By: Gabi Pope

We live in a culture that allows our feelings to be the highest authority in our life. “If it feels right, do it”, “follow your heart”, “speak your truth.” It sounds so freeing on the surface, but when feelings become our guide, we often find ourselves more lost than ever! If I am being completely transparent here, I am guilty of this! It is so easy to allow our feelings to be the one thing that matters, but here is the truth… feelings change, they rise and fall with each circumstance, people, and moments. The Truth does not!!

God never asked us to build our lives on what we feel, He calls us to build on what is true!! That doesn’t mean our emotions are wrong. They are real and they matter, in fact, scripture is full of honest, raw emotion. One of the clearest examples is David!! He wasn’t distant or polished in his prayers, instead he was deeply human. He wrote from places of fear, anxiety, grief, and even despair. In Psalm 6:6, he says, “I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.” That’s not a man pretending to be okay. That’s someone who feels overwhelmed to his core!!

There are moments throughout the Psalms where David’s words echo deep anguish, where life feels heavy and exhausting, where the weight of everything around him presses in so hard that he seems desperate for relief. Have you ever been there too? I know I have!! The most powerful thing is not just that David felt those things, it’s how he handled those feelings when they came! He brought them to God!
 
David didn’t suppress his feelings, but he also didn’t surrender to them. He let his emotions speak, but he didn’t let them have the final word. Again and again, you see a pattern: he starts in distress, but he ends in truth. He reminds himself of who God is, even when his feelings are telling him something completely different!

That’s the tension we all live in. Feelings can be LOUD. They can convince us that we’re alone, that we’re not enough, that things will never change. In those moments, it’s easy to believe that what we feel must be what is real. But Scripture will always correct that thinking. Jeremiah 17:9 tells us, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” That doesn’t mean our hearts are worthless, like the enemy tries to tell us, it means they aren’t meant to lead us!!

Jesus said in John 8:32, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Not feelings, not circumstances…Truth!!

When we choose to live by truth over feelings, we aren’t ignoring what’s going on inside of us. We’re simply refusing to let it define reality. We’re choosing to bring what we feel under the authority of God’s Word instead of placing it above it. So when you feel alone, but God says He is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18), Truth wins. When you feel forgotten, but God says He will never leave you nor forsake you, Truth wins. When you feel weak, but God says His strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9), Truth wins.

This isn’t always easy. In fact, it’s often a daily decision, a dying to your flesh prayer, sometimes a moment-by-moment one. It requires humility to admit that our feelings might not be telling us the full story. It requires trust to believe God’s Word over our internal narrative. But it’s in that surrender that freedom is found!! David’s life shows us that you can feel deeply and still stand firmly in Truth. You can be honest about your pain and still anchored in God’s promises. You can have moments of weakness and still walk in faith!!!
 
So feel what you feel, but don’t ever stop there. Bring it to God, lay it before Him, and then, like David, remind your soul of what is True!!! Because at the end of the day, feelings may speak, but Truth is what sustains us. 

By: Kara Wallis

Fear Not

Life has a way of presenting challenges that leave us feeling uncertain, overwhelmed, and even afraid. Whether we are facing health struggles, financial difficulties, broken relationships, or simply the pressures of everyday life, fear can easily take hold of our hearts. Yet in the midst of those moments, one of the Bible's most comforting promises reminds us that we are never alone.

Isaiah 41:10 declares:
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

This verse is more than just an encouraging quote—it's a powerful promise from God to His people. Every phrase carries hope and reassurance for anyone who feels weary or uncertain.

The verse begins with the command, "Fear not." God doesn't tell us to ignore reality or pretend our problems don't exist. Instead, He reminds us that fear does not have the final word because His presence changes everything. The reason we can release our fear is found in the next statement: "For I am with you." God's presence is constant. He walks beside us through every valley and remains faithful in every season of life.

Next comes another comforting reminder: "Be not dismayed, for I am your God." To be dismayed means to lose courage or become overwhelmed. God gently calls us to lift our eyes from our circumstances and fix them on Him. He is sovereign, loving, and completely trustworthy. When everything around us seems unstable, God's character remains unchanged.

The promise continues with three incredible assurances. First, "I will strengthen you." God supplies the strength we cannot find on our own. He equips us to endure trials and gives us the courage to take the next step, even when we feel weak.

Second, God says, "I will help you." We were never intended to carry life's burdens alone. God invites us to lean on Him, bringing our worries, fears, and needs before Him in prayer. His help often comes through His peace, His Word, and the people He places in our lives.

Finally, He promises, "I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." This beautiful image reminds us that God not only helps us but also sustains us. His righteous right hand symbolizes His power, authority, and faithfulness. Even when we feel like we're about to fall, God holds us securely.

Isaiah 41:10 encourages believers to replace fear with faith. That doesn't mean life will always be easy, but it does mean we never face our struggles alone. God's promises are not based on our ability to stay strong; they are based on His unchanging faithfulness.

Today, whatever challenge you are facing, remember that God's presence goes before you. His strength is available when yours runs out. His help is never delayed, and His hand will never let you go. Fear may knock at your door, but faith can answer because God has already promised to be with you.

By: Brandy Wallis

A Gospel They Can See

"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." — John 13:35

When we think about sharing the Gospel, our minds often go to preaching, teaching, or having intentional conversations about Jesus. Those things are absolutely essential. After all, faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). But before many people ever hear the Gospel with their ears, they witness it with their eyes.

For countless people, you may be the first Bible they ever "read."
The way we love, serve, forgive, speak, and respond to difficult circumstances paints a picture of the God we claim to follow. Every interaction becomes an opportunity to either reflect Christ or obscure Him.

Jesus never intended for His followers to simply know His teachings. He intended for us to embody them. In Matthew 5:16, Jesus tells us: "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Notice that He didn't say our good works save people. Rather, our lives point people toward the One who does. Throughout Scripture, believers are repeatedly called to imitate Christ.
Ephesians 5:1-2 says, "Be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us."

Paul echoes this challenge in Philippians 2:3-5, reminding us to put others before ourselves, adopting the very mindset of Christ—one marked by humility and selfless love.
So what does living like Jesus actually look like?

It looks like showing kindness to someone who can offer nothing in return.
It looks like extending forgiveness when holding a grudge would be easier.
It looks like serving quietly when no one is watching.
It looks like feeding the hungry, clothing those in need, welcoming the lonely, visiting the sick, encouraging the discouraged, and praying for those who are hurting.

It looks like speaking truth with grace instead of responding with anger.
It looks like choosing integrity when compromise would be more convenient.
It looks like generosity with our finances, our time, our talents, and our attention.

These aren't simply acts of kindness. They are visible demonstrations of the invisible character of God.

James reminds us that "faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead" (James 2:17). Our actions do not earn salvation, but they reveal a heart that has truly been transformed by it.
One of the most beautiful examples comes from 1 Peter 2:12: "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable... so that... they may see your good deeds and glorify God."

People are watching.
Your coworkers notice how you respond under pressure.
Your neighbors observe how you treat your family.
The cashier remembers your patience.

The struggling single mom notices your willingness to help.
The lonely elderly gentleman remembers the conversation you took time to have.
These moments may seem ordinary to us, but they become extraordinary when God uses them to reveal His love.

Every smile offered with sincerity, every meal shared, every act of compassion, every encouraging word, every hour spent serving someone else becomes another brushstroke painting a picture of Jesus.

The world desperately needs to hear the Gospel, but it also needs to see it.
May our lives reflect the heart of Christ so clearly that people are drawn not to us, but to Him. May our actions consistently proclaim the message our lips confess: that Jesus changes lives.

After all, sometimes the most powerful sermon isn't preached from a platform.

It's lived!

By: Josh Sims

Built to Last

"Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays alert in vain." — Psalm 127:1

This past week, our nation celebrated a remarkable milestone—250 years since the birth of the United States. Across the country, communities gathered with fireworks, parades, music, and expressions of gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy. Milestones like these invite us to look back with appreciation and forward with hope.

Yet Psalm 127:1 reminds us of a timeless truth: no matter how strong a nation appears, no matter how impressive its achievements, lasting success is never built on human effort alone.

King Solomon, known for his wisdom and wealth, understood this better than anyone. He had overseen magnificent building projects, fortified cities, and established one of the greatest kingdoms in Israel's history. Yet he acknowledged that all human labor is ultimately empty if God is not the foundation.

That truth applies not only to nations but also to our own lives.
We spend countless hours building careers, raising families, strengthening churches, planning for retirement, and pursuing dreams. None of those things are wrong—in fact, they are good gifts from God. But if Christ is not at the center, our accomplishments can become impressive structures resting on unstable ground.

As America begins its next chapter beyond 250 years, perhaps the greatest prayer we can offer is not simply, "God bless America," but "Lord, build America." We need more than economic strength, military power, or political solutions. We need God's wisdom, His righteousness, and His presence. The same is true for our homes, our churches, and our hearts.

The encouraging news is that God delights in building what is surrendered to Him. He strengthens what we cannot sustain on our own. He guards what we cannot fully protect. He establishes what human effort alone never could.

Today, ask yourself: What am I trying to build? Is my confidence in my own plans and abilities, or have I invited the Lord to be the Architect of my life?
When God is the builder, our labor has purpose. When God is the watchman, our hearts can rest in peace. And when God is our foundation, what He builds will stand.

By: Tabitha White

This entire year, I have seen the words “all in” over and over again! From the theme of our kids crusade to the NextGen conference that Gabi and I attended to sermons in youth, I have seen the phrase constantly! God has been reminding us and having us challenge our students and team to commit to being fully “all in” this year!

If we are making a list of people in the Bible that were “all in” for running after God, we probably wouldn’t think of Gideon at the beginning of Judges 6. Judges 6:1 says, “The Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight. So the Lord handed them over to the Midianites for seven years.” The Midianites were constantly cruel and stole their crops and cattle, to the point that the Israelites faced starvation!

That’s where we pick up the story of Gideon. Judges 6:11 tells us that the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon while he was hiding in a winepress.

We think of people that follow after Jesus as being bold and ready to face whatever the devil tries to throw at them…but that wasn’t the case for Gideon. He was in a winepress threshing wheat for his family. In Biblical times, a person would thresh wheat on an elevated platform, so that the wind could blow away what they didn’t want. Instead, Gideon was hiding from the Midianites…and while he was hiding the angel said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” (Judges 6:12)

The angel didn’t see Gideon as he was - hiding from the enemy - instead, he saw Gideon as the person he was created to be. In fact, the angel tells Gideon, “Go with the strength that you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!” (Judges 6:14) Gideon wasn’t asked to go on his own to rescue Israel. No, he was being sent in God’s strength that Gideon didn’t realize was already placed inside him!!

Look at what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:10, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Gideon had to feel like he was at one of the weakest points in his life, but God was with him! After God confirmed that He was truly sending Gideon, Gideon became the mighty warrior that he was created to be. Later in Judges 7, Gideon defeats the entire Midianite army with only 300 men!

So, what is God asking you to do with the strength that He has placed in your life? 

Is He asking you to share a story of His faithfulness with a co-worker or neighbor? Is He asking you to boldly pray for a family member that has turned away from Christ? Or, is He asking you to take a step into a calling that feels much too big or scary?

No matter what He is asking, I want to encourage you! God will give you the strength that you need for the assignment He has placed on your life, and as Paul reminded us, “For when I am weak, then I am strong!” Take the step, make the phone call, pray the prayer! No matter what He is asking, go “all in” for following after God and walk in the strength that He is placing in your life!

By: Jason White

The Heart of the Father

Yesterday was Father’s Day and I got the privilege and honor of preaching the Father’s Day message at the Revival Center! I wanted to preach a sermon on how good, loving, and forgiving our Heavenly Father is. I used the text from Psalm 86:5 as the launching point for the sermon! The Lord gave me this verse and honestly, I could have preached for HOURS on the goodness, love, and forgiveness of the Father!

“O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.” Psalm 86:5

I realize that not everyone has a good earthly father. Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t have a good relationship with their earthly father. That can taint our opinion and relationship with God, our Heavenly Father. I want to take just a few moments, or lines, in this blog to give you a short summary of what I preached in the Father’s Day sermon!

God is good! He doesn’t just do good things. By nature, His character is good! He knows exactly how to meet our needs in just the right way for each of us. You see, we are all created in His image, but we are all different. He knows exactly how to care for each of us in exactly the right way. He knows exactly how to provide for us. He is Jehovah Jireh. He provided Abraham and Isaac with a ram in the thicket, so that Abraham didn’t have to sacrifice his son. He provided us with Jesus, who gives us the way to Heaven, all we have to do is ask and repent! God protects us. He is our rock, strong tower, and refuge. I can’t tell you how many times in my life that He has protected me and kept me safe. God also has good plans for not only me, but all of us! The question here is, will we allow Him to work out His plans in our lives, or will we decide to do this thing called life our own way?

God is forgiving! His very nature is forgiveness! So many people have an image of God in their minds of a mean, old judge who sits on a throne with a gavel in hand, waiting to pound it and yell “guilty”. That’s not our Heavenly Father! He is forgiving! In Second Peter, it says he is wanting everyone to be saved - that’s why He is delaying Jesus’ return. He is patiently waiting on everyone to call on His name and repent! I think one of the most beautiful stories of His forgiveness is the parable that Jesus tells in Luke 15 of the prodigal son. How fitting this story is of so much of our stories in life! We take the blessings that God has in store for us and we waste them. We waste them so much most of the time, that we find ourselves in the same position as the prodigal son, lost and desperate with nowhere to turn! We come to our senses and run back to God and guess what, He’s there running after us as well! EVERYTIME!

Lastly, our God is loving! His love is proven by the unconditional nature of that love. How many of you reading this blog would send your only son or daughter to die a criminal’s death for someone else! Only God did that and that proves His love for each of us! There are countless verses in the Bible that describe that love for each of us and I wish I could share them all. However, I will leave you with one of my favorites: Romans 8:39 “nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

God is so good, so forgiving, and so loving! God Bless!

By: Angie Drummonds

Here am I. 
As I prepare for our mission trip to Ecuador, there are so many things I’m doing to get ready.

I’m packing clothes, choosing the right shoes, gathering essentials, making lists, and trying to think through everything I might need while we are there.

That’s part of preparing. We plan. We organize. We do our best to be ready.

But as I’ve been preparing for this trip, God has been reminding me that the most important thing I can prepare isn’t my suitcase…
It’s my heart.

Because a mission trip is about so much more than getting on a plane and going somewhere new. It’s not just about the places we visit, the things we do, or the people we meet.

It’s about being available.

It’s about allowing God to use an ordinary person who is willing to say, “Here I am, Lord. Use me.”

And the truth is, we can prepare every detail. We can have schedules, plans, and expectations. We can think we know how things will go.

But ultimately, God is in control.

He already knows the moments we haven’t planned for.

The conversations we will have that we haven’t prepared for.

The people who will cross our path.

The opportunities we don’t even know are coming.

Our job is not to control every moment.

Our job is to surrender and be a vessel.

I’ve found myself praying…
“Lord, prepare my heart before You prepare my feet.”

Remove anything in me that would distract from what You want to do.

Help me lay down my expectations and pick up Your purpose.

Give me eyes to see people the way You see them.

Give me ears to hear the things You want me to hear.

Give me a heart that is willing to love, serve, and show Your kindness wherever You send me.

Because the reality is, being used by God isn’t reserved for those who travel across the world.

Sometimes our mission field is another country.

Sometimes it’s our neighborhood.

Sometimes it’s the person standing beside us in the grocery store.

Sometimes it’s a coworker, a family member, a stranger, or someone who simply needs to know they are seen and loved.

God is looking for willing hearts.

Isaiah 6:8 says, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.’”

That is the heart I want to carry into Ecuador.

Not a heart that says, “Look what I am going to do for God.”

But a heart that says, “Lord, what do You want to do through me?”

Because the greatest thing I can bring on this trip is not what’s in my suitcase.

It’s a heart surrendered to Him.

A heart willing to be stretched.

A heart willing to serve.

A heart willing to say yes.

So as I prepare my bags, I’m praying God prepares me.

And maybe today, wherever you are, that’s a prayer we can all pray…
“Lord, make me a vessel. Use me wherever You send me. Let my life point people back to You.”

Please keep our mission team in prayer over the next couple weeks as we allow God to work through us to reach the lost, the hurting, and the broken.

By: Blake Allums

Text: John 12:37 & 42-43

I do not want to ever miss a moment where the Lord can do something tremendous in my life. Before we begin, let's glance at the context of this passage. Jesus has just raised a man named Lazarus from the dead and people are talking and actually getting saved as a result of this miracle. Then Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a colt while everyone cried “Hosanna, Hosanna!” Finally, people have turned on Jesus and now want him crucified. What a roller coaster of a story. But, I feel as if we find ourselves on this roller coaster today. We see the miracles of the Lord taking place and we see church growth but at the same time we see murder in our community, we see false religions moving closer, and scandals breaking out in the church world. Tensions are high in our communities.
 
Here is the beauty in all of this though, we can use these moments to bring someone to the feet of Jesus. Here is the hard part, we often miss these moments while being consumed with something else.

1. You can experience God and still not believe (v.37)

This text reminds me of Pharaoh in Exodus 7 where he had a hardened heart even though God was doing all of these miracles and working through Moses. It was his PRIDE that got in the way of the moment.

John 3:16 says it perfectly, “believe”. Experience is one thing but belief is another. You can experience God all you want but if you never believe then you have no eternal life.
It does not stop there…

2. You can believe and still disobey. (v.42)

You can experience God and you can believe in God but if you do not obey him then it is dead. The Pharisees in this story did not CONFESS him. Romans 10:9 proves that confession is a part of our salvation. Matthew 10:33 shows that if we deny Jesus in front of others he will deny us in front of his father. This makes me reflect over my own life to see if I have ever denied Jesus in front of others… and I HAVE. This is something that ate at me in high school and still haunts me to this day. How much more could I have done for the kingdom if I had cared more about it than my own reputation?

Fear is the reason these men did not confess in our passage. Matthew 10:28 warns about this though, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
A faith that fears people more than God is always going to struggle. They were afraid of ruining their reputation. When you care more about protecting your worldly reputation you begin to delay your Godly obedience. Obedience to God is far more important than any title, position, job, financial security, etc.

3. What glory are you after? (v.43)

The glory from man comes from fame, riches, good job, relationships, etc. 
The glory from God is eternal life, heaven, being in his literal presence, the opportunity to worship, casting our crowns at his feet, etc.  I am after the glory that comes from God more than anything. I will throw away anything temporary if it means that I get to dwell in his presence forever.

I pray that you would do the same.

By: Gabi Pope

A few weeks ago, I came across a song called Pharisee, and there’s a line in it that I can’t seem to get off my mind: “Like John, would I be by His side. Or like Peter, would I just deny? Would I be so stuck in my mind that I never opened my eyes?”

If I’m honest, I want to say I’d be like John! The one who stayed close to Jesus, the one who didn’t run when things got hard, the one who remained near even at the cross. I want to believe my faith would be that steady, that loyal, that unshakable. But when I really think about it, I see parts of Peter in me too. There are moments where fear gets louder than my faith. Moments where I stay quiet when I should speak up!! Moments where I care more about how I’m perceived than who I belong to…please tell me I’m not alone in those feelings?

And then there’s that last line: “Would I be so stuck in my mind that I never opened my eyes?” That one hit deeper than I expected. Because sometimes, I get so caught up in my own thoughts with overthinking, worrying, doubting… that I completely miss what God is doing right in front of me! I can be present physically, but spiritually unaware. I can be there in the moment, but my heart isn’t in it.
 
It made me think about the Pharisees. They knew Scripture, they followed the rules, they looked the part. But somehow, they still missed Jesus when He was standing right in front of them! And that’s what scares me the most, not failing loudly, but missing Him quietly. Missing His voice because I’m too distracted, missing His presence because I’m too busy, missing His truth because I’m too wrapped up in my own mind!!

Lately, my prayer has been simple: “God, open my eyes.” Not just to see Him, but to recognize Him! Not just to know about Him, but to truly walk with Him! Not just to look like I have faith, but to actually live it out in a real and honest way.

I don’t want to be someone who knows all the right things but misses the point. I don’t want to be so consumed by my own thoughts that I lose sight of His heart. I want to stay close like John, be restored like Peter. But more than anything, I want to have eyes that are fully aware of who Jesus is and what He’s doing in my life and in others lives!
 
Maybe you’ve felt that too. Maybe you’ve wondered where you’d stand, or if you’ve been missing what God is trying to show you. The good news is, we don’t have to stay stuck there. God is still drawing us close. He’s still opening eyes, still restoring hearts. All we have to do is be willing to see!

So here’s my challenge for each of us, don’t just go through the motions. Don’t just think about God, look for Him, slow down and invite Him into our thoughts instead of letting them consume us. Don’t let our mind keep us from what our heart was created for.
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 
2 Corinthians 10:5

By: Kara Wallis

There are few things more emotional than praying for someone you love to come to Christ. Whether it is a spouse, child, sibling, parent, or close friend, we often carry a deep burden for their salvation. Over time, however, discouragement can creep in when we do not see immediate change. We may wonder if our prayers are working at all. Yet Scripture reminds us that God is always moving, even when we cannot see it. 2 Peter says, “The Lord is not slow concerning His promise… not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). God’s heart for the lost is greater than ours could ever be.

One of the greatest dangers in long-term prayer is frustration. We pray faithfully for months or years and begin to lose hope when hearts remain hardened. But the Bible teaches believers not to grow weary in doing good. In Galatians 6:9, Paul writes, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Salvation is often a process, not a sudden moment. God may be using circumstances, conversations, hardships, and unseen convictions to draw a person closer to Him. Just because we do not see immediate fruit does not mean God is absent from the situation.

Prayer itself is powerful and effective. Sometimes we underestimate what happens spiritually when we intercede for others. James 5:16 says, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Every prayer lifted in faith matters. God hears every cry, every tear, and every whispered request made out of love. Even when emotions tell us to give up, faith calls us to continue trusting God’s timing. We are not responsible for changing hearts — only God can do that — but we are called to remain faithful in prayer.

It is also important to remember that no one is beyond God’s reach. Throughout Scripture, God saved people who seemed unlikely to ever turn toward Him. The apostle Paul once persecuted Christians before dramatically encountering Christ. Jesus Himself reminded us in Matthew 19:26, “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” When we keep this truth before us, hope begins to replace frustration. God specializes in redemption, restoration, and transforming lives that seem impossible to change.

As believers, we must continue praying with patience, faith, and love. Even when answers feel delayed, God is still writing the story. Our prayers may be planting seeds that will one day bloom in ways we never imagined. Continue encouraging your loved ones, continue living out your faith before them, and continue trusting God’s promises. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 simply says, “Pray without ceasing.” God honors persistent faith, and in His perfect timing, He can bring salvation to the hearts we care about most.

By: Brandy Wallis

When Seasons Change
Graduation season is filled with emotion. One moment, there is celebration and excitement. The next, there is uncertainty about what comes next. Graduates walk across a stage with smiles on their faces, but many are also carrying questions in their hearts. What will my future look like?

Am I ready? What if I fail? What if things don’t go as planned? Along with the joy and
anticipation often comes anxiety, confusion, and even fear of the unknown.
The truth is, graduation is not that different from many seasons of life.

Life is full of transitions. Some are exciting, while others are painful and unexpected. We step into new jobs, new relationships, new ministries, new responsibilities, and sometimes even seasons of loss, heartbreak, or disappointment. Just like a graduate standing at the edge of a new chapter, we often find ourselves wondering what’s ahead and whether we are equipped for the journey.

But one of the greatest comforts we have as believers is knowing that we never walk into a
season alone. Jesus never promised that every road would be easy, but He did promise His presence. Isaiah 41:10 reminds us, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.” When life feels uncertain, we lean into Him. When we are overwhelmed, we trust Him. When we don’t understand the path, we follow the One who does.

Sometimes we want God to immediately remove the difficult parts of our story, but often He
uses those very moments to shape us. Pain is never wasted in the hands of God. The struggle you are walking through today may become the testimony that gives someone else hope tomorrow.

The heartbreak you survived may help another person believe they can survive theirs too.
Romans 8:28 reminds us that God works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. That includes the victories and the valleys. The joyful moments and the painful ones. God has a way of taking broken pieces and turning them into something beautiful just as scripture reminds us in Isaiah 61:3.

Some of the strongest people you will ever meet are those who walked through difficult seasons and discovered God was faithful every step of the way. Their stories become reminders that overcoming is possible. And your story can become that reminder for someone else.

So, whether you are stepping into a brand-new season filled with excitement or walking through one marked by uncertainty, remember this: God is already ahead of you. Lean into Him. Trust Him with the unknowns. Keep walking even when you cannot see the full picture.
There are blessings on the other side of obedience, growth on the other side of hardship, and purpose on the other side of pain.

And one day, someone else may find hope simply because they watched God carry you through your season.

By: Josh Sims

Pursue. Measure. Grow.
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise.” — Ephesians 5:15
“Not that I have already obtained all this… but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” — Philippians 3:12

There are two truths that shape growth in every area of life:
You cannot grow what you do not measure.
You will not possess what you do not pursue.

So many believers desire spiritual maturity, stronger relationships, deeper worship, greater leadership, or more impact for the Kingdom—but desire alone does not produce transformation. Growth requires attention. Possession requires pursuit.

Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly calls His people to intentionality. He told Joshua to meditate on the Law day and night. Jesus told His disciples to “watch and pray.” Paul examined his life like an athlete training for a race. None of these are passive images.
Healthy things are observed, cultivated, and pursued.

If we never examine our prayer life, how will we know if we are growing in intimacy with God? If we never evaluate our character, how will we recognize compromise? If we never track our obedience, generosity, discipline, or worship, we may mistake activity for maturity.
Measurement is not about legalism—it is about stewardship.

What gets measured gets attention and what gets attention grows.
But growth alone is not enough. There are promises, callings, gifts, and spiritual territory God desires us to walk in that we will never experience casually. Israel had a promised land, but they still had to step into it. David was anointed king long before he sat on the throne. The disciples were called, but they still had to leave their nets and follow Jesus.
Many people pray for what they are unwilling to pursue.

Faith is not passive agreement; faith moves. It seeks. It presses forward even when the outcome is not immediate.

God often partners with pursuit.

The team that pursues excellence will grow in unity. The believer who pursues holiness will grow in sensitivity to the Spirit. The leader who pursues wisdom will become trustworthy with influence.

You will not accidentally drift into purpose. You will not unintentionally become spiritually mature.

You must pursue what God has placed before you.

Small, faithful steps become spiritual momentum.
Measure what matters, pursue what God has promised, and trust Him for the growth that follows.

By: Tabitha White

“I’m praying for you!”

How many times have you said those words and completely forgotten that you said it about five seconds later? Or, maybe you remembered that you were supposed to pray for somebody, but couldn’t remember who it was or why.

If I’m being honest, I can say that has happened to me far too many times! I truly have good intentions to pray for the person, but then life and all of it’s distractions get in the way. What would happen if we remembered to pray for each person that we had promised to pray for…or even more, what if we stopped right in that moment to pray with them?

Over the past few weeks, that’s exactly what God has been reminding me. We know that the Bible says our prayers are powerful. James 5:16 tells us, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” But it’s one thing to read those words and another to believe them…and it’s a whole different thing to live like we believe them!

There’s a story in Daniel 9 of a time when Daniel was praying for the people of Jerusalem, and Gabriel came to him. In Daniel 9:23, Gabriel explained, “The moment you began praying, a command was given.” Let that verse sink in for a second. The moment that Daniel began praying, God issued a command! God didn’t wait until Daniel prayed a perfect prayer. Daniel prayed, and God responded.

Now, don’t think that I’m saying that God acts like the genie from Aladdin!! That is NOT at all what I’m saying! However, God does want us to bring all of our burdens, concerns, prayers, and requests to Him, because He cares about us! 

In Psalm 34:4, David says, “I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.”  David echoed this again in Psalm 18:6, “In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.” 

I’ve given you several verses on prayer and how powerful it is, but here’s the thing: if we don’t believe them to be true, there won’t be a change in our prayer lives. We’ll continue on in the pattern of “I’m praying for you” - without ever following through on those promises.

So, how should this affect us? If we truly believe that our prayers matter, how should these verses change how we pray? Personally, these verses challenge me to pray with more of an urgency and sincerity! They remind me that God listens to every prayer that I pray…even the prayers that might be hard. He listens to the bold prayers and the whispered ones. The prayers that I pray for pets on Sunday mornings in RK and the ones I pray for teenagers that are asking God for clarity, peace, and confirmation of their calling. Every prayer matters, and we should pray like we believe that to be true!

Here’s my challenge to you this week: don’t stop at a promise of “I’m praying for you.” Stop in the moment and pray! Send a prayer in a text. Call someone on the phone and pray for them. Or even write out a prayer and mail it to someone. In whatever way God leads you, make prayer a priority! Pray like you truly believe that your prayers matter because every single one of them do!

By: Jason White

This past week I became ordained with the Assemblies of God in Alabama. It’s the highest level of credentialing in the Assemblies of God. It’s one of the proudest moments I’ve had in my life. I can’t really explain why, it just is. I’ve been credentialed now with the state of Alabama for about five years now, but something about getting ordained meant a lot to me. I’ve always heard the word ordained and that word has always had an amount of respect and reverence tied to it. Growing up my uncle was ordained with the Church of God and I’ve always attended churches that are Assemblies of God. I grew up in Warrior Assembly of God, followed by attending Garywood Assembly of God, then I attended Christian Life Church, which is Assembly of God, and now of course Vincent Revival Center. All I’ve ever known as far as church is the assemblies of God. 

Being ordained by definition means to invest officially with ministerial or priestly authority. There’s no doubt that I invested a lot of time, effort, studies, and resources into becoming ordained. It’s a cool and proud accomplishment, but to be honest, it means NOTHING unless I have the ANOINTING of the Holy Spirit in my life. I can be ordained and preach a perfect sermon, that is spoken with an eloquent vocabulary, and I can have the greatest technology, with great graphics, videos, illustrations, personal experiences, or funny stories, but if the anointing is not on what I preach, it means nothing. I can live my life everyday, and be around people and be ordained and it means nothing to them. However, if I’m anointed, if my life is touched by the Holy Spirit and I’m on fire for Him, then people around me will notice that something is different about the way I speak or the way I smile, or the way I pray. The anointing of God makes all the difference. 

Throughout the word of God, we see many examples where people were anointed by the Spirit of God. For example in the Old Testament, priests, kings, and prophets, were anointed to do their divine appointment by God with authority. We see in 1 Samuel 16:13 “"So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward." There are many other examples in the Old Testament.

In the New Testament, we continue to see where believers are anointed by the Holy Spirit, but Jesus changed that experience! The anointing of the Holy Spirit is not limited to Christ alone but extends to all believers. 1 John 2:20 states “But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth.” You see true disciples of Christ receive an anointing, an empowering and personal commissioning for His purposes, which is the Holy Spirit. 

The anointing of the Holy Spirit serves several purposes in the life of a disciple. It empowers us for service, Acts 1:8. This empowerment is vital for fulfilling the Great Commission and living a life that reflects Christ. The anointing provides teaching and guidance, John 14:26. The anointing makes sure that those who are called are equipped to do the work of the Lord. We are ALL called, even though our assignments are all different. The anointing of the Holy Spirit brings transformation and it comes from God. I’ll reiterate what I said earlier, I’m super proud of becoming ordained with the fellowship that I’ve known and been a part of my whole life. However, at the end of the day, if I don’t have the anointing of the Holy Spirit on my life, and in my life, my ordination truly means nothing. 

Let me encourage you to chase after God, become certified, licensed, ordained. Go all the way with your credentialing, but don’t ever forget; titles, certificates, positions, mean nothing without the anointing of God on and in your life. When you chase after Him, that’s what you should truly be chasing. All the rest will come in due time. He’s what truly matters!

1 Corinthians 1:21-22, “And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”

By: Angie Drummonds

There are days when life doesn’t make sense.
Days when what we see around us feels discouraging, uncertain, or overwhelming. The world can be loud with fear, disappointment, and bad news, and if we’re not careful, we can begin to lean on our own understanding and let what we see shape how we feel.
But God gently reminds us to do something different.

He calls us to trust Him… even when we don’t understand.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding". 
Proverbs 3:5

Trusting Jesus doesn’t mean we will always have the answers. It means we believe His plan is still good, His promises are still true, and His hand is still at work…even when we can’t see it yet.

One of the most powerful examples of this kind of trust is found in the life of Joseph.  
Joseph was betrayed by his own brothers, thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, and later wrongfully imprisoned. From the outside, his life looked like a series of setbacks and disappointments. It would have been easy for him to give up, become bitter, or assume God had forgotten him.

But Joseph kept trusting God’s plan, even when he couldn’t understand it.
Years later, God used Joseph to save countless lives during a famine, including the very brothers who had hurt him. What once looked like defeat became part of God’s greater purpose.

One of my most favorite verses is found in Genesis 50:20. Joseph’s words say it best…
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good". 
That story reminds us that what we see right now is not the final chapter. God is still working behind the scenes.

The Bible also tells us to think on things that are true, not just on what we see in front of us. What we see can change. Circumstances shift. Emotions rise and fall. But truth remains steady. Truth reminds us that God is faithful, that He is still in control, and that He is working all things together for our good.

Yes, this world can discourage us at times.
But as believers, our hope is not rooted in this world, it’s rooted in eternity.
One day, Jesus will return.
One day, every tear will be wiped away.
One day, the battles we face now will be replaced with victory.

And that promise is why we keep pressing on.
We keep trusting when it’s hard.
We keep believing when the path feels unclear.
We keep moving forward, not because everything is perfect, but because we know the end of the story.

Victory belongs to Jesus! And because we belong to Him, victory belongs to us too.
So today, lift your eyes above what you see. Fix your heart on what is true.

Trust His plan, even when you don’t fully understand it.
Keep pressing on. Your breakthrough, your peace, and your victory are closer than you think.

By: Blake Allums

The destination of this blog is to understand that there is a spirit that is attached to your money. The good spirit would be a spirit of generosity and the bad being greed.

Eccl. 5:10 says, “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.”

My entire life I wanted to play college basketball. It was my dream! And so, I practiced everyday, hours at a time and strived to make my dream come true. Eventually, the Lord blessed me with the ability to play basketball at the collegiate level. Everything looked like it was about to go super great… But then I arrived on the scene. It was in the moment that I achieved my greatest dream that I found myself the most empty, depressed, anxious, and lonely.

I believe in the same way that a sport or dream did not fill, neither will money with us. A full bank account means nothing if your life is empty.

The spirit of Mammon is the spirit of greed. Scholars have actually given this spirit a name because it is so familiar. 1 Timothy 6:10 says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” When we follow the spirit of mammon we idolize money. We are becoming greedy. Look at the story of the rich young ruler. He followed every “rule” and still missed Jesus because he would not give up his possessions.
 
The only way to get rid of greed— Give.
The only way to know if you're not greedy— Give.
Proverbs 11:25 says, “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.

I don't mean to sound like a prosperity gospel preacher, BUT it is a kingdom principle that when you give, you will receive back (when giving with the right heart).
When you realize the money you have is all God’s then giving stops feeling loss and starts becoming multiplication in God’s hands. Giving and generosity will grow your faith faster than greed ever would.

I have countless stories of giving and the Lord blessing me and I am sure you do too. But I want to conclude with a familiar story. Mark 12:42-43 says, “And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box.”

I will leave you with this one sentence: “The value of a gift is measured by the heart behind it.”

By: Gabi Pope

One of the very first things I had the privilege of doing with the revival kids was traveling to a small church in Hayden to help lead a kids crusade. I remember walking in not fully knowing what to expect, but knowing God was going to move in big ways.

Before we ever stepped onto that stage, Tabitha gave us a simple instruction that has stayed with me ever since: learn one child’s name and learn what they love.

It sounded so small, so simple. Almost easy to overlook in the middle of preparing lessons, organizing games, and getting ready to speak to a room full of kids.

But that was the whole point!!
Because the mission was never about the crowd. It was always for the one, for the One.
For the one soul in that room who needed to be seen. For the one heart that needed to know they mattered. For the One who gave His life for us. I didn’t realize just how deeply that would mark me until I met him.

A small child who, to most people, might have just blended into the group, but not to God. I learned his full name. I learned that his favorite color was green. I remember him telling me so plainly, “I’m not athletic… I prefer video games.” I remember on the last night of the crusade he looked at me and said “Julia Gabrielle Pope, I will be doing what you do one day. I want to bring everyone I know to know Jesus too!”
 
Something about that moment stuck with me, and will stick with me forever!  It’s been over five years, and I still talk about him often. Not because of something big or dramatic, but because of how God used something so small to shift something so deep inside of me!
That child wasn’t just a face in the crowd. He was the one, the one that I was sent to look for that night. The one that God ordained for me to meet!

That’s where everything changed for me. Because how often do we chase the big moments? The full rooms, the loud responses, the visible impact. We measure effectiveness by numbers, by reach, by how many hands were raised. But Heaven doesn’t count the way we do. Heaven stops for the one that we would often overlook.
 
Jesus said in Luke 15:4, “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it?”

He leaves the ninety-nine for one. He notices the one sitting in the back. The one who doesn’t feel like they fit. The one who quietly believes they’ll never be chosen.
And if I’m being honest, I used to miss that. I used to focus on doing something meaningful for God… while overlooking the very person He placed right in front of me.

But that one child taught me something I’ll never forget:
We do it all for that one opportunity. That one conversation. That one moment of connection. That one chance to reflect the love of Jesus to someone who may have never truly felt it before. Because when you really see someone the way God sees them, everything shifts.

They’re no longer just another person in your day, they are a soul. A soul that may be lost, wandering, searching for something they can’t quite name. A soul that was created with purpose, deeply loved, and worth everything. 2 Peter 3:9 reminds us, “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”

Not anyone. Not even the one we might overlook. And suddenly, interruptions become divine appointments. The quick conversations matter more. The small acts hold more weight. The moments no one else notices… feel Holy and on time. Because bringing someone home to Him doesn’t always start with a stage or a sermon. Sometimes it starts with learning their name, remembering their favorite color, or listening when they speak. It is choosing to see them!! It is meeting them where they currently are!!

I think about that child often, not just because of who he was, but because of what God showed me through him. That if I spend my life pouring into crowds but miss the one, I’ve missed the heart of God. Because we lead for the one soul that needs saving, but we also do it for the One who gave everything to save us. Luke 19:10 says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

And when I remember that I was once the one…lost, wandering, unseen, it humbles me in a way nothing else can. Romans 5:8 puts it so simply: “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”

He didn’t wait for me to have it all together. He came for me when I was the one. So now I find myself praying differently. “God, help me not miss the one today.” Not the loudest or  the most obvious. But the one You’re highlighting. Because if everything I do points even one person back to Him, it will always be worth it.

By: Kara Wallis

Taking Back Ground

There are times in life when it feels like we have lost ground—spiritually, emotionally, or even in our purpose. The Bible shows us that God never intended for His people to live in defeat, but in victory through Him. In the book of Joshua, we see the people of Israel stepping into the land God had promised them, but they had to fight to take possession of what was already theirs. Joshua 1:3 says, “Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you.” This reminds us that God has already prepared victories for us, but we must walk forward in faith to take hold of them.

Taking back ground begins with courage and obedience. God told Joshua in Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Fear and discouragement often cause people to lose ground in their faith, relationships, and purpose. But courage is not the absence of fear—it is moving forward even when fear is present, trusting that God is with us. When we choose obedience to God instead of giving in to fear, we begin to reclaim what we have lost.

Another important lesson from Joshua is that victory often comes step by step, not all at once. When the Israelites marched around Jericho, it probably did not make sense to them, but they obeyed God’s instructions anyway. In Joshua 6, we see that the walls fell after their obedience and persistence. Sometimes taking back ground in our lives requires consistent prayer, consistent faith, and consistent obedience, even when we do not immediately see results. God often works through persistence and faithfulness.

We also learn that we must remove the things that cause us to lose ground. Throughout the book of Joshua, God warned Israel not to compromise with the things that would pull them away from Him. In our lives, this may mean letting go of habits, fears, relationships, or mindsets that keep us from moving forward. Taking back ground is not just about gaining new things; it is also about removing the obstacles that keep us from fully walking with God.

Finally, taking back ground is about remembering God’s faithfulness. In Joshua 4, the Israelites set up stones of remembrance to remind future generations of what God had done for them. When we remember how God has helped us in the past, it gives us faith for the future. No matter what ground you feel you have lost, God is able to restore, rebuild, and lead you forward again. With faith, courage, obedience, and perseverance, we can take back the ground that God has called us to walk in.

By: Brandy Wallis

There’s something about this time of year that just feels like a deep breath after holding it in all winter.

Song of Solomon 2:11–12 says, “See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come…”
You don’t have to look very far right now to feel that shift beginning to happen. The trees that looked lifeless just weeks ago are budding again. Brave little buds are starting to peek through the soil. The days are stretching out a little longer. Color is slowly pushing its way back into a landscape that once felt dull and dormant.

Spring is on the way.
And with it comes that quiet but undeniable excitement of new life.
There’s an awakening that takes place every year that reminds us that what once looked dead was never truly gone — it was simply waiting for the right season to come alive again. Seeds that have been buried beneath cold ground begin to break open. Fields that appeared barren start producing beauty. What was hidden starts to emerge. What was silent begins to sing.

In many ways, this mirrors the work Christ has done in us.

Before we knew Him, Scripture tells us we were spiritually dead — separated from the life that only He can give. We may have been going through the motions, surviving, existing, even functioning well on the outside, but something deep within us remained untouched,
unawakened, and not alive. Like winter’s grip on the earth, there was a dormancy in our hearts that no amount of effort could change. Then Jesus stepped in.
“Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.” Colossians 3:10

Through His grace, He didn’t just improve us — He made us new. The same way spring doesn’t simply polish what winter left behind but brings entirely new growth, Christ offers us a brand-new life. Old things pass away. New things begin to bloom. Hope takes root where despair once lived. Joy pushes through where heaviness once dominated. Purpose starts to grow in places that once felt empty. And just like the earth responds to the change of season, our lives begin to respond to His presence.

There’s a new song that starts to rise within us. A fresh perspective begins to take shape. We find ourselves drawn toward things that produce life instead of drain it. The cold, hardened places of our hearts soften as His love warms what was once numb.

Spring reminds us that renewal is not only possible — it’s promised.

Every budding tree and blooming flower is a visual testimony that God specializes in bringing life from what seemed lifeless. If He can renew the earth season after season, how much more can He restore, refresh, and revive the hearts of those who belong to Him?
So as you notice the signs of spring all around you, let it be more than just a change in weather.

Let it remind you of the new life you’ve been given in Christ — a life that continues to grow,
flourish, and sing as you walk with Him. The winter is past. The season of singing has come.

Philippians 4:6

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

• The Human Reality: Anxiety Is Common

Anxiety is one of the most universal human experiences. It can come from uncertainty about the future, financial pressures, family concerns, health challenges, or simply the weight of daily responsibilities. The Bible does not pretend that life is free from worry. Instead, it speaks directly into the reality of our fears.

In the Epistle to the Philippians, the apostle Paul gives a powerful command: “Do not be anxious about anything.” At first glance, this may seem impossible. How can anyone avoid anxiety completely?

The key is that Paul does not simply say “stop worrying.” He replaces anxiety with something else—prayer, petition, and thanksgiving.

God never commands us to remove something from our lives without giving us a better way to live.

• The Invitation: Bring Everything to God

Paul says “in everything.” Not just the big problems. Not just the spiritual concerns. Everything.

God invites us to bring:
* The major crises
* The everyday stresses
* The silent fears we don’t tell anyone else
* The small frustrations that pile up during the day

Prayer is not meant to be a last resort after we’ve exhausted every other option. Instead, prayer is meant to be our first response.

When we pray, we are doing something profound: we are shifting the burden from our shoulders to God’s.

• Prayer and Petition: Honest Conversation with God

Paul uses two words—prayer and petition.

Prayer is the general act of communicating with God. Petition means specific requests. God does not ask us to hide our needs or pretend we have everything under control.

Throughout Scripture, people cry out honestly to God. Consider:
* David pouring out his fears in the Psalms.
* Hannah weeping before God for a child.
* Jesus Christ praying intensely in the Garden of Gethsemane before the crucifixion.

Prayer is not polished performance—it is honest dependence.

You can tell God exactly what is on your heart.

• The Often-Forgotten Ingredient: Thanksgiving

Paul includes something surprising: thanksgiving.

Why gratitude when we’re worried? Because gratitude reminds us of what God has already done.

When we thank God, we remember:
* The prayers He has already answered
* The ways He has provided before
* The faithfulness He has shown throughout our lives

Gratitude shifts our perspective from fear of the future to confidence in God’s character.

Thanksgiving strengthens our faith.

• The Promise That Follows

The very next verse, Philippians 4:7, reveals the result:

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Notice something important:
Paul does not promise that every problem will disappear immediately.

Instead, he promises peace.

A peace that:
* Doesn’t always make logical sense
* Guards our hearts from fear
* Protects our minds from spiraling worry

This peace is not manufactured through positive thinking—it is given by God.

By: Tabitha White

Recently, our RK Go Team had the privilege of leading Kids456, the discipleship camp for the Alabama district of the Assemblies of God. It was a camp that we had looked forward to for such a long time. Our theme for the week was “All In,” and throughout the weekend, we challenged kids to examine their hearts to see if they were really “all in” to following Jesus.

Each night had a different “Big Question:”

“Are you all in?”

“Are you all in, even if you feel like you are all alone?”

“Are you all in, even when it’s hard?”

I think I can speak for each of our leaders when I say that we were as challenged as the kids, as we studied and prepared for the weekend. 

On the last night, we planned to talk about the story of Daniel in the lion’s den and how Daniel was “all in” in the hardest of situations. As we prepared for the camp, I prayed and prayed about the object lesson for the last night. I googled different object lessons and watched countless YouTube videos, but nothing set right in my spirit. I was talking to Gabi about it in the office one day leading up to camp when she stopped me in my tracks.

Earlier in the week, we had talked about how kids needed to know how to fight for what was important to them…and Gabi said, “You know what you have to teach them! You have to teach them to fight for their faith, even when it’s hard!”

So, that’s what we did. On the last night of camp, I sat down on the stage and explained that I didn’t have a fancy object lesson that would impress them. Instead, we were going to talk like the big kids that they were! We were going to learn together how to fight for our faith…and even as an adult, I believe that sometimes we need this reminder too! 

With the kids’ help, and some coaching from the adults, we came up with this list of ways that we can fight for our faith.

First, we fight for our faith by digging into God’s Word every day! Joshua 1:8 tells us, “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”

“Study this Book of instruction continually.” To fight for our faith, we have to stay in our Bibles! As we fill ourselves with God’s Word, it becomes so much easier to identify the attacks of the devil and to combat them with the truth of Scripture. Is it always easy to make time to read our Bibles? Of course not! We have a mile-long To-Do list everyday, but we have to make our time with God a priority. Whether we read and study one verse or dive into three chapters, we need to make sure that nothing comes before our time leaning into Scripture!

Another way that we fight for our faith is in prayer. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 states it really simply, “praying without ceasing.” We aren’t told to pray big, fancy prayers or to stop and kneel three times a day. Instead, we are told to pray “without ceasing.” To pray as we are driving, making dinner, and going through our day-to-day tasks. Just like we don’t only talk to our closest friends once a year, we shouldn’t only turn to Jesus when things get really hard!

C.S. Lewis once said, “I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn't change God. It changes me.” Our time in prayer is our time to reconnect with God, to ask Him to refine us, and to present our needs to Him…but what if we never spent time listening to Him? Our prayer life should be an ongoing conversation between us and our God who “delights in every detail of our lives”! (Psalm 37:23)

We also fight for our faith in worship! Psalm 8:2 tells us, “Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.” Wow! The praise of babies and children can silence our enemy! And that’s only one reason that it’s important to worship! What about thanking God for all of the things that He has already done in our lives? Or exalting Him for who He is? 

If we have breath in our lungs, we should take time to worship God! Can you imagine the worship that is constantly being lifted in Heaven? According to Revelation 4:8, “Day after day and night after night they keep on saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty— the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.” As we lift our voices in worship, we are joining with heaven to exalt our Creator!

Lastly, we fight for our faith by surrounding ourselves with Godly men and women who will help us fight for our faith! It’s going to sound like a shameless plug for our community connections, but I really do want to encourage you to find your community! Find people that you can be real with, who will challenge you and pray for you! People that will stop what they are doing to lift you up! In Luke 5:17-26, we read the story of a man that was healed because Jesus saw the faith of his friends! Your circle of friends matters…and not only if you are a teenager or young adult! No matter our age, we need a Godly community to support us as we walk through our lives.

Let me encourage you today to make a decision to daily fight for your faith, so that at the end of your life you can join with Paul and say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith..” (2 Timothy 4:7)

By: Jason White

Are you ALL IN?
Being a leader doesn’t mean having a title—it means being watched. Your choices, your reactions, and your consistency speak louder than what you say on stage or in a small group. Daniel and his friends were young leaders in a foreign culture, under pressure, surrounded by compromise. Yet in Daniel 1, 3, and 6, we see what it looks like to be ALL IN for God—not halfway, not selectively, but completely.

Are you all in with your convictions? In Daniel 1:8 we see that Daniel resolves not to defile himself. Daniel and his friends decided before the pressure came who they belonged to. They didn’t wait for a crisis to choose holiness—they lived it daily.

Leader Truth:
 You don’t rise to the occasion in pressure—you fall to the level of your convictions.

Bible Connections:

• Romans 12:1–2 – Living set apart in a culture that pressures conformity
• Joseph (Genesis 39:7–9) – Choosing purity when no one would know
• Joshua 24:15 – “Choose this day whom you will serve”

In Daniel 3, we see that the three Hebrew boys are all in no matter what it costs them. In Daniel 3:16-18 we see that they refuse to bow to the statue of Nebuchadnezzar. These leaders didn’t know if God would rescue them—but they decided He was still worth obeying even if He didn’t.

Leader Truth:
 ALL IN faith says, “Even if God doesn’t do what I want, I will still trust Him.”

Bible Connections:

• Esther 4:16 – “If I perish, I perish”
• Hebrews 11:35–38 – Faith that obeys without guaranteed outcomes
• Jesus in Gethsemane (Luke 22:42) – Surrender over comfort

In Daniel 6, we see that he was all in when no else chose to be all in. Daniel kept praying despite the law (Daniel 6:10). Years later, Daniel’s faith hadn’t faded. Same habits. Same commitment. Same courage. Leadership for God isn’t about one big moment—it’s about long obedience.

Leader Truth:
Consistency is proof that your faith is real.

Bible Connections:

• Acts 5:29 – Obeying God rather than people
• Nehemiah 6:3 – Refusing distractions from God’s call
• Paul (2 Timothy 4:7) – Finishing faithful

What ALL IN Really Means

• ALL IN with convictions (Daniel 1)
• ALL IN under pressure (Daniel 3)
• ALL IN through consistency (Daniel 6)

God didn’t use Daniel and his friends because they were perfect—but because they were fully surrendered.

Memory Verse
Daniel 3:18 (NLT) “Even if He doesn’t rescue us, we want to make it clear to you… that we will never serve your gods.”

By: Angie Drummonds

What Will Sustain You

Friends … I want to ask you a question.
What will be sustainable for the long haul?
Because there is a kind of faith that feels strong in a moment, and there is a kind of faith that remains strong through a lifetime. Emotional moments are powerful. Worship encounters are beautiful. But emotions alone cannot carry us through pressure. Inspiration alone cannot sustain us in trials. And the truth is, pressure reveals what is rooted.
Jesus told a parable about seeds that sprang up quickly with joy… but when trouble came, they withered because they had no root. That means it is possible to respond to truth, and still not be rooted in it.

Roots grow in hidden places.
Roots grow slowly.
Roots grow deep.

And a real relationship with Jesus Christ is not built only in public moments… it is built in private surrender. It is built when no one is watching. It is built in daily obedience. It is built when we choose truth over comfort… faith over fear… surrender over control.

Jesus also said the wise person builds their life on the rock. The foolish person builds on sand. We all know the story and the little song we used to sing… “The wise man built his house upon the rock… the foolish man built his house upon the sand…”
Both heard His words. Both experienced storms. But only one remained standing.  The one built upon the rock!

The difference was not the storm… The difference was the foundation. A sustainable Christian life is not one that avoids storms, it is one that stands through them. We cannot live on what we heard in church last week. We cannot survive on borrowed faith. We cannot remain faithful to surface-level devotion. We must know Him for ourselves. His Word must anchor us. His presence must steady us. His Spirit must lead us. Because there will be moments of temptation. There will be seasons of pressure. There will be times when no one sees what choice you make.

And in those moments… what is rooted will be revealed.
Scripture tells us not to be hearers only, but doers of the Word. It’s not just enough to hear it… we must live it.  Faith that lasts is faith that abides. Faith that endures is faith that is rooted. A tree does not grow deep roots during a storm… it survives the storm because the roots were grown beforehand.

So my question is, are you rooted?
Because those who are rooted will not fall when pressure comes… They will stand. They will endure. They will be found faithful. And that is the kind of life that honors Jesus! Not a momentary response… but a lifelong devotion. And that is my desire,  to be found faithful at the end of this race.

Like Paul declared, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” Timothy 4:7.
That should be what we all want…  to finish strong.
Not just start with passion… but end with perseverance.
Not just respond in moments… but remain for a lifetime.
Because it is not how we start that matters most. It is how we finish that truly means something.

So may our lives be rooted deeply in Christ, steady in every storm, faithful in every season…
And when our race is complete, may we be found faithful, may our roots be deep enough to be sustainable. And may this life we’ve lived honor the Lord the way it should! 

By: Blake Allums

“Called” (Isaiah 6:5-8)

5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the
midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” 6
Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had
taken with tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has
touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” 8 And I heard the
voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said,
“Here I am! Send me.”

1. Recognize your Sinfulness, compared to God’s Splendor. (V.5)
In this passage, Isaiah sees God and recognizes his sinfulness. Isaiah is not just some
random guy from the side of the street, but Isaiah is about to become a prophet from
God. If he were in church today he would be the one in his word everyday, he would be
the one raising his hands, he would be the one who was righteous. But even him, who
was righteous, is of filthy rags in the presence of the Lord Almighty.
Upon recognizing his attendance in the presence of God he sees that he is a man with
unclean lips. Here is the thing, in the Bible, lips and the heart are synonymous. Luke
6:45 says, “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and
the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the
heart his mouth speaks.” So the issue with Isaiah is more so his heart than his mouth.
But for the purpose of becoming a prophet he says mouth. Because Isaiah is becoming
a prophet who will speak the words of the Living God he needs to clean up his speech.
Here is a piece of advice for anyone who wants to spread the gospel, sing/ lead
worship, be a missionary, or even lead Sunday school… Clean your words in private, so
God can use your voice in public.

2. The Coal leads to the Call. (V.6-7)
In verse 6 we see a seraphim (angels who worship at the altar of God, also known as
the "burning ones”) fly to Isaiah with a coal but holding it with tongs. Why is the angel,
known as the burning one, having to hold a coal with tongs? I believe this is because
even a coal/the fire of God from the altar of the Lord of Host is more holy than even the
angels who are in God’s presence. This coal in verse 7 is significant because it is an
example of the Holy Spirit. This coal comes to Isaiah and touches his lips and cleanses
him. This is the process that we know as sanctification (becoming more like Jesus
everyday). Remember, Isaiah was a righteous man but he still needed the Holy Spirit to
correct him.

Maybe for you the coal needs to touch your…
- Eyes (things you watch)
- Ears (things you listen to)
- Mind (things you think)
- Mouth (things you say)

This will mean some things will need to be removed from you. Yes, it may be hard, you
may lose some friends, and you may need to give up some habits BUT… the
refinement is not punishment, it is preparation.

3. Many will say “Send Me” but few will go. (V.8)
This is the sad reality. We can all agree that the gospel needs to be preached. We can all agree that we don't want people to go to hell. We can all agree on these things.
But listen, the call of God upon your life is not proven by agreement, it is proven by
action. You must attach action to your agreement. The crowd may agree but the
individual must go.

Many will say “Send Me” but few will go.
Why is this the reality?
a. Get called young and forget about it.
i. If you are truly called it won’t leave your brain.
b. Don’t want to go through the practical process
i. There are seasons of waiting. Do what waiters do and SERVE.
c. Afraid you won’t make enough money.
i. The Lord will provide. Your faith is little. You must let him be God.
d. Your family won’t support you.
i. Matthew 10:34-36

Final Teaching Point:
“Here I am” (ESV) vs. “Here am I” (Other Translations)
“Here I am” tells someone your geographical location. In other words, “I am over here,
come to me.”
The Hebrew for these words suggest something different though. This is a compound
word… “hineh” → Behold/ Look “ani” → I/Me
In other words, “Look upon me”, “I am ready and willing”, “Use me for your will”, etc.
When we switch our mindset from “Here I am” to “Here am I” we become a weapon for
the Kingdom of God. We must be ready and willing to fight against darkness and take
back a generation that is slipping from our finger tips.
We must switch from “Here I am” to “HERE AM I”!

By: Gabi Pope

Have you ever gotten a text from a friend and it says, “Can you pray for me?” Most of the time, we respond quickly with “yes, I’m praying.” And we mean it. But often, we move on with our day, trusting that we’ll remember later. Later comes… and goes and the thought to pray for them slips away!

But friend, what if we changed that habit? What if we treated those words not as a quick response, but as a sacred calling?

Prayer is not just something we just say we will do, it is something that moves heaven! The Bible reminds us that “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). That means when we pray, something real is happening, even when we cannot see it. When someone asks us to pray, they are inviting us into their fear, their hope, their struggle, their faith. They are asking us to stand before God on their behalf!
 
In Acts 12, Peter was locked in prison, surrounded by guards and chains. From a human point of view, there was no way out. But while Peter slept in his cell, the church was awake in prayer. Scripture says, “Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him” (Acts 12:5). They didn’t just talk about praying, they actually prayed and while they prayed, God moved!! A miracle happened because people chose to pray instead of just saying they would.

Sometimes our friends are like Peter. They are trapped in situations we cannot fix. They are carrying burdens we cannot lift. They are facing battles we cannot fight for them. But we can pray and prayer may be the very thing God uses to unlock the chains that are holding them.
 
Real prayer requires us to pause, sometimes it makes us uncomfortable. It interrupts our schedule and our scrolling. It asks us to slow down and care deeply. Yet maybe those interruptions are holy moments God has placed in our day. Jesus never rushed past people who needed Him, did He? No, He stopped, He listened and He healed. And He invites us to live the same way!! To be people who don’t just promise prayer, but practice it.
What if heaven is ready to move, but we keep pushing prayer to the background? What if the breakthrough someone is waiting for is connected to the prayer we almost prayed?
So the next time someone asks you to pray, don’t wait for the perfect moment. Stop right there, whisper their name to God, and speak life over their situation. Even a simple prayer offered in faith can open doors we never imagined!! It doesn’t have to be big and fancy words.

Prayer is not just words. It is obedience!! It is love and it is faith in action. When we choose to truly pray, we may discover that God was ready to move all along… He was just waiting on us to be obedient.