When fear tries to pull you away, the Shepherd often comforts you through the voices and presence of His people.

What do sheep thrive in, then? They thrive in assurance. They thrive in rest. They thrive in direction. They thrive in trust. Jesus did not say, “My sheep will never struggle.” He said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will sn**ch them out of my hand” (John 10:27–28). Notice the order. Hearing comes from being known. Following flows from safety. And the security is not in the sheep’s grip. It is in the Shepherd’s hand.

Fear says, “If God is with me, I will feel it.” Faith says, “God is with me because Jesus finished it.” God’s nearness is not a reward for your best week. It is a gift purchased by Christ. The Father does not distance Himself every time you fall short. “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). That promise is not poetic. It is covenant language. It is God tying His name to your future. And Jesus did not rise from the dead to give you a shaky relationship. He rose to guarantee your acceptance.

So if you have been living like a sheep afraid of being left, here is what it can look like to return to green pastures. When the abandoned feeling hits, name it honestly without letting it lead you. Bring it into the light. Then answer it with truth. Say out loud, “This feeling is real, but it is not my foundation.” Open Scripture and let the Shepherd speak louder than the ache. Remind your soul that God’s posture toward you was revealed at the cross, not in your emotions. If you are in Christ, you are not being punished, tested for worthiness, or threatened with distance. You are being shepherded.

Sheep do not thrive in fear of abandonment. They thrive in the settled reality that the Shepherd has already secured them. The cross proves His heart. The resurrection proves His power. And the gospel proves this. You are not held by your ability to feel God. You are held by Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who finished the work and does not lose what He saves.

01/17/2026

𝗚𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁
Brain Romero

There is a moment in the Gospels that quietly exposes the human heart and beautifully reveals the heart of God. In Mark 3:1–6, Jesus enters a synagogue and encounters a man with a withered hand. At first glance, it seems like a simple healing story. But beneath the surface, Jesus is revealing something far deeper about grace, rest, and the nature of God.

Mark tells us that Jesus entered the synagogue and that a man with a withered hand was there. At the same time, the religious leaders were watching Jesus closely to see whether He would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him (Mark 3:1–2, ESV). The room is filled with tension. One man comes in need. Others come looking for a reason to judge. Nothing about this moment is neutral.

The Sabbath was given by God as a gift, a day meant for rest, not pressure. It was never intended to become a test of spiritual worth. But religion had turned rest into regulation. Grace had been replaced with performance. The leaders were not asking if God wanted to restore the man. They were asking if restoration was allowed.

Jesus calls the man forward and asks a question that cuts straight to the heart. “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” (Mark 3:4, ESV). The text tells us that they were silent. Silence reveals what rule-keeping cannot heal. When law is separated from grace, it hardens the heart instead of restoring it.

Mark then gives us a glimpse into the heart of Jesus. He looks around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart (Mark 3:5, ESV). This is not anger rooted in irritation. It is grief. Jesus is not frustrated that they misunderstand the rules. He is grieved that they cannot see grace standing in front of them.

The man does nothing to earn his healing. He does not ask. He does not bargain. Jesus simply tells him to stretch out his hand. As he responds, his hand is restored (Mark 3:5, ESV). Restoration flows not from effort, but from trusting the word of Jesus. This is grace in action.

The withered hand represents what religion often tells us must stay hidden. The places we feel disqualified. The areas we assume God will not touch until we improve. Jesus does the opposite. He calls the broken place forward, not to expose it, but to restore it. Grace always brings what is hidden into the light, not for shame, but for healing.

Religion says fix yourself and then come to God. Grace says come as you are and be made whole. This moment in the synagogue reveals that God’s heart has always been restoration, not restriction. Grace was never an afterthought. It was always the point.

The passage ends with something sobering. After witnessing this act of grace, the Pharisees go out and immediately begin plotting how to destroy Jesus (Mark 3:6, ESV). Grace threatens systems built on control. When people realize God restores because He is good, not because they perform well, religious power loses its grip.

For the believer, Mark 3:1–6 brings deep rest. Jesus is not watching you to see if you fail. He is not measuring your worth by your observance or behavior. He is not intimidated by your withered places. He calls them forward because He intends to restore them.

This moment points forward to the cross. Jesus will be accused. Jesus will be condemned. Jesus will bear the weight of the law so that grace can flow freely. The Sabbath was always about rest, and Jesus Himself is our rest.

The revelation of this passage is simple and freeing. God’s heart has always been grace. Grace restores what religion restrains. Grace heals what law exposes. And in Jesus, grace has fully and finally won.

That is rest.
That is freedom.
That is the finished work of Jesus Christ.

11/05/2025

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵: 𝗔 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝘂𝗿𝘁
Troy Husted
November 4, 2025

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘁, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄. This simple yet powerful idea is a great way to look at our lives, especially when we think about our spiritual journey. Many of us face challenges and disappointments, but the Bible encourages us to change how we think—𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝘂𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘁𝘀. One verse that highlights this is Philippians 4:8, which 𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦, 𝘯𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦, 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵, 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘥𝘮𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦. When we focus only on our pain, we can fall into feelings of bitterness and despair. This can trap us in our brokenness instead of allowing us to grow and heal.

𝗕𝘆 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝘀, we can learn valuable lessons from our struggles. James 1:2-4 encourages us to "𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘵 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘫𝘰𝘺" when we face difficulties because these challenges can help us grow in strength and character. Instead of seeing our struggles as burdens, we can view them as opportunities to learn and grow.

I remember a time in my life when I held on to my hurts and felt overwhelmed. It felt like I was fighting against everything around me, but I realized that the real battle was within me. I was stuck on my feelings and not paying attention to the lessons I needed to learn. This reminded me of my school days—𝗜 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝘚𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺, 𝘸𝘦 𝘰𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘶𝘴.

𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘂𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁. That’s why He sent the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort us, as mentioned in John 14:26. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘸𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘶𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰.

𝗔𝘀 𝘄𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀, we find peace. Isaiah 26:3 says, "𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶." This is the space where we discover forgiveness, both for others and ourselves. We are all imperfect, and 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗴𝗼 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘂𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘂𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲.

𝗜𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗱, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝘀: we can either focus on our hurts and let them hold us back, or we can embrace the lessons they teach us and experience the freedom that faith brings. Remember, 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵, 𝘸𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘶𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺.

As Romans 8:28 reminds us, "𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘦 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮." Let’s choose to learn, to grow, and to walk in the freedom that God has planned for each of us. Embrace your journey, because it's through the lessons we learn that we find true strength and liberation.

11/03/2025

𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿
YouVersion Devotional

𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘄 𝟲:𝟭𝟵 𝗡𝗜𝗩
“𝘋𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘶𝘱 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘩, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘭."

Every human learns from an early age that we prefer comfort over discomfort—pleasure over pain. We discover that it's easier, and often more enjoyable, to have plenty than it is to have little.

Material possessions can certainly create comfort in our lives—the new cars, the bigger houses, the latest phones. It's easy to think that having more will make you happier too.

But nothing you can buy will last forever.

Everything we collect here on earth has an expiration date. Cars break down. Houses crumble. New phones become obsolete—really quickly. In the long run, we really have no control over the things of this world.

So instead, Jesus tells us to focus on storing up treasure in heaven, where things do not deteriorate or disappear. Rather than focusing on piling up earthly things, we should be focused on heavenly things that will last forever.

Everything we own was actually given to us by God—in His grace.

We can break the habit of amassing treasure on earth by seeing all of our material possessions as something given to us by God—for us to share with others. We can also shift our priorities toward making an eternal impact in people’s lives by sharing the hope of Jesus with them.

What small steps can you take today to begin to shift your priorities from earthly treasure to heavenly treasure? To reminding yourself and others that He is the real treasure? What has God given you that you can share with others to make a difference in their life? Take some time to pray about these things.