In a world driven by schedules, strategies, and long-term goals, it’s easy to begin living as though we control what happens next. James speaks directly to that mindset. He addresses those who confidently lay out their plans — where they will go, what they will do, and how they will profit — without acknowledging God’s sovereignty. The issue isn’t planning. The issue is pride.

James reminds us of something both humbling and freeing: we do not know what tomorrow holds. Life, he says, is like a mist — here for a little while and then gone. Like breath on a cold morning that quickly fades into the air, our days are brief in light of eternity. This truth isn’t meant to make us anxious or fearful. It’s meant to awaken us.

So many people live under the illusion of “later.” Later, I’ll slow down. Later, I’ll fix that relationship. Later, I’ll take my spiritual life seriously. Later, I’ll prioritize my health. But “later” is never promised. Every morning we wake up is grace. Every day is a sacred opportunity to live faithfully, love intentionally, and walk closely with God.

Living with open hands means we plan boldly but hold those plans loosely. We work hard, dream big, and steward opportunities — but we refuse to act as though everything depends on us. Instead of gripping our future tightly, we surrender it to God and trust His wisdom above our own.

When we release control, something powerful happens. We’re freed from the crushing weight of trying to manage every outcome. We can pursue goals without being devastated when circumstances shift. We become more present — noticing the simple, sacred moments that often carry eternal significance.

Today is not a rehearsal. It is a gift. And the wisest way to live is to show up faithfully in this moment, trusting tomorrow to the Lord.

Busy? Stressed? Longing for the peace only God provides? This 5-day devotional will help you slow down and experience God's rest and peace through devotional content, God's Word, and a reflective daily prayer. This study is from the devotional journal 100 Days of Less Hustle, More Jesus by Illustrated Faith founder Shanna Noel.

Spiritual exhaustion often has less to do with how hard we’re fighting and more to do with where we’re standing. James makes it clear that pride puts us in direct opposition to God Himself. The language is sobering—God doesn’t simply dislike pride; He actively resists it, positioning Himself like an army drawn up for battle. When we insist on control, self-sufficiency, or comfort over obedience, we unknowingly fight against the very One we’re asking for strength.

James offers a better way: humility through submission. Submission isn’t weakness or passivity—it’s a deliberate decision to trust God’s authority over our instincts and emotions. Notice the order James gives: submit to God, then resist the devil. Authority flows from alignment. When we submit first, we resist not in our own strength, but standing firmly in God’s power.

True submission reaches beyond Sundays. It shows up when God’s Word overrides our feelings, when obedience costs convenience, and when faithfulness is practiced in unseen moments. Resistance often looks ordinary—walking away from temptation, choosing silence over gossip, seeking accountability, and saying no when no one is watching. Yet these small, faithful acts carry eternal weight.

James promises that when we resist the devil from a place of submission, he will flee. Not because we are strong, but because we are standing under God’s authority. Peace, endurance, and spiritual strength return when we stop fighting from the wrong position and place ourselves humbly under the grace God so freely gives.

In this four-day reading plan on how to overcome your temptations, New York Times Best-selling author Bruce Wilkinson gives insight into aspects of temptation to reveal how to gain victory.

Most people in Levi’s town avoided him at all costs. He was a tax collector—corrupt, dishonest, and despised. If you saw him at the market, you crossed the street. If you spotted him by the lake, you looked the other way. Levi represented everything people hated about injustice, greed, and broken systems.

But Jesus didn’t avoid him.

As Jesus walked by the lakeside with a crowd following Him, He did something no one expected. He stopped. He looked directly at Levi. And with a single sentence, He changed everything: “Follow Me.”

Levi didn’t argue. He didn’t negotiate. He didn’t ask for time to clean up his life first. Scripture says he got up, left everything, and followed Jesus. The man everyone else wrote off immediately responded to grace.

That’s the heart of this story: Jesus doesn’t wait for people to be acceptable before He calls them—He calls them so they can be changed.

What’s even more striking is what Levi does next. He throws a party. Not a religious gathering. Not a quiet Bible study. A celebration filled with the same people he used to run with—tax collectors, sinners, and outcasts. Levi wanted everyone to meet the Jesus who met him right where he was. And Jesus showed up as the guest of honor.

Predictably, the religious leaders were offended. They questioned why Jesus would associate with people like that. But Jesus made His mission unmistakably clear:
“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

You weren’t saved to sit still. You were called out to stand up, speak truth, and live boldly for Christ. This 5-day devotional will help you discover your place in God's global plan—right from your classroom, hostel, or canteen. Learn how to be a witness in word, lifestyle, and love. Mission begins where your feet are.

We live in a world that never runs out of opinions. Everywhere we turn, someone is speaking louder, posting faster, and claiming to know better. But James reminds us that real wisdom has nothing to do with how confidently we talk — it’s revealed in how consistently we live.

James tells us there are only two kinds of wisdom shaping our lives:
earthly wisdom and Heavenly wisdom.

Earthly wisdom is fueled by self. It looks polished and convincing on the outside, but its fruit gives it away. It produces jealousy, comparison, selfish ambition, frustration, and chaos. It pushes us to fight for recognition, to react instead of reflect, and to prioritize being right over being Christlike. We may “win,” but we don’t experience peace.

Heavenly wisdom looks different because it flows from God’s heart, not ours. It is pure. Peace-loving. Gentle. Patient. Full of mercy. Willing to yield. Honest. This wisdom doesn’t just avoid conflict — it works toward healing it. It shows up when we hold our tongue instead of lashing out… when we listen instead of interrupting… when we give grace instead of demanding our way. And the incredible promise? God offers this wisdom freely to anyone who asks Him.

Every day we are choosing which wisdom will guide our thoughts, words, reactions, parenting, relationships, and decisions. And eventually, the fruit of our lives will reveal which one we’re living by.

Making good choices. Patience. Moderation. You know what these three things have in common? God says they’re full of wisdom. But can God give wisdom to a pre-teen? Don’t you have to be old and gray to be wise? Nah. This five-day Bible Plan will show you that God can give you wisdom, no matter how old or young you are!

The story of Esau and Jacob confronts us with an uncomfortable truth: spiritual loss often happens quietly, not dramatically. Esau didn’t set out to reject God or abandon his future. He was simply hungry. In a moment of exhaustion, he treated something sacred as ordinary and traded his birthright for temporary relief. What he gave up wasn’t just an inheritance—it was spiritual leadership, covenant blessing, and participation in God’s redemptive plan.

This same temptation still faces us today. Most of us don’t intentionally walk away from God, but we do make small compromises when we’re tired, stressed, or emotionally worn down. In those moments, the enemy doesn’t need to create chaos—he simply offers something quick, comfortable, and temporary. When appetite outweighs identity, we risk making trades that cost far more than we realize.

God calls us to be anchored believers—rooted in truth rather than driven by feelings. Anchoring our lives in Christ means fixing our eyes on Jesus even when circumstances are hard. It means feeding our spirit through God’s Word and prayer so we’re not making decisions from a place of spiritual hunger. When we remember who we are—chosen, adopted, and redeemed—we’re less likely to settle for what’s temporary and more willing to protect what’s eternal.

Esau despised his birthright because he failed to see its value in the moment. Our calling is to do the opposite: to guard the peace, purpose, and inheritance God has entrusted to us. When faced with the choice between immediate relief and eternal reward, may we choose to value what God values—and refuse to trade what is sacred for something that will never satisfy.

Do you want more peace in your life? Do you want tranquility to be more than just a wish? You can gain true peace but only from one source—God. Join Dr. Charles Stanley as he shows you the way to life-changing peace of mind, offering you the tools for resolving past regrets, facing present concerns, and soothing apprehensions about the future

Inspired by the picture book of the same name, this devotional will help families with young children learn about the hope and promise of Jesus’s birth. Just as Advent prepares us to remember Jesus’s coming to a people and a world that was waiting for rescue, children will be invited to prayerfully trust in God and wait on Him to answer prayers as they wait.

The peace of God is closer than you think. This 3-day Bible Plan explores how peace is more than a feeling. It’s a Person, a promise in the middle of hardship, and a gift we’re called to share. With Scripture, reflection, and practical steps, this Plan will help you rest in God’s presence and become a peacemaker in a restless world.

This four-day youth reading plan explores what Scripture has to say about identity. Follow the story of three students who are given the chance to change who they are. However, in order to gain a new identity, they must first leave behind who they used to be. Each day you'll read a passage of Scripture, watch the story, and witness firsthand what it means to find your identity in God.

This devotional is designed to help you discover your calling and understand how you are meant to share it with the world. This is an invitation to engage in inner work, listen to God, and discover what it looks like to love your neighbor—as only you can.

Jesus told us what’s most important—love God. And next, love one another. Mike, Ray, Alissa, Clint, and Cruz from the Konnect Space Station love watching a show all about loving one another! Watch videos from "That’s It!" with them each day! For Parents: Your child will have a deeper understanding of each day’s video, reading, and questions if you complete this plan with them

Walk through James in 15 days and learn what real faith in action looks like.

Perhaps the greatest secret to victory in the Christian life is learning to be obedient. It is the basis for building a deeper relationship with God. And the foundation of our obedience to Christ is that we can trust Him with every area of our lives. He loves us and wants the best for us. Let bestselling author Lois Evans share the secret to living in obedience.

God’s word tells us that “tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21) Knowing this truth, believers should be mindful of the words they speak.  In the Watch Your Mouth Bible Plan, readers will discover in scripture accounts where individuals mouths either produced progression or regression in their lives.

Temptation comes in so many forms. And it is easy to excuse our decisions and justify ourselves. This seven-day plan shows you that you can overcome temptation through the Spirit of God. Take time to quiet your mind; let God speak into your life, and you will find strength to overcome the greatest temptations.

What does a prosperous life look like for a Christian? Some teach that God wants His people to be wealthy, while others believe the truly spiritual person should avoid the pursuit of riches. But what does the Bible say? What’s God’s definition of being prosperous? Join Dr. Charles Stanley as he examines the principles of financial stewardship and helps you gain insight into sound biblical principles for managing your money.