The resurrection isn’t just something that happened in history but is something that’s still happening today. When Jesus stepped out of that tomb, he didn’t throw a parade. He didn’t return to the crowds or confront his accusers. Instead, He did what he’s always done best: he came close, quietly, personally, and powerfully. He went straight to the ones who were hurting, doubting, hiding … straight to the ones who thought they were disqualified from his acceptance, his attention, his grace.

He still does the same today. Jesus moves toward us—patiently, tenderly, without hesitation—right in the middle of our confusion, our fear, our grief, and even our shame. He doesn’t flinch at our mess or recoil from our questions. Instead, he draws near with a love that is both strong and gentle, both holy and deeply personal. That’s the kind of Savior he is. That’s the kind of love he still offers—unearned, unwavering, and always right on time.

So as we reflect on that first Easter morning, here are three soul-steadying truths that still hold power today.

1. Jesus Meets Us in Our Pain with Tenderness

Grief has a way of narrowing our world. It clouds our vision, numbs our senses, and can make even the clearest truth hard to see. Mary Magdalene stood outside the tomb, tears blurring her eyes, her heart so heavy with sorrow that she couldn’t recognize the risen Jesus—though he was standing just steps away.

That’s what pain does. It disorients us. It makes it hard to imagine that healing is possible or that joy could ever return. But notice what Jesus didn’t do: He didn’t correct her or tell her to pull it together. He didn’t offer a sermon. He simply said her name—”Mary.” And in that moment of tender familiarity, the fog lifted. Her eyes opened. Her heart awakened to hope.

Jesus meets us like that, too. He comes quietly, without pressure or performance. He doesn’t rush us through sorrow or demand strength we don’t have. He meets us right where we are—with a voice that’s personal, familiar, and full of grace.

If you’re walking through grief right now—whether from loss, disappointment, or a hope deferred—Jesus is near. He knows how to find you in the fog. He knows your name. And he knows exactly how to speak to your heart.

2. Jesus Invites Our Doubts Without Shame

Thomas had questions—honest, aching, deeply human questions—and he wasn’t willing to settle for secondhand faith or borrowed conviction. He needed to see for himself, to touch the evidence with his own hands. Some might call that doubt. But Jesus didn’t see it as weakness. He saw it as a moment worth showing up for.

When Jesus appeared again, he went straight to Thomas—not to shame him, but to meet him. He didn’t scold him for not believing sooner. He didn’t say, “You should know better.” Instead, he simply extended his hands and said, “Come close. Touch the scars. See for yourself.”

It’s easy to think that faith means having all the answers or never wrestling with uncertainty. But what if the opposite is true? What if real faith isn’t the absence of questions but the courage to bring them to Jesus?

Jesus welcomes the doubter. He honors the seeker. He makes room for those who are still sorting it out. So if you’re struggling to believe right now—if your heart is full of questions or your trust has taken a hit—you’re not disqualified. You’re exactly the kind of person Jesus draws near to.

3. Jesus Restores Our Failures with Grace

Peter had failed, and he felt it deep in his bones. The shame of denying Jesus not once, but three times, weighed heavy on him. So he did what many of us do when we feel like we’ve messed everything up—he went backward. Back to what was familiar. Back to fishing. It’s human instinct: when we don’t know how to move forward, we retreat to the last place we felt safe or sure.

But Jesus didn’t leave him there.

He came looking for Peter—not with a lecture, but with breakfast. On the shore that morning, Jesus lit a fire, prepared a meal, and asked one simple, soul-piercing question: “Do you love Me?” He asked it three times—not to rub salt in the wound, but to rewrite the story. One question for every denial. One opportunity for every regret. It was a conversation not of condemnation but of restoration.

Jesus doesn’t pretend our failures didn’t happen. He doesn’t erase our past; he redeems it. He takes our lowest moments and weaves them into a story of grace, a story that says, “You’re not done. You’re not disqualified. Come sit with me.”

If you’re carrying shame today—if there’s a part of your story you think puts you on the outside—hear this: Jesus is already on the shore. He’s not waiting for you to fix yourself. He’s simply asking you to come close. To answer his question. And to trust that your story isn’t over. Not by a long shot.

The Resurrection Is Personal

These stories aren’t just about Mary, Thomas, and Peter. They’re about us.

Jesus meets us in our pain.
He welcomes our doubts.
He restores us in our failure.

This is what resurrection looks like. Not just a stone rolled away, but hearts made whole. Not just a moment in history, but a movement of hope that continues today.

As you head into this week, I want to leave you with a simple invitation—three ways you can lean into the resurrection story in your own life:

First, be honest with God. Tell him where it hurts. Talk to him about your questions, your fears, even your regrets. He already knows, and he’s not nervous about any of it. You don’t have to clean things up first—just come as you are.

Second, slow down enough to hear him. You may not hear him call your name out loud like Mary did, but the Holy Spirit still speaks—through Scripture, through a quiet moment in worship, through a conversation you didn’t see coming. Make some space this week to pay attention.

And third, respond. When you sense Jesus drawing near—don’t rush past it. Don’t shrug it off. That stirring in your heart, that word of encouragement, that nudge to pray or forgive or trust again—that’s him. Lean in.

Because the resurrection isn’t just something Jesus did. It’s something he’s doing—right now. He’s still calling names. Still welcoming questions. Still restoring stories.

And yes—he’s pursuing you, too.

I love being your pastor,

Brady

As we head into Holy Week, I want to pause and invite you to take a breath.

There’s a little book in the Old Testament—Joel—that speaks right into this moment. It’s not long, but it packs a punch. Joel helps us prepare our hearts for what this next week really means. And his message is this: God is ready to move in your life, but he’s not going to fight for space. He wants you to make room; that’s the invitation of Holy Week.

What Joel Reminds Us

Joel was a thoughtful prophet. He didn’t come swinging with lists of what everyone was doing wrong, instead, pointing out that something was off. Something was broken. And his call wasn’t to just act more religious; it was to come back to God with an undivided heart.

It’s a message that hits home still today.

Joel’s words remind us that God isn’t after surface-level religion. He’s after real, honest, heart-level relationship, the kind that says, “Lord, I’m tired of carrying this. I need you to help me here.”

And even the warnings in Joel aren’t meant to scare us. They’re there because God loves us. Like any good parent, he gives us heads-up when we’re drifting into danger, not to condemn us, but to protect us … to draw us back.

That’s what Holy Week is for—coming back. Making room again.

What Real Repentance Looks Like

One of the most powerful lines in Joel is this: “Rend your heart, not your garments.” In other words, we aren’t to just go through the motions or try to look spiritual. He wants us to be honest with him. To be completely and totally real.

Here’s what that might look like this week:

• Bring your whole heart to God—not just the parts you think he wants.
• Choose humility. You don’t have to have it all together!
• Stop hiding. God sees it all anyway, and he’s still full of grace.

Real repentance isn’t about guilt trips. It’s about making space for healing, restoration, and freedom.

What God Does in Response

Here’s the good news: when we make space for him, he comes.

Joel prophesied that God would pour out his Spirit on all people—men, women, young, old, rich, poor, a promise that came to life in Acts 2 at Pentecost. And it’s still happening today.

God is still in the business of breaking down walls—between generations, between social classes, between people who think they’re too far gone. The Holy Spirit unites us. Fills us. Leads us.

But here’s the thing: the Spirit doesn’t compete with our clutter. He doesn’t force his way into a heart that’s already packed full. Again: we have to make room.

A Challenge for This Week

As we enter Holy Week, I want to leave you with a challenge—something to actually do.

First, ask yourself:

• Am I just going through the motions, or do I really want to meet with God this week?
• Is there any part of my life I’m keeping closed off from him?
• What would it look like to open that space up?

And then, I want to challenge you to do four things:

1. Open your heart to God. Not just a little—fully. Give him access to everything.
2. Confess what needs to be confessed. Don’t carry guilt or shame into Easter weekend. Let it go.
3. Participate fully. Be present in Holy Week. Show up expecting to encounter Jesus—not just at church, but in your home, your drive, your quiet moments.
4. Welcome the Spirit’s work. Ask him to move. Then slow down long enough to listen.

Let’s be people who don’t just talk about resurrection—but who actually live like it’s possible.

Because it is.

There is nothing so lost that God can’t restore it. Not a year. Not a relationship. Not a heart.

If you’ll make room for him—he’ll come.

He always does.

I love being your pastor—

Brady

God has a way of calling us into places we never expected to go, not to punish us, but to shape us, to stretch us, and to remind us that his perspective is always broader than ours. We see this clearly in the story of Jonah—a prophet called to an enemy city, tasked with delivering a message of repentance to people he wanted nothing to do with.

Nearly three thousand years later, Jonah’s story still speaks to us, reminding us that God calls his people—pretty average people just like you and me—to step into uncomfortable, even challenging, places for the sake of conveying his love to those who don’t yet know him.

Jonah’s call to Nineveh was radical because in those days, prophets usually ministered to their own people, not to enemy nations. But God’s heart has never been limited by borders or divided by political and social tensions. His love extends to all people, even those we might consider unreachable.

God may call us today to engage in conversations that challenge our comfort zones. He may ask us to reach out to people who are different from us, to serve in places where hope seems scarce, or to take risks for the sake of the gospel. None of this is easy, but it’s in these very moments that God often does his best work—in the places we least expect and through people who are willing to say yes.

Jonah didn’t want to go to Nineveh, as evidenced by his tucking tail and running the other direction from where God had told him to go. His disobedience led to a violent storm that threatened his life and the lives of those around him, placing innocent people in danger. Ultimately, he found himself swallowed by a great fish—not a great place to be. But though Jonah tried to avoid his calling, his purpose wasn’t erased.

Not every storm in life comes from disobedience, but there are times when our struggles arise because we are running from what God has asked us to do. Even when we resist, God continues to pursue us. He doesn’t give up. His grace is relentless, drawing us back to him and the work he has for us.

Through Jonah’s story, we see that God is always a step ahead, even when we try to run. He never stops inviting us into his work, no matter how much we resist. Jonah may have hesitated, but when he finally obeyed, an entire city turned to God. Imagine what could happen if we stopped running and stepped forward in obedience.

Take a moment to reflect:

• What assignment is God giving you that feels risky or uncomfortable?
• Are you running from anything he has called you to do?
• How can you step out in faith this week?

Let’s go where he leads today!

I love being your pastor—

Brady

Life is a series of transitions. Some we see coming. Others hit us like a storm in the night. But in every change, God remains steady, faithful, and true. That’s why the story of Joshua and Caleb isn’t just ancient history—it’s a guide for navigating seasons of loss, leadership, and legacy with courage and trust.

Before Joshua could step into his calling as Israel’s leader, God made something very clear: Moses was gone. That reminder may seem harsh, but it was necessary. Many people get stuck in the present because they haven’t fully dealt with their past. Unprocessed grief, lingering wounds, and unresolved change can keep us from moving forward. God never rushes us through grief, but he does call us to process it well. Mourning isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s evidence that something mattered deeply. So, what does it look like to grieve in a way that allows us to embrace the next season?

First, it means giving yourself permission to feel the loss. Ignoring pain doesn’t make it disappear; it just buries it deeper. Acknowledge it, but don’t camp there. Next, hold onto hope. God never leads us into endings without preparing new beginnings. And finally, process change before you attempt to charge into what’s next. Healing doesn’t happen in a hurry, but it does happen in the hands of a faithful God.

God’s Provision in New Seasons

Israel had spent decades gathering manna off the ground, a daily reminder that God was their provider. But the moment they entered the Promised Land, the manna stopped. No more free meals. Now, they had to work the land. Was God being unfair? Not at all! He was teaching them that provision changes, but his faithfulness does not.

Some of us panic when familiar sources dry up. Maybe it’s a job loss, a transition in relationships, or a shift in how God is working in our lives. But just because provision looks different doesn’t mean God has left us. In fact, growth often requires us to shift from receiving miracles to partnering with God in the work. New seasons demand new trust, and trust is always the foundation of a faith-filled life.

The Role of Older Believers

Caleb was 85 years old when he asked for his next assignment. No retirement plan. No rocking chair. Just a fire in his heart to keep taking ground for God’s kingdom. In a culture obsessed with youth, Caleb stands as a reminder that experience and wisdom are gifts, not expiration dates.

The kingdom of God has never been about sidelines. If you’ve been walking with Jesus for decades, the next generation needs you. Your prayers, your counsel, your presence—they matter. We don’t get to age out of purpose. The church thrives when every generation links arms and moves forward together.

Choosing Whom We Serve

Joshua’s famous challenge—“Choose this day whom you will serve”—wasn’t just for the Israelites. It’s for us, every single day. Because here’s the truth: we all serve something. There are no neutral worshipers. We either devote our lives to God or we let lesser things—success, approval, comfort—steal our allegiance.

Faithfulness isn’t a one-time decision—far from it. It’s a daily choice. And daily choices build the trajectory of a lifetime. So how do we stay focused? By building habits that anchor us—prayer, Scripture, worship, community. By recognizing that distraction is the enemy of devotion. By refusing to let passivity make our choices for us. If we don’t actively choose God, something else will choose us.

What’s Your Next Step?

This week, take a moment to reflect: Have you fully processed past losses, or are they still holding you back? How is God shifting his provision in this season? What territory—literal or spiritual—is he asking you to step into, regardless of your age? And what daily rhythms will keep you anchored in your decision to serve him?

God is faithful in every season. Our job? Keep trusting him, keep moving forward, and keep saying yes to the next thing he has for us.

I love being your pastor—

Brady

When we’re staring down overwhelming challenges, fear has a way of creeping in and taking over. It whispers doubts, feeds insecurities, and paralyzes us from moving forward, which is exactly what happened to the Israelites when they saw Goliath. They forgot how faithful God had been in their past, and in doing so, they lost sight of what he could do in their present.

But then David stepped onto the battlefield—not with fear, but with faith. It’s a story that teaches us what it looks like to face our own giants with courage.

David’s response to Goliath shows us three key principles for overcoming fear that I hope you’ll meditate on this week:

First, we must remember the stories of yesterday. When David stood before Goliath, he didn’t focus on the size of the giant—he focused on the faithfulness of God. He remembered the moments when God had helped him defeat lions and bears while shepherding. Those past victories strengthened his confidence for the battle ahead.

The same is true for us.

When fear tries to take hold, we need to look back and recall all the times God has carried us through. His faithfulness before is a reminder that he will be faithful again.

Second, we need to be ourselves. When Saul tried to put his own armor on David, David quickly realized it wasn’t meant for him. He knew that to fight effectively, he had to step into battle as the person God created him to be!

How often do we try to tackle challenges by imitating someone else, thinking we need to be different than who God made us? But the truth is, God has uniquely equipped each of us for the battles we face. We don’t have to pretend to be anyone else. We just need to walk forward in the confidence that who we are is enough in God’s hands.

Finally, we must remember that the battle belongs to God. This is so key: David didn’t rely on his own strength—he stepped forward “in the name of the Lord Almighty.” He knew this fight wasn’t just about him; it was God’s fight. Too often, we either take on battles that were never meant for us or we try to fight them alone. Neither approach leads to victory. Instead, we’re called to surrender our fears and struggles to God, trusting that he is already working on our behalf.

So, what does all this mean for us today? The “Goliaths” in our lives may not be a literal giant on a battlefield, but they still loom large. Fear shows up in so many ways—through health challenges, relationship struggles, financial burdens, or career uncertainties. You probably have a few Goliaths stomping around right now, giants who whisper that you’re not strong enough, not equipped enough, not good enough. But you don’t have to shrink back in fear. You can step forward with faith, knowing that God goes before us.

Take time this week to identify your own “Goliath.” What fear or challenge is standing in front of you? Then, take these steps to move forward with faith:

• Write down moments when God has been faithful in your past. Let those reminders strengthen your confidence for today.
• Face your challenge as the person God created you to be. Don’t try to wear someone else’s armor—walk forward in the gifts, strengths, and identity he’s given you.
• Invite God into the fight. Through prayer, surrender the battle to him and trust that he is working on your behalf.

And as you do this, reflect on these questions:

• What battle am I trying to fight without God’s help?
• Am I being authentic, or am I trying to be someone I’m not?
• What past victories can I remember to build my faith?

Here’s the beautiful thing: courage is contagious. When you step forward in faith, you give others the strength to do the same. So today, let’s be people who trust God, stand firm in who he’s created us to be, and walk into every battle knowing that the victory belongs to him.

I love being your pastor—

Brady

If you’ve ever felt like your life was a bit of a mess, like your story had more false starts and failures than you care to admit, then you’re in good company. The Bible is full of people who started in the pit but ended in the palace, and Joseph’s story might be the most compelling of them all. His journey—from favored son to slave, prisoner to prime minister—reminds us that God can take our messiest beginnings and turn them into miraculous endings.

Joseph was just seventeen when God gave him dreams of greatness. But instead of treasuring those promises, he blurted them out to his brothers in a way that only stoked their jealousy. And it’s no wonder—who wants to hear their younger sibling brag about how one day they’ll bow down to him? Joseph had the right promise but the wrong approach. Immaturity often causes us to mishandle the very things God has entrusted to us.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, provides a striking contrast. When she received an earth-shattering promise from God—that she would bear the Son of God—she didn’t run around announcing it. Instead, Scripture tells us that she “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Sometimes, the best response to God’s promises is not to proclaim but to ponder.

Many of us have heard God whisper dreams into our hearts. Maybe it’s a calling, a purpose, a direction. But before we run ahead, Joseph’s story teaches us a crucial lesson: wisdom and maturity matter. Just because God gives us a glimpse of the future doesn’t mean we are ready for it yet. The dreams are real, but so is the process of preparation. And that process is often long, winding, and—if we’re honest—a little painful.

Years after Joseph’s youthful missteps, we find him in a new season of testing—one of intense temptation. Sold into slavery and working in the house of an Egyptian official named Potiphar, Joseph caught the eye of Potiphar’s wife. Day after day, she tried to seduce him. And day after day, Joseph said no.

This wasn’t just about personal integrity; Joseph saw sin for what it really was—an offense against both man and God. He didn’t flirt with the temptation, didn’t rationalize it, didn’t try to see how close he could get without falling. Instead, he ran. Literally.

The Bible doesn’t tell us to stand our ground against sexual temptation. It tells us to flee—as in, get out of there, fast. Some battles aren’t meant to be fought; they’re meant to be escaped.

It makes me wonder: What’s the temptation in your life that you’ve been trying to “manage” when God is telling you to run? What situation, habit, or relationship is pulling you away from God’s best for you? The time to create distance isn’t after you’ve fallen—it’s now.

By the time Joseph reached thirty, he had been humbled, tested, and refined. He had spent years as a prisoner before suddenly being elevated to the second most powerful position in Egypt. And in that moment, he faced a new challenge: how would he use his influence? Would he seek revenge? Would he finally make his brothers pay for what they did?

Joseph chose something different. He used his power to save, not to settle scores. He managed Egypt’s resources wisely during a famine, ensuring that countless people—including his own family—were spared from starvation. He forgave the very brothers who had sold him into slavery, saying, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

This is what godly leadership looks like. Influence is never for our own gain. It’s a tool to serve, bless, and rescue others. Whether you’re leading a family, a team, a business, or a ministry, the question remains: are you using your influence to build yourself up or to lift others?

Joseph’s story is an invitation to reflect on our own lives. How are we handling God’s promises? Are we stewarding them with humility, or rushing ahead in arrogance? Are we resisting temptation, or entertaining it? And are we using our influence to bring healing and hope, or to settle personal scores?

Think about how you’d answer these questions this week. Ask God to search your heart.

God is always at work in the messy middle of our stories. You may not see the ending yet, but take heart—Joseph didn’t either when he was sitting in that prison cell. The same God who took a boastful teenager and shaped him into a wise leader is the God who is shaping you. Keep trusting. Keep growing. The ending will be worth it.

I love being your pastor—

Brady

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The story of Moses teaches us powerful lessons about God’s presence, protection, and purpose in our lives. Through examining key moments in Moses’ journey, we discover timeless truths about how God works in and through ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.

Let me start here: From the beginning of Moses’ story, women played crucial roles as defenders of life and agents of God’s plan. Think of it: The Hebrew midwives valiantly defied Pharaoh’s orders to kill male babies. Moses’ mother and sister bravely orchestrated his rescue in a manner that could have gotten them killed. Another woman, Pharaoh’s daughter, saved and adopted Moses as her own. We see demonstrated in these accounts how God often works through those society considers “less than” to accomplish his good purposes.

That’s good news!

It’s good news for those of us who tend to feel like we are more of a liability than an asset in so many aspects of life, and it’s good news for those in our society who have been more overtly cast aside. God loves you. He loves me. He is committed to growing us up. And he’s eager to working through us every step of the way.

We also see in Moses’ story the truth that every life has infinite worth to God. Men matter to God. Women matter to God. And even in cultures where they are treated poorly, babies matter deeply to God.  The Hebrew midwives risked their lives to save babies. Moses’ mother refused to let her son die. God orchestrated an elaborate rescue plan to save one baby, and one baby, alone. No, there are no “throwaway” lives in God’s kingdom. Every person bears his image and has inherent dignity and value.

I tell you all that by way of context: against the backdrop of all this evidence that people matter to God, we find one man coming into God’s stunning presence courtesy of a bush aflame that was not burned up. Moses was enduring a wilderness season in his life when God revealed himself personally to Moses, but that wilderness became holy ground when Moses chose to engage.

The same is true for us: Our wilderness seasons, though often ridiculously difficult and confusing, can become places of divine encounter when we remain open to who God is and to what God hopes to do in and through our lives. Above all else, Moses learned the lesson that you and I can catch today: God’s presence is essential, if we hope to do anything effective in life.

Moses refused to move forward without the presence of God accompanying him. Not a bad approach to life.

This week, take a few minutes to consider:

In which aspect(s) of life are you experiencing a “wilderness” season? Relationally? Spiritually? Financially? Occupationally? Something else?

How aware are you of God’s presence in your daily life?

What distinguishes you as a follower of Christ?

Set aside dedicated time each day this week to simply be in God’s presence. Don’t ask for anything. Just be still and acknowledge his presence there with you. Ask him to make himself known to you. Listen for his still, small voice. Rest in his goodness, his grace. And live differently, as a result.

I love being your pastor—

Pastor Brady

In today’s world where humility is rarely celebrated or discussed, understanding biblical humility is more important than ever. True humility is a trademark characteristic of authentic followers of Jesus Christ, and it’s something you and I both can cultivate.

I always remind people who want to live surrendered to the authority of Jesus Christ that biblical humility is not thinking less of ourselves, but thinking about ourselves less. It’s recognizing that we are more valuable than we think, but probably less important than we believe.

True humility when played out in everyday life means allowing God to pick your seat rather than choosing it yourself. It means trusting God even when you can’t see the outcome. It means putting others first because you believe there’s enough for everyone. (And there is enough for everyone.) It means understanding that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. He wants to bless you as you surrender your life to him. Why? Because true humility naturally leads to God’s favor.

In Luke 14, Jesus teaches about humility through a parable about a wedding feast, emphasizing that those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted. We want to be in that latter group!

This week, I hope you’ll follow the example of Jesus, the humblest person ever to walk the earth. Think of it: he left heaven’s glory to become human. Then, being both fully God and fully human, he embraced our broken humanity and died on the cross for our salvation. He emptied himself for us to model how we might empty ourselves for each other.

If you want to follow Jesus with full devotion, consider walking through these critical steps:

1. Pray to God, asking him to round out any rough edges of pride that exist in your mind or heart.
2. Evaluate your heart by asking, Am I trying to promote myself, or am I fully trusting God’s will, God’s timing, and the circumstances God is allowing into my life?
3. Practice humility in daily interactions. Rather than seeking recognition for what you’ve said or done, look for ways to recognize, elevate, and serve other.

Remember: You and I both will eventually be humbled. We can choose to humble ourselves before God, or circumstances will humble us. Choose the path of voluntary humility and trust in God’s plan for your life.

I love being your pastor—

Brady

In a world marked by division and hostility, the early Christian church transformed society and expanded from 1,000 believers in AD 40 to more than 32 million just three hundred years later through three powerful practices: the performing of healing miracles, earnestly caring for those who were poor and vulnerable, and extending radical hospitality across social barriers, principles that can revolutionize our communities still today.

True biblical hospitality goes beyond simply hanging out with friends. There’s purpose to it. There’s intention to it. There’s an outcome we hope to achieve. As this New Year gets underway, think about people you’ll be crossing paths with at work, at church, and as you go about your daily life. Who is always on the margins, wishing someone would reach out to them? How might you welcome them warmly? How might you make them feel comfortable in your presence instead of judged? How might you come to each conversation eager to turn the topic back to them as often as possible instead of excessively talking about yourself?

Remember that even a simple word of encouragement or act of kindness can have a profound effect. Think of the impact of these straightforward steps:

• You meet someone at church who is sitting alone. Instead of greeting her and heading to your seat, you ask, “Would you like to come sit with me?”
• You find yourself in line at the store, standing behind someone who can’t pay for his groceries. Instead of being annoyed that he’s taking too long, you take a step toward him and quietly say, “Can I cover this for you? It would be my honor.”
• You see someone at work who is kind of known as a loner. Instead of breezing past, you say, “My family and I are just hanging out tonight, playing games and ordering pizza. Want to join us?”

In Romans 12, the apostle Paul offers clear guidance regarding our mandate as followers of Jesus. We are to be devoted to each other in a posture of love. We are to honor others above ourselves. We are to share with those in need. And we are to practice hospitality as a spiritual disciple, no less than an act of worship.

The power to transform our communities lies not in complex programs but in simple acts of genuine hospitality, care for others, and prayer. Be encouraged this week, remembering that as you practice biblical hospitality, you are by definition glorifying God.

I love being your pastor—

Brady

The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, as recounted in Luke 1, teaches us about the importance of faithfulness while waiting on God. Despite their advanced age and Elizabeth’s barrenness, this couple continued to serve God faithfully. I love this story because it always reminds me of two critical realities in the Christ-following life: first, God hears our prayers. Isn’t that great news?

He hears us.

He leans in to absorb every word.

Second, there’s this: God answers those prayers in his perfect timing.  

The angel Gabriel plays a significant role in the Christmas narrative, delivering messages from God to both Zechariah and Mary. These angelic visits highlight the divine orchestration behind the events leading to Jesus’ birth. Gabriel’s interactions with these key figures underscore the importance of their roles in God’s redemptive plan. Think about it: Zechariah’s encounter with the angel Gabriel reassures us that our prayers are heard and God’s promises are sure. And Mary’s response to the angel’s announcement is a powerful example of trust and obedience. Despite the potential for shame and misunderstanding, Mary accepted God’s plan with humility and faith. Her willingness to be used by God, despite the personal cost, challenges us to trust God’s purposes for our lives, even when they seem daunting or unclear.

If you’re dealing with one of those daunting or unclear occasions, know this: God sees you and cares deeply for you. He is working in you, through you, and on your behalf. Stay faithful to his will and his ways. See if he doesn’t amaze you with his perfect plan. Here are some practical steps to take in deepening your faith while you wait on God to move:

1. Keep serving. Like Zechariah and Elizabeth, continue to serve God faithfully, even when there are more questions than answers in your life.

2. Trust and obey. Follow Mary’s example of trust and obedience. Be willing to accept God’s plans for your life, even when they are challenging or unclear. Trust that his purposes are for your good and his glory.

3. Seek beauty and wonder: Ask God to open your eyes to the beauty and wonder around you. Look for signs of his presence and goodness in your daily life. This practice can help you maintain a joyful heart, even in difficult times.

As you go through this week, challenge yourself to walk not by sight but by faith, trusting that God is with you and working in your life.

I love being your pastor!

Brady