Charis New Testament Church

06/05/2026

Redeeming the Time

Scripture: "Look carefully then how you walk... not as the unwise but as wise, making the very most of the time, buying up each opportunity, because the days are evil." — Ephesians 5:15-16

Reflection: To redeem means to buy back, to rescue from loss, to improve opportunity. We give our time away to things that don't add value to our lives all the time. Some practical ways to redeem time: Be present in the moment—put down your phone and truly enjoy what's happening right now. Reach out to someone the Holy Spirit brings to mind. Listen more than you talk. God is the redeemer of time, and He wants to redeem those years the enemy has stolen. But we need to cooperate by being good stewards of the time we've been given.

Prayer: Lord, teach me to number my days and apply my heart to wisdom. Help me to be present in each moment and not waste the precious time You've given me. Redeem the time the enemy has stolen from me. Amen.

Reflection Question: What is one practical way you can "buy back" time this week and invest it in something that truly matters?

06/04/2026

Don't Lean on Your Own Understanding

Scripture: "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into the city, spend a year there, buy and sell and make a profit.' Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow... Instead, you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.'" — James 4:13-15

Reflection: How many times have we made great plans without seeking God's counsel, thinking, "This is good, this must be God"? Romans 8:14 says, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God." The mature ones are those who seek Holy Spirit's counsel. The One who knows everything about everything is in us and is ready and willing to lead us. When you really think about it, it's almost ridiculous that we would try to approach anything on our own.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me in those moments when I want to do things on my own. Teach me to pause and seek Your counsel before I make plans. I want to be led by You in everything. Amen.

Reflection Question: What plans are you currently making without first asking, "Lord, is this Your will?"

06/03/2026

Wisdom Is the Principal Thing

Scripture: "Wisdom is the most valuable commodity, so buy it. Revelation knowledge is what you need, so invest in it." — Proverbs 4:7

Reflection: Wisdom won't just plop into your lap while you're sitting in your recliner. We have to intentionally and purposefully get it. The good news? We have Mr. Wisdom Himself—Jesus—living inside us. We have the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of wisdom. James 1:5 tells us to ask for wisdom if we lack it, and God will give it to us liberally without finding fault. How often do we try to figure things out on our own when wisdom is at the ready, always available? We just have to ask for it—and believe we receive it.

Prayer: Father, I ask for wisdom today. I don't want to lean on my own understanding. Jesus, You are my wisdom. Holy Spirit, You are the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. I believe I receive Your wisdom right now for every decision I face. Amen.

Reflection Question: What situation are you currently trying to figure out on your own instead of asking God for wisdom?

06/02/2026

Fresh Mercy Every Morning

Scripture: "The faithful love of the Lord never ends. His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness, his mercies begin afresh each morning." — Lamentations 3:22-24

Reflection: Every single day is a new beginning in God's mercy. Before you even open your eyes, the slate is clean with a fresh dose of His mercy for you. Mercy means not getting what we deserve—and thank God for that. Whether you're facing a major life transition or just another ordinary Tuesday, you can wake up and rest in His love for you. His mercy isn't rationed or limited; it's brand new every morning.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that Your mercies are new every morning. Help me to receive this fresh start today, knowing that Your love for me never fails. I don't have to carry yesterday's failures into today. Amen.

Reflection Question: What would change in your day if you truly believed you were starting with a completely clean slate this morning?

06/01/2026

Every morning brings fresh mercy and new beginnings ✨ Whether you're facing graduation, loss, or just Monday morning - God's got you covered with wisdom for every step forward.

What new beginning are you stepping into?

06/01/2026

Pastor Tom reminds us that God's mercies are new every morning, giving us fresh starts whether we're facing graduations, losses, or unexpected changes in life. What new beginning in your life could use God's wisdom and guidance right now? Share this message with someone who needs encouragement to step forward with faith.

What does it mean to trust God when everything feels uncertain? Pas...

06/01/2026

Reign in Life

Scripture: Romans 5:17 - "How much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!"

Reflection: This is your destiny: to reign in life. Not to barely survive. Not to just make it to heaven "by the skin of your teeth." Not to be stuck in your sin. You are called to reign—to have authority and victory over the things that try to rob, kill, and destroy.

Sin and death used to reign over you. But now, in Christ Jesus, you reign over them. God has equipped you with everything you need through His grace. You are a child of the King. You have been reconciled. You have received the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness.

Stop performing. Start receiving. Receive the grace. Receive the righteousness. Receive the peace. Receive the reconciliation. Receive the hope. Receive the love that God has poured into your heart by the Holy Spirit.

When the enemy whispers that you're not good enough, when guilt tries to creep back in, when you're tempted to earn what has already been given—remember: You have access by faith. You are standing in grace right now. You are not under condemnation. You are not disqualified. You are deeply loved.

Today's Truth: I am called to reign in life through Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Father, thank You that I am not a victim but a victor in Christ. I receive Your abundant grace. I receive the gift of righteousness. I choose to reign in life over every circumstance, every temptation, every lie of the enemy. Help me live like the child of the King that I am. Amen.

Action Step: Take time today to write down your declaration of faith. Include: who you are in Christ, what He has done for you, and how you will reign in life. Read it out loud as a proclamation over your week ahead.

05/30/2026

Endurance Through His Nature

Scripture: Romans 5:3-5 - "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."

Reflection: Life will get hard. Trials will come—not because God creates them, but because there's a battle between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world. But here's the good news: when you operate in faith, God grants you victory that actually makes you better off after the battle.

You don't endure trials to prove your faithfulness to God. You endure because Christ, who is the Overcomer, lives in you. It might not be in your nature to endure, but it is in His nature. As you rest in Christ, you will endure too.

Without trouble, there's no need for endurance. Trials reveal the value of your God-given faith. A faith that endures trials doesn't prove itself—it reveals Christ's faithfulness in you.

Today's Truth: The Overcomer lives in you.

Prayer: Lord, when trials come, help me remember that I don't endure in my own strength. Christ the Overcomer lives in me. His nature is my nature. His endurance is my endurance. I rest in You. Amen.

Action Step: If you're facing a difficult situation today, stop trying to white-knuckle your way through it. Instead, rest and say: "Christ the Overcomer lives in me. His endurance is working in me right now."

05/30/2026

"Stop performing and start receiving. It's all by his grace, you have been justified. You have been declared righteous. Not because you earned it, but because Christ died for you while you were yet a sinner. That is the scandalous beauty of grace."

05/30/2026

"Sin is the enemy. And Scripture says that sin is in the world. And it's trying to get into you... When you are tempted, that is the enemy trying to get in. That's not you."