“For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” Psalm 91:11 Fear has a way of cycling through the news. There is always a new headline, a new threat, a new reason for anxiety to rise. What we see and hear has the power to shape how people live, how they speak, and even how they prepare for the future. A World Searching for Security People may think they are desperate for provisions, and wisdom tells us preparation matters, but what the world truly needs is peace that cannot be purchased. The greatest…
Several years ago, a story circulated that captured the attention of the nation. A billionaire philanthropist stood before a graduating class at Morehouse College and announced that he would personally pay off all of their student loan debt. Hundreds of graduates were suddenly released from millions of dollars in financial obligation. As reactions poured in, many of the students described the moment with words like “liberation,” “disbelief,” and “overwhelming gratitude.” One statement stood out above the rest. The donor encouraged the graduates, essentially saying, “Go out into the world. Do what makes your heart sing. Don’t worry about your debt.” Don’t worry about your debt. What an incredible statement. That story resurfaced in my heart recently, not because of its financial magnitude, but because of the spiritual truth it mirrors so clearly. The Debt We All Carry Most people reading this likely carry some form of financial debt—student loans, medical bills, mortgages, or credit cards. The weight of owing can be exhausting and paralyzing. It shapes decisions, limits freedom, and steals peace. But as heavy as financial debt may be, there is a far greater burden that humanity carries: The debt of sin. Financial debt is stressful. Sin debt is…
“One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in His temple.” Psalm 27:4 I deeply treasure my alone time with God. There is intimacy in the secret place that cannot be replicated. Yet, there is also something uniquely precious about gathering with the body of Christ. When I worship beside fellow believers, I am strengthened because their faith stirs mine, and their praise reminds me that I am not walking this journey alone. We need one another. David’s desire was not merely for a place, but for presence. He desired to dwell and abide in the house of the Lord. That same longing should guide us when we gather as the church. We do not come simply out of habit, nor for inspiration alone, but with hearts inclined toward encounter. We do not go to church to be entertained; we go to church to entertain the presence of God. And yet, remember—we are the church. We carry Jesus into a broken world wherever we go. Our gatherings should shape…
“If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy? And the priests answered and said, No. Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean.” Haggai 2:12–13, KJV. The book of Haggai is written to the Jewish people who had finally returned home after seventy years of Babylonian exile. They were given the sacred privilege of rebuilding…
“And the ark of the Lord continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the Lord blessed Obededom, and all his household.” 2 Samuel 6:11 Scripture tells us that Obededom’s household was blessed for one powerful reason: the ark of the covenant resided in his home. In the Old Testament, the ark represented the tangible presence, glory, and mercy of God. Where God’s presence dwelled, blessing followed. Yet the ark was never intended to remain in one man’s house. Its purpose was far greater, it was meant to dwell among an entire nation. What appeared to be a temporary interruption in Israel’s journey became a divine encounter for Obededom and his family. This moment teaches us a profound truth; Every time we welcome the presence of God into our homes, our lives are transformed. Atmospheres shift. Peace replaces fear. Blessing overtakes lack. Just as the presence of God was never meant to stay confined to Obededom’s household, God’s presence today is not meant to remain limited to us alone. In the New Covenant, the presence of God no longer resides in the ark of the covenant, but now the Holy Spirit dwells within believers. We Are Carriers…
“A bruised reed shall He not break, and the smoking flax shall He not quench; He shall bring forth judgment unto truth.” Isaiah 42:3 I love camping. There’s nothing quite like building a fire, roasting marshmallows, and creating the perfect ooey, gooey s’more—one that somehow still manages to drip chocolate down your wrist no matter how careful you are. But the real test of the fire comes in the morning. You wake up cold. Your bones ache. You unzip the tent, already dreaming of warmth, and walk over to the fire pit… only to find a sad pile of gray ash. No flames. No crackle. Just the remains of what used to be an all-consuming fire. It looks like all hope is lost. But if you’ve ever camped before, you know better. When you begin to stir the ashes, you’ll often discover red-hot embers still glowing underneath. The fire didn’t die—it just went quiet. Add a little kindling, blow gently, fan the flame, and suddenly that fire is alive again. That’s how it can feel in our walk with God. Some of you may feel cast aside, worn down, or like your spiritual fire has burned out completely. Maybe life…