I'm not asking what you believe as a matter of doctrine; I'm asking about how you are actually living "today." (Heb.3:5-4:7; Mt.6:34) More than ever before, God's people must know truly know Him by the Spirit He placed within, making us forever to be His own, and be willing, able, committed and follow what He reveals. (Deut.29:29) In my notes from my 2026 message delivered last month, I made it a point to mention that "God will use these times to dig deep within the hearts of all people." To expound a bit, below is an excerpt of an upcoming message.
Last week we discovered that the mind cannot process a negative command. This week, we go deeper into why this matters so much. The mind has one primary drive which is to gain control of every situation by categorizing it and placing it into a safe, controllable box. Watch your mind work for just a moment. Notice how it's constantly scanning for threats, planning for contingencies, rehearsing conversations that haven't happened yet, or reviewing ones that already did. It's building scenarios, creating backup plans, and trying to anticipate every possible outcome.
Leadership is about justice and justice is using that leadership (influence) for the good of others. This has been my leadership methodology for years and it has been tested in the fire! Years ago, I was grieving over being taken advantage of over and over again. I hurt because I was surrounded by takers who were self-absorbed in their own needs and never genuinely caring for me. I would trust their words of loyalty, commitment, and partnership until I was slapped in the face with sudden, heartbreaking betrayals.
It has become common knowledge that water is essential to the human body and that the body can survive without water for only about 3 days, sometimes a bit longer, but that is typically the range. In addition to providing blood circulation and temperature regulation, water is also essential for the removal of toxins from the kidneys and the functioning of the brain. Hydration is essential for maintaining physical and mental performance throughout the day, ensuring that bodily systems function efficiently.
Part and parcel to any relationship is communication—sending and receiving, talking and listening. Our relationships with God are no different. It's of no debate that God wants to hear our voices. But Jesus revealed that God also wants us to hear His. "My sheep hear My voice," He assured (John 10:27). Unless you live on a farm, most today are far removed from what it actually means for sheep to know their master's voice. In a recent online Bible study, I played a short video clip that profoundly illustrates what happens.
The Bible teaches us that it's God's will for us to help hurting people. In John 13:34-35, Jesus says, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (NIV). Matthew 22:37-39 says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself."
Don't look back until you can laugh. Fast more than you feast. Do a 40 Day Fast this year. Do one every year. Reach out to the lost: They are very easy to spot and nursing homes have a bunch of very lonely shut-ins, etc. Pray with partners. If you don't have any, you need to get them. Take the lead. Recruit them. Set your phone alarm to remind yourself. Take communion every day. Meet with God. Thank Him. Schedule it. Put it on your planner. Take notes. Journal.
My house is decorated. The tree is up, and the lights are hung. Oh, how I love this season! However, it's easy to forget that the season of Advent is about waiting well for Immanuel. Seasons of waiting can feel lonely. They raise questions in our hearts about whether or not God is really listening to our prayers. As I've been thinking about waiting, I've been studying Luke 1. I'm intrigued by the relationship between Elizabeth and Mary in their season of waiting. Each could have felt lonely for many reasons, but in their waiting, God led them to one another.
If there's one thing we all feel these days, it's the noise. Life is loud, not just in the literal sense, but emotionally, spiritually, culturally. It's as if the world collectively decided the volume knob should stay permanently cranked to eleven. News alerts, opinions, arguments, crises, commentary…everything is urgent, everything is dramatic, and everything demands our attention right now. But when everything is loud, it becomes nearly impossible to hear the things that matter.
God is anointing our ears to hear a new sound. It's heaven touching earth—the sound of answers to prayer, on the way! And it comes with grace and comfort for every circumstance: "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know."(Jeremiah 33:3, NKJV) Recently, as we were praying, Elijah's words came to mind: "…there is the sound of abundance of rain." (1 Kings 18:41b) It wasn't just a phrase—it was an alert. A summons. "Listen!" "Listen, for I have given you ears to hear. I am tuning your spiritual hearing to the sound of what I'm about to do."
