Take some time to read through and meditate on this week’s featured scriptures.

Ephesians 2:10 NIV — For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Exodus 4:10-17 NIV

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 NIV — There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 

1 Corinthians 12

2 Timothy 3:14-17 NIV — But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

1 Timothy 6:12 NIV — Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV — Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Spend some time worshipping as you listen to It Is Well by Kristen DiMarco. Allow God to speak to you about His plans to equip you for service.

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭9‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.

Join us as we wrap up our week with Julie sharing in Taste and See!

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭9‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.

I find great joy in preparing meals for my family and baking for family and friends. I would go as far as to say it is a love language for me in acts of service. I also love to keep things simple. When a recipe has too many ingredients or steps, I tend to get overwhelmed. That is why I have fallen in love with this lasagna recipe. 

Just like a recipe, as humans, we tend to complicate our Christian walk. Too often we question our next move when God has already approved and blessed it. Ask yourself, does it fall in line with the word of God? Does it bring me joy? God desires for us to be joyful. Although we may not always enjoy being a Christian because life isn’t easy, we can take joy in the simplicity that Jesus offers us. Next time you are asking God for direction, have the confidence you receive through God’s word.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the simplicity that You offer. Thank You for the joy that only You can provide. Give me the confidence I need to do Your perfect and pleasing will. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Give us today our daily bread.

God teaches us to daily feed off His word. Not weekly or monthly, but daily. Do you have a practice to read God’s word daily? My word for 2025, “Humble,” is used in ‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭8‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Every time I open the word of God I am humbled to love and serve Him. His words keep me grounded and true to Christianity. Because I am human and will have times when I fall short, humility is a great way to be in practice of turning to God daily. God created us to be in relationship with Him. Notice in Deuteronomy, God says that He will allow us to have hunger. May we all feed off of God’s word today. A great way to curb physical hunger is with granola. I love making different variations that I can eat plain or on top of yogurt.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for feeding me daily with Your word. I humbly come before You ready to love and serve. I pray for our readers, that they will get filled from Your daily word. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

What do you think about when you read today’s key verse? Do you feel convicted to take better care of your body? Every October Deborah and I share on Rachel Hollis’ Last 90 Day challenge, which consists of her 5 to thrive: get up 30 minutes earlier than usual to do something for you, get your body moving for 30 minutes, drink ½ your body weight in water, fast a food group or food item, and write 5 gratitudes. 

What if we started the year off strong with the first 90 days? January is usually when we make New Year’s resolutions that may or may not last. If we choose to take care of our bodies by daily improving our habits, we would feel so much better. I say improving because none of us are perfect. My obsession is my love for coffee. Black coffee is good for you in moderation. I know I need to drink lots of water to stay hydrated. One of my favorite things to make is detox water. It is so refreshing, just like God’s daily word refreshes our souls.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for opportunities to improve my habits. Help me to take care of my body for Your temple. I desire to be refreshed by Your living water. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

If you have not already, I encourage you to read all of Psalm 34 NIV. I also encourage you to really listen and worship with Sunday’s song Psalm 34 (Taste and See) by Shane & Shane. Some of the lyrics sing: ”Magnify the Lord with me. Come exalt His name together. Glorify the Lord with me. Come exalt His name forever. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, bless us here who hides in Him.”

I want us to think about the non-believers in this world. Psalm 34 is an invitation to see what we as Christian’s already know and experience daily. Maybe it is time that you invite a non-believer to your table or to your church. Food and fellowship are two great ways to reach out. We are blessed to have a personal relationship with Christ Jesus. We should be shining His glory for all to see and know.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for living in me. I magnify Your Name and glorify You for the world to see that You are good. Help me to share Your amazing grace and love with all Your children. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.