Hearts United

06/02/2026

One plants, one waters, God gives the increase! 🌱

“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.”
‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

06/02/2026

Hope for the Poor in Spirit

Jesus began His famous Sermon on the Mount with an upside-down perspective and eight counter-cultural blessings commonly known as the beatitudes.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

To be physically poor is to lack resources or material possessions. The word "poor" might trigger a mental image of someone who can’t pay their bills, can’t break free from the cycle of poverty, or can’t afford food, clothing, or shelter.

So what does it mean to be spiritually poor, and why does Jesus think that’s a good thing?

Those who realize their own spiritual poverty know that, without God, they are spiritually bankrupt. Those who are poor in spirit understand the desperation of their situation—that they can have nothing, do nothing, and be nothing without Him. Those who are poor in spirit recognize that it’s humility, not pride or self-reliance, that’s a common characteristic in the kingdom of heaven.

Those who are poor in spirit know that they can’t, but they trust that God can.

If we’re honest, most of us would prefer to be rich, comfortable, and self-dependent. We would rather lack nothing. But even if we happen to be financially stable or physically healthy, we cannot save our own souls.

We were created to need God.

So if you’re feeling weak, weary, or worn out, it’s okay. If you feel like you have nothing to offer, Jesus actually says that you are blessed.

When you have a need, He can meet it. When you’re not enough, He already is. And when you feel poor in spirit, you are in the perfect position to be saved and filled by God.

06/02/2026

Experiencing the Presence of God.

Nicholas Herman was a cook in a monastery. He worried about whether or not he was truly saved. One day while looking at a tree, he realized the truth of the Psalmist’s words—that it had to be rooted in something other and deeper than itself (see Ps 1:1-3). That day, he decided to make his life a...

05/29/2026

05/29/2026

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. ~ John 15:2 NASB1995

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.

05/29/2026

What It Takes to Thrive

In both gardening and spiritual terms, planting and harvesting are exciting seasons. Planting is the start of an adventure; harvesting is the product of hard work. It’s easy to celebrate new beginnings and hard-earned completions—but one thing that’s not as much fun?

The pruning process.

Who wants to acknowledge what’s dead and unproductive in their lives? Who wants to trim back what’s already blooming—leaving you smaller, awkward, and feeling extra weak?

But pruning is exactly what we need to keep producing fruit.

“He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”
John 15:2 NIV

Jesus mentions two separate actions in this process—cutting off what’s dead and pruning fruit.

Cutting out what’s dead makes sense. It’s extra weight, it’s unproductive, it’s blocking sunlight, and it’s stealing good energy from branches that could thrive. But without proper context, pruning fruit feels backwards.

However, the purpose of pruning isn’t to disable something, but to revitalize it.

If a branch is weak or diseased, it could not only damage itself, but the surrounding trees as well. Without pruning, both the tree and the life surrounding it can never reach full potential.

Pruning creates room for more growth.
Pruning stimulates production.
Pruning keeps the plant or person strong.

God is a good Gardener. He wouldn’t be a good Gardener if He left you to yourself—overgrown, ineffective, and full of dysfunction. But He cares for those He loves. He cuts off what’s dead for your benefit. He lovingly trims back ineffective things in your life to make way for more fruit.

You can trust God with your life because He cares about who you are and who you can become.

So what “dead branches” are you dragging around? Is it possible that God is pruning you for future growth? Take a few moments and talk to God about any areas in your life that you recognize need to change.

05/29/2026

How Can We Flourish as Christians?

John 15:2 with Burning Heart

05/28/2026

Stillness is not weakness. Following Jesus often begins in the quiet places... the moments where we stop striving long enough to hear His voice again. “Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10 🙌

In a world that constantly pushes us to hurry, compare, and perform, Christ gently invites us to slow down, breathe deeply, and walk with Him one faithful step at a time. Our Be Still and Follow devotional was created to help you reconnect with God through peaceful reflection, scripture, mindful prayer, and daily encouragement for the soul. If your heart has been feeling tired, anxious, distracted, or spiritually overwhelmed lately, this journey may be exactly what you need right now. You can also find our peaceful worship playlists and Guided Moments with God audio experiences linked in bio. Thank you for helping us continue sharing peace, prayer, and hope online each day. 💛

05/28/2026

Join us for the CFM Glory of Israel Conference 🇮🇱
July 16–18 • Worship • Teaching • Encounter
Featuring Paul Wilbur, Barry & Batya Segal, and more!
🎟 Early Bird Registration starts at $75.
Find out more and register here: https://bit.ly/IsraelConf-2026