Life can feel so heavy sometimes, can’t it? Maybe you’re facing challenges that seem impossible, decisions that feel overwhelming, or the relentless pace of your day-to-day life is wearing you down. When the weight feels too much, it’s easy to believe you need to keep pushing through—relying on your own strength and effort to make it work. But what…

Sometimes, life can feel like too much—restlessness, rushing, and restrictive. In those moments, it’s hard to catch your breath. I had asthma when I was young, and one of my sons is navigating a similar journey. When it’s hard to breathe, we’re taught to breathe deeper. To slow each inhale and further extend the exhale with intentional breaths, oft…

David’s Victory Plan by Joon Tavarez on YouVersion 2 Samuel 5:24-25 ESV And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the Lord has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” And David did as the Lord commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer. What…

David’s Victory Plan by Joon Tavarez on YouVersion 2 Samuel 5:22-23 ESV And the Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. And when David inquired of the Lord, he said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees. Have you ever had a victory in life—only to face the same…

David’s Victory Plan by Joon Tavarez on YouVersion 2 Samuel 5:20 ESV And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. Have you ever been in a situation where things felt stuck—like no matter w…

David’s Victory Plan by Joon Tavarez on YouVersion 2 Samuel 5:19 ESV And David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” Have you ever been so sure about something that you didn’t even think to pray fi…

David’s Victory Plan by Joon Tavarez on YouVersion 2 Samuel 5:17-19 ESV When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. And David inquired of the Lord…

There are moments and seasons in our life when we can feel utterly helpless, unable to reach out and grab the thing we desire most. Sometimes life has a way of intruding its will upon us without our permission causing conflict, unrest, and pain. The loss of loved ones. The doctors report of sickness. A marriage left in shambles. Not being accepted …

“To pray is to change. Prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform us. If we are unwilling to change, we will abandon prayer as a noticeable characteristic of our lives. The closer we come to the heartbeat of God the more we see our need and the more we desire to be conformed to Christ.” —Richard Foster (Celebration of Discipline) “If your h…

All throughout the Bible we are encouraged to run this race called life. But not to just run, to run well. The healthiest of runners are those who find their rhythm with a steady pace. Pace is the determining factor for finishing well or giving up. Most people don’t wake up each day with a desire to give up, but there are times where we all wrestle…

We all come to moments and seasons in our life where it’s time to start something new. Sometimes these seasons come by design and the choices we have made, other times they come because of circumstances outside our control. Whether it is starting a new walk of life in Christ, a new business or job role, marriage, or new school year, a season of new…

There are many seasons in our life where we can become tired, wearied, and in need of renewal. We need a strong Reboot in our life in order to keep going. Stress at work, in family, and unexpected circumstances can cause us to feel empty. We often attempt to find fulfillment in sources that do not satisfy our spirit. We begin to stress eat or drink…

From The Joy of Belonging by Angie Moses Bible References: Genesis 6:9-22 Key Verse: “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching…” (John 14:23) Obeying God isn’t always easy. Take Noah: God told him to build a giant boat when rain wasn’t even a thing yet. People mocked him, thought he was nuts. But Noah trusted God, followed the plan, and built the …

You get to know someone by hanging out with them—sharing meals, swapping stories, just being together. The same goes for God. David, the guy who wrote the Psalms, didn’t just know facts about God; he knew God personally. How? He spent time with Him—praying, worshiping, reading God’s Word. Through that, David learned God’s heart: His love, His power…

Life’s noisy, isn’t it? Work, family, news, social media—all shouting for your attention. But God’s voice? It’s often quieter than the chaos. Take Elijah’s story: he was running for his life, hiding in a cave, desperate for God to speak. A wild wind tore through, then an earthquake, then a fire—but God wasn’t in any of that. Instead, He spoke in a …

Who knows you best? Your spouse might know your quirks, like how you take your coffee or what makes you laugh. Your friends might know your hobbies or your go-to stories. Your coworkers might see your strengths and struggles. But there’s Someone who knows you deeper than all of them—God. Before you were even born, He knew your name, your personalit…

Think about a time when you felt left out—like no one noticed or cared you were there. Maybe it was at a gathering where everyone else seemed connected, or at work when you weren’t included in the conversation. That loneliness stings, doesn’t it? Now picture a lost sheep wandering through a busy town, surrounded by people yet totally alone. That’s …

Have you had a mid-faith crisis? Are you in one now? One of the hardest parts of this experience is the loss we feel along the way. We may have lost friends and family, church and community, beliefs and identity. We may even feel like we’ve lost Jesus. Luke 15:1-7 ESV Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pha…

As we consider the signs of mid-faith crisis, there’s one that’s all too common: suffering. When we’re weighed down with pain, we often feel so alone. But the truth is, we all walk this road at some point. You are not alone. Psalm 23:4 ESV Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your r…

One of the most devastating pathways into mid-faith crisis is being harmed by the church, by Christian leaders, or by Christian communities. If you’ve experienced this, it’s hard to know which end is up. But even here, you’re not alone. Galatians 5:22-23 ESV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…

Today, we’re looking at a second sign that you’re in a mid-faith crisis. If this sounds familiar to you, remember: You’re not alone! Sometimes, we hit a mid-faith crisis not necessarily because we doubt, but because we simply start asking questions. Why does my church teach this or that doctrine while the church down the road teaches the opposite? …

Have you had a “Mid-Faith Crisis”? What did that look like for you? For many of us, it starts with wondering what happened to our faith, why we don’t think and believe the way we used to. But the good news is that, while this is a painful crisis, it can be healthy, even necessary. John 6:60-69 ESV When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “Th…

In confession there is freedom, and healing, and joy, but make no mistake, confession is hard work. Confession is one part of a journey that should lead us into becoming people who are more like Christ. True confession will bring about life change, and change can be hard. In the Old Testament book of Ezra, the scribe (Ezra) is full of grief because…

We live in a world that is always trying to sell us on the supposed “perfection” around us. Advertisements tell us that our lives should look a particular way. Social media is a highlight reel displaying typically only the best of what is happening in everyone else’s life. Within all this seemingly utopic world, it can feel like there is no room fo…

Confession. As daunting as confession seems in advance, its God’s remedy for a broken heart. Romans 10:9-13 ESV because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Fo…

In Days 1 & 2, we studied the words of King David in Psalm 51 and Psalm 32 as he expressed the “heart” and the “how” of confession. David’s experience is a powerful example of how darkness can envelop hidden sin, but shining the light on it can bring freedom and healing. Confession is a vitally important spiritual discipline because resistance to c…

It is worth starting today’s discussion of how to practice confession with a bit of a warning. So here it is, our failure to practice confession is not for lack of understanding how to do it. If we are not practicing confession, it is probably that we understand the “how” and everything that entails very well. Because in essence, confession is very…

Galatians 5:22-23 gives us a glimpse of the Spiritual Fruit God wants to grow in and through us. This list isn’t exhaustive, but it’s a good summary of the Fruit that will grow in the life of a Christian – a Godly Character. Some of these characteristics, or “Fruits,” are Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and…

بقلم Andi & Brian Hale

“If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown out like a branch, and dries up; and such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and are burned.” (NET) Into the Text A simple fact: a branch that is not connected to the vine has no life flowing through it, so it withers and dies. Without a true connection to Jesus, a person is like that b…

“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me—and I in him—bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing.” (NET) Into the Text I love how Jesus says, “bears much fruit…” It’s as if He’s gently reminding us that our lives are meant to overflow with Spiritual Fruit. But here’s the best part. We aren’t expected t…

“You are clean already because of the word that I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me.” (NET) When I read John 15:3-4, I imagine Jesus leaning in and looking each of the disciples in the eyes. “Remain in …

Elevate your day is a short daily devotional from Brian and Andi Hale, and can be found at elevateyourday.podbean.com “If we say we have fellowship with Him and yet keep on walking in the darkness, we are lying and not practicing the truth.” Abiding in Christ means choosing to walk in His Light, live transparently before Him, and allow His Truth to…

Elevate Your Day is a short daily devotional produced by Andi and Brian Hale, M-F and can be found at elevateyourday.podbean.com "In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.” - Matthew 5:16 The Light that we are called to shine through our lives is not for others…

Friend, God is always at work in your life, even when you don’t realize it. While we’re called to intentionally pursue our faith, it’s God Himself who works within us. He is the One giving us both the desire and the strength to live according to His Will. Staying connected to Jesus, the Vine, and allowing God to transform you is what it means to ab…

I’ll never forget the day our new lawn company came to “treat and trim” our yard after we had moved into our home. What I didn’t realize was that it was pruning season. By the time they finished, they’d cut the rose bushes back so much that they looked like nothing but sticks. I wondered if they’d survive. But to my surprise, not only did the bushe…

I’ll be honest. I’m not much of a gardener. I wish I were! But I can tell the difference right away between a garden that’s lovingly tended and one that’s been left to itself. Without a gardener, plants either wither and die or grow wild and unruly. In both cases, they fail to thrive and fulfill the purpose they were planted for. However, when a ga…

When Making Others Happy Is Making You Miserable Day One: No Approval Needed Key Verse: Proverbs 29:25 At the height of the coronavirus pandemic, our adult son had to abruptly return to America from Australia where he’d been living on a work visa. He rented a room from us for a few months until he could make his next move in life. We soon noticed m…

Victory and the Final Outcome While Jesus was on the cross, He cried out, “It is finished.” The outcome of His sacrifice not only paid the penalty for the sins of the world, but additionally ended the regime ruled by Satan. When Jesus rose from the dead, darkness was defeated and life prevailed. After His resurrection, Jesus said to his disciples, …

From The Triumph by James Goll on YouVersion Blood. What is your first reaction when you read that word? Do you get squeamish? Leviticus 17:11 declares there is life in the blood. For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life…

From The Triumph by James Goll on YouVersion Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkn…

From The Triumph by James Goll on YouVersion Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. – 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 ESV In 2 Corinthians 2:10-11, the apostle Paul …

From The Triumph by James Goll on YouVersion You were born into a war—no matter where or when you were born—and you were meant to claim victory in that war. This doesn’t sound like great news at first, but as you learn about this war, the news gets better. You have the privilege of choosing which side to fight for; and when you choose to follow Jes…

From THRIVE with God on YouVersion As we seek, know, abide in, and submit to God there is a beautiful trust that develops and matures. When we spend more time with Him, we begin to know Him better. As a result, we genuinely learn what His voice sounds like. Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, ne…

From THRIVE with God on YouVersion Have you ever seen the picture floating around of Jesus, the little girl, and the teddy bears? Jesus and a young girl are facing one another while she tightly holds a small teddy bear in both arms. Jesus has one hand out for her to give Him her teddy bear, and the words “Just trust me” are above His head. Above th…

From THRIVE with God on YouVersion One of the best times of the year (in my humble opinion) is when it’s not too hot, certainly not cold, and the sun is shining bright. The sun rays warm our bodies, we can relax outside without melting, and we may even find ourselves saying, “This weather is so perfect.” It is pure bliss! When we think of abiding i…

From THRIVE with God on YouVersion As we begin on our journey of thriving with God, take a twirl with me down memory lane. Imagine you are outside on a playground. Yes, a playground! Imagine you’re standing on pine needles as a soft breeze blows gently across your face. The air is filled with a symphony of laughter, screams, and the “clink, clink” …

From THRIVE with God on YouVersion Have you ever tried to utilize an item while missing the key elements needed to do so? Imagine grabbing a pen with no ink, opening a milk carton to find it empty, or attempting to turn on a lamp and realizing the bulb was gone. In each of these situations, the missing components make it almost impossible to intera…

Rescue, Not Religion Why did Jesus come to the world? Was it to create a religion? Or something else? The answer lies in Luke 4. Jesus returned to his hometown of Nazareth, and when he went to the synagogue service, he was given the scroll of Isaiah to read aloud to the congregation. He read: The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed…

Where Do I Go for Help? We sometimes face issues around our health, marriage, finances, relationships, work, and life in general that cause us to feel heavy. They often leave us broken, hurting, wounded, messed up, confused, doubting, hopeless, and uncertain. Where do we go with our stuff? Church? Really, how helpful has that been? Have you, like m…