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		<title>Christ Chapel</title>
		<description>Christ Chapel is a non-denominational church located in Fort Recovery, Ohio.</description>
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			<title>THE JOURNEY 8.16.2026</title>
						<description><![CDATA[Faith was never meant to stop with us.In Luke 5, a paralyzed man desperately needed Jesus, but he couldn't get there on his own. Thankfully, he had friends who refused to let his circumstances keep him from Jesus. When they arrived and discovered that the crowd had completely blocked the entrance, they could have turned around and gone home.They didn't.They carried their friend to the roof, made a...]]></description>
			<link>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/08/19/the-journey-8-16-2026</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 21:19:44 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/08/19/the-journey-8-16-2026</guid>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="sp-section sp-scheme-0" data-index="18" data-scheme="0"><div class="sp-section-slide"  data-label="Main" ><div class="sp-section-content" ><div class="sp-grid sp-col sp-col-24"><div class="sp-block sp-image-block " data-type="image" data-id="0" style="text-align:center;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-image-holder" style="background-image:url(https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/25303042_1672x941_500.PNG);"  data-source="D2VDKW/assets/images/25303042_1672x941_2500.PNG" data-fill="true"><img src="https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/25303042_1672x941_500.PNG" class="fill" alt="" /><div class="sp-image-title"></div><div class="sp-image-caption"></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="1" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="2" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="abc5739f-a12a-4cde-b65c-2509ecb69990" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-2" dir="auto"><div data-conversation-screenshot-content=""><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="8dd269be-0d8c-415e-9a48-418b8699863f" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-5" data-turn-start-message="true" dir="auto" tabindex="0"><p data-end="331" data-start="107">Faith was never meant to stop with us.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>In Luke 5, a paralyzed man desperately needed Jesus, but he couldn't get there on his own. Thankfully, he had friends who refused to let his circumstances keep him from Jesus. When they arrived and discovered that the crowd had completely blocked the entrance, they could have turned around and gone home.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>They didn't.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>They carried their friend to the roof, made an opening, and lowered him directly in front of Jesus.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>That kind of faith gets Jesus' attention.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>Luke tells us that "Jesus saw their faith." The friends didn't simply believe that Jesus could help their friend. Their faith moved them to action. They carried him. They got creative. They refused to quit when the obvious path was blocked.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>And because they were willing to carry him, their friend encountered Jesus.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>Most of us can probably name someone who played that role in our own lives. Maybe it was a parent, grandparent, friend, teacher, coworker, pastor, or someone else who kept pointing you toward Jesus. Someone prayed for you. Someone invited you. Someone loved you when you didn't deserve it. Someone refused to give up on you.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>Someone carried you.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>Now there's another question:</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>Who are you carrying?</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>There is probably someone in your life who needs Jesus but may not know how to get to Him. Maybe they're struggling. Maybe they're skeptical. Maybe they've been hurt by the church. Maybe they've made decisions they regret. Maybe they simply don't know that Jesus is calling them.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>You don't have to fix them.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>You don't have to have all the answers.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>You don't have to force them into a church building.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>But you can pray for them. You can love them. You can listen to them. You can serve them. You can invite them into your life. You can show them what the love of Jesus looks like through your own actions.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>And most importantly, you can carry them to Jesus.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>What if every believer chose one person and intentionally invested in that relationship?</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>One name.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>One person.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>One soul.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>The ripple effect would be impossible to measure.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>Your faith isn't just about getting yourself closer to Jesus. It's also about helping someone else get there.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>So this week, don't just ask, "What is God doing in my life?"</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>Ask:<br>"Who is God asking me to carry?"</p></div></div></div><br><b>REFLECT |&nbsp;</b><ul><li data-end="2496" data-start="2425">Who was one of the people God used to help bring you closer to Jesus?</li><li data-end="2556" data-start="2497">Who is the person God has placed on your heart right now?</li><li data-end="2633" data-start="2557">What obstacle has kept you from intentionally reaching out to that person?</li><li data-end="2696" data-start="2634">What could you do this week to help point them toward Jesus?</li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="3" style="text-align:left;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE VERSES</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="4" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Key Verses are denoted with an *</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="5" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><ul><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/LUK.5.17.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Luke 5:17*</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/LUK.5.20.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Luke 5:20*</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/LUK.5.22.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Luke 5:22*</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="6" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DAILY DEVOTIONAL</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-accordion-block " data-type="accordion" data-id="7" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-accordion-holder"  data-style="dividers" data-icon="chevron" data-position="right"><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 1 | SOMEONE CARRIED YOU HERE</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Think back for a moment. Was there someone in your life who refused to give up on you? Maybe it was a friend who kept inviting you, a parent who prayed for you for years, or a coworker who showed you what Jesus looked like through the way they lived. You did not get to where you are on your own. Someone carried you. In Luke 5, a paralyzed man had friends who loved him enough to get creative. When the crowd blocked the door, they climbed to the roof and lowered him directly in front of Jesus. They did not quit. They did not make excuses. They carried him all the way. And when Jesus saw what they did, He did not just heal the man physically. He looked at him and said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven." A new beginning. A new name. A fresh start that no one could take away. That is what Jesus does. No matter where you have been or what you have done, when you come to Him, He meets you with forgiveness and love. Someone believed that was true enough to bring you to His feet. That gift is worth remembering today, and it is worth passing on.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |</b><br>"When Jesus saw their faith, He said, 'Friend, your sins are forgiven.'" - Luke 5:20<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>Who was the person in your life who carried you to Jesus, and what did their faithfulness cost them?<br><br><b>QUOTE |</b><br>"She was the one that carried me on that mat and said, if I could just get you to the feet of Jesus."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Jesus, thank You for the people who refused to give up on me and kept pointing me toward You. Help me never take that gift for granted. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 2 | FAITH THAT MOVES TOWARD OTHERS</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>It is easy to think of faith as something personal, a quiet, private connection between you and God. And while that relationship is deeply personal, it was never meant to stay only with you. The friends in Luke 5 had faith, and that faith moved them. It moved them through a crowd, up onto a roof, and through the ceiling of a house. Their faith was not passive. It was active, creative, and completely focused on getting their friend to Jesus. Here is the thing about that kind of faith: it is contagious. When those friends refused to quit, something happened in that room that left everyone in awe. One act of determined love changed everything for one man, and everyone who witnessed it walked away different. Your faith has that same potential. When you choose to move toward someone with intention and love, you become part of their story. You become the reason they encounter Jesus. That is not a small thing. That is one of the greatest adventures your life can hold. Faith that stays only with you is incomplete. You were made to carry others forward.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"When Jesus saw their faith, He said, 'Friend, your sins are forgiven.'" - Luke 5:20<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>In what ways has your faith been mostly personal, and what might it look like to let it move outward toward someone else?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Faith isn't just about getting to Jesus. It's about bringing others."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, stretch my faith beyond myself. Show me how to move toward others with the same love and determination that brought me to You. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 3 | PRAY THE NAME</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>There is someone on your heart right now. You might not have said their name out loud yet, but you know who it is. Maybe it is a friend who is searching for something real. Maybe it is a family member who has walked away. Maybe it is the coworker you see every day who seems to carry a weight they cannot put down. God does not place people in our lives by accident. Every person along your path is an opportunity, and the greatest adventure you can be part of is helping someone discover Jesus. But it starts with a name. Not a vague intention. Not a general hope that someone, somewhere will reach them. It starts with you, praying specifically for one person by name. Prayer is not a warm-up act. It is the foundation. When you pray for someone consistently, something shifts, in them, and in you. You begin to see them the way Jesus does. You begin to notice opportunities you would have otherwise missed. You become more willing to have the conversations that matter. Pray the name. Be specific. Be consistent. That is where this journey begins.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"When Jesus saw their faith, He said, 'Friend, your sins are forgiven.'" - Luke 5:20<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>Is there a name you have been avoiding praying about, and what might be holding you back from bringing that person before Jesus?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"I want you to pray about who that one person is. I'm serious about it. I want you to pray about who's that one person."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Father, bring one name to my heart and give me the courage to pray for that person faithfully and specifically. I trust You to guide me. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 4 | BE INTENTIONAL, NOT ACCIDENTAL</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Caring about someone is a good start. But caring without intention rarely leads anywhere. The friends in Luke 5 did not accidentally end up on a rooftop. They made a plan, they worked together, and they refused to let obstacles become excuses. Being intentional with the one person God has placed on your heart means more than hoping things work out. It means being thoughtful in your conversations, looking for moments to serve them in practical ways, and inviting them into your actual life, not just into a church service. People do not usually come to Jesus because of a program. They come because someone they trusted showed them what Jesus looks like up close. They saw it in the way that person handled hard days. They felt it in the way that person showed up for them without being asked. You do not need a script. You need consistency. You need to show up, keep praying, and stay present. The most powerful thing you can offer someone is a relationship that points them toward something real. This is not about being perfect. It is about being available and intentional with the one God has already placed in front of you.</i><br><i><br></i><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><i><br></i>"When Jesus saw their faith, He said, 'Friend, your sins are forgiven.'" - Luke 5:20<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What is one practical and intentional step you could take this week to move closer to the person God has placed on your heart?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"I want you to be intentional about prayer. I want you to be intentional about how you conversate with them, and I want you to be intentional about how you're going to bring them to the feet of Jesus."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Jesus, make me intentional and not just well-meaning. Show me how to love the person You have placed in my life in ways that point them clearly to You. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 5 | COMMIT TO THE SOUL, NOT JUST THE NAME</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Writing a name down is easy. Committing to that person is something else entirely. There is a difference between jotting a name on a card and actually deciding that you are going to be part of someone's journey toward Jesus. This kind of commitment is not glamorous. It takes patience. It takes showing up when nothing seems to be changing. It takes believing that what you are doing matters, even when you cannot see the results yet. But imagine what happens when it works. Imagine the moment that person encounters Jesus for the first time, when forgiveness becomes real to them, when they realize they are loved and known and free. That moment is worth every awkward conversation, every unanswered prayer that felt like silence, every time you showed up anyway. And here is the beautiful truth: you do not do this alone. God is already at work in that person's life. You are simply joining what He is already doing. He can guide you. He can open doors. He can use your ordinary faithfulness to do something extraordinary. Commit to the soul. Stay in it. The journey may not be easy, but there is nothing more worth doing.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"When Jesus saw their faith, He said, 'Friend, your sins are forgiven.'" - Luke 5:20<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |</b><br>What would it look like for you to move from good intentions to a genuine, long-term commitment to the one person God has placed on your heart?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"This is not a commitment just to a name, but it's a commitment to a soul. It's a commitment to say that I want to be a part of somebody's journey."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, I commit not just to a name but to a soul. Give me endurance, love, and faith to stay the course until that person stands at Your feet. Amen.<br></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="8" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >ACTION STEP</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="9" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">This week, spend time in prayer asking God to show you who your "one" person is. It may be someone you already know, or it may be someone unexpected. Once you feel led to a name, write it down and commit to praying for that person by name every day this week. Then take one small, intentional step toward them, whether that is a text, a lunch invitation, or simply showing up for them in a practical way. The goal is not to have all the answers, but to be willing to carry them a little closer to the feet of Jesus.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="10" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >PRAYER</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="11" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Lord, &nbsp;Thank You for the reminder that you have placed each of us in the lives of specific people for a reason. We confess that it is easy to get comfortable and forget that there are people around us who have not yet experienced the freedom and forgiveness that comes from knowing you. Give us courage to be intentional. Give us patience when the journey is hard. Give us creativity when the doors seem closed. And remind us, Father, that we do not do this in our own strength. You go before us, you walk beside us, and you work in the hearts of the people we are praying for long before we ever say a word. We lift up the names on our hearts right now and ask that you draw those people closer to yourself. May this group be a community that carries others to the feet of Jesus, and may we one day celebrate together all that you have done. In Jesus' name, amen.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="12" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE APP PLANS</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="13" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/1026-four-ways-to-share-jesus" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Four Ways To Share Jesus&nbsp;</b></a><br><i>9 Days – Life.Church</i><br>Jesus made a way for us to be friends with God. That’s Good News, and everyone needs to know about it! Accept your mission Jesus gave to you: know God’s Good News, show God’s love, live like Jesus, and tell your story!</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="14" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/45869-journey-to-sharing-jesus" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Journey to Sharing Jesus</b></a><br><i>9 Days&nbsp;</i><i>– Holly Melton</i><br>Do you want to share Jesus with others but need help figuring out how to begin? This devo will help you learn how to bridge spiritual conversations into gospel conversations. With practical steps, you will feel more confident to take the steps of faith to share the life-changing message of Jesus with others.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="15" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/21529-advance-bringing-the-gospel-wherever-you-go" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Advance: Bringing the Gospel Wherever You Go (Youth)</b></a><br><i>7 Days – Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale</i><br><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="4675ebb5-07cc-4872-91fc-322180f7eebd" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5" dir="auto"><p data-end="309" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="0">In this seven-day plan for youth and young adults, we'll explore the power of the gospel and the amazing privilege we as believers have to share it with others. Discover what the gospel is and why we're commanded by Jesus to share it!</p></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="16" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >WATCH THE SERMON</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-subsplash_media-block " data-type="subsplash_media" data-id="17" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-subsplash-holder"  data-source="vc4kgdt" data-title="The Journey"><div class="sap-embed-player"><iframe src="https://subsplash.com/u/-D2VDKW/media/embed/d/vc4kgdt?" frameborder="0" allow="clipboard-read; clipboard-write" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe></div><style type="text/css">div.sap-embed-player{position:relative;width:100%;height:0;padding-top:56.25%;}div.sap-embed-player>iframe{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;}</style></div></div></div></div></div></div></section>]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>STANDING AT THE EDGE OF THE UNKNOWN 8.9.26</title>
						<description><![CDATA[Growth rarely happens when everything feels comfortable.We often ask God to calm the storm around us, but sometimes His greater work is calming the storm within us. When the disciples found themselves in the middle of a violent storm, Jesus didn't immediately make the waves disappear. Instead, He came to them in the middle of it and told them not to be afraid.Then Peter saw Jesus walking on the wa...]]></description>
			<link>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/08/12/standing-at-the-edge-of-the-unknown-8-9-26</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 11:28:59 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/08/12/standing-at-the-edge-of-the-unknown-8-9-26</guid>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="sp-section sp-scheme-0" data-index="18" data-scheme="0"><div class="sp-section-slide"  data-label="Main" ><div class="sp-section-content" ><div class="sp-grid sp-col sp-col-24"><div class="sp-block sp-image-block " data-type="image" data-id="0" style="text-align:center;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-image-holder" style="background-image:url(https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/25303042_1672x941_500.PNG);"  data-source="D2VDKW/assets/images/25303042_1672x941_2500.PNG" data-fill="true"><img src="https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/25303042_1672x941_500.PNG" class="fill" alt="" /><div class="sp-image-title"></div><div class="sp-image-caption"></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="1" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="2" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="abc5739f-a12a-4cde-b65c-2509ecb69990" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-2" dir="auto"><div data-conversation-screenshot-content=""><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="8dd269be-0d8c-415e-9a48-418b8699863f" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-5" data-turn-start-message="true" dir="auto" tabindex="0"><p data-end="331" data-start="107">Growth rarely happens when everything feels comfortable.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>We often ask God to calm the storm around us, but sometimes His greater work is calming the storm within us. When the disciples found themselves in the middle of a violent storm, Jesus didn't immediately make the waves disappear. Instead, He came to them in the middle of it and told them not to be afraid.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>Then Peter saw Jesus walking on the water and did something no one else in the boat was willing to do.<br>He stepped out.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>Peter didn't know exactly what would happen. He couldn't control the wind or the waves. He didn't have a guarantee that everything would work out. He simply heard Jesus say, "Come," and he trusted Him enough to take the first step.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>That's faith.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>We often think faith means believing God can do something. But biblical faith also means being willing to move when God tells us to move. The boat was familiar. It was secure. It was something Peter understood. The water was completely different. Stepping onto it meant leaving behind what felt safe and trusting Jesus with what he couldn't control.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>Maybe your "boat" looks different.<br>It could be a comfortable routine, a fear of failure, an excuse you've used for years, or simply the belief that you aren't capable of being used by God. Sometimes we stay where we are because we're afraid of what might happen if we actually say yes.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>But staying comfortable can keep us from growing.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>Peter eventually took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink. Yet even then, Jesus didn't abandon him. Jesus immediately reached out His hand and caught him.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>Peter's failure didn't disqualify him. His moment of doubt didn't make Jesus stop loving him. Jesus was right there.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>That should give us courage.<br>You don't have to know exactly how everything will work out before you take the next step. You don't have to be fearless. You simply have to keep your eyes on Jesus and be willing to respond when He says, "Come."<br>The invitation is still there.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>Maybe Jesus is asking you to step into something you've been avoiding. Maybe He's calling you to serve, to lead, to forgive, to share your faith, to use a gift you've been keeping to yourself, or simply to trust Him with something you've been trying to control.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>Don't let fear convince you that the boat is safer than obedience.<br>Jesus is already out on the water.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>Take the step.</p></div></div></div><br><b>REFLECT |&nbsp;</b><ul><li data-end="2594" data-start="2516">What is your "boat" right now—the place where you feel comfortable and safe?</li><li data-end="2702" data-start="2595">Is there something you sense God asking you to do that requires you to step outside of your comfort zone?</li><li data-end="2812" data-start="2703">When you begin to doubt yourself or God's ability to use you, what are you focusing on: the waves or Jesus?&nbsp;</li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="3" style="text-align:left;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE VERSES</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="4" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Key Verses are denoted with an *</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="5" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><ul><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/MAT.14.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Matthew 14*</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="6" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DAILY DEVOTIONAL</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-accordion-block " data-type="accordion" data-id="7" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-accordion-holder"  data-style="dividers" data-icon="chevron" data-position="right"><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 1 | STOP WAITING FOR THE STORM TO PASS</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Have you ever felt like the circumstances around you had to settle down before you could move forward? The disciples were in the middle of a storm, exhausted and afraid, and it would have made complete sense to wait it out. But Jesus did not show up to calm the storm first. He showed up in the middle of it and called them to pay attention. Resistance has a way of making us feel like we are doing something wrong. But what if the hard thing you are facing right now is not a stop sign? What if it is actually an invitation? God often does His most significant work in us during the seasons that feel the most turbulent. Before anything around the disciples changed, Jesus spoke to their fear and their perspective. That sequence is important. He was more concerned with what was happening inside them than with what was happening around them. The same is true for us. Growth does not wait for comfortable conditions. It happens right in the middle of the wind and the waves. You do not have to have everything figured out. You do not have to feel ready. You just have to be willing to look up and listen for His voice in the middle of the storm.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |</b><br>"Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’ ‘Come,’ he said." - Matthew 14:28-29<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What storm in your life right now might actually be an invitation from God to grow rather than a reason to hold back?<br><br><b>QUOTE |</b><br>"What if the resistance that you are facing isn't a sign to stop, but an invitation to trust Jesus?"<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, help me to stop waiting for perfect conditions before I trust You. Shift my perspective so I can see the resistance in my life as an invitation to step closer to You. Amen.</div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 2 | GET OUT OF THE BOAT</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Eleven disciples stayed in the boat. One got out. That detail is easy to skip over, but it changes everything about how we read Peter’s story. Peter is often remembered for sinking. But before he sank, he walked on water. He did something no one else in that boat was willing to do. He heard Jesus say come, and He actually went. That took courage. That took a willingness to look foolish, to feel the wind, and to step into something completely unknown. Comfort is not a bad thing on its own, but when comfort becomes the goal, we stop growing. We plateau. We start living one-dimensional lives where nothing new is tried and nothing new is seen. God has so much more for us than that. Maybe you have been sitting in the boat for a while, watching others step into new things, wondering if it is really for you. It is. The invitation Jesus gave Peter is the same one He is giving you. He is already out there on the water. He is not asking you to have it all together. He is just asking you to get out of the boat. You were not made for the shore. You were made for something more.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus." - Matthew 14:29<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What is one area of your life where comfort has kept you from stepping into something God might be calling you toward?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"I believe that the greatest danger isn’t stepping into the unknown. The greatest danger is never leaving what’s comfortable."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Jesus, give me the courage to get out of the boat today. I do not want to stay comfortable when You are calling me to something greater. Amen.</div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 3 | WHY DO YOU DOUBT?</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>When Peter began to sink, Jesus did not hesitate. He reached out immediately and caught him. And then He asked a question that was not meant to shame Peter. It was meant to wake him up: why did you doubt? That question has a way of landing differently when you sit with it personally. Why do you doubt that you have something to offer? Why do you doubt that God can use your voice, your story, your presence? Why do you doubt that the gifts He placed in you are real and worth using? So many of us have spent years asking God to make things more comfortable before we step up. We wait for the right moment, the right feeling, the right level of confidence. But Jesus is not waiting for you to feel ready. He is asking why you are still waiting at all. God gave you a breath and a purpose. That is not a small thing. Every single person carries something that the world around them needs. The doubt that tells you otherwise is a chain, and it does not have to hold you anymore. Hear Jesus asking you today, gently and with full belief in you: why do you doubt? Because He already knows what you are capable of, even when you do not.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught Him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’" - Matthew 14:31<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What specific doubt has been keeping you from stepping into something God has already equipped you to do?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Why did you doubt that you could teach children? Why did you doubt that you could be with the youth? Why did you doubt that you could run media? Why did you doubt that you could love on somebody and pray over somebody? Why did you doubt that? Because I gave you a breath and I gave you a purpose and I gave you a reason. Why do you doubt?"<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Father, forgive me for the times I have let doubt speak louder than Your truth. Remind me today that You have given me a purpose, and help me to walk in it. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 4 | HE'S ALREADY GOT YOU</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>One of the most comforting things about Peter’s story is what Jesus did not do. He did not stand at a distance and watch Peter struggle. He did not let him sink a little longer to make a point. The moment Peter cried out, Jesus was already there, hand extended, pulling Him up. That is the kind of God we serve. He does not set us up to fail. He does not call us out onto the water and then walk away. When we step out in faith and things get shaky, He is right there. He has been preparing for this moment long before we even saw it coming. Sometimes we hold back because we are afraid of what happens if we fall. But the story of Peter reminds us that falling is not the end. Jesus catches us. He restores us. He walks back with us. The risk of stepping out is always worth it because we are never stepping out alone. You do not have to have a perfect track record to take a step of faith today. You just have to trust that the One who called you is the same One who will catch you. He has got you. He has always had you.</i><br><i><br></i><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><i><br></i>"Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught Him." - Matthew 14:31<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>How would your willingness to take risks in faith change if you truly believed Jesus would catch you every time you stumbled?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Take courage. I’ve got you. I’ve got this. I’ve been preparing for this."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Jesus, thank You for being a God who catches me when I fall. Help me to step out boldly today, trusting that Your hand is always close. Amen.</div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 5 | BE THE DIFFERENCE MAKER</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>After everything Peter experienced on that water, he climbed back into the boat a different person. He had seen what faith in motion actually looks like. He had felt Jesus catch Him. And when they reached the other side, the work continued. That is how faith works. Every step we take outside of our comfort zone changes us. It expands what we believe is possible. It opens our eyes to what God can do when we stop asking Him to keep things comfortable and start asking Him to use us. We were not called to pray for the status quo. We were not called to settle for safe. We were called to be difference makers, people who are willing to get a little uncomfortable, to try something new, to love someone who is hard to love, to serve in a way that stretches us. Every person reading this is a leader for Christ in some capacity. Your neighborhood, your workplace, your family, your church all need someone willing to step up. The chains that tell you that you cannot do it are not from God. They are not the truth about who you are. God is still saying come. The water is still there. And He is already out ahead of you, ready to do something you have never seen before.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down." - Matthew 14:32<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |</b><br>What would it look like for you to be a difference maker this week, even in one small, uncomfortable way?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Stop praying for comfortable church. Stop praying for the status quo. Stop praying that things are going to be okay. What I want us to be is the difference maker."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, make me someone who chooses faith over comfort. Use me as a difference maker in the lives of the people around me, and help me to trust You with every step. Amen.<br></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="8" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >ACTION STEP</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="9" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">This week, identify one specific area where God may be calling you to step out of your comfort zone, whether it is serving in a ministry, reaching out to someone you have been avoiding, or simply saying yes to something you have been putting off out of fear. Take one concrete step toward that thing</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="10" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >PRAYER</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="11" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Lord, &nbsp;Thank You for the truth of Your Word that challenges and encourages us. We confess that we often pray for comfort when You are calling us to courage. We ask that You remove every chain of doubt, fear, and insecurity that holds us back from stepping into the purpose You have for each of us. Give us the boldness of Peter to get out of the boat, and when we begin to sink, remind us that Your hand is always reaching out to lift us up. May we leave this place ready to serve, ready to step out, and ready to trust You with the unknown. Use us, change us, and send us out as Your hands and feet in this world. In Your name we pray, amen.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="12" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE APP PLANS</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="13" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/11027-walking-on-water" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Walking on Water</b></a><br><i>14 Days – Paul and Becky Harcourt // River Publishing</i><br>&nbsp;Jesus invited Peter to join Him and walk on the water. He invites you to participate in the supernatural life too, but what barriers (in your head or heart) prevent you from leaving the boat? Drawing on their own stories, especially Becky’s powerful testimony of restoration after tragedy, Paul and Becky show how God faithfully heals, transforms and releases us to step into things we never believed possible.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="14" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/32213-when-we-step-out-god-steps-in" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>When We Step Out, God Steps In</b></a><br><i>7 Days&nbsp;</i><i>– Dr Barry Chant</i><br>In this Bible Plan, Dr. Barry Chant, Australian author and Bible teacher, outlines half a dozen life tactics that will stand you in good stead as a disciple of Jesus. In this adventure of faith, you will grasp concepts like how a crisis may often be a miracle in disguise, how disasters may be opportunities, how you can continually lift your level of expectancy, together with other transformational truths.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="15" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/26827-by-faith" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>By Faith (Youth)</b></a><br><i>7 Days – LCBC Church</i><br><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="4675ebb5-07cc-4872-91fc-322180f7eebd" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5" dir="auto"><p data-end="309" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="0">Faith is putting your trust in something, even if you don't see it or have visible proof. Faith in God can be challenging, especially since we usually don’t hear God audibly speaking to us or see Him right in front of us. But faith is the foundation of a relationship with Jesus. Join us for the next seven days as we look at what it means to live by faith</p></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="16" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >WATCH THE SERMON</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-subsplash_media-block " data-type="subsplash_media" data-id="17" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-subsplash-holder"  data-source="hkmtzgw" data-title="Standing at the Edge of the Unknown"><div class="sap-embed-player"><iframe src="https://subsplash.com/u/-D2VDKW/media/embed/d/hkmtzgw?" frameborder="0" allow="clipboard-read; clipboard-write" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe></div><style type="text/css">div.sap-embed-player{position:relative;width:100%;height:0;padding-top:56.25%;}div.sap-embed-player>iframe{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;}</style></div></div></div></div></div></div></section>]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>Discovering God in the Beauty Around Us 8/2/26</title>
						<description><![CDATA[Waiting on God can be one of the hardest parts of following Him. We often ask Him to remove the obstacles, reveal the entire plan, or guarantee the outcome before we're willing to move. But throughout Scripture, God frequently works in the opposite order. He asks us to trust Him first, and then He reveals His power.Before Israel crossed the Jordan River, Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yoursel...]]></description>
			<link>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/08/04/discovering-god-in-the-beauty-around-us-8-2-26</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:21:22 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/08/04/discovering-god-in-the-beauty-around-us-8-2-26</guid>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="sp-section sp-scheme-0" data-index="18" data-scheme="0"><div class="sp-section-slide"  data-label="Main" ><div class="sp-section-content" ><div class="sp-grid sp-col sp-col-24"><div class="sp-block sp-image-block " data-type="image" data-id="0" style="text-align:center;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-image-holder" style="background-image:url(https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/25303042_1672x941_500.PNG);"  data-source="D2VDKW/assets/images/25303042_1672x941_2500.PNG" data-fill="true"><img src="https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/25303042_1672x941_500.PNG" class="fill" alt="" /><div class="sp-image-title"></div><div class="sp-image-caption"></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="1" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="2" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="abc5739f-a12a-4cde-b65c-2509ecb69990" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-2" dir="auto"><div data-conversation-screenshot-content=""><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="8dd269be-0d8c-415e-9a48-418b8699863f" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-5" data-turn-start-message="true" dir="auto" tabindex="0"><p data-end="331" data-start="107">Waiting on God can be one of the hardest parts of following Him. We often ask Him to remove the obstacles, reveal the entire plan, or guarantee the outcome before we're willing to move. But throughout Scripture, God frequently works in the opposite order. He asks us to trust Him first, and then He reveals His power.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>Before Israel crossed the Jordan River, Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you." Before there was a miracle, there was preparation. Consecration meant setting themselves apart for God—turning from distractions, renewing their commitment, and preparing their hearts for what He was about to do. God's people couldn't control the miracle, but they could control whether they were spiritually ready when it came.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>Then came the moment of faith. The Jordan River was overflowing its banks, making the crossing seem impossible. Yet God didn't stop the waters before the priests began walking. The river didn't part until their feet stepped into it. The miracle began the moment they trusted God's promise enough to obey.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>The same principle is true for us today. Faith isn't waiting until every question is answered or every obstacle disappears. Faith is taking the next step God has asked us to take, even when we can't see what lies ahead. Sometimes that step is forgiving someone. Sometimes it's serving, sharing your faith, beginning a new ministry, or simply continuing to trust God in a season of waiting. Whatever the step may be, God often meets us in our obedience rather than before it.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>If you're in a season where it feels like nothing is happening, don't assume God has forgotten you. Waiting is not wasted. Often, God is preparing your heart before He fulfills His promise. The wilderness isn't the end of your story—it may be the very place where God is developing the faith you'll need for what's next.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>Tomorrow belongs to God. Your responsibility is to be faithful today. Consecrate your heart, trust His timing, and take the next step He has placed before you. You may discover that the miracle begins the moment your feet get wet.</p></div></div></div><br><b>REFLECT |&nbsp;</b><ul><li data-end="2356" data-start="2253">Is there an area of your life where you've been waiting for God to act before you're willing to obey?</li><li data-end="2431" data-start="2357">What might God be preparing in your heart during this season of waiting?</li><li data-end="2497" data-start="2432">What is the next step of faith God is asking you to take today?</li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="3" style="text-align:left;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE VERSES</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="4" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Key Verses are denoted with an *</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="5" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><ul><li>Numbers 13*</li><li>Numbers 14*</li><li>Deuteronomy 34*</li><li>Joshua 2</li><li>Joshua 3:5*</li><li>Joshua 3:15*</li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="6" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DAILY DEVOTIONAL</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-accordion-block " data-type="accordion" data-id="7" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-accordion-holder"  data-style="dividers" data-icon="chevron" data-position="right"><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 1 | PREPARE BEFORE THE PROMISE</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>There is something powerful about getting ready before anything has changed. Before the Israelites crossed the Jordan, before the water moved, before the miracle happened, Joshua gave the people one instruction: consecrate yourselves. Set yourselves apart. Prepare your hearts. God was about to do something extraordinary, and He wanted His people ready to receive it. It is easy to focus all of our energy on what we are asking God to do. We pray for breakthroughs, for open doors, for things to change. But sometimes the most important question is not what we want God to do. It is whether we are ready for it. Preparation is not glamorous. It is quiet, personal, and sometimes uncomfortable. But it is always necessary. Consecrating yourself is a deliberate choice. It means turning away from what is pulling you in the wrong direction and turning toward God with an open and willing heart. It is not about being perfect. It is about being available. Wherever you are today, God is not waiting for your life to be flawless before He moves. He is simply inviting you to prepare. The promise is already coming. The question is whether your heart is ready to receive it.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |</b><br>"Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you." - Joshua 3:5<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What area of your life might God be asking you to prepare or surrender before He moves you into what is next?<br><br><b>QUOTE |</b><br>"What needs to change in me before God can change my circumstance?"<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, help me to prepare my heart before I see the promise. Show me what needs to change in me so I am ready for what You are about to do. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 2 | FAITH THAT GETS ITS FEET WET</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>The Jordan River was not a calm stream when the Israelites arrived. It was at flood stage, overflowing its banks, and completely impassable by human effort. God could have parted the water before anyone took a step. He did not. Instead, He asked the priests to carry the Ark forward and walk into the rushing current first. The water did not stop until their feet touched it. The miracle began not with a dramatic display from a safe distance, but with a step of obedience into the unknown. That is what real faith looks like. It is not waiting until everything makes sense or until the path is clear. It is choosing to move forward when the outcome is still uncertain, trusting that God is already at work in what you cannot yet see. Maybe you are standing at the edge of something that feels impossible right now. A relationship that needs repair. A decision that carries real risk. A step you have been putting off because you are waiting for certainty first. God is not asking you to have all the answers. He is asking you to trust Him enough to move. The miracle is waiting on the other side of your obedience. Take the step.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water's edge..." - Joshua 3:15<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>Is there a step of faith you have been delaying because you are waiting for God to move first?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"The miracle didn't begin when the water stopped. It began when their feet got wet."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>God, give me the courage to step forward even when I cannot see what is ahead. I trust that You are already working in what I cannot yet see. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 3 | THE WAITING IS NOT WASTED</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Waiting is hard. Especially when you have been waiting a long time. The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years before they ever saw the Jordan River. Forty years of desert, of uncertainty, of wondering if the promise was still real. And yet, every single day of that journey was shaping them for the moment they would finally cross over. God does not waste seasons. Even the ones that feel dry, confusing, or painfully long. The wilderness is not a detour from your story. It is often where the most important formation happens. It is where trust is built, character is refined, and faith is stretched beyond what is comfortable. You may be in a season right now that does not feel like progress. It may feel like you are stuck, overlooked, or far from where you thought you would be. But God is not finished. He is preparing you for something that requires exactly what this season is building in you. Every new beginning with God starts long before you ever see the sunrise. The journey to the beginning is often where He prepares you to experience the awe and wonder of what He is about to do. Keep going. The waiting is not wasted.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Then the Lord said to Him, 'This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob...'" - Deuteronomy 34:4<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>Looking back, can you identify a difficult season that shaped you in a way you did not expect or appreciate at the time?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Every new beginning with God starts long before you ever see the sunrise. The journey to the beginning is often where God prepares you to experience the awe and wonder of what He is about to do."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Father, help me to trust You in the waiting. Remind me that You are working even when I cannot see it, and that nothing in my journey is wasted. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 4 | YOU WERE CHOSEN FOR THIS MOMENT</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>It can be easy to look at your life and wonder if you are in the right place. Maybe your circumstances feel ordinary. Maybe the people around you seem difficult. Maybe the community you are in does not feel like the mission field you imagined. But what if God placed you exactly where you are on purpose? God chose you for the career you have. He chose you for the friendships in your life. He chose you for the neighborhood, the family, and the community that surrounds you right now. None of it is accidental. You are not there by mistake. The Israelites did not choose the Jordan River as their crossing point. God led them there. And when they arrived, He did not ask them to understand it. He asked them to trust it. The same is true for you. You do not have to fully understand why you are where you are. You simply have to trust the One who placed you there. Your past does not disqualify you. Your season does not limit Him. Regardless of what you have been through, God still has something for you tomorrow. What you have been through is what has shaped you for this moment. You are not here by accident. You are here on purpose.</i><br><i><br></i><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><i><br></i>"He sent spies secretly from Shittim... to look over the land, especially Jericho." - Joshua 2:1<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>How might God be using your current relationships, workplace, or community as a specific and intentional mission field?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"God chose you. He chose you for the career that you have to be a part of that to be able to minister to the people there. He chose you to have the friend groups that you have and to be around the people."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, help me to see my life through Your eyes. Show me the purpose in where You have placed me, and give me the courage to be present and faithful right where I am. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 5 | TOMORROW IS STILL COMING</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>There is something deeply hopeful about the word tomorrow. It carries the weight of everything that has not happened yet. Every promise still waiting to be fulfilled. Every sunrise you have not yet seen. Every miracle still on its way. The Israelites standing at the edge of the Jordan had no idea what tomorrow would look like. They could not see the other side clearly. They did not have a detailed plan. But they knew who was leading them, and that was enough. They chose to trust the journey even before they could see the destination. God is the same today. He is not asking you to have everything figured out. He is asking you to take the next step. To consecrate your heart. To trust Him in the dark. To believe that the sunrise is coming even when you are still walking through the night. No matter where you are in your journey, the beauty was always coming. You just have to make the journey and wait for the right moment. Today is your invitation to choose faith before the crossing, before the promise, before the sunrise. Stand up and say, I am ready, God. Tomorrow is still coming, and He has something for you in it.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide..." - Joshua 1:1<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |</b><br>What would it look like for you to fully trust God with your tomorrow, even if today still feels uncertain?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Regardless of the things that you've done, regardless of what season you're in, regardless of what your family looks like or looked like, regardless of the things that have happened in your past, there will be something tomorrow."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>God, I choose to trust You with my tomorrow. Help me to walk by faith today, knowing that You are already preparing what I cannot yet see. Amen.<br></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="8" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >ACTION STEP</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="9" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">This week, identify one specific area of your life where you have been waiting for God to remove an obstacle before you take a step of faith. Write it down, pray over it, and then take one concrete action toward it, trusting God with the outcome. Also, reach out to one person in your life and ask them to hold you accountable, whether that is in staying in God's Word, breaking a habit, or pursuing something God has placed on your heart. The miracle begins when your feet get wet.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="10" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >PRAYER</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="11" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Lord, &nbsp;Thank You for the reminder that You are faithful, that Your promises are real, and that You are always working even when we cannot see it. As we leave this place, help us to consecrate ourselves, to prepare our hearts, and to take bold steps of faith even when the path ahead is not fully clear. Remind us that the miracle begins when our feet get wet. Give us the courage to trust You through the dark stretches of the journey, knowing that the sunrise You have prepared is more beautiful than anything we could imagine. May everything we do point others to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="12" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE APP PLANS</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="13" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/13148-the-power-to-transform-take-the-first-step" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>The Power to Transform // Take the First Step</b></a><br><i>6 Days – Gather Ministries</i><br>Ever heard "A body in motion stays in motion"? Put another way, "a man on a path stays on that path". Put another way "change is hard!!" Come be challenged and encouraged in this 6 day plan and get a glimpse of God's power to change you and the richness of showing up for your life.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="14" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/29163-strong-and-courageous-leadership-lessons-from-the" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Strong And Courageous: Leadership Lessons From The Book Of Joshua</b></a><br><i>8 Days&nbsp;</i><i>– John Houston</i><br>Have you ever wondered, “How did I get here?” When God calls us to something new, it can be overwhelming. You might feel in over your head or question your direction. Joshua wasn’t a perfect leader, but we can learn a lot from his story. Let's walk through Joshua’s milestone events and encounters with God. We can learn how to be strong and courageous leaders by following his example.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="15" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/70463-the-truth-about-following-jesus" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>The Truth About Following Jesus (Youth)</b></a><br><i>3 Days – OneHope</i><br><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="4675ebb5-07cc-4872-91fc-322180f7eebd" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5" dir="auto"><p data-end="309" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="0">This 3-day plan introduces the story of Jesus and what it means to trust and follow him. Through short daily readings, it unpacks faith, repentance, and God’s unconditional love, inviting spiritually curious young adults to come home to God, receive grace as a gift, and begin a lifelong journey with Christ.</p></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="16" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >WATCH THE SERMON</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-subsplash_media-block " data-type="subsplash_media" data-id="17" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-subsplash-holder"  data-source="5956n2y" data-title="undefined"><div class="sap-embed-player"><iframe src="https://subsplash.com/u/-D2VDKW/media/embed/d/5956n2y?" frameborder="0" allow="clipboard-read; clipboard-write" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe></div><style type="text/css">div.sap-embed-player{position:relative;width:100%;height:0;padding-top:56.25%;}div.sap-embed-player>iframe{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;}</style></div></div></div></div></div></div></section>]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>Is Money the Root of All Evil? 7.26.26</title>
						<description><![CDATA[Money is one of the Bible's most talked-about subjects, yet it's often one of the most misunderstood. Many people have heard the phrase, "Money is the root of all evil," but that's not what Scripture says. God's Word teaches that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Money itself is simply a tool. The real question is whether it has become a blessing we steward or a master we serve.Thr...]]></description>
			<link>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/07/28/is-money-the-root-of-all-evil-7-26-26</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 14:10:15 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/07/28/is-money-the-root-of-all-evil-7-26-26</guid>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="sp-section sp-scheme-0" data-index="18" data-scheme="0"><div class="sp-section-slide"  data-label="Main" ><div class="sp-section-content" ><div class="sp-grid sp-col sp-col-24"><div class="sp-block sp-image-block " data-type="image" data-id="0" style="text-align:center;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-image-holder" style="background-image:url(https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/24618148_851x315_500.PNG);"  data-source="D2VDKW/assets/images/24618148_851x315_2500.PNG"><img src="https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/24618148_851x315_500.PNG" class="fill" alt="" /><div class="sp-image-title"></div><div class="sp-image-caption"></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="1" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="2" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="abc5739f-a12a-4cde-b65c-2509ecb69990" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-2" dir="auto"><div data-conversation-screenshot-content=""><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="8dd269be-0d8c-415e-9a48-418b8699863f" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-5" data-turn-start-message="true" dir="auto" tabindex="0"><p data-end="331" data-start="107">Money is one of the Bible's most talked-about subjects, yet it's often one of the most misunderstood. Many people have heard the phrase, "Money is the root of all evil," but that's not what Scripture says. God's Word teaches that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Money itself is simply a tool. The real question is whether it has become a blessing we steward or a master we serve.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>Throughout the Bible, God entrusted wealth to people like Abraham and Job, while others faithfully served Him with very little. What set them apart wasn't the size of their bank account—it was the condition of their hearts. God isn't looking for wealthy people or poor people. He's looking for faithful stewards who recognize that everything they have ultimately belongs to Him.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>Paul understood this truth better than most. Before following Christ, he possessed influence, education, and status. Yet after surrendering his life to Jesus, he discovered something far more valuable than earthly success: contentment. Writing from prison, Paul declared that he had learned to be content whether he had much or little because his security was found in Christ, not in his circumstances.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>Jesus echoed this same principle when He warned against storing up treasures on earth while neglecting eternal treasures. Wealth has a way of convincing us that we are in control, that what we own defines us, or that having just a little more will finally satisfy us. But those promises never last. Earthly possessions fade, while investments made for God's Kingdom have eternal value.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>The good news is that God has already given us everything we need to live faithfully today. Whether He has entrusted us with much or little, our calling remains the same: work with integrity, give generously, and remember that we are stewards—not owners. Contentment grows when we stop measuring our lives by what we possess and start measuring them by the faithfulness of the God who provides.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>When Christ becomes our greatest treasure, everything else finds its proper place.</p></div></div></div><br><b>REFLECT |&nbsp;</b><ul><li data-end="2263" data-section-id="8ov827" data-start="2196">Is there an area where you've begun to trust money more than God?</li><li data-end="2348" data-section-id="ez312f" data-start="2264">Do your financial priorities reflect that everything you have belongs to the Lord?</li><li data-end="2415" data-section-id="ly53yy" data-start="2349">What would contentment look like in your current season of life?</li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="3" style="text-align:left;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE VERSES</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="4" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Key Verses are denoted with an *</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="5" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><ul><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/1TI.6.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">1 Timothy 6*</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PHP.4.11-13.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Philippians 4:11-13</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/2CO.8.9.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">2 Corinthians 8:9</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PHP.2.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Philippians 2</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/MAT.6.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Matthew 6&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/LUK.16.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Luke 16</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PSA.24.1.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Psalm 24:1</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/MRK.4.19.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mark 4:19</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PRO.30.8-9.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Proverbs 30:8-9</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/DEU.1.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Deuteronomy</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="6" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DAILY DEVOTIONAL</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-accordion-block " data-type="accordion" data-id="7" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-accordion-holder"  data-style="dividers" data-icon="chevron" data-position="right"><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 1 | MONEY ISN'T THE PROBLEM. YOUR HEART IS.</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Let's clear something up right away. Money is not the root of all evil. That's one of the most repeated misquotes in all of Christianity. What Scripture actually says is that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. That one word changes everything. God blessed Abraham with great wealth. He did the same for Job. Giving is even listed as a spiritual gift. So money itself is not the enemy. The question is always about the posture of your heart toward it. Think about someone you know who gives generously without hesitation. There's a freedom in that person, isn't there? Now think about someone who holds on to every dollar with a clenched fist. Something is different there, and it goes deeper than their bank account. God is not against you having money. He is against money having you. That's the line worth sitting with today. When your finances are held loosely, with open hands and a grateful heart, they become a tool for good. When they're gripped tightly, they quietly become something else entirely. You don't have to be wealthy to struggle with this. The love of money shows up in anxiety, in comparison, in the constant feeling that you never have quite enough. The good news is that God cares about your heart more than your bank balance, and He is ready to help you find freedom.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |</b><br>"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." - 1 Timothy 6:10<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>In what area of your finances do you notice your heart gripping tightly rather than holding loosely?<br><br><b>QUOTE |</b><br>"The Bible doesn't say money is the root of all evil. It says the love of money. Now watch. This is a root of all kinds of evil."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, reveal any place where money has taken a grip on my heart that belongs only to You. Teach me to hold what I have with open hands and a Spirit of gratitude. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 2 | YOU OWN NOTHING. AND THAT'S ACTUALLY GOOD NEWS.</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Here's a thought that might sting a little at first but ends up being incredibly freeing. You don't actually own anything. Psalm 24 says the earth is the Lord's and everything in it. That includes your house, your car, your savings account, and everything in between. You get to steward those things for a season. But they were never really yours to begin with. Think of it like a game of Monopoly. You play hard, you build things up, you accumulate. And then the game ends and it all goes back in the box. Someone else will play with it next. That's not a depressing thought. It's actually one of the most liberating truths in Scripture. When you stop seeing yourself as the owner and start seeing yourself as a steward, everything shifts. Generosity becomes easier. Anxiety about losing things loosens its grip. You start asking a different question. Instead of "How do I protect what's mine?" you begin asking "How does God want me to use what He's entrusted to me?" You were brought into this world with nothing, and you'll leave the same way. But in between, you have an incredible opportunity to manage well what God has placed in your hands. That's not a burden. That's a calling.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." - Psalm 24:1<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>If you truly believed you were a steward and not an owner, what would you do differently with what you have right now?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Psalm 24, verse 1. The earth is the Lord's and everything in it. So what do you own? That's what you own. You get to play with property and money and things for a little while and then you die. And it's just like Monopoly. It all goes back in the box and somebody else gonna play with it."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Father, help me to hold everything I have with open hands, remembering that it all belongs to You. Give me wisdom to steward it well for Your glory. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 3 | THE SECRET PAUL LEARNED THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Imagine writing some of the most hopeful words ever put to paper while chained to a Roman soldier in a prison cell. That's exactly what Paul did. Paul didn't start out poor. He was educated, influential, and by every measure of his culture, successful. Then he met Jesus, and everything changed. He walked away from status, comfort, and security. And from that prison cell, he wrote that he had learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Notice that word: learned. Contentment is not a personality trait you're born with. It's a discipline you develop. It takes practice. It takes choosing gratitude when comparison is easier. It takes trusting God's provision when the numbers don't add up. Contentment doesn't mean you stop working hard or stop planning for the future. It means you stop letting your circumstances determine your peace. It means your joy is anchored to something that can't be taken away. You may be in a season of plenty right now, or you may be in a season of real need. Either way, the invitation is the same. Learn the secret Paul learned. Let your contentment be rooted not in what you have, but in Who you have..</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." - Philippians 4:11-12<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What circumstance in your life right now is making contentment feel most difficult, and what would it look like to trust God in the middle of it?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need. Sure he does. And I know what it is to have plenty. Remember, he was rich. I've learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>God, teach me the kind of contentment that isn't shaken by my circumstances. Anchor my peace in You, not in what I have or don't have. Amen.</div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 4 | WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Jesus was direct about money in a way that can make us uncomfortable. He didn't dance around it. He said you cannot serve both God and money. Not "it's difficult" or "it's unwise." He said it is an impossibility. He also said something that cuts even deeper. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. In other words, follow the money and you'll find what you actually love. Your spending is a map to your priorities. That's worth sitting with honestly. Not with guilt, but with curiosity. What does your financial life say about what matters most to you? Jesus wasn't telling His followers to be poor. He was telling them to be strategic about eternity. Store up treasure in heaven, He said. Use what you have now to do good that lasts beyond your lifetime. Think about the people who will greet you one day because of the generosity you showed here on earth. A wealthy couple who accumulates everything and ends up with no real relationships has missed the point entirely. A custodian who gives his skills joyfully to God has understood something profound. It's not about the amount. It's about the direction of your heart. You have an opportunity every single day to invest in something that lasts. That's not a burden. That's a gift.</i><br><i><br></i><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><i><br></i>"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:19-21<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>If someone looked at how you spent your money and time this past month, what would they conclude you treasure most?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Don't store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and vermin destroyed, where thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, where thieves don't break in and steal. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Jesus, align my heart with what is eternal. Help me to invest generously in what truly lasts and to hold loosely the things that don't. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 5 | ENOUGH IS ENOUGH: THE FREEDOM OF GODLY CONTENTMENT</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>There's a prayer tucked into the book of Proverbs that is quietly one of the wisest things ever written about money. It asks God for neither poverty nor riches, just enough. Not too much, not too little. Simply daily bread. That prayer takes humility. It admits that too much wealth can make you forget God, and too little can push you toward desperation. It's an honest reckoning with your own limitations and a deep trust in God's provision. Scripture puts it plainly: godliness with contentment is great gain. Not godliness with a large portfolio. Not godliness with a comfortable retirement. Godliness with contentment. That combination is where real wealth lives. Here's the beautiful thing about this whole journey. Jesus Himself modeled it perfectly. He was rich, and He became poor, so that through His poverty you might become rich. He gave everything so you could have everything that actually matters. You don't have to have it all figured out. You don't have to be free from financial stress by tomorrow. But you can take one step today toward a life where money is a tool in God's hands rather than a source of anxiety in yours. Choose contentment. Practice generosity. Trust the One who owns it all. That is a life worth living, and it starts right now.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it." - 1 Timothy 6:6-7<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |</b><br>What would it look like practically for you to pray for "just enough" this week, and what might you need to release to get there?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"God, don't make me too rich because I might forget you. And don't make me too poor because I might dishonor you and steal. That's a pretty good philosophy."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, give me a heart that is satisfied in You above all else. Teach me to live generously, work faithfully, and trust You completely with everything I have. Amen.<br></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="8" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >ACTION STEP</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="9" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">This week, take 15 to 20 minutes to sit quietly and make two lists. On the first list, write down the things in your life that cost the most. On the second list, write down the things in your life that are worth the most. Compare the two lists honestly. Then identify one specific, practical step you can take this week to invest more of your time, money, or skills in something that is truly worth it, whether that is giving generously, serving someone in need, or simply being fully present with the people you love.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="10" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >PRAYER</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="11" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Lord, thank You for the truth of Your Word that cuts through the noise of our culture. Help give us a renewed sense of what truly matters. Remind us daily that You own it all, that we are stewards of Your gifts, and that our greatest treasure is found in You alone. Where we have loved money more than we have loved You, forgive us and redirect our hearts. Give us the courage to work hard, give generously, serve others, and hold loosely to the things of this world. May we be people who invest in eternity, so that one day we will be welcomed home by those whose lives were changed because we chose to honor You. In the name of Jesus, amen.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="12" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE APP PLANS</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="13" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/463-dave-ramsey-proverbs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Dave Ramsey's Financial Wisdom from Proverbs</b></a><br><i>10 Days – Dave Ramsey</i><br>Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business. Following his own bankruptcy at age 30, Dave set out to learn God’s ways of handling money. Dave now devotes himself to teaching others how to be responsible with their money so they can live a generous life and leave a legacy for generations to come.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="14" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/63903-entrusted-stewarding-what-god-entrusts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Entrusted: Stewarding What God Entrusts</b></a><br><i>5 Days&nbsp;</i><i>– Heirs Church</i><br>Everything we have — time, talent, treasure, and testimony — is a gift from God, entrusted to us for His glory and Kingdom purpose. Godly stewardship isn’t about ownership, but faithful management of what belongs to Him. When we align our priorities with Heaven’s, our daily choices become acts of worship. This devotional will help you see your life through the lens of divine trust — living wisely, giving generously, and serving wholeheartedly. As we steward what’s in our hands, God multiplies it for eternal impact. Faithfulness today shapes the legacy we leave tomorrow.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="15" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/63005-what-you-earn-isnt-who-you-are" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>What You Earn Isn't Who You Are</b></a> (Youth)<br><i>5 Days – American Bible Society</i><br><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="4675ebb5-07cc-4872-91fc-322180f7eebd" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5" dir="auto"><p data-end="309" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="0">When money feels tight and worry won’t stop, God offers peace. This 5-day plan helps you trade anxiety for trust, discover freedom from financial fear, and remember your worth isn’t what you earn.</p></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="16" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >WATCH THE SERMON</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-subsplash_media-block " data-type="subsplash_media" data-id="17" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-subsplash-holder"  data-source="rr6ybgj" data-title="Is Money The Root of All Evil?"><div class="sap-embed-player"><iframe src="https://subsplash.com/u/-D2VDKW/media/embed/d/rr6ybgj?" frameborder="0" allow="clipboard-read; clipboard-write" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe></div><style type="text/css">div.sap-embed-player{position:relative;width:100%;height:0;padding-top:56.25%;}div.sap-embed-player>iframe{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;}</style></div></div></div></div></div></div></section>]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>First Things First 7.19.26</title>
						<description><![CDATA[It's easy to let our lives be directed by whatever feels good in the moment. Happiness, comfort, success, and even good opportunities can quietly become the compass that determines our decisions. But Jesus reminds us that our lives were never meant to be led by feelings—they were meant to be led by Him.In Matthew 6:33, Jesus gives us a simple yet life-changing priority: "Seek first his kingdom and...]]></description>
			<link>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/07/22/first-things-first-7-19-26</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 09:34:03 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/07/22/first-things-first-7-19-26</guid>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="sp-section sp-scheme-0" data-index="18" data-scheme="0"><div class="sp-section-slide"  data-label="Main" ><div class="sp-section-content" ><div class="sp-grid sp-col sp-col-24"><div class="sp-block sp-image-block " data-type="image" data-id="0" style="text-align:center;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-image-holder" style="background-image:url(https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/24618148_851x315_500.PNG);"  data-source="D2VDKW/assets/images/24618148_851x315_2500.PNG"><img src="https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/24618148_851x315_500.PNG" class="fill" alt="" /><div class="sp-image-title"></div><div class="sp-image-caption"></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="1" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="2" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="abc5739f-a12a-4cde-b65c-2509ecb69990" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-2" dir="auto"><div data-conversation-screenshot-content=""><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="8dd269be-0d8c-415e-9a48-418b8699863f" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-5" data-turn-start-message="true" dir="auto" tabindex="0"><p data-end="331" data-start="107">It's easy to let our lives be directed by whatever feels good in the moment. Happiness, comfort, success, and even good opportunities can quietly become the compass that determines our decisions. But Jesus reminds us that our lives were never meant to be led by feelings—they were meant to be led by Him.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>In Matthew 6:33, Jesus gives us a simple yet life-changing priority: "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." To seek God means more than occasionally thinking about Him. It means intentionally pursuing Him above everything else and allowing Him to shape every area of our lives.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>The challenge is that spiritual drift is often subtle. It usually doesn't begin with a dramatic decision to walk away from God. Instead, it happens one small compromise at a time. A neglected prayer life, a missed opportunity to spend time in God's Word, or allowing other priorities to replace Him slowly can gradually move our hearts away from where they should be. Over time, we may not even realize how far we've drifted.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>Sometimes the greatest distractions aren't sinful things—they're good things that have become ultimate things. Abraham's greatest test wasn't surrendering something evil; it was placing Isaac back into God's hands. In the same way, we must regularly ask ourselves whether anything has quietly taken God's place as the highest priority in our hearts.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>Jesus also reminds us not to allow worry to become our ruler. Our Heavenly Father already knows our needs before we ask. Every time we choose to trust Him instead of feeding our fears, we're declaring that He—not our circumstances—is King.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>Following Jesus means more than receiving His forgiveness. It means surrendering to His leadership every day. He isn't simply our Savior; He is our King. When Christ sits on the throne of our hearts, everything else begins to find its proper place.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>If you've noticed your spiritual compass drifting, take heart. God is always ready to forgive, restore, and draw you back to Himself. Today is another opportunity to seek Him first.</p></div></div></div><br><b>REFLECT |&nbsp;</b><ul><li data-end="2283" data-section-id="vki027" data-start="2219">What has been competing with God for first place in your life?</li><li data-end="2389" data-section-id="11l3jkc" data-start="2284">Are there any "good things" that have quietly become more important than your relationship with Christ?</li><li data-end="2475" data-section-id="1plxhdt" data-start="2390">What is one practical way you can intentionally seek God's Kingdom first this week?</li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="3" style="text-align:left;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE VERSES</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="4" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Key Verses are denoted with an *</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="5" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><ul><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/MAT.6.33.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Matthew 6:33*</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/1JN.1.9.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">1 John 1:9</a>*</li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="6" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DAILY DEVOTIONAL</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-accordion-block " data-type="accordion" data-id="7" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-accordion-holder"  data-style="dividers" data-icon="chevron" data-position="right"><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 1 | STOP FOLLOWING YOUR FEELINGS</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>We live in a world that constantly tells us to follow our hearts, chase happiness, and do what feels right. It sounds freeing, but here is the truth: feelings make terrible leaders. Happiness is a wonderful gift, but it was never designed to be your compass. It shifts with your circumstances, your mood, and your bank account. It cannot hold steady when life gets hard. Jesus knew this. That is why He did not say, "Do what makes you happy." Instead, He pointed us toward something far more reliable. Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6:33 The word "seek" here is not casual. In the original Greek, it means to passionately pursue, to strive after, to desire above everything else. Jesus is not asking for a small corner of your life. He is asking to lead it. This is actually great news. You do not have to white-knuckle your way through life, chasing a feeling that never quite lasts. You get to anchor yourself to a King who does not change. When He is your true north, you have something solid to return to no matter what the day brings. You were not made to drift. You were made to be led by Someone who actually knows the way.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |</b><br>"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6:33<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>In what areas of your life are you currently letting feelings or circumstances make decisions that only God should be making?<br><br><b>QUOTE |</b><br>"Jesus never told you and me to do what makes you happy. That's bad advice. It's a bad compass. But he did say seek first this kingdom and his righteousness."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, forgive me for the times I have followed my feelings instead of following You. Today I choose to make You my compass. Lead me where You want me to go.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 2 | SLOW DRIFT</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Nobody wakes up and decides to grow cold toward God. Drift does not announce itself. It starts quietly, just a few degrees off course. One skipped prayer becomes a pattern. Worship starts to feel like routine. The things that once stirred your heart begin to feel ordinary. And before long, the distance feels normal. That last part is the most dangerous place to be. When you stop feeling the gap between you and God, drift has done its deepest work. Here is the encouraging part: God is not surprised by your drift, and He is not done with you because of it. He is faithful. 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."&nbsp;</i><br><i>That word "purify" is powerful. He does not just forgive the drift. He cleans up what the drift left behind. He restores what was lost. He resets the compass. If you have felt distant from God lately, that feeling of longing is actually a gift. It means something in you still knows where home is. Do not ignore it. Lean into it. Confession is not a moment of shame. It is a doorway back to the life you were made for. You have not drifted too far. Turn around. He is already looking your way.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>When you notice distance between you and God, do you lean in or pull back, and what does that pattern reveal about where your trust actually lives?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"One of the most dangerous signs of all time that I've seen in the Christian world is when you feel distant from God and it doesn't bother you anymore."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Father, I confess the ways I have drifted from You, even slowly and without realizing it. Thank You for Your faithfulness to forgive and restore. Draw me back close to You today.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 3 | WHEN GOOD THINGS BECOME THE WRONG THING</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Not every idol looks like an idol. Some of them look like blessings. Abraham loved Isaac deeply, and that love was not wrong. Isaac was a gift from God. But somewhere along the way, the gift had quietly moved to the center of Abraham's heart, the place that belonged only to God. The test God gave Abraham was not about cruelty. It was about clarity. Who was truly on the throne? The same question lives in your life today. It might not be a bad habit or an obvious sin. It might be a career you have worked hard for, a relationship you treasure, a dream you have carried for years. Good things. Real things. But if losing them would undo you more than losing closeness with God, it is worth paying attention to that. Seeking God first, as Matthew 6:33 calls us to do, means regularly checking what is sitting on the throne of your heart. "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6:33 This is not about loving good things less. It is about loving God most. When He holds the center, everything else finds its right place around Him. The blessings become even richer because they are no longer carrying the weight of being your everything. What is good in your life? Hold it with open hands.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6:33<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>Is there something good in your life that has slowly started to feel more essential to your peace and security than God Himself?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Sometimes the greatest test of faith isn't surrendering something that's necessarily bad. Sometimes the greatest test of faith is surrendering something that's good."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>God, thank You for the good gifts in my life. Give me the courage to hold them with open hands and keep You on the throne where You belong. You are better than any blessing You give.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 4 | STOP PROTECTING WHAT GOD TOLD YOU TO USE</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Worry has a way of growing. You give it a little attention, and it asks for more. You turn it over in your mind at night, and by morning it feels bigger than it did before. That is not a coincidence. Whatever you feed survives, and whatever you starve eventually loses its grip. Jesus addressed worry directly in Matthew 6, and He did not dismiss the hard things. He was not pretending that bills do not pile up or that health scares do not shake you. He was pointing to something deeper. Your Father in heaven already knows what you need. He sees the situation. He is not caught off guard. Seeking God first is not a spiritual trick to make problems disappear. It is a daily decision about what gets to sit on the throne of your heart. When worry sits there, it demands constant attention and gives nothing back. When God sits there, you have access to peace that does not depend on your circumstances resolving the way you hoped. This is a practice, not a one-time fix. Every time a worry rises up, you have a choice. You can feed it by rehearsing every worst-case scenario, or you can bring it to God and choose to trust that He is already at work. You were not built to carry what He has already offered to hold. Hand it over today.</i><br><i><br></i><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><i><br></i>"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6:33<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What worry have you been feeding lately, and what would it look like to practically starve it by choosing trust instead?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Worry it will grow and grow and grow when you and I trust less and less and less."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, I bring my worries to You today instead of carrying them alone. Remind me that You already know what I need, and help me choose trust over fear one moment at a time.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 5 | HE IS NOT AN ACCESSORY. HE IS KING</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>It is easy to want Jesus as Savior while quietly resisting Him as King. We want the forgiveness, the peace, the promise of eternity. But full surrender? That is where things get uncomfortable. Letting Him lead the career decision, the relationship, the finances, the daily schedule, that is a different kind of commitment. But here is what changes everything: Jesus did not come just to rescue you from something. He came to lead you into something. A kingdom. A life with real direction, real purpose, and real peace. He is not an add-on to your existing plans. He is not a Sunday appointment or a self-help strategy. He is a King, and kings lead. When He takes His rightful place at the center of your life, something remarkable happens. The things that felt chaotic begin to settle. The priorities that were tangled start to untangle. Not because life gets easier, but because you finally have a compass that does not lie. 1 John 1:9 reminds us that if we have drifted, the door back is always open: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9 Seeking God first is not a single decision made once. It is a daily choice to hand Him the lead again. And every day you make that choice, you are living the life you were actually searching for all along.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |</b><br>In what specific area of your life have you been treating Jesus more like an advisor you consult occasionally than a King you follow completely?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"When the king takes his rightful place in our lives and our hearts, everything else begins to settle into its place when our true north is pointing the right way."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Jesus, You are not just my Savior. You are my King. I surrender the areas I have been holding back and ask You to take Your rightful place in every part of my life. Lead me.<br></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="8" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >ACTION STEP</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="9" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">This week, take five to ten minutes each morning before checking your phone or diving into your to-do list and intentionally seek God first. You can pray, read a passage of Scripture, or simply sit quietly and invite him into your day. At the end of the week, reflect on whether starting with God changed how you handled stress, decisions, or distractions.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="10" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >PRAYER</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="11" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Lord, thank You for the reminder that You are meant to be first in our lives. We confess that we do not always get that right. We drift, we replace You with good things and bad things alike, and sometimes we do not even notice until we are far off course. But You are faithful. You are the same yesterday, today, and forever, and You never stop calling us back to Yourself. Help us to keep our compass pointed toward You. When worry rises, remind us that You already know what we need. When temptation pulls us a few degrees off, give us the awareness and the courage to correct our course. May seeking Your kingdom be the first thing we do each day, not out of obligation, but out of love for You. We trust You as our King. In Jesus' name, amen.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="12" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE APP PLANS</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="13" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/16928-the-ruthless-elimination-of-hurry" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry</b></a><br><i>5 Days – John Mark Comer and WaterBrook Multnomah</i><br>Hurry doesn’t just make you weary. It is the great enemy of your spiritual life. In The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, John Mark Comer provides four down-to-earth practices for staying emotionally healthy and spiritually alive: 1) Silence and solitude, 2) Sabbath, 3) simplicity, and 4) slowing. It’s the unhurried Way of Jesus.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="14" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/28597-the-cost-of-following-christ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>The Cost of Following Christ</b></a><br><i>5 Days&nbsp;</i><i>– Hope Media</i><br>The truth of the matter is that we all are called to forsake all and to pick up our cross and follow Christ. That is the Christian life. The readings this week help us reflect on the cost of following Christ. The goal is instead to shift our attention heavenward and to cultivate a heart that can see God’s big picture.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="15" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/24918-why-follow-jesus" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Why Follow Jesus (Youth)&nbsp;</a><br><i>6 Days – Life.Church</i><br><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="4675ebb5-07cc-4872-91fc-322180f7eebd" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5" dir="auto"><p data-end="309" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="0">Stop whatever you’re doing and start reading this Bible Plan. You’ll learn more about what it means to follow the unique, unpredictable, unrivaled Jesus who walked this earth to bring us closer to God. This six-day Bible Plan with video clips from The Loop Show will help you learn who Jesus is, why He’s worth following, and what that looks like today.</p></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="16" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >WATCH THE SERMON</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-subsplash_media-block " data-type="subsplash_media" data-id="17" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-subsplash-holder"  data-source="t879nn9" data-title="First Things First"><div class="sap-embed-player"><iframe src="https://subsplash.com/u/-D2VDKW/media/embed/d/t879nn9?" frameborder="0" allow="clipboard-read; clipboard-write" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe></div><style type="text/css">div.sap-embed-player{position:relative;width:100%;height:0;padding-top:56.25%;}div.sap-embed-player>iframe{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;}</style></div></div></div></div></div></div></section>]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>Every Day Counts 7.12.26</title>
						<description><![CDATA[It's easy to live as though we have endless tomorrows. We put off difficult conversations, delay spending time with God, and tell ourselves we'll start serving, praying, or reading Scripture when life slows down. But the Bible reminds us that life is a gift—and it's also brief.Moses prayed, "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" (Psalm 90:12). He wasn't asking to know ho...]]></description>
			<link>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/07/14/every-day-counts-7-12-26</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 14:24:54 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/07/14/every-day-counts-7-12-26</guid>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="sp-section sp-scheme-0" data-index="18" data-scheme="0"><div class="sp-section-slide"  data-label="Main" ><div class="sp-section-content" ><div class="sp-grid sp-col sp-col-24"><div class="sp-block sp-image-block " data-type="image" data-id="0" style="text-align:center;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-image-holder" style="background-image:url(https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/24618148_851x315_500.PNG);"  data-source="D2VDKW/assets/images/24618148_851x315_2500.PNG"><img src="https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/24618148_851x315_500.PNG" class="fill" alt="" /><div class="sp-image-title"></div><div class="sp-image-caption"></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="1" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="2" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="abc5739f-a12a-4cde-b65c-2509ecb69990" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-2" dir="auto"><div data-conversation-screenshot-content=""><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="8dd269be-0d8c-415e-9a48-418b8699863f" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-5" data-turn-start-message="true" dir="auto" tabindex="0"><p data-end="331" data-start="107">It's easy to live as though we have endless tomorrows. We put off difficult conversations, delay spending time with God, and tell ourselves we'll start serving, praying, or reading Scripture when life slows down. But the Bible reminds us that life is a gift—and it's also brief.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>Moses prayed, "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" (Psalm 90:12). He wasn't asking to know how long he would live. He was asking God to help him live each day with purpose. Wisdom comes when we recognize that every day is an opportunity to invest in what will last forever.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>One of the greatest dangers to our faith isn't always rebellion—it's procrastination. We convince ourselves that we'll obey God later, forgive later, serve later, or grow spiritually later. But obedience is always lived out in the present. Every decision we make is a seed planted for the future. Galatians reminds us that we reap what we sow. A life of prayer, faithfulness, generosity, and obedience may not produce immediate results, but God promises that the harvest will come in His perfect timing.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>As believers, we also live with a hope that reaches beyond this life. Jesus didn't speak of heaven as wishful thinking but as a promised reality. He told His followers that He was preparing a place for them and would one day return to bring them home. Heaven is more than streets of gold or gates of pearl—it is the place where we will be with Jesus forever.<br>When we remember that this life is temporary, it changes how we live today. We begin to value people over possessions, obedience over convenience, and eternal treasures over temporary success. We stop asking, "How much time do I have?" and start asking, "How can I faithfully use the time God has given me?"</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>None of us knows what tomorrow holds, but we do know who holds tomorrow. Today is a gift from God. Don't waste it. Live faithfully, love deeply, serve joyfully, and keep your eyes fixed on the eternal home that Christ has prepared for you.</p></div></div></div><br><b>REFLECT |&nbsp;</b><ul><li data-end="2200" data-section-id="1qh4axb" data-start="2130">Is there an area of obedience you've been putting off until "later"?</li><li data-end="2274" data-section-id="kepdok" data-start="2201">What seeds are you planting today that will produce an eternal harvest?</li><li data-end="2368" data-section-id="1c323pq" data-start="2275">How does the promise of heaven change the way you view your priorities and daily decisions?</li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="3" style="text-align:left;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE VERSES</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="4" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Key Verses are denoted with an *</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="5" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><ul><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/HEB.9.27.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hebrews 9:27</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PSA.90.12.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Psalm 90:12</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/GAL.6.7-8.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Galatians 6:7-8*&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JHN.14.1-4.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">John 14:1-4</a>*</li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="6" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DAILY DEVOTIONAL</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-accordion-block " data-type="accordion" data-id="7" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-accordion-holder"  data-style="dividers" data-icon="chevron" data-position="right"><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 1 | WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH TODAY?</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Every single day, you are given 86,400 seconds. That is it. No more, no less. And when the day is over, those seconds are gone. You do not get them back. It is easy to live as though tomorrow is guaranteed. We tell ourselves we will pray more later, read our Bible when things slow down, or have that important conversation someday. But someday is not promised. Later is not guaranteed. And God tells us that today is a gift. Moses understood this. He did not ask God for more days. He asked God to help Him see the value in the ones He already had. That is wisdom. That is the kind of perspective that changes how you wake up in the morning, how you treat the people around you, and how seriously you take the small, quiet moments of faithfulness. You are not promised tomorrow. But you have right now. And right now is enough to take one step of obedience, to say one honest prayer, to choose one thing that matters over one thing that does not. God is not asking you to overhaul your entire life today. He is simply asking you to show up for the day He has already given you. That is where it starts.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |</b><br>"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." - Psalm 90:12<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What is one area of your life where you have been waiting for permission or the "right time" to step out in faith?<br><br><b>QUOTE |</b><br>"The question is not how many more days do I have? I can't tell you that. You don't know that yourself. I can't answer that question for you. Only God knows that. The question is, what will I do with the day that God has given me?"<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, teach me to see today as the gift it truly is. Help me to stop waiting for the right moment and start living faithfully in the moment You have already given me. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 2 | THE DANGER OF LATER</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Later feels harmless. It sounds responsible, even. You are not saying no. You are just saying not yet. But there is a quiet danger hiding in that word. Obedience does not work on a delay. You cannot actually obey God later. You can plan to. You can fully intend to. But when the moment comes, the only obedience that counts is the one happening right now. Every time we push something to later, we are making a real choice in the present, and that choice has consequences. This is not just a productivity problem. It is a spiritual one. Distraction is one of the enemy's most effective tools. If he cannot take you out completely, he will simply keep you busy, keep you comfortable, and keep you convinced that you will get serious about your faith eventually. The good news is that you do not have to overhaul everything at once. You just have to start now. One prayer. One act of obedience. One honest conversation you have been avoiding. The present moment is always where faithfulness begins. Do not let later steal what today is offering you. God is inviting you into something real, right now.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." - Galatians 6:7-8<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What area of your life have you been telling yourself you will take seriously later, and what would it look like to take one step of obedience in that area today?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"If Satan can't destroy you, he'll distract you. He'll distract you later, later, later."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>God, forgive me for the times I have let later replace obedience. Give me the courage to act on what You are asking of me right now, in this moment. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 3 | EVERY SMALL THING IS A SEED</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>It is easy to underestimate the small things. A short prayer before bed. Showing up to serve when no one is watching. Giving generously even when it is inconvenient. These moments can feel insignificant, especially when you do not see immediate results. But nothing done for God is wasted. Every act of faithfulness is a seed being planted. And seeds do not produce a harvest overnight. They go into the ground, out of sight, and they work quietly beneath the surface until the time is right. If you are praying for a family member who has not yet come to faith, keep planting. If you are serving in a role that feels invisible, keep planting. If you are giving, showing up, staying faithful in the small things, keep planting. The harvest is coming. God's Word promises it. The person you want to become in five or ten years is not built in a single dramatic moment. That person is being shaped right now, in the daily choices you are making today. The harvest always reveals what seeds were sown. Do not grow weary in the small things. They are not small to God.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." - Galatians 6:7-8<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What seed are you planting right now that you are tempted to give up on because you have not yet seen the harvest?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Every good thing that you do towards God and for God is a seed. Prayer is a seed. Faithfulness is a seed. Giving is a seed. Serving is a seed. Obedience is a seed."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, help me to stay faithful in the small things, even when I cannot see the results. Remind me that nothing done for You is ever wasted. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 4 | STOP PROTECTING WHAT GOD TOLD YOU TO USE</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Imagine receiving an incredible tool as a gift, something powerful and purpose-built, and then spending years keeping it in the box, protecting it, preserving it, never actually putting it to work. It sounds a little absurd when you say it out loud. But honestly, that is what many of us do with the gifts God has given us. We protect them. We preserve them. We wait for the ideal conditions. And in the meantime, the work goes undone. Paul's words to Timothy carry real urgency: fan into flame the gift inside you. That language is intentional. A flame that is not fed will die out. But a flame that receives fresh air, fresh fuel, and fresh attention will grow into something that cannot be ignored. The fire is already in you. The Holy Spirit placed it there. What it needs is not more waiting. It needs action. It needs you to step into the spaces where God is calling you, even when it feels uncomfortable, even when you do not feel ready. Nobody learns ministry just by watching from a distance. At some point, you have to get in there. You have to try. You have to trust that the God who gave you the gift will also equip you to use it well. Take the plastic off. Get to work.</i><br><i><br></i><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><i><br></i>"Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you." - 1 Timothy 4:14<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>In what specific area of your life have you been "keeping the gift in the box," and what would it look like to take one step toward using it this week?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"How many of us have been protecting and trying to preserve the very thing that God told us to get out there and use and take the plastic off?"<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, forgive me for the times I have held back what You placed in me. Give me the courage to fan into flame the gifts You have given me and to trust You with the outcome. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 5 | DEATH IS NOT THE END</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>For those who belong to Christ, death is not a destination. It is a doorway. That is not wishful thinking. That is the promise of Jesus Himself. He told His disciples plainly that He was going to prepare a place for them and that He would come back to bring them there. He did not speak about heaven with uncertainty. He spoke about it with the confidence of someone who had already been there and was going back. Hebrews 9:27 tells us that people are destined to die once and then face judgment. That is a sobering truth. But for those who have placed their trust in Jesus, that judgment is not something to fear. It is the moment when everything God promised becomes fully real. This life is not the finish line. It is the preparation. Every day you spend growing in faith, loving people well, and walking in obedience is not just good living. It is preparation for something far greater than anything this world can offer. You do not have to be afraid of what comes next. Jesus has already gone ahead of you. And He is coming back.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." - John 14:1-4<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |</b><br>How would living with a clear picture of eternity change the way you approach your daily decisions and relationships right now?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"This world is not the finish line for those that belong to Christ, those that would call Jesus their Lord and their Savior. Death is just a doorway into eternity."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Jesus, thank You for the promise that this life is not the end. Help me to live today with the confidence and peace that comes from knowing You have already prepared a place for me. Amen.<br></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="8" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >ACTION STEP</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="9" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">This week, pay attention to how often you use the words 'later' or 'someday' when it comes to things God is calling you to do. Each time you catch yourself saying it, pause and ask: Is this something I can act on today? Choose one specific area, whether it is prayer, a conversation you have been avoiding, serving someone, or spending time in Scripture, and do it this week rather than postponing it. Remember that the 86,400 seconds you have today are a gift, and the seeds you plant now will shape the harvest ahead.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="10" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >PRAYER</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="11" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Lord, We confess that it is easy to live as though tomorrow is guaranteed and eternity is far away. Remind us this week that every second is a seed and every choice is an opportunity to honor You. Help us to stop saying 'later' to the things You are calling us toward right now. Give us the courage to plant faithfully, even when we cannot yet see the harvest. And when life feels heavy or uncertain, anchor our hearts in the promise that You have gone ahead to prepare a place for us and that You will come back for us. May we live with that hope today and every day. In Jesus' name, amen.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="12" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE APP PLANS</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="13" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/13785-dont-waste-your-life-a-5-day-devotional" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Don't Waste Your Life - A 5 Day Devotional</b></a><br><i>5 Days – Crossway</i><br>Most people slip by in life without a passion for God, spending their lives on trivial diversions, and living for comfort and pleasure. Don’t get caught up in a life that counts for nothing. This 5-day plan adapted from John Piper’s book Don’t Waste Your Life will challenge you to live and die boasting in the cross of Christ and making the glory of God your singular passion. Learn to live for Christ, and don’t waste your life!</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="14" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/13486-eternity-12-day-devo-on-heaven-and-the-new-earth" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Fix Your Eyes On Eternity: A 12-Day Devotional On Heaven And The New Earth</b></a><br><i>12 Days&nbsp;</i><i>– Randy Alcorn</i><br>Scripture tells us to fix our eyes on what is unseen (2 Corinthians 4:18). Are you daily focusing on what’s eternal? Does the thought of Heaven fill you with joy and anticipation, or with dread and uncertainty? Join Randy Alcorn for this 12-day devotional on Heaven and the New Earth, and learn more about the eternal home that awaits us, and why we should be excited to experience it.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="15" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/38843-bibleproject-what-gives-you-hope" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>What Gives You Hope?</b></a><br><i>7 Days – BibleProject</i><br><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="4675ebb5-07cc-4872-91fc-322180f7eebd" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5" dir="auto"><p data-end="309" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="0">BibleProject designed this plan to help individuals and groups reflect on the theme of hope. What is the difference between optimism and real, living hope? We explore biblical words for “hope” and trace hope-filled themes such as resurrection, the Gospel of God’s Kingdom, the Holy Spirit, and the rejoining of Heaven and Earth.</p></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="16" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >WATCH THE SERMON</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-subsplash_media-block " data-type="subsplash_media" data-id="17" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-subsplash-holder"  data-source="cm5n6s7" data-title="Every Day Counts"><div class="sap-embed-player"><iframe src="https://subsplash.com/u/-D2VDKW/media/embed/d/cm5n6s7?" frameborder="0" allow="clipboard-read; clipboard-write" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe></div><style type="text/css">div.sap-embed-player{position:relative;width:100%;height:0;padding-top:56.25%;}div.sap-embed-player>iframe{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;}</style></div></div></div></div></div></div></section>]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>Not Just Next 7.5.26</title>
						<description><![CDATA[It can be easy to believe that God only uses people who are older, more experienced, or more qualified. We often tell ourselves, "Maybe later," or "When I'm ready, then I'll serve." But Scripture tells a different story.When Paul wrote to Timothy, he was encouraging a young leader who may have felt overlooked because of his age. Rather than telling Timothy to wait until he had more experience, Pau...]]></description>
			<link>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/07/08/not-just-next-7-5-26</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2026 10:02:13 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/07/08/not-just-next-7-5-26</guid>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="sp-section sp-scheme-0" data-index="18" data-scheme="0"><div class="sp-section-slide"  data-label="Main" ><div class="sp-section-content" ><div class="sp-grid sp-col sp-col-24"><div class="sp-block sp-image-block " data-type="image" data-id="0" style="text-align:center;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-image-holder" style="background-image:url(https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/24618148_851x315_500.PNG);"  data-source="D2VDKW/assets/images/24618148_851x315_2500.PNG"><img src="https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/24618148_851x315_500.PNG" class="fill" alt="" /><div class="sp-image-title"></div><div class="sp-image-caption"></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="1" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="2" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="abc5739f-a12a-4cde-b65c-2509ecb69990" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-2" dir="auto"><div data-conversation-screenshot-content=""><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="8dd269be-0d8c-415e-9a48-418b8699863f" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-5" data-turn-start-message="true" dir="auto" tabindex="0"><p data-end="331" data-start="107">It can be easy to believe that God only uses people who are older, more experienced, or more qualified. We often tell ourselves, "Maybe later," or "When I'm ready, then I'll serve." But Scripture tells a different story.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>When Paul wrote to Timothy, he was encouraging a young leader who may have felt overlooked because of his age. Rather than telling Timothy to wait until he had more experience, Paul challenged him to lead by example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. None of these qualities are tied to age. They are the result of a life surrendered to God.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>Paul also reminded Timothy not to neglect the gift God had placed within him. The word used for gift is charisma—a grace gift graciously given by God. Every believer has been entrusted with gifts, talents, and opportunities designed to build up the body of Christ. The question is not whether God has gifted you, but whether you are willing to use what He has already given.</p><p data-end="331" data-start="107"><br>Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly chooses people others might overlook. Samuel was still a boy when God called him. A young boy's lunch became the source of a miracle that fed thousands. Time and again, God demonstrates that availability matters more than age, status, or experience.<br>The church is designed to function as one body made up of every generation. Children, teenagers, young adults, parents, and senior adults each bring something unique and essential. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 12 that the parts of the body that seem weaker are actually indispensable. No one is unnecessary in God's kingdom. Every person has a purpose, and every generation has a role to play.<br>Too often, we keep our gifts tucked away, waiting for the perfect season or ideal circumstances. But gifts were never intended to be stored—they were meant to be used. Paul challenged Timothy to fan into flame the gift within him, reminding us that God has already placed the spark inside us. Our responsibility is to trust Him enough to step out in faith and allow Him to use us.<br>One day, we will stand before Jesus. The goal is not to say, "I protected my gift," but rather, "I used what You gave me for Your glory." God isn't looking for perfect people. He's looking for willing hearts.</p></div></div></div><br><b>REFLECT |&nbsp;</b><ul><li data-end="2447" data-section-id="1gj8vf1" data-start="2369">What gift or ability has God placed in your life that you may be neglecting?</li><li data-end="2517" data-section-id="1c9m1gu" data-start="2448">Have you allowed age, fear, or insecurity to keep you from serving?</li><li data-end="2599" data-section-id="118x0qw" data-start="2518">What would it look like to take one step of faith and use your gifts this week?</li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="3" style="text-align:left;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE VERSES</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="4" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Key Verses are denoted with an *</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="5" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><ul><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/1TI.4.12-16.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">1 Timothy 4:12-16</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/1CO.12.12-27.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">1 Corinthians 12:12-27</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JHN.6.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">John 6</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="6" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DAILY DEVOTIONAL</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-accordion-block " data-type="accordion" data-id="7" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-accordion-holder"  data-style="dividers" data-icon="chevron" data-position="right"><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 1 | YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Have you ever felt like you needed to reach a certain age, a certain level of experience, or a certain season of life before God could really use you? You are not alone. But here is the truth: God has never operated that way. When Paul wrote to Timothy, a young leader navigating real pressure in the early church, he did not say, "Hang tight. Your time is coming." He said, set an example. Right now. In speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. None of those things require a certain number of candles on your birthday cake. What they require is surrender, a willingness to say yes to God before you feel fully ready. God called Samuel as a boy. He used a child's small lunch to feed thousands. He has a long history of choosing people that others would overlook or underestimate. And He is still doing it today. You do not need to have it all figured out. You do not need to wait for someone to hand you permission. If God is stirring something in you, that is not an accident. That is an invitation. You are not too young. You are not too inexperienced. You are available, and that is exactly what God is looking for.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |</b><br>"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." - 1 Timothy 4:12<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What is one area of your life where you have been waiting for permission or the "right time" to step out in faith?<br><br><b>QUOTE |</b><br>"Age is not what earns influence. Faithfulness does."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, thank You for calling me exactly as I am, right where I am. Help me to stop waiting for the perfect moment and instead say yes to You today. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 2 | YOU BELONG HERE, RIGHT NOW</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>It is easy to feel like you are on the outside looking in, like the real work of the church belongs to someone older, someone more experienced, or someone further along. But that is simply not true. Paul paints a vivid picture in 1 Corinthians 12. The church is one body, made up of many parts. Every part matters. Every part is needed. And here is what is striking: Paul specifically says the parts that seem weaker are actually indispensable. Not optional. Not decorative. Absolutely necessary. That means children bring something no one else can. Their wonder and innocence are not cute extras. They are contributions. Teenagers bring passion. Young adults bring energy. Parents bring stability. Senior adults bring wisdom. No generation is the church of tomorrow or the church of yesterday. Every generation is the church right now. God designed it this way on purpose. When any generation sits on the sidelines, the whole body is weaker for it. When every generation shows up and engages, something powerful happens that cannot be manufactured any other way. You belong here. Not eventually. Not someday. Today. Your presence, your voice, and your contribution matter more than you may realize.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ." - 1 Corinthians 12:12<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>Which generation in your church do you find it hardest to see as equally valuable, and what might God be asking you to learn from them?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Every generation carries something that the other generation needs. Senior adults, you guys bring wisdom. Parents, you guys bring stability. Youth or young adults, you guys bring energy and strength. Teenagers, you guys bring passion. Children, you bring wonder and innocence."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Father, help me to see every person in my church the way You see them, as necessary, valued, and placed here on purpose. Teach me to receive what other generations carry and to offer what You have placed in me. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 3 | THE GIFT IS ALREADY IN YOU</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Most people spend their lives wondering if they have anything meaningful to offer. But that is actually the wrong question. If you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit lives in you, and He does not come empty-handed. Paul reminded Timothy of a charisma, a grace gift, something God had graciously placed inside Him. It was already there. The challenge was not to go find it. The challenge was not to neglect it. The same is true for you. The question is not whether you have a gift. The question is whether you know what it is and whether you are actually using it. Sometimes we hold our gifts back because we are waiting to feel more confident, more qualified, or more certain. But confidence is rarely what comes first. Obedience is. You step out, and the confidence follows. God has placed something specific inside you that the people around you need. Your church needs it. Your family needs it. Your community needs it. And the longer it sits unused, the longer those people go without what God intended for them to receive through you. You already have what it takes. Now it is time to use it.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." - 1 Timothy 4:12<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>If you are honest with yourself, what gift or ability do you sense God has placed in you that you have been holding back, and what has been stopping you?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"The question is not, do I have a gift? The question is, do I know what it is and am I using it? That’s the accurate question."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>God, thank You for the gifts You have placed inside me. Give me the courage to stop holding back and the wisdom to know how to use what You have given me for Your glory. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 4 | STOP PROTECTING WHAT GOD TOLD YOU TO USE</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Imagine receiving an incredible tool as a gift, something powerful and purpose-built, and then spending years keeping it in the box, protecting it, preserving it, never actually putting it to work. It sounds a little absurd when you say it out loud. But honestly, that is what many of us do with the gifts God has given us. We protect them. We preserve them. We wait for the ideal conditions. And in the meantime, the work goes undone. Paul's words to Timothy carry real urgency: fan into flame the gift inside you. That language is intentional. A flame that is not fed will die out. But a flame that receives fresh air, fresh fuel, and fresh attention will grow into something that cannot be ignored. The fire is already in you. The Holy Spirit placed it there. What it needs is not more waiting. It needs action. It needs you to step into the spaces where God is calling you, even when it feels uncomfortable, even when you do not feel ready. Nobody learns ministry just by watching from a distance. At some point, you have to get in there. You have to try. You have to trust that the God who gave you the gift will also equip you to use it well. Take the plastic off. Get to work.</i><br><i><br></i><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><i><br></i>"Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you." - 1 Timothy 4:14<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>In what specific area of your life have you been "keeping the gift in the box," and what would it look like to take one step toward using it this week?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"How many of us have been protecting and trying to preserve the very thing that God told us to get out there and use and take the plastic off?"<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, forgive me for the times I have held back what You placed in me. Give me the courage to fan into flame the gifts You have given me and to trust You with the outcome. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 5 | WELL DONE STARTS TODAY</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>One day, every one of us will stand before Jesus. And in that moment, the things that felt so important, the fear of failure, the worry about what others thought, the excuses about age or timing, none of it will matter. What will matter is what you did with what He gave you. The words "well done" are not reserved for the most talented, the most experienced, or the most visible. They are for the faithful. For the ones who said yes when it was hard. For the ones who showed up, served, and trusted God with the results. You are not too young. You are not too old. The Holy Spirit has not retired, and there is no age requirement on being used by God. The same Spirit that lives in a seasoned believer lives fully in a brand new one. There is no junior version. The next great story of faith could be written by someone sitting in your church right now, maybe even by you. God has always specialized in using people that others overlook. He is not done doing that. So do not wait for someday. Do not hold out for a better season. Start where you are, with what you have, and trust the God who placed the gift inside you to do something extraordinary with it. Well done starts today.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress." - 1 Timothy 4:15<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |</b><br>When you imagine standing before Jesus one day, what is one gift or calling you would regret not having pursued more fully?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"The Holy Spirit hasn’t retired. There’s not an age requirement on the Holy Spirit. So do not for a second believe that you’re too young or too old for God to use you in a mighty way."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Jesus, I want to hear "well done" from You. Help me to live faithfully with the gifts You have given me, starting today, trusting that You are more than enough to work through me. Amen.<br></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="8" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >ACTION STEP</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="9" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">This week, identify one gift, talent, or calling you believe God has placed in you. Then take one concrete step to use it in service to others. This could mean volunteering in a ministry, encouraging a young person to step up and serve, reaching out to someone who needs prayer, or simply showing up and saying yes to an opportunity you have been putting off. Do not keep the plastic on the gift God gave you. Use it, stretch it, and risk with it.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="10" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >PRAYER</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="11" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Lord, thank You for the reminder that Your church is not divided by age but united by Your Spirit. We confess that we have sometimes kept our gifts wrapped up out of fear, doubt, or simply waiting for the right moment that never seemed to come. Today we choose to surrender those excuses to You. Fan into flame the gifts You have placed in each of us. Help us to see the young people in our lives not as future members but as present partners in Your mission. And help us to honor every generation as a necessary and beautiful part of Your body. May we leave here ready to use what You have given us for Your glory. In Jesus' name, amen.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="12" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE APP PLANS</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="13" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/57479-you-are-called-discover-your-god-given-gifts-to-f" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>You Are Called: Discover Your God-Given Gifts to Fulfill Your Purpose</b></a><br><i>5 Days – John Bevere</i><br>Carefully and biblically, this book defines and portrays gifts, calling, and purpose, and how all these come together, by God's grace and guidance, to lead us faithfully on our life's unique calling.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="14" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/459-who-me-gifted" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Who Me, Gifted?</b></a><br><i>15 Days&nbsp;</i><i>– Michael Youssef</i><br>The Bible tells us that we receive gifts on the day of our spiritual birth to be used to build up the body of Christ. If we do not use these gifts for the common good of the church, everyone suffers. In Who Me, Gifted?, Michael Youssef unpacks the gifts of the Holy Spirit one by one so that believers everywhere will experience fulfillment, spiritual maturity, and unexpected blessings through these gifts bringing ultimate glory to God.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="15" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/22406-just-too-young" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Just Too Young (Youth)</b></a><br><i>7 Days – Just Too Young Network</i><br><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="4675ebb5-07cc-4872-91fc-322180f7eebd" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5" dir="auto"><p data-end="309" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="0">As a young adult, it may seem like living for Christ is a hard and lonely journey. We want Instagram likes, but we want God to be proud of us too. This 7-Day plan explains how we can be an example of Christ at a young age. And how being young is one of the greatest advantages we have to live out a great future.</p></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="16" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >WATCH THE SERMON</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-subsplash_media-block " data-type="subsplash_media" data-id="17" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-subsplash-holder"  data-source="nxwcw9j" data-title="Not Just Next"><div class="sap-embed-player"><iframe src="https://subsplash.com/u/-D2VDKW/media/embed/d/nxwcw9j?" frameborder="0" allow="clipboard-read; clipboard-write" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe></div><style type="text/css">div.sap-embed-player{position:relative;width:100%;height:0;padding-top:56.25%;}div.sap-embed-player>iframe{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;}</style></div></div></div></div></div></div></section>]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>A Recipe for Disaster: &quot;Live Your Own Truth&quot; 6.28.26</title>
						<description><![CDATA[We live in a culture that celebrates self-discovery, personal truth, and individual autonomy. The message is everywhere: Follow your heart. Define your own truth. Choose what works for you. Yet Scripture presents a very different invitation. God's Word teaches that truth is not something we create—it is something we receive.This tension is not new. In the garden, the serpent tempted Eve with the i...]]></description>
			<link>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/07/01/a-recipe-for-disaster-live-your-own-truth-6-28-26</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 13:24:00 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/07/01/a-recipe-for-disaster-live-your-own-truth-6-28-26</guid>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="sp-section sp-scheme-0" data-index="18" data-scheme="0"><div class="sp-section-slide"  data-label="Main" ><div class="sp-section-content" ><div class="sp-grid sp-col sp-col-24"><div class="sp-block sp-image-block " data-type="image" data-id="0" style="text-align:center;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-image-holder" style="background-image:url(https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/24618148_851x315_500.PNG);"  data-source="D2VDKW/assets/images/24618148_851x315_2500.PNG"><img src="https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/24618148_851x315_500.PNG" class="fill" alt="" /><div class="sp-image-title"></div><div class="sp-image-caption"></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="1" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="2" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="abc5739f-a12a-4cde-b65c-2509ecb69990" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-2" dir="auto"><p data-end="599" data-start="145">We live in a culture that celebrates self-discovery, personal truth, and individual autonomy. The message is everywhere: Follow your heart. Define your own truth. Choose what works for you. Yet Scripture presents a very different invitation. God's Word teaches that truth is not something we create—it is something we receive.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>This tension is not new. In the garden, the serpent tempted Eve with the idea that she could determine right and wrong for herself, independent of God's authority. Since that moment, humanity has wrestled with the temptation to replace God's wisdom with our own. The result has always been the same: confusion, brokenness, and separation from the life God intended for us.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>Jesus did not present Himself as one option among many. He declared that He is "the way and the truth and the life" (John 14:6). Likewise, Scripture does not describe itself as a collection of good suggestions. It is God-breathed, living, active, and able to transform hearts and minds. God's Word is not meant to be treated like a buffet where we pick the parts we like and ignore the parts we find difficult. It is a guide for every area of life.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>Psalm 119 paints a beautiful picture of someone who delights in God's commands. The psalmist saw Scripture as a counselor, a source of wisdom, and a lamp for the path ahead. God's truth was not restrictive—it was freeing. It provided direction, protection, and peace.<br>Jeremiah 6:16 offers an invitation that is just as relevant today: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls." Every day, we stand at that crossroads. We can choose the shifting standards of our culture, or we can choose the unchanging truth of God's Word.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>The promise remains the same. When we walk in God's ways, we find the rest, stability, and hope that our souls long for.</p></div><br><b>REFLECT |&nbsp;</b><ul><li data-end="2137" data-section-id="10gik6o" data-start="2044">In what areas of your life are you tempted to follow your own truth instead of God's truth?</li><li data-end="2221" data-section-id="hncfre" data-start="2138">How has God's Word served as a guide, counselor, or source of peace in your life?</li><li data-end="2303" data-section-id="1d9zbfs" data-start="2222">What practical step can you take this week to delight more deeply in Scripture?</li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="3" style="text-align:left;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE VERSES</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="4" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Key Verses are denoted with an *</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="5" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><ul><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/GEN.3.1.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Genesis 3:1&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JER.17.9.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jeremiah 17:9</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ROM.3.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Romans 3</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/MAT.24.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Matthew 24</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/HEB.4.12.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hebrews 4:12</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/2TI.3.15.NIV" rel="" target="_self">2 Timothy 3:15&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/2TI.3.16.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">2 Timothy 3:16</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/2PE.1.21.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">2 Peter 1:21</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PSA.119.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Psalm 119</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JER.6.16.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jeremiah 6:16</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/REV.21.8.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Revelation 21:8</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JHN.1.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">John 1</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/COL.1.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Colossians 1</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/HEB.1.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hebrews 1</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/GEN.1.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Genesis 1&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JHN.8.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">John 8</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="6" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DAILY DEVOTIONAL</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-accordion-block " data-type="accordion" data-id="7" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-accordion-holder"  data-style="dividers" data-icon="chevron" data-position="right"><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 1 | THE LIE THAT STARTED IT ALL</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>There is a story as old as humanity itself, and it begins in a garden. A serpent approaches a woman and whispers a simple but devastating idea: you do not need God's rules. You can decide for yourself what is right and wrong. You can live your own truth. That moment in Genesis 3 was not just a historical event. It was the introduction of a philosophy that has shaped every generation since. And if you look honestly at the world around you, the fruit of that philosophy is not hard to find. Broken families, addiction, violence, and despair are not random. They are what happens when a society decides there is no authority higher than personal preference. But here is the encouraging part. God did not leave us without an answer. He gave us His Word, a fixed and reliable truth that does not shift with culture or feelings. You do not have to navigate life by guessing. You do not have to figure it out on your own. The same God who watched humanity choose its own path in the garden also made a way back. He is not standing at a distance, arms crossed. He is inviting you to something better, something solid, something that actually holds.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |</b><br>"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16 Actual verse for this devotional: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." - John 1:1<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>Where in your life have you been tempted to trust your own instincts over what God has clearly said in His Word?<br><br><b>QUOTE |</b><br>"In Genesis 3, verse 1, the devil comes and he says to Eve, you won't die. You can be like God. You need to follow your own path. Paraphrasing a bit. You need to live your own truth. And from that moment on, something happened on this planet."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Father, thank You for not leaving us to figure life out on our own. Help us to recognize the lie that we can be our own authority, and give us the courage to turn back to You. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 2 | TRUTH IS NOT A BUFFET</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>We live in a culture that treats belief like a buffet. Take what appeals to you, leave what does not, and build a spiritual life that fits your preferences. It sounds open-minded and kind. But there is a serious problem with that approach. If a Muslim, a Christian, a Buddhist, and an atheist all hold contradictory beliefs about God, salvation, and eternity, they cannot all be right at the same time. Truth does not work that way. Two plus two does not equal four for some people and five for others. Ultimate questions have real answers, and those answers matter. Christianity does not offer itself as one option among many. It makes a specific, exclusive claim: Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. That is either true or it is not. And if it is true, then it changes everything about how we live. This is not arrogance. It is faithfulness to what God has revealed. You did not invent this truth, and neither did anyone else. It was given to us. That is actually a gift. You do not have to wonder or wander. You have been handed something solid to stand on, and that is worth celebrating.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and Spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>In what areas of your faith have you been tempted to pick and choose what to believe, rather than accepting the full authority of God's Word?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"A universe in which a Muslim and a Christian and a Buddhist and an atheist, a universe in which they're all right is a mad house."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, forgive us for treating Your truth like a menu of options. Give us the humility to accept what You have revealed, even when it challenges us. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 3 | GOD-BREATHED AND FULLY RELIABLE</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Think about the last time someone gave you directions. The reliability of those directions depended entirely on whether the person giving them actually knew the way. Bad information from a confident source is still bad information. So when it comes to navigating life, the most important question is this: where did your map come from? Scripture makes a remarkable claim about itself. It is not simply a collection of wise human thoughts gathered over centuries. It is God-breathed. The Holy Spirit carried human authors along, using their personalities and experiences, but ensuring that what was written was exactly what God intended. That means when you open your Bible, you are not reading someone's best guess. You are reading the words of the One who created everything and knows how it all works. This is deeply encouraging. You are not left to figure out life on your own wisdom. You have access to the mind of God through His Word. It teaches, corrects, rebukes, and trains. It is not a passive document. It is alive and active, working in you every time you engage with it. Open it today with that expectation. Something real happens when you do.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." - 2 Timothy 3:16<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>How would your daily engagement with Scripture change if you genuinely believed it was the living, active voice of God speaking directly to you?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"All scripture, all graphe is theopnistos. God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Holy Spirit, open our eyes to the treasure we hold in Your Word. Help us to approach Scripture not as a routine but as a conversation with the living God. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 4 | THE ANCIENT PATHS STILL LEAD HOME</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>There is something quietly countercultural about the idea of ancient paths. We live in a world obsessed with what is new, updated, and improved. Old is often treated as outdated. But when it comes to truth, age is not a weakness. It is a credential. God spoke through the prophet Jeremiah to a people who had wandered far from what they knew to be right. His invitation was not complicated. Stand at the crossroads. Look. Ask for the ancient paths. Walk in them. And you will find rest for your souls. That promise is still standing today. The paths have not moved. The rest is still available. But you have to be willing to stop, look, and ask. That requires humility, because it means admitting that your own instincts are not always the best guide. Psalm 119 describes a person who found genuine delight in God's Word, not obligation or drudgery, but real joy. The psalmist called it more precious than thousands of pieces of silver and gold. That kind of love for Scripture does not happen by accident. It grows when you actually walk the path and experience where it leads. The ancient paths are not a limitation. They are an invitation to rest.</i><br><i><br></i><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><i><br></i>"Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls." - Jeremiah 6:16<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What crossroads are you currently standing at, and are you willing to ask God for the ancient path rather than choosing the direction that feels most natural to you?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths. Ask where the good way is and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Father, give us the humility to stop and ask for Your way instead of assuming we already know it. Lead us on the ancient paths that lead to rest. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 5 | YOU ARE A MESSENGER, NOT THE AUTHOR</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>There is a quiet freedom in realizing that you do not have to invent the truth. You just have to carry it. We live in a world that places enormous pressure on individuals to define themselves, create their own meaning, and determine their own values. That sounds empowering, but it is actually exhausting. And it is built on a foundation that cannot hold, because the human heart is not a reliable compass. Jeremiah 17:9 is blunt about this: the heart is desperately wicked. Left to ourselves, we drift. But here is the good news. God did not leave us to drift. He revealed truth. He spoke it, preserved it, and made it available to every generation. You did not come up with it, and you do not have to defend it by your own cleverness. You simply carry it faithfully. Jesus said His words will never pass away. Heaven and earth will change, cultures will shift, philosophies will rise and fall, but the Word of God stands. That means what you are carrying has eternal weight and eternal staying power. You are not the author of truth. You are a messenger. And that is not a lesser role. It is a high and holy calling. Carry it with confidence, with grace, and with joy.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." - Matthew 24:35<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |</b><br>How does knowing that you are a messenger of God's truth, rather than its inventor, change the way you feel about sharing your faith with others?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"We Christians believe in a revealed truth. We didn't come up with it. I'm just the messenger. You're just the messenger."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, thank You that we do not have to carry the weight of inventing truth. Help us to be faithful messengers of what You have already revealed, and give us boldness to share it with love. Amen.<br></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="8" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >ACTION STEP</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="9" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">This week, choose one area of your life where you have been tempted to define truth on your own terms rather than letting Scripture speak. It might be a relationship, a habit, a financial decision, or an attitude. Spend time each day reading a section of Psalm 119 and ask God to replace your own reasoning with His revealed truth in that specific area.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="10" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >PRAYER</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="11" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Lord, thank You for Your Word today. We confess that the pull to define truth on our own terms is real and constant, and we cannot resist it in our own strength. Thank You that You have not left us to figure life out alone. You have given us Your word as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Help us to stand at the crossroads with courage, choose Your ancient paths, and walk in them faithfully. May our lives reflect a trust in Your revealed truth rather than our own wisdom. In the name of Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, amen.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="12" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE APP PLANS</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="13" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/20855-building-your-life-on-the-word" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Building Your Life on the Word</b></a><br><i>6 Days – Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale</i><br>In this six-day plan, we'll explore the importance of engaging with the Bible and four unique ways to do that. Learn about reading, studying, memorizing, and meditating on God's Word and discover how life-changing it can be!</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="14" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/25347-how-to-study-the-bible" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>How to Study the Bible</b></a><br><i>5 Days&nbsp;</i><i>– inScribed</i><br>Reading the Bible offers more life change than any other spiritual discipline. In this plan, we will learn how and why we should study the Bible. And also how the Bible relates to our daily life.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="15" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><b>Truth Be Told (Youth)</b><br><i>21 Days – Youth Commission International</i><br><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="4675ebb5-07cc-4872-91fc-322180f7eebd" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5" dir="auto"><p data-end="309" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="0">In a world where truth is often seen as relative, this plan explores the unchanging truth found in Jesus Christ. In this series, we'll delve into how truth is not just a concept but a person—Jesus. By understanding and embracing this, we can live grounded in the truth that sets us free.</p></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="16" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >WATCH THE SERMON</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-subsplash_media-block " data-type="subsplash_media" data-id="17" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-subsplash-holder"  data-source="gcxrmbx" data-title="A Recipe for Disaster: "><div class="sap-embed-player"><iframe src="https://subsplash.com/u/-D2VDKW/media/embed/d/gcxrmbx?" frameborder="0" allow="clipboard-read; clipboard-write" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe></div><style type="text/css">div.sap-embed-player{position:relative;width:100%;height:0;padding-top:56.25%;}div.sap-embed-player>iframe{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;}</style></div></div></div></div></div></div></section>]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>Real Men Cry Too 6.21.26</title>
						<description><![CDATA[Many men have grown up hearing the same message: be tough, stay quiet, and never let anyone see you struggle. While that mindset may sound strong on the surface, it doesn't reflect the picture of biblical manhood found in Scripture.

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			<link>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/06/23/real-men-cry-too-6-21-26</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 23 Jun 2026 22:17:16 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/06/23/real-men-cry-too-6-21-26</guid>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="sp-section sp-scheme-0" data-index="18" data-scheme="0"><div class="sp-section-slide"  data-label="Main" ><div class="sp-section-content" ><div class="sp-grid sp-col sp-col-24"><div class="sp-block sp-image-block " data-type="image" data-id="0" style="text-align:center;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-image-holder" style="background-image:url(https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/24618148_851x315_500.PNG);"  data-source="D2VDKW/assets/images/24618148_851x315_2500.PNG"><img src="https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/24618148_851x315_500.PNG" class="fill" alt="" /><div class="sp-image-title"></div><div class="sp-image-caption"></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="1" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="2" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="abc5739f-a12a-4cde-b65c-2509ecb69990" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-2" dir="auto"><p data-end="599" data-start="145">Many men have grown up hearing the same message: be tough, stay quiet, and never let anyone see you struggle. While that mindset may sound strong on the surface, it doesn't reflect the picture of biblical manhood found in Scripture.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>When Joshua declared, "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord," he wasn't making a public slogan or trying to impress others. He was expressing a personal conviction that had already taken root in his own heart. Before he could lead anyone else, he first had to choose who he would serve. The same principle remains true today. Godly leadership begins with personal surrender.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>The Bible places significant responsibilities on men. Husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loved the church. Fathers are called to raise their children in the instruction of the Lord. Men are called to work with integrity, protect those entrusted to their care, and honor God with their lives. It's a weighty calling, but God never intended for anyone to carry it alone.</p><br>Throughout Scripture, some of God's strongest men were also deeply honest about their struggles. David defeated giants and led a nation, yet many of the Psalms reveal his fears, grief, and desperate dependence on God. Jesus demonstrated ultimate strength through His power and authority, yet He also openly wept. Tears were not weakness. They were evidence of compassion, love, and authenticity.</div><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="abc5739f-a12a-4cde-b65c-2509ecb69990" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-2" dir="auto"><br>The world often defines strength as self-sufficiency. Scripture defines strength differently. Real strength is recognizing our need for God and depending on Him daily. The strongest men are not those who pretend they have it all together. They are the ones who humbly kneel before the Lord, trusting Him to carry what they cannot.</div><br>When we stop pretending and start surrendering, we discover that God's strength is more than enough for every responsibility, burden, and challenge we face.<br><br><b>REFLECT |&nbsp;</b><ul><li>What responsibilities are you trying to carry in your own strength instead of surrendering to God?</li><li>How has pride or fear kept you from being honest about your struggles?</li><li>What would it look like for you to lead your family through dependence on God rather than self-reliance?</li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="3" style="text-align:left;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE VERSES</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="4" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Key Verses are denoted with an *</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="5" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><ul><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JOS.24.15.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Joshua 24:15</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/EPH.6.4.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ephesians 6:4</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/COL.3.23.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Colossians 3:23</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/NEH.4.14.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nehemiah 4:14</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/1CO.6.19-20.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">1 Corinthians 6:19-20</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/EPH.5.25.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ephesians 5:25</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/1SA.17.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">1 Samuel 17</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/1SA.17.34-36.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">1 Samuel 17:34-36</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/1SA.18.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">1 Samuel 18</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/2SA.5.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">2 Samuel 5</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PSA.42.3.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Psalm 42:3</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PSA.61.2.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Psalm 61:2</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PSA.51.1.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Psalm 51:1</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PSA.126.5-6.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Psalm 126:5-6</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ROM.8.28.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Romans 8:28</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="6" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DAILY DEVOTIONAL</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-accordion-block " data-type="accordion" data-id="7" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-accordion-holder"  data-style="dividers" data-icon="chevron" data-position="right"><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 1 | THE DECLARATION STARTS WITH YOU</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Before Joshua ever challenged the crowd, he settled something in his own heart. He did not point fingers or make demands. He simply said where he stood. That kind of leadership is quiet, personal, and powerful. It is easy to think that leading your family means having all the answers or keeping everything under control. But biblical leadership starts on the inside. It is a decision you make before anyone is watching. It is choosing, in your own heart, which direction your house is going. You do not have to be perfect to lead. You just have to be committed. Your family does not need a flawless man. They need a faithful one. A man who has decided, regardless of what is happening around him, that God is the priority in His home. That decision is yours to make. No one can make it for you. And the good news is that God honors that kind of commitment. When you plant your flag and say "as for me and my house," you are not doing it alone. God steps into that declaration with you. Start there. Settle it in your heart today.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |</b><br>"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." - Joshua 24:15<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>Have you made a personal, internal declaration about the direction of your home, or are you still waiting for the right moment to commit?<br><br><b>QUOTE |</b><br>"Joshua was doing here was a declaration. He settles this in his own heart. He makes it personal. And he says, before I challenge anyone else in my heart, this is my declaration. As for me in my house, I know which direction we're going."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, give me the courage to make a personal commitment to lead my family toward You. Help me settle in my own heart that You are the priority, starting today. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 2 | THE BACKPACK DOES NOT COME OFF</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Nobody told you it would be easy. The responsibilities that come with being a man, a Father, a husband, a son, do not pause when you are tired. They do not take a day off when life gets hard. Scripture is honest about this. The calling is real, and the weight is real. Ephesians 5:25 calls husbands to love their wives the way Christ loved the church. That is a sacrificial, all-in kind of love. Ephesians 6:4 calls fathers to raise their children with discipline and instruction. Colossians 3:23 calls men to work with integrity in everything they do. These are not suggestions. They are a calling. But here is what makes the weight bearable: knowing that God wrote the instructions. He knows exactly what He asked of you. He is not standing at a distance, watching you struggle. He is close, and He is ready to help you carry what He called you to carry. You were not designed to do this alone. Responsibility is the call, but dependence on God is what makes it possible. Lean into both.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." - Colossians 3:23<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>In what area of responsibility are you trying to carry the weight on your own instead of leaning on God for strength?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"You and I, we have this backpack, and all of us are called to wear this thing. Everything I just said is biblical instructions for me and you as a man. And you don't take it off. You don't just take it off. It just keeps going and going."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Father, remind me that You called me to this and You will equip me for it. Help me carry my responsibilities faithfully, and keep me dependent on You every step of the way. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 3 | REAL MEN CRY TOO</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>You have probably heard it. Real men do not cry. Stay strong. Keep it together. Do not let anyone see you struggle. That message gets passed down quietly, and a lot of men carry it for years without ever questioning it. But look at David. A warrior. A giant-killer. A king. And yet he wrote, "My tears have been my food day and night" (Psalm 42:3). Look at Jesus. He calmed storms, cast out demons, and walked toward the cross without flinching. And He wept. Tears are not weakness. They are honesty. They mean you are human. They mean you care. They mean you are not pretending everything is fine when it is not. God does not look at a man on His knees, crying out in pain, and see failure. He sees faithfulness. Maybe you have cried in your truck, at your bedside, or in a hospital hallway where no one could see you. That was not a moment of weakness. That was a moment of real, raw humanity before God. And He saw every single tear. You do not have to hold it all together. You just have to bring it to Him.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, 'Where is your God?'" - Psalm 42:3<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What have you been holding together on the outside that you have not yet been honest with God about on the inside?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Somewhere along the way, many men, you and I, we were taught that strength, that means silence, silence. Do it on your own, fix it yourself. Go grab your wrenches and figure it out. But when we look at scripture, real men, they cry, too."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>God, thank You for seeing me in my pain and not turning away. Help me stop pretending and start being honest with You about what I am carrying. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 4 | GOD WORKS THROUGH THE HARD SEASONS</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Pain is not the end of the story. That is one of the most important things a man can hold onto when life is heavy and the road feels long. Psalm 126:5 says, "Those who sow with tears will reap songs of joy." That is not a promise that the pain disappears quickly. Sometimes God works suddenly. Other times, the growth is slow and quiet. But both are real, and both are God. Romans 8:28 reminds us that God works all things together for good for those who love Him. Not some things. All things. That includes the seasons that do not make sense, the prayers that feel unanswered, and the tears that seem to go nowhere. David went from tending sheep to facing Goliath to running for his life to becoming king. The path was not straight, and it was not easy. But God was in every chapter. Your story is the same. The hard season you are in right now is not outside of God's reach. He is working, even when you cannot see it. Keep going. The harvest is coming.</i><br><i><br></i><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><i><br></i>"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>Looking back at a difficult season in your life, where can you now see that God was working even when it did not feel like it?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Joy often grows from tears. Sometimes for me and you, God will work suddenly. And there's other times where it's a very slow growth. But both are real and both are God."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, help me trust You in the seasons that are hard and slow. Remind me that You are working even when I cannot see it, and give me the faith to keep going. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 5 | STRONG ENOUGH TO NEED GOD</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Here is the most freeing truth a man can accept: you are not strong enough to do this on your own. And that is okay. In fact, it is exactly where God wants you. The most powerful thing you can do is not white-knuckle your way through life. It is get on your knees and pray. That is not weakness. That is the strongest move a man can make. Scripture says we are more than conquerors, but notice the rest of that verse. It is through Him who loved us. Not through our own effort. Not through gritting our teeth and pushing harder. Through Him. You were never meant to carry the weight of manhood, fatherhood, and leadership on your own strength. God knows the calling is heavy. He wrote it. And He is not asking you to figure it out alone. He is asking you to stay dependent on Him, every hour, every day. The goal is simple. Love God. Love your family. Stay on your knees. That is the kind of man whose life leaves a mark long after he is gone.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her." - Ephesians 5:25<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |</b><br>What would it look like in your daily life to move from striving in your own strength to genuinely depending on God?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"The most manly thing I can see a man do is get down on his knees and pray to God."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Jesus, I cannot do this without You. Teach me what it means to stay dependent on You every single day, and help me lead my family with the strength that only comes from You. Amen.</div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="8" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >ACTION STEP</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="9" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">This week, identify one area of your life where you have been trying to carry the weight alone without bringing it to God or letting others in. Take a specific step to change that. It might mean praying on your knees each morning, having an honest conversation with a trusted friend, or simply telling God out loud that you need Him. Let this week be a practice in dependence rather than self-sufficiency.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="10" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >PRAYER</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="11" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Lord, we pray for every person reading this devotional to grow closer to You, especially the men who are carrying heavy loads and doing it quietly. Remind them that you see them, that you know the weight they carry, and that you wrote the instructions because you also provide the strength to follow them. For anyone who is hurting today, whether from loss, from unmet hopes, or from the pressure of responsibility, we ask that you bring comfort and renewed hope. May we leave here more dependent on you than when we arrived, and may our families and friends one day say of us that we loved God and we loved the people around us. In Jesus name, amen.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="12" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE APP PLANS</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="13" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/72483-the-man-god-is-forming-a-10-day-journ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>The Man God Is Forming: A 10-Day Journey Beyond Provision and Performance</b></a><br><i>10 Days – Olajumoke Bello</i><br>Society often reduces manhood to performance, measuring worth by material success and achievement. However, true biblical manhood prioritizes identity and spiritual formation over mere provision. This devotional invites you to rediscover God’s design: a man formed internally before he is called to lead externally. Over ten days, we explore identity, discipline, and legacy, moving beyond the pressure to perform. Before a man is called to provide, he is called to become; before he leads, he must submit to God. A man built by God stands with a strength that transcends his own efforts.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="14" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/67566-how-to-build-a-godly-man" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>How To Build A Godly Man</b></a><br><i>7 Days&nbsp;</i><i>– Darryl Dash</i><br>Nobody grows godlier by accident. We don't grow into godliness on our own. The Holy Spirit helps us, but we have an important role to play. There are some important things that must happen if we're going to grow into the godly men that God wants us to be. We're going to explore some of these things this week and look at how we can build godly character as Christian men.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="15" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/869-identity" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Identity</b></a><b>&nbsp;</b><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/869-identity" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>(Youth)</b></a><br><i>4 Days – Life.Church</i><br><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="4675ebb5-07cc-4872-91fc-322180f7eebd" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5" dir="auto"><p data-end="309" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="0">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.</p></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="16" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >WATCH THE SERMON</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-subsplash_media-block " data-type="subsplash_media" data-id="17" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-subsplash-holder"  data-source="b7h579r" data-title="Real Men Cry Too"><div class="sap-embed-player"><iframe src="https://subsplash.com/u/-D2VDKW/media/embed/d/b7h579r?" frameborder="0" allow="clipboard-read; clipboard-write" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe></div><style type="text/css">div.sap-embed-player{position:relative;width:100%;height:0;padding-top:56.25%;}div.sap-embed-player>iframe{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;}</style></div></div></div></div></div></div></section>]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>Does God Help the Helpless? 6.7.2026</title>
						<description><![CDATA[Many people have heard the phrase, "God helps those who help themselves." It sounds wise and motivating, but it's not found anywhere in Scripture. In fact, the Bible tells a very different story. The gospel is built on the truth that God helps those who cannot help themselves.]]></description>
			<link>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/06/09/does-god-help-the-helpless-6-7-2026</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 09 Jun 2026 14:27:02 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/06/09/does-god-help-the-helpless-6-7-2026</guid>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="sp-section sp-scheme-0" data-index="18" data-scheme="0"><div class="sp-section-slide"  data-label="Main" ><div class="sp-section-content" ><div class="sp-grid sp-col sp-col-24"><div class="sp-block sp-image-block " data-type="image" data-id="0" style="text-align:center;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-image-holder" style="background-image:url(https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/24618148_851x315_500.PNG);"  data-source="D2VDKW/assets/images/24618148_851x315_2500.PNG"><img src="https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/24618148_851x315_500.PNG" class="fill" alt="" /><div class="sp-image-title"></div><div class="sp-image-caption"></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="1" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="2" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="abc5739f-a12a-4cde-b65c-2509ecb69990" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-2" dir="auto"><p data-end="599" data-start="145">Many people have heard the phrase, "God helps those who help themselves." It sounds wise and motivating, but it's not found anywhere in Scripture. In fact, the Bible tells a very different story. The gospel is built on the truth that God helps those who cannot help themselves.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>Romans 5 reminds us that Christ died for us while we were still powerless, sinful, and separated from God. He didn't wait for us to clean up our lives or prove we were worthy of His love. He stepped in when we were helpless and made a way for us to be rescued.<br>This pattern appears throughout the Bible. The paralyzed man couldn't walk himself to Jesus. The Israelites couldn't escape Pharaoh's army on their own. Peter couldn't stop himself from sinking beneath the waves. In every situation, God met people at the end of their strength and provided what they could not provide for themselves.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>The same is true today. There are moments when we face challenges that exceed our abilities, wisdom, or resources. While God calls us to be responsible and faithful with what He has entrusted to us, He never intended for us to carry life's burdens alone. Our confidence is not found in our own strength but in His faithfulness.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>Psalm 121 asks a powerful question: "Where does my help come from?" The answer is clear: "My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." When we recognize our need for God, we discover that weakness is not a barrier to His work—it's often the place where His grace shines brightest.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>Rather than relying solely on ourselves, we are invited to trust the God who is both our refuge in difficult seasons and our strength when we have none left to give. We do what we can, and we trust Him with what we cannot.</p></div><br><b>REFLECT |&nbsp;</b><ul><li data-end="2058" data-section-id="1tfucmq" data-start="1969">In what area of your life are you trying to rely on your own strength instead of God's?</li><li data-end="2135" data-section-id="ra7u9s" data-start="2059">How have you experienced God's help during a time when you felt powerless?</li><li data-end="2219" data-section-id="1ey6oh1" data-start="2136">What would it look like for you to trust God's faithfulness more fully this week?</li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="3" style="text-align:left;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE VERSES</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="4" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Key Verses are denoted with an *</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="5" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><ul><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ROM.5.6-8.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Romans 5:6-8&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/MRK.2.1-11.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mark 2:1-11</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PSA.121.1-2.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Psalm 121:1-2</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PSA.46.1.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Psalm 46:1</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PRO.24.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Proverbs 24</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="6" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DAILY DEVOTIONAL</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-accordion-block " data-type="accordion" data-id="7" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-accordion-holder"  data-style="dividers" data-icon="chevron" data-position="right"><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 1 | WHEN YOU CAN'T HELP YOURSELF</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Have you ever felt completely stuck? Maybe you're facing a situation where no amount of effort, planning, or willpower seems to make a difference. The world tells us that God only helps those who help themselves, but this popular saying isn't found anywhere in Scripture. In fact, the Bible teaches something far more beautiful and hopeful. God actually specializes in helping people who can't help themselves. When we look at the paralyzed man in Mark's Gospel, we see someone who literally couldn't move toward Jesus on his own. He needed friends to carry him and dig through a roof just to get close to the Savior. Yet Jesus didn't wait for this man to prove his worthiness or demonstrate his strength. Instead, Jesus saw his helplessness and responded with healing and forgiveness. This story isn't unique - it's the pattern throughout Scripture. God consistently reaches out to those who are powerless, trapped, and desperate. Today, if you're feeling overwhelmed by circumstances beyond your control, remember that your helplessness isn't a barrier to God's love - it's actually an invitation for His intervention.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |</b><br>'When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, "Son, your sins are forgiven." ... "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all.' - Mark 2:5, 11<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What situation in your life feels completely beyond your control, and how might God want to help you in your helplessness?<br><br><b>QUOTE |</b><br>"The Bible doesn't tell this story of really strong people accomplishing these really great things. It's a story of a really great God helping really average, ordinary and messy people who desperately need him."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, thank You that my weakness doesn't disqualify me from Your help. Help me trust You with the things I cannot control or fix on my own.</div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 2 | WHILE WE WERE STILL SINNERS</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Timing matters in relationships. We usually wait for people to prove themselves before we invest deeply in them. We help friends who have helped us, trust those who have earned it, and love those who love us back. But God operates on an entirely different timeline. Romans 5 reveals something revolutionary about God's character: He doesn't wait for us to get our act together before He acts on our behalf. While we were still powerless, ungodly, and sinful - essentially at our worst - Christ died for us. This wasn't a reward for good behavior or a response to our spiritual progress. It was pure grace extended to people who were still a mess. Think about that for a moment. God didn't wait for you to stop struggling, to overcome your weaknesses, or to prove your worthiness. He saw you in your brokenness and chose to love you anyway. This truth should transform how we view both our relationship with God and our current struggles. You don't have to clean up your life before coming to God for help. You don't have to have it all figured out before asking for His intervention. God's love isn't conditional on your performance - it's based on His character.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>''You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.' - Romans 5:6-8<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>How does knowing that God loved you 'while you were still a sinner' change your approach to asking Him for help today?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"But God, he demonstrates his own love for us in this. That while we were still sinners, while you and I were a mess in the mud, in the rut, while you and I were still sinners, Christ died for us."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>God, thank You for loving me before I deserved it and for continuing to help me even when I'm still struggling. Help me rest in Your unconditional love.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 3 | WHERE DOES YOUR HELP COME FROM?</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>When life gets overwhelming, where do you instinctively turn for help? Maybe it's your savings account, your network of contacts, your education, or your problem-solving skills. These aren't bad things, but they have limits. Eventually, every one of us reaches a point where our strength simply isn't enough. The psalmist understood this reality when he asked a crucial question: 'Where does my help come from?' His answer wasn't vague or uncertain - it was definitive and confident: 'My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.' Notice he didn't say his help comes from the Lord plus his own efforts, or from God when all else fails. His help comes from the Lord, period. This doesn't mean we become passive or lazy. We still study, work, plan, and take responsible action. But our ultimate confidence rests not in our abilities but in God's faithfulness. When you're facing challenges that seem bigger than your capacity to handle them, remember that your help comes from the One who created everything you see. The same God who spoke the universe into existence is personally invested in your situation. That's a source of help that never runs dry, never gets overwhelmed, and never fails.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>'I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.' - Psalm 121:1-2<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What are you currently relying on for help that might be limited, and how can you shift your ultimate dependence to God?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, help me remember that You are my ultimate source of strength and assistance. Teach me to look to You first in every situation.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 4 | YOUR REFUGE IN THE STORM</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Most of us think of help as something that comes after the crisis passes - like insurance that kicks in after the accident or friends who show up once the emergency is over. But God offers something far better: He's your refuge during the storm, not just your repair service afterward. Psalm 46 declares that God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. The word 'refuge' paints a picture of shelter and safety in the midst of danger, not after it's gone. When life feels chaotic - when people are demanding, circumstances are overwhelming, and you can't see a way forward - God isn't waiting on the sidelines for things to calm down. He's your shelter right now, in the middle of the mess. This changes everything about how we face difficulties. Instead of trying to weather the storm alone until we can ask for help later, we can run to God while the winds are still howling. He's not just the one who fixes things after they break; He's the one you turn to while everything is falling apart. You don't have to face your challenges alone anymore. God is both your hiding place when you're overwhelmed and your strength when you're weak.</i><br><i><br></i><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><i><br></i>'God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.' - Psalm 46:1<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What current 'storm' in your life do you need to bring to God as your refuge instead of trying to weather it alone?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"God is not just the one who fixes the storm after it passes. He's the one that you run to while the storm is raging, while people are yelling, why the rain is coming down."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Father, thank You for being my safe place in the middle of life's storms. Help me run to You for shelter instead of trying to handle everything on my own.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 5 | FAITH THAT FUELS YOUR FEET</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Understanding that God helps the helpless doesn't mean we get to sit back and do nothing. There's a beautiful balance between trusting God and taking action, between faith and responsibility. The truth is, faith doesn't replace action - it fuels it. When we know that God is our ultimate source of help, we can move forward with confidence, even when we don't have all the answers. We study for the test while trusting God with the outcome. We apply for jobs while knowing He directs our steps. We work on our relationships while depending on His wisdom. This isn't about earning God's help through our efforts; it's about partnering with Him in the process. We do what we can and trust God with what we cannot do. The gospel isn't the story of people helping themselves and then asking God to assist them. It's the story of a holy God rescuing people who desperately need rescuing. But once rescued, we don't become passive. Instead, we become active participants in God's ongoing work, empowered by His strength and guided by His wisdom. Your action steps matter, but they're motivated by faith, not fear. They're expressions of trust, not attempts to earn God's favor.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>'In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.' - Proverbs 16:9<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |</b><br>In what area of your life do you need to take faithful action while trusting God with the results?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Faith doesn't replace action. Faith. What it does, it fuels our feet."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>God, help me be faithful in taking the steps You've placed before me while trusting You completely with the outcomes. Let my actions be fueled by faith, not fear.<br></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="8" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >ACTION STEP</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="9" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">This week, identify one area of your life where you have been relying entirely on your own strength or avoiding asking God for help. Take a specific, practical step of faith in that area, whether that is praying about it daily, reaching out to someone for accountability, or simply admitting to God that you need Him. Then, pay attention to how God shows up as both your refuge and your strength as you take that step.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="10" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >PRAYER</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="11" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Father God, thank You for the truth that You help the helpless. We confess that we often try to handle life on our own strength, and we are grateful that Your grace does not wait for us to have it all together. As we leave today, remind us that You are our refuge when the storms come and our strength when we feel like we have nothing left. Help us to take steps of faith this week, trusting You with the things only You can do. Thank You for the gospel, for sending Jesus to rescue us when we could not rescue ourselves. May that truth shape everything about how we live. In Jesus' name, amen.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="12" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE APP PLANS</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="13" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/3670-divine-direction" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Devine Direction</b></a><br><i>7 Days – Craig Groeschel</i><br>Every day, we make choices that shape our life story. What would your life look like if you became an expert at making those choices? In the Divine Direction Bible Plan, New York Times bestselling author and Senior Pastor of Life.Church, Craig Groeschel, encourages you with seven principles from his Divine Direction book to help you find God’s wisdom for your daily decisions. Discover the spiritual direction you need to live a God-honoring story you’ll love to tell.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="14" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/59512-god-never-quits-gods-faithfulness-when-we-fall-s" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>God Never Quits: God's Faithfulness When We Fall Short</b></a><br><i>3 Days&nbsp;</i><i>– Bob Lotich</i><br>When we compromise with God's commands, we create thorns in our own lives. But here's the shocking truth: even when we mess up, God's covenant remains unbreakable. Discover how His faithfulness outlasts our failures.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="15" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/72007-after-i-said-yes-to-jesus-the-bible-for" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>After I Said Yes to Jesus: The Bible for Beginners</b></a><br><i>6 Days – YouthAlive Australia</i><br><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="4675ebb5-07cc-4872-91fc-322180f7eebd" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5" dir="auto"><p data-end="309" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="0">Need help getting started in your relationship with God? AFTER I SAID YES TO JESUS is a series of plans to help you! The Bible for Beginners is a 6-day plan that will answer all your questions about the Bible and guide you on where to start, how to read it and why it will change your life! It will turn reading the Bible into a relationship with God.</p></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="16" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >WATCH THE SERMON</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-subsplash_media-block " data-type="subsplash_media" data-id="17" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-subsplash-holder"  data-source="xmk56wm" data-title="Does God Only Help Those Who Help Themselves?"><div class="sap-embed-player"><iframe src="https://subsplash.com/u/-D2VDKW/media/embed/d/xmk56wm?" frameborder="0" allow="clipboard-read; clipboard-write" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe></div><style type="text/css">div.sap-embed-player{position:relative;width:100%;height:0;padding-top:56.25%;}div.sap-embed-player>iframe{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;}</style></div></div></div></div></div></div></section>]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>5.30.26 </title>
						<description><![CDATA[When God looks at a church, He isn’t measuring what we often measure. Size, programs, facilities, and attendance may stand out to people, but the Holy Spirit evaluates something deeper: heart, character, and faithfulness. The church in Thessalonica becomes one of the clearest New Testament pictures of what God calls “excellent.”]]></description>
			<link>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/06/04/5-30-26</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2026 14:39:27 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/06/04/5-30-26</guid>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="sp-section sp-scheme-0" data-index="17" data-scheme="0"><div class="sp-section-slide"  data-label="Main" ><div class="sp-section-content" ><div class="sp-grid sp-col sp-col-24"><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="0" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="1" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="abc5739f-a12a-4cde-b65c-2509ecb69990" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-2" dir="auto"><p data-end="599" data-start="145">When God looks at a church, He isn’t measuring what we often measure. Size, programs, facilities, and attendance may stand out to people, but the Holy Spirit evaluates something deeper: heart, character, and faithfulness. The church in Thessalonica becomes one of the clearest New Testament pictures of what God calls “excellent.”</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>What makes them so remarkable is not that they were perfect or well-established—they weren’t. In fact, Paul only spent about three weeks with them before persecution forced him to leave. Yet in that short time, something powerful took root.<br>First, they were a saved church. They understood the foundation of the gospel clearly—salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone. They didn’t build their identity on effort or tradition, but on being adopted children of God through grace. Everything else flowed from that foundation.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>Because they were saved, they became a surrendered church. Their lives were no longer directed by personal ambition but aligned with Christ. Like instruments tuned to the same standard, their hearts were being brought into harmony with God’s will.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>But their faith was not lived in comfort. They became a suffering church, and instead of weakening them, trials strengthened their faith. Pressure did not destroy them—it refined them. Like spiritual exercise, hardship built endurance, depth, and maturity.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>From there, their influence spread. They became a soul-winning church, so alive in their faith that their reputation echoed far beyond their city. Thessalonica sat on major trade routes, and as travelers passed through, they encountered believers whose lives had been changed by Jesus. Their testimony traveled farther than they ever could.<br>They also lived as a Second Coming church, holding an eternal perspective. They lived with urgency and hope, aware that Jesus could return at any moment. This shaped how they lived, worked, and treated others.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>They were a standing-firm church, not easily shaken by pressure or opposition. Their faith didn’t collapse under difficulty—it endured through it. And finally, they were a submissive church, willing to receive instruction, correction, and guidance from God’s Word and His messengers.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>Together, these qualities reveal something powerful: a great church in God’s eyes is not defined by what it has, but by who it is becoming in Christ.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>And the same question reaches us today—not just as a church body, but as individuals:<br data-start="2598" data-end="2601">Are we becoming people who are saved, surrendered, strengthened through suffering, and shaped for eternal impact?</p></div><br><b>REFLECT |&nbsp;</b><ul><li data-end="2851" data-section-id="huriqb" data-start="2738">Which characteristic of the Thessalonian church do you most see in your life right now? Which one is missing?</li><li data-end="2932" data-section-id="76al7l" data-start="2852">How has difficulty in your life strengthened or exposed your faith recently?</li><li data-end="3022" data-section-id="134gi1x" data-start="2933">Are you living with an eternal perspective, or are you mostly focused on the immediate?</li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="2" style="text-align:left;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE VERSES</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="3" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Key Verses are denoted with an *</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="4" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><ul><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ACT.17.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Acts 17</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ACT.15.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Acts 15</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ACT.16.1.NIV" rel="" target="_self">Acts 16:1</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/1TH.1.1.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">1 Thessalonians 1:1</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/1TH.1.6.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">1 Thessalonians 1:6</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/1TH.1.8-9.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">1 Thessalonians 1:8-9</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/1TH.3.8.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">1 Thessalonians 3:8</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/1TH.4.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">1 Thessalonians 4</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/2CO.12.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">2 Corinthians 12</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/MAT.13.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Matthew 13</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/MRK.13.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mark 13</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/LUK.9.62.NIV" rel="" target="_self">Luke 9:62</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/DAN.7.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Daniel 7</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ROM.1.8.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Romans 1-8</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/EPH.1.3.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ephesians 1:3</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="5" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DAILY DEVOTIONAL</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-accordion-block " data-type="accordion" data-id="6" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-accordion-holder"  data-style="dividers" data-icon="chevron" data-position="right"><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 1 | FOUND IN CHRIST</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>What defines a true Christian? In our world of endless labels and identities, this question matters more than ever. The church at Thessalonica understood something profound about their identity - they were found in Christ. This wasn't just a religious phrase; it was their reality. Being 'in Christ' means more than attending church or following moral guidelines. It's about a complete transformation where your old life is exchanged for His life. When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, he addressed them as those who are 'in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.' This wasn't flattery - it was recognition of their authentic faith. They had moved beyond surface-level religion to deep, life-changing relationship. Today, many churches exist without this foundation. Programs, buildings, and activities can flourish while hearts remain unchanged. But true spiritual life begins when we stop trying to improve ourselves and instead allow Christ to live through us. The Thessalonians discovered that being found in Christ gave them an unshakeable identity that no persecution could destroy.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |</b><br>'Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.' - 1 Thessalonians 1:1<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What does it mean for your daily life to be 'found in Christ' rather than defined by your achievements, failures, or circumstances?<br><br><b>QUOTE |</b><br>"If you want to give a definitive answer as to who a Christian is and what a Christian is, it's somebody who's found in Christ."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, help me understand what it truly means to be found in You. Transform my heart so that my identity rests securely in Christ alone.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 2 | FOLLOWING THE SAME STANDARD</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Have you ever heard a piano that's out of tune? Each key might work perfectly, but together they create discord. Churches face the same challenge - how do we maintain harmony when we're all different people with different backgrounds and opinions? The Thessalonian church discovered the secret: they all tuned their lives to the same standard - Jesus Christ. When believers genuinely seek to follow and imitate Christ, something beautiful happens. Disagreements don't disappear, but they're resolved with grace. Differences become strengths rather than divisions. Personal preferences take a backseat to Christ's character. This church didn't achieve unity by avoiding difficult topics or pretending problems didn't exist. They found harmony by surrendering their individual agendas to Christ's example. When we stop insisting on our own way and start asking 'What would Jesus do?' our relationships transform. The result isn't uniformity - it's the beautiful harmony that comes when different instruments play the same song. Today, your church needs this kind of surrender. It starts with you choosing to tune your heart to Christ's standard.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>'You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.' - 1 Thessalonians 1:6<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>In what specific area of your life do you need to surrender your preferences to follow Christ's example more closely?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"You know how we churches, we Christians operate? In our churches, we have a standard that we're to live up to, and that's the person of Jesus Christ."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Jesus, help me surrender my will to Yours. Make me an instrument of harmony in my church and relationships.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 3 | STRENGTH THROUGH STRUGGLE</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Nobody signs up for suffering, yet the Thessalonian church discovered something remarkable: their greatest growth came through their greatest trials. Established in just three weeks before facing intense persecution, they could have crumbled. Instead, they grew stronger. This seems backwards to our comfort-seeking culture, but spiritual truth often contradicts worldly wisdom. Just as physical exercise tears down muscle fibers so they can rebuild stronger, spiritual challenges break down our self-reliance so we can rebuild on God's strength. The Thessalonians didn't just endure suffering - they welcomed God's message with joy even in the midst of severe trials. This wasn't masochism; it was mature faith recognizing that God uses difficulties to develop character. When you face your next challenge - whether it's financial pressure, relationship conflict, health issues, or spiritual dryness - remember the Thessalonians. Your struggle isn't evidence that God has abandoned you; it might be proof that He's developing you. The question isn't whether you'll face difficulties, but whether you'll allow them to make you bitter or better. Every trial is an opportunity to discover that God's strength is sufficient for your weakness.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>'But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.' - 1 Corinthians 16:8-9<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>How can you view your current challenges as opportunities for spiritual growth rather than obstacles to overcome?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Suffering builds strength. Isn't that interesting?"<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Father, help me trust You in difficult times. Use my struggles to build strength and character that honors You.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 4 | YOUR FAITH ECHOS</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>The Thessalonian church had no social media, no television broadcasts, no marketing budget - yet their influence spread throughout the known world. How? Their transformed lives spoke louder than any advertisement. Paul wrote that their faith had 'become known everywhere' and that the Lord's message 'rang out' from them. This wasn't because they were perfect people, but because they were authentic believers whose lives had been genuinely changed. When people encountered the Thessalonians, they witnessed something remarkable: former idol worshippers now serving the living God with joy and conviction. Their testimony wasn't a rehearsed speech but a lived reality. Today, your life is echoing something. The question is: what message is it sending? Your coworkers, neighbors, and family members are watching how you handle stress, treat others, and respond to difficulties. They're listening to your words and observing your priorities. The Thessalonians understood that every believer is a missionary, every workplace is a mission field, and every conversation is an opportunity to let God's message ring out. Your faith doesn't need to be loud to be powerful - it just needs to be real. When Christ transforms your heart, that transformation naturally overflows into every relationship and situation.</i><br><i><br></i><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><i><br></i>'The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.' - 1 Thessalonians 1:8<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What message is your life currently echoing to those around you, and how can you ensure it points others toward Christ?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia. Your faith in God has become known everywhere."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, let my life be a clear testimony of Your goodness. Help my faith ring out naturally through my words and actions.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 5 | STANDING FIRM IN TEMPORARY TIMES</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Everything around you is temporary. Your current job, your present struggles, your physical health, even your greatest earthly joys - all temporary. The Thessalonian church grasped this eternal perspective, and it changed everything about how they lived. They understood that this world is not their permanent home, which gave them incredible resilience during persecution and remarkable generosity in prosperity. When you truly believe that everything here is temporary, it transforms your priorities. You stop clinging so tightly to things that won't last and start investing in what's eternal. You worry less about temporary setbacks because you know they're not the end of the story. You also celebrate temporary victories without making them your ultimate source of joy. Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to 'stand firm in the Lord' precisely because they understood this truth. Standing firm doesn't mean being rigid or stubborn; it means being rooted in something that won't change when everything else is shifting. Today, you might be facing circumstances that feel overwhelming or permanent. Remember the Thessalonians - they stood firm because they knew their true citizenship was in heaven. Don't give up. Keep your hands on the plow and your eyes on eternity.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>'Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!' - Philippians 4:1<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |</b><br>How would viewing your current circumstances as temporary change the way you respond to both challenges and blessings?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"The fact is this, that we Christians, you and you and me, we've got to keep it in our minds that everything here is temporary. Everything. The good, all temporary. The bad, it's all temporary."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>God, help me maintain an eternal perspective in temporary circumstances. Give me strength to stand firm in You when everything else is changing.<br></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="7" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >ACTION STEP</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="8" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">This week, pick one characteristic of the Thessalonian church (saved, surrendered, suffering, soul-winning, Second Coming-focused, standing firm, or submissive) that you feel is least developed in your own life. Write it down, pray over it each day, and take one concrete step to grow in that area.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="9" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >PRAYER</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="10" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Lord, thank You for the example of the church at Thessalonica and for what it shows us about what You can do through ordinary, willing people. Help us to be saved and sure of our standing in Christ, surrendered to Your will, willing to suffer for Your name, bold in sharing our faith, living with the hope of Your return, standing firm when the pressure is on, and submissive to Your Word in every area of life. May our church, like that one, be a place where Your message echoes outward and draws people from darkness into Your light. In the name of Jesus, amen.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="11" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE APP PLANS</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="12" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/3670-divine-direction" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Divine Direction</b></a><br><i>7 Days – Craig Groeschel</i><br>Every day, we make choices that shape our life story. What would your life look like if you became an expert at making those choices? In the Divine Direction Bible Plan, New York Times bestselling author and Senior Pastor of Life.Church, Craig Groeschel, encourages you with seven principles from his Divine Direction book to help you find God’s wisdom for your daily decisions. Discover the spiritual direction you need to live a God-honoring story you’ll love to tell.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="13" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/54653-1-thessalonians" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>1 Thessalonians</b></a><br><i>5 Days&nbsp;</i><i>– Made for More Ministries</i><br>This plan offers a 5-day journey through the book of 1 Thessalonians, making it ideal for both individual and group study.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="14" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/69143-following-jesus" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Following Jesus (Youth)</b></a><br><i>5 Days – Luister Nederland</i><br><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="4675ebb5-07cc-4872-91fc-322180f7eebd" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5" dir="auto"><p data-end="309" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="0">Are you willing to truly follow Jesus, even if it costs you everything? This plan is not a feel‑good message. It is a call to radical discipleship. For five days, you will discover that following Jesus is more than words: it requires listening, obeying, acting, discerning… and even being willing to remain faithful unto death. Are you willing to walk this path?</p></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="15" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >WATCH THE SERMON</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-subsplash_media-block " data-type="subsplash_media" data-id="16" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-subsplash-holder"  data-source="2mxcb4x" data-title="Sunday Worship"><div class="sap-embed-player"><iframe src="https://subsplash.com/u/-D2VDKW/media/embed/d/2mxcb4x?" frameborder="0" allow="clipboard-read; clipboard-write" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe></div><style type="text/css">div.sap-embed-player{position:relative;width:100%;height:0;padding-top:56.25%;}div.sap-embed-player>iframe{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;}</style></div></div></div></div></div></div></section>]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>Here Today 2.15.26</title>
						<description><![CDATA[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 s...]]></description>
			<link>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/02/18/here-today-2-15-26</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2026 18:23:25 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/02/18/here-today-2-15-26</guid>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="sp-section sp-scheme-0" data-index="18" data-scheme="0"><div class="sp-section-slide"  data-label="Main" ><div class="sp-section-content" ><div class="sp-grid sp-col sp-col-24"><div class="sp-block sp-image-block " data-type="image" data-id="0" style="text-align:center;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-image-holder" style="background-image:url(https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/21411651_1920x1080_500.png);"  data-source="D2VDKW/assets/images/21411651_1920x1080_2500.png" data-fill="true"><img src="https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/21411651_1920x1080_500.png" class="fill" alt="" /><div class="sp-image-title"></div><div class="sp-image-caption"></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="1" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="2" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="abc5739f-a12a-4cde-b65c-2509ecb69990" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-2" dir="auto"><p data-end="599" data-start="145">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.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>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.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>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.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>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.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>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.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>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.</p></div><br><b>REFLECT |&nbsp;</b><ul><li data-end="2090" data-start="2006">Where have you been assuming control instead of acknowledging God’s sovereignty?</li><li data-end="2175" data-start="2091">Is there something important you’ve been postponing under the excuse of “later”?</li><li data-end="2255" data-start="2176">What would it look like for you to hold your plans with open hands this week?</li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="3" style="text-align:left;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE VERSES</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="4" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Key Verses are denoted with an *</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="5" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><ul><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JAS.4.13-16.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">James 4:13-16</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/EPH.5.16.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ephesians 5:16</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="6" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DAILY DEVOTIONAL</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-accordion-block " data-type="accordion" data-id="7" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-accordion-holder"  data-style="dividers" data-icon="chevron" data-position="right"><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 1 | THE ILLUSION OF CONTROL</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>We live in a culture obsessed with control. Our calendars are packed, our goals are mapped out, and we've convinced ourselves that with enough planning, we can guarantee our future. But what if this very mindset is robbing us of peace and joy? James confronts our tendency to plan as if we're the ones keeping our lives running. The problem isn't having goals or making plans - it's the pride that assumes we control our destiny. When we grip our plans too tightly, we carry unnecessary pressure and anxiety. God wants to free us from this burden. He's not asking us to stop planning; He's asking us to stop pretending we're in control. There's incredible freedom in acknowledging that tomorrow isn't promised and that our lives are ultimately in God's hands. This doesn't make us passive - it makes us humble. It shifts our focus from trying to control everything to trusting the One who actually does.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |</b><br>'Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.' - James 4:13-14<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What areas of your life are you trying to control that might be causing you unnecessary stress and anxiety?<br><br><b>QUOTE |</b><br>"James isn't against planning. He's against pride. He's saying, don't plan like you're the one keeping your life running."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>God, help me release my tight grip on my plans and trust You with my future. Give me the humility to acknowledge that You are in control, not me.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 2 | LIFE AS A MIST</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Have you ever watched your breath on a cold morning? It appears for just a moment, visible and real, then vanishes without a trace. James uses this powerful image to describe our lives - we are a mist that appears briefly and then disappears. This isn't meant to discourage us but to wake us up to the preciousness of each day. When we truly grasp how brief our time is, it changes everything. Suddenly, the petty arguments seem less important. The grudges we've been holding lose their power. The dreams we've been postponing demand our attention. Our brief existence isn't a reason for despair - it's a call to significance. Every sunrise is a gift, every conversation an opportunity, every breath a chance to make a difference. The brevity of life doesn't diminish its value; it amplifies it. When we understand that our time is limited, we stop wasting it on things that don't matter and start investing it in what does.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>''Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.' - James 4:13-14<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>If you truly believed your life was as brief as a mist, what would you prioritize differently starting today?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Don't waste your mist. The Bible just described our lives as a mist, a vapor that comes and goes and vanishes. Don't waste your mistake."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, help me see each day as the precious gift it is. Don't let me waste the time You've given me on things that don't matter eternally.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 3 | THE DANGER OF LATER</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>"Later" might be the most dangerous word in our vocabulary. It sounds so harmless, so reasonable. Later, I'll call my parents. Later, I'll forgive that person. Later, I'll get serious about my faith. Later, I'll pursue that dream. But later has a way of stealing years from us, one postponement at a time. The truth is, we're not guaranteed later. We're not even guaranteed tomorrow. All we have is today - this moment, this breath, this opportunity. Today is our chance to say "I love you" while someone can still hear it. Today is when we can extend forgiveness, even if the other person never apologizes. Today is when we can take that first step toward the life God is calling us to live. Delayed obedience is disobedience. God doesn't accept our promises to get our act together next week. He's calling us to faithfulness right now, in this moment. Every day we wake up is another chance - don't let "later" rob you of it.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>'Making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.' - Ephesians 5:16<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What important decision or action have you been putting off with the promise of "later"?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Later. Sounds harmless, but it will steal years from you. Later. Later. Can I encourage you with something?"<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>God, help me stop postponing what You're calling me to do today. Give me courage to act now rather than waiting for a more convenient time.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 4 | SURRENDERED LIVING</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>There's a difference between perfect planning and surrendered living. Perfect planning assumes we can control outcomes if we just think hard enough and prepare thoroughly enough. Surrendered living acknowledges that wisdom comes from holding our plans with open hands. Maybe you've been trying to hold everything together, acting like your hustle is what keeps the world spinning. You've become the glue trying to hold your future, finances, image, or family together. But you're carrying burdens God never asked you to carry. Surrendered living says, "I'm going to show up and be faithful, and God, You do the rest." This doesn't shrink your dreams - it shifts your source. You can plan boldly without pretending you're in control. You can dream big without being destroyed when things don't go according to your timeline. God's will isn't always comfortable, but it's always complete. When we surrender our plans to Him, we find freedom from the crushing weight of trying to control everything.</i><br><i><br></i><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><i><br></i>'Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.' - James 4:13-14<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What would change in your life if you truly believed that showing up faithfully was your part, and the results were God's part?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Wisdom is not perfect planning. Wisdom that I've learned about, it's surrendered living."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Father, I surrender my plans to You. Help me be faithful in what You've called me to do while trusting You with the outcomes.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 5 | STEWARDING YOUR NOW</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>God isn't asking you to predict the future - He's asking you to steward your now. Right now, in this moment, you have everything you need to be faithful. The life-changing things God does through us rarely feel dramatic. They usually feel simple and sacred at the same time. A kind word to a struggling friend. A moment of patience with your child. A choice to forgive instead of holding a grudge. These seemingly small acts of faithfulness in the present moment are how God changes the world. You don't need to have your whole life figured out. You don't need to know what next year or even next month will bring. You just need to be present and faithful right now. Today is your chance to love well, serve others, and walk closely with God. Today is when you can make the phone call, have the conversation, or take the step you've been avoiding. Most of the significant moments in life happen in the ordinary, everyday choices to be faithful with what's right in front of us.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>'Making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.' - Ephesians 5:16<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |</b><br>What is one simple, faithful action you can take right now to steward this moment well?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"He's not asking you to predict the future. He's just asking you to steward your now, right now."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, help me be fully present in this moment. Show me how to be faithful with what You've placed in front of me today.<br></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="8" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >ACTION STEP</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="9" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">This week, practice living with the mindset of 'if the Lord wills' by choosing one specific area where you've been trying to control the outcome. Each day, consciously surrender that area to God in prayer and focus on being faithful in the present moment rather than anxious about the future. Also, identify one relationship or responsibility you've been putting off with 'I'll deal with it later' and take one concrete step toward it this week.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="10" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >PRAYER</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="11" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Father God, thank You for this time together and for the reminder that our lives are precious gifts from You. Help us to leave here today with a renewed commitment to live in the present moment, trusting You with our tomorrows. Give us the courage to take action on the things You've been calling us to do, rather than putting them off until later. Help us to hold our plans loosely and our faith tightly. May we steward well the time You've given us today and every day. As we go from here, help us to love intentionally, forgive quickly, and serve faithfully. We surrender our grip on tomorrow and place our trust in You. In Jesus' name, Amen.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="12" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE APP PLANS</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="13" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/49836-living-open-handed" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Living Open-Handed: Devotions for Surrendering Control and Finding Joy in the Unexpected</b></a><br><i>10 Days – DaySpring</i><br>Living Open-Handed invites you to surrender control and trust God's timing and plans, especially in life's unexpected moments. This 10-day reading plan guides you through selected verses, devotions, prayers, and reflection prompts, helping you appreciate life's ups and downs. As you release your hold on outcomes, you'll cultivate a deeper faith and discover a surprising joy in the curveballs life throws your way.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="14" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/64837-overflow" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Overflow</b></a><br><i>10 Days&nbsp;</i><i>– HopeUS</i><br>Overflow is more than mere abundance—it’s the divine moment when God pours so richly into our lives that it spills over into the lives of others. It’s not just a blessing to receive; it’s a powerful calling to share. This 10-day devotional will help you to recognize, receive, and release the Overflow God wants to pour out—not as a passive recipient of blessings, but as an active conduit of God's love, joy, peace, presence, and more.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="15" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/16220-less-hustle-more-jesus" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Less Hustle, More Jesus (Youth)</b></a><br><i>5 Days – DaySpring</i><br><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="4675ebb5-07cc-4872-91fc-322180f7eebd" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5" dir="auto"><p data-end="309" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="0">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.</p></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="16" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >WATCH THE SERMON</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-subsplash_media-block " data-type="subsplash_media" data-id="17" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-subsplash-holder"  data-source="wbyngfn" data-title="Sunday Worship"><div class="sap-embed-player"><iframe src="https://subsplash.com/u/-D2VDKW/media/embed/d/wbyngfn?" frameborder="0" allow="clipboard-read; clipboard-write" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe></div><style type="text/css">div.sap-embed-player{position:relative;width:100%;height:0;padding-top:56.25%;}div.sap-embed-player>iframe{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;}</style></div></div></div></div></div></div></section>]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>The Power of Position 2.1.26</title>
						<description><![CDATA[Many believers find themselves spiritually exhausted despite their faith, and James 4:6-10 reveals the root cause: pride. When we operate in pride, God actually opposes us, which explains our spiritual drain. However, God gives more grace to those who humble themselves before Him. The key is proper positioning - we must submit to God first, then resist the devil. This order matters because our submission determines the authority we resist with. When we humble ourselves and draw near to God, He promises that the devil will flee from us. Grace doesn't flow to the impressive; it flows to the humble.]]></description>
			<link>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/02/04/the-power-of-position-2-1-26</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 04 Feb 2026 17:25:04 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/02/04/the-power-of-position-2-1-26</guid>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="sp-section sp-scheme-0" data-index="18" data-scheme="0"><div class="sp-section-slide"  data-label="Main" ><div class="sp-section-content" ><div class="sp-grid sp-col sp-col-24"><div class="sp-block sp-image-block " data-type="image" data-id="0" style="text-align:center;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-image-holder" style="background-image:url(https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/21411651_1920x1080_500.png);"  data-source="D2VDKW/assets/images/21411651_1920x1080_2500.png" data-fill="true"><img src="https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/21411651_1920x1080_500.png" class="fill" alt="" /><div class="sp-image-title"></div><div class="sp-image-caption"></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="1" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="2" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="abc5739f-a12a-4cde-b65c-2509ecb69990" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-2" dir="auto"><p data-end="599" data-start="145">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.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>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.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>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.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>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.</p></div><br><b>REFLECT |&nbsp;</b><ul><li data-end="1851" data-start="1787">Where might pride be quietly draining your spiritual strength?</li><li data-end="1922" data-start="1852">Are there areas where your feelings have been overriding God’s Word?</li><li data-end="1988" data-start="1923">Who or what are you truly submitted to in your daily decisions?</li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="3" style="text-align:left;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE VERSES</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="4" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Key Verses are denoted with an *</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="5" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><ul><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JAS.4.6-10.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">James 4:6-10</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PRO.16.18.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Proverbs 16:18</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PSA.10.4.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Psalm 10:4&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JAS.4.7.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">James 4:7</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/2CO.12.9.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Second Corinthians 12:9</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="6" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DAILY DEVOTIONAL</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-accordion-block " data-type="accordion" data-id="7" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-accordion-holder"  data-style="dividers" data-icon="chevron" data-position="right"><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 1 | WHEN GOD FEELS LIKE THE OPPOSITION</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Have you ever felt like you're fighting an uphill battle in your spiritual life? Like every step forward feels exhausting and every victory is short-lived? You're not alone. Many believers find themselves spiritually drained, wondering why following God feels so hard. The truth is, sometimes we're fighting battles from the wrong position. When pride creeps into our hearts, we unknowingly place ourselves in opposition to the very God we're trying to serve. Pride doesn't just block our blessings - it puts us at war with our Creator. But here's the beautiful truth: God doesn't oppose us to crush us, but to save us. His opposition to our pride is actually His love in action, redirecting us back to the place where we can receive His abundant grace. Think of a loving parent who stands firm against a child's dangerous behavior - not to harm, but to protect. God's grace isn't just forgiveness; it's His supernatural power given to undeserving people like you and me. It's the strength to do what we cannot do on our own. When we recognize that our exhaustion might be coming from fighting against God rather than with Him, we can begin to find the rest our souls desperately need. Today, consider whether pride has positioned you as God's opponent rather than His beloved child. His grace is waiting to transform your struggle into strength.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |</b><br>'Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.' - Proverbs 16:18<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>In what areas of your life might pride be causing you to resist God's authority rather than receive His grace?<br><br><b>QUOTE |</b><br>"Pride doesn't just block blessings, it puts me and you at conflict with the Creator himself."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Father, help me recognize where pride has crept into my heart and positioned me against You. I don't want to fight You - I want to receive Your grace. Show me how to humble myself before You today. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 2 | THE CHOICE TO BOW DOWN</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Submission gets a bad reputation in our culture. We often see it as weakness, as giving up control, or as losing our identity. But what if submission to God is actually the strongest choice we can make? True submission isn't about becoming a doormat or losing your voice. It's about making a conscious decision to place yourself under God's authority because you trust His heart, His ways, and His perfect order for your life. It's recognizing that the Creator of the universe might just know better than you do. Submission means God doesn't just get your Sundays - He gets your Monday morning decisions, your Wednesday afternoon frustrations, and your Friday night temptations. It's when God's Word overrides your feelings, when obedience matters more than your comfort. This isn't a one-time decision but a daily choice. Every morning, you get to decide: Will I trust God's way or my way? Will I let His truth guide me or will I rely on my limited understanding? The beautiful thing about choosing submission is that it positions you to receive everything God wants to give you. When you stop fighting for control and start trusting His control, you'll discover a peace and strength you never knew was possible. Submission isn't surrender to defeat - it's surrender to victory.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>'But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble."' - James 4:6<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What would it look like for you to give God authority over the areas of your life you've been trying to control?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Submission is not weakness. It's a choice. It's placing yourself under God's authority because you trust his heart and his ways and his order."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, I choose to submit to Your authority today. Help me trust Your heart and Your ways, even when I don't understand. Give me the courage to let You lead in every area of my life. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 3 | THE RIGHT ORDER OF BATTLE</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Have you ever wondered why some people seem to have victory over temptation while others struggle constantly? The secret isn't in trying harder - it's in fighting from the right position. James gives us a specific order: submit to God first, then resist the devil. This isn't random advice; it's a strategic battle plan. Who you're submitted to determines what authority you're resisting with. You cannot effectively resist Satan while living in rebellion to God. Many of us want God's help without God's authority. We want Him as a consultant but not as Lord. We want His power to overcome our struggles, but we don't want to surrender the areas of our lives where we think we know better. But here's the truth: you stand no match against Satan by yourself. The enemy is too cunning, too experienced, and too determined. However, with God, Satan stands no match. There's no contest when you're fighting from a position of submission to the Almighty. This means before you try to resist that temptation, that habit, or that destructive pattern, you first need to make sure you're properly positioned under God's authority. Are you submitted to Him in your relationships, your finances, your time, your decisions? When you fight from the right position - submitted to God - resistance becomes possible, and victory becomes inevitable.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>'Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.' - James 4:7<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>Are there areas where you've been trying to resist temptation while still holding back submission to God in that same area?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"You cannot resist the enemy while living in rebellion to God. You cannot do it. You can't stand against Satan while ignoring the Lord."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>God, I want to fight from the right position. Help me fully submit to You first, so that when I resist the enemy, I'm fighting with Your authority and not my own strength. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 4 | WHAT RESISTANCE REALLY LOOKS LIKE</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>When we think about resisting the devil, we might imagine dramatic spiritual warfare - loud prayers, intense battles, supernatural encounters. But the reality is that resisting the devil often looks surprisingly ordinary and unspiritual. Resistance is saying no when your flesh is screaming yes. It's walking away from gossip instead of leaning in. It's blocking a phone number that leads you into temptation. It's deleting an app that feeds unhealthy desires. It's choosing accountability over secrecy. These small acts of obedience might seem insignificant, but they're actually powerful declarations of whose authority you recognize. Every time you choose God's way over the easy way, you're exercising spiritual resistance. Resisting the devil isn't about how tough you are - it's about who's got your back. When you're properly submitted to God, your resistance carries His authority. The enemy doesn't flee because you're strong; he flees because you're standing in the strength of the One who has already defeated him. Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is the most practical thing: remove yourself from tempting situations, create healthy boundaries, and make choices that honor God even when no one is watching. Remember, every small act of resistance is a step toward freedom. Every no to the enemy is a yes to God's best for your life.</i><br><i><br></i><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><i><br></i>'But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.' - 2 Corinthians 12:9<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What practical, everyday choices could you make this week that would be acts of resistance against the enemy's influence in your life?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Resisting the devil often looks super unspiritual. It's saying no when your flesh is just screaming yes. It's walking away instead of leaning into gossip like we talked about. It's blocking a number. It's deleting an app."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Father, give me wisdom to recognize the practical ways I can resist the enemy today. Help me make choices that honor You, even in the small, seemingly insignificant moments. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 5 | THE PROMISE OF VICTORY</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Here's a promise that will change how you face every battle: when you resist the devil from a position of submission to God, he will flee from you. The word 'flee' in the original language means to run in terror. Picture that - the enemy running in terror away from you, away from your family, away from your future. This isn't because you're intimidating, but because of whose authority you carry. When you're properly positioned under God, submitted to His lordship, the enemy recognizes the power that backs you up. He's not afraid of you - he's terrified of the God you serve. But remember, this promise comes with a condition: proper positioning. You can't claim this victory while living in rebellion. You can't expect the enemy to flee while you're still holding onto areas of your life that you refuse to surrender to God. The beautiful truth is that you have a choice in how this story ends. You can humble yourself, or life will do it for you. You can choose submission and experience victory, or you can choose pride and continue the exhausting battle. God's grace is sufficient for whatever you're facing today. His power is made perfect in your weakness. When you stop trying to be strong enough on your own and start relying on His strength through submission, you'll discover that victory isn't just possible - it's promised. Today, step into that promise. Submit to God, resist the enemy, and watch him flee in terror.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>''In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.' - Psalm 10:4<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |</b><br>What 'new name' or identity do you sense God calling you into, and what old labels or limitations do you need to leave behind to embrace it fully?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"That word means to run in terror. Picture the enemy running in terror away from you, running in terror away from your family or kids."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, I believe Your promise that the enemy will flee when I resist him from a position of submission to You. Help me walk in this victory today, trusting in Your power and not my own. Amen.<br></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="8" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >ACTION STEP</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="9" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">This week, identify one area where you've been trying to handle things in your own strength rather than submitting to God. Practice daily surrender by starting each morning with a prayer of submission, asking God to lead that specific area of your life. When you face temptation or challenges, remember to first acknowledge God's authority before trying to resist in your own power.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="10" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >PRAYER</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="11" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Lord Jesus, thank You for this reminder that Your grace is sufficient for us and that Your power is made perfect in our weakness. Help us to humble ourselves before You daily, choosing submission over self-reliance. Give us the courage to get off the throne of our lives and let You lead. When we face spiritual battles, remind us that our victory comes through Your authority, not our own strength. Make us a church that draws near to You so that You can draw near to us. Transform our hearts to be like Yours - humble, submitted, and dependent on the Father. In Your mighty name we pray, Amen.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="12" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE APP PLANS</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="13" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/133-temptation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Temptation</b></a><br><i>7 Days – Life.Church</i><br>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.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="14" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/51329-the-power-to-overcome-temptation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>T</b><b>he Power to Overcome Temptation</b></a><br><i>7 Days&nbsp;</i><i>– Rick Warren</i><br>Welcome to this seven-day devotional reading plan on fighting temptation. When you became a Christian, you may have thought your battle with temptation would get easier. But even the most mature Christians in the world still struggle with it! This reading plan will show you how to make a plan to resist temptation and find hope as you embrace God’s gift of the Holy Spirit to help fix your heart and mind on Christ.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="15" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/15170-overcome-your-temptations" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Overcome Your Temptation (Youth)</b></a><br><i>4 Days – Dr. Bruce Wilkinson</i><br><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="4675ebb5-07cc-4872-91fc-322180f7eebd" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5" dir="auto"><p data-end="309" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="0">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.</p></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="16" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >WATCH THE SERMON</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-subsplash_media-block " data-type="subsplash_media" data-id="17" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-subsplash-holder"  data-source="vcc486t" data-title="The Power of Position"><div class="sap-embed-player"><iframe src="https://subsplash.com/u/-D2VDKW/media/embed/d/vcc486t?" frameborder="0" allow="clipboard-read; clipboard-write" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe></div><style type="text/css">div.sap-embed-player{position:relative;width:100%;height:0;padding-top:56.25%;}div.sap-embed-player>iframe{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;}</style></div></div></div></div></div></div></section>]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>Limitless Love 1.18.25</title>
						<description><![CDATA[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 ...]]></description>
			<link>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/01/19/limitless-love-1-18-25</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 19 Jan 2026 13:38:51 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/01/19/limitless-love-1-18-25</guid>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="sp-section sp-scheme-0" data-index="18" data-scheme="0"><div class="sp-section-slide"  data-label="Main" ><div class="sp-section-content" ><div class="sp-grid sp-col sp-col-24"><div class="sp-block sp-image-block " data-type="image" data-id="0" style="text-align:center;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-image-holder" style="background-image:url(https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/20189524_2944x1664_500.jpeg);"  data-source="D2VDKW/assets/images/20189524_2944x1664_2500.jpeg" data-fill="true"><img src="https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/20189524_2944x1664_500.jpeg" class="fill" alt="" /><div class="sp-image-title"></div><div class="sp-image-caption"></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="1" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="2" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="abc5739f-a12a-4cde-b65c-2509ecb69990" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-2" dir="auto"><p data-end="599" data-start="145">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.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>But Jesus didn’t avoid him.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>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.”</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>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.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>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.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>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.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>Predictably, the religious leaders were offended. They questioned why Jesus would associate with people like that. But Jesus made His mission unmistakably clear:<br data-start="1526" data-end="1529">“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”</p><br>So now we face the hard questions:<br data-start="1697" data-end="1700">Who do we avoid?<br data-start="1716" data-end="1719">Who makes us uncomfortable?<br data-start="1746" data-end="1749">Who do we assume Jesus wouldn’t call?</div><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="abc5739f-a12a-4cde-b65c-2509ecb69990" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-2" dir="auto"><br>Sometimes we don’t realize it, but when we walk past people Jesus wants to reach, we’re walking past Jesus Himself.</div><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="abc5739f-a12a-4cde-b65c-2509ecb69990" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-2" dir="auto"><br>Levi’s story also reminds us that calling doesn’t always mean church ministry—it means obedience. Jesus calls mechanics, teachers, nurses, parents, students, artists, and yes, even tax collectors. Your workplace, school, and family are mission fields. Your story matters more than your past.</div><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="abc5739f-a12a-4cde-b65c-2509ecb69990" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-2" dir="auto"><br>Levi eventually became Matthew—the author of a Gospel read all over the world. God took the most hated man in town and used him to tell the greatest story ever told.<br>And He’s still doing that today.</div><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="abc5739f-a12a-4cde-b65c-2509ecb69990" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-2" dir="auto"><br>If you feel a tug in your heart—toward a new step of faith, a change in direction, a conversation you’ve been avoiding—that may be Jesus stopping in your path and saying the same words He spoke to Levi: “Follow Me.”<br>The question is not whether He’s calling.<br data-start="2661" data-end="2664">The question is how you’ll respond.</div><br><b>REFLECT |&nbsp;</b><ul><li data-end="2814" data-start="2735">Who am I tempted to avoid that Jesus might be calling me to see differently?</li><li data-end="2909" data-start="2815">What is something Jesus may be asking me to leave behind in order to follow Him more fully?</li><li data-end="2970" data-start="2910">Where has God placed me right now to live out my calling?</li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="3" style="text-align:left;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE VERSES</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="4" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Key Verses are denoted with an *</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="5" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><ul><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/MRK.2.13-14.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mark 2:13-14</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/MRK.2.15.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mark 2:15</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/MRK.2.16.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mark 2:16</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/MRK.2.17.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mark 2:17</a>*</li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="6" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DAILY DEVOTIONAL</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-accordion-block " data-type="accordion" data-id="7" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-accordion-holder"  data-style="dividers" data-icon="chevron" data-position="right"><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 1 | THE UNEXPECTED STOP</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Picture the scene: crowds are following Jesus along the lakeshore, and there sits Levi in his tax booth - the most despised man in town. Everyone else would have walked past, heads down, avoiding eye contact. But Jesus did something radical. He stopped. He looked directly at this corrupt tax collector and spoke two simple words that would change everything: 'Follow me.' What strikes me most about this moment is that Jesus didn't wait for Levi to clean up his act first. He didn't require a background check or a character reference. He simply saw potential where others saw only problems. Sometimes we think we need to have our lives perfectly together before God can use us, but that's not how His calling works. Jesus sees beyond our current circumstances to who we can become. He stops for the overlooked, the rejected, and the broken. Today, remember that no matter where you find yourself - whether you're successful but empty like Levi, or struggling with mistakes and regrets - Jesus is still stopping for you. His call isn't based on your performance but on His love.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |</b><br>'As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.' - Mark 2:14<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What areas of your life do you feel make you 'unworthy' of Jesus's attention, and how might His willingness to stop for Levi change your perspective on His love for you?<br><br><b>QUOTE |</b><br>"Jesus walks by Levi and he doesn't put his head down and just keep walking. Scripture says that he stops. He looks at Levi and he says this word. He says, 'follow me.'"<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Jesus, thank You for stopping for me just as You stopped for Levi. Help me to see myself through Your eyes of love and grace, not through the lens of my failures or the judgment of others. Give me the confidence to know that You call me not because I'm perfect, but because You love me perfectly. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 2 | THE IMMEDIATE YES</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Levi's response to Jesus's call was nothing short of extraordinary. Without asking questions, without negotiating terms, without even knowing where this journey would lead, he immediately left everything and followed. This wasn't just leaving a job - Levi walked away from financial security, social status (even if negative), and everything familiar. His response teaches us something profound about faith: sometimes obedience comes before understanding. We often want to know the full plan before we say yes to God, but Levi shows us that trust can precede clarity. His immediate response wasn't reckless; it was recognition. Something in Jesus's voice, His presence, His authority, spoke to Levi's heart in a way that made following Him the only logical choice. When God calls us - whether to a new direction, a difficult conversation, or a step of faith - He's not asking us to have all the answers. He's asking us to trust Him with the questions. Levi's story reminds us that the most life-changing moments often require us to say yes before we fully understand what we're saying yes to.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>'As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.' - Mark 2:14<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>Who in your life needs to meet Jesus, and how can you create opportunities to introduce them to Him in a natural, welcoming environment?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Christ is his guest of honor, and he wants everybody to know him. Levi wants everybody to know who Jesus is."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Father, help me to have Levi's heart for celebration and evangelism. Give me wisdom to know how to share Your love with those around me who don't know You yet. Help me to create spaces where people feel welcomed and valued, and where they can encounter Your grace through my life. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 3 | THE CELEBRATION PARTY</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>After leaving everything to follow Jesus, Levi did something beautiful - he threw a party. But this wasn't just any celebration; it was a strategic gathering. He invited all his friends, the people society had written off: tax collectors, prostitutes, and sinners. And he made Jesus the guest of honor. Levi understood something we sometimes miss: when Jesus transforms your life, it's worth celebrating, and it's worth sharing. His party wasn't about showing off his new religious status; it was about introducing his friends to the One who had changed everything for him. Notice that Levi didn't abandon his old relationships - he leveraged them for the kingdom. He knew these people needed Jesus just as much as he had. This challenges us to think differently about our own circles of influence. Instead of distancing ourselves from non-believers after we encounter Jesus, we should be drawing them closer to Him through authentic relationships. Levi's celebration reminds us that the Gospel is good news worth sharing, and sometimes the best evangelism happens around a dinner table with people who feel welcomed and valued.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>'While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.' - Mark 2:15<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>Who in your life needs to meet Jesus, and how can you create opportunities to introduce them to Him in a natural, welcoming environment?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Christ is his guest of honor, and he wants everybody to know him. Levi wants everybody to know who Jesus is.<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Father, help me to have Levi's heart for celebration and evangelism. Give me wisdom to know how to share Your love with those around me who don't know You yet. Help me to create spaces where people feel welcomed and valued, and where they can encounter Your grace through my life. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 4 | THE DOCTOR'S MISSION</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>When religious leaders criticized Jesus for eating with tax collectors and sinners, His response revealed the heart of His mission: 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.' This wasn't Jesus being sarcastic about the Pharisees' righteousness; He was making a profound point about recognition of need. The people at Levi's party knew they were broken. They didn't pretend to have it all together. The tax collectors knew they were corrupt, the sinners knew they had fallen short, and that recognition made them open to healing. The religious leaders, however, had convinced themselves they were already healthy and therefore saw no need for the Great Physician. Jesus came for people who know they need help - and that includes all of us. The beautiful truth is that admitting our need doesn't disqualify us from God's love; it positions us to receive it. When we stop pretending we're fine and acknowledge our brokenness, we create space for Jesus to work. His love isn't reserved for the perfect; it's poured out for the desperate, the struggling, and the honest about their condition.</i><br><i><br></i><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><i><br></i>'On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."' - Mark 2:17<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>In what areas of your life do you need to stop pretending you're 'healthy' and instead invite Jesus to be your healer and physician?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but it is the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but the sinner."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Jesus, thank You for being the Great Physician who came for people like me. Help me to be honest about my brokenness and need for You. Give me the humility to admit when I'm struggling and the faith to believe that You can heal and restore every area of my life. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 5 | YOUR NEW NAME</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>The most remarkable part of Levi's story isn't just that Jesus called him - it's what happened next. This despised tax collector became Matthew, one of the four Gospel writers. The man everyone hated became the author of the first book in the New Testament, the bridge between the Old and New Covenants. God didn't just save Levi; He transformed him into someone with a completely new identity and purpose. This transformation reminds us that God specializes in giving people new names, new identities, and new purposes. When Jesus calls you, He's not just inviting you to follow Him; He's inviting you into a completely new story. Your past doesn't define your future when you're in God's hands. The same God who turned Levi the corrupt tax collector into Matthew the Gospel writer can take your broken pieces and create something beautiful. Maybe you've been defined by your mistakes, your background, or what others think of you. But God has a new name for you: beloved child, chosen one, His masterpiece. The question isn't whether God can use someone like you - Levi's story proves He can. The question is whether you'll say yes to His call and step into the new identity He has waiting for you.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>'When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?"' - Mark 2:16<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |</b><br>What 'new name' or identity do you sense God calling you into, and what old labels or limitations do you need to leave behind to embrace it fully?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"God has given you a new name, and that's a child of God. You are a child of his."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Heavenly Father, thank You for seeing not just who I am, but who I can become in You. Help me to release the old labels and limitations that have defined me and step boldly into the new identity You have for me. Use my story, just like You used Levi's, to bring glory to Your name and hope to others. Amen.<br></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="8" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >ACTION STEP</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="9" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">This week, intentionally reach out to someone in your life who might be considered an 'outsider' or someone you normally wouldn't spend time with. Invite them for coffee, a meal, or simply have a genuine conversation. Look for opportunities to show Christ's love without judgment, just as Jesus did with Levi and the people at his party.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="10" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >PRAYER</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="11" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Lord Jesus, thank You for calling each of us just as You called Levi. Help us to have the same immediate obedience and excitement that he showed when You call us to step out in faith. Give us courage to reach out to those who are different from us, to celebrate what You're doing in our lives, and to remember that Your love is truly limitless. Help us to be people who bring others to You rather than pushing them away. We pray that we would hear Your voice clearly this week and respond with willing hearts. Thank You for choosing us and for always being on time in our lives. In Your precious name, Amen.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="12" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE APP PLANS</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="13" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/18752-evangelism-follow-jesus" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Evangelism: Follow Jesus</b></a><br><i>5 Days – Infinitum</i><br>Infinitum is a way of life centered on following Jesus by loving God and loving others through an emphasis on the habits and disciplines of surrender, generosity, and mission. We aim to see the Bible and also the world through these Jesus-colored lenses. This five day series is looking at evangelism through the Infinitum Vision: Follow Jesus.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="14" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/40757-called-to-mission" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Called To Mission</b></a><br><i>7 Days&nbsp;</i><i>– Church in the Wild</i><br>We were all called to live on mission. When God calls us to something, there tends to be an internal process that we all go through – discovery, response, acceptance, trust, safety, discomfort, and confidence. Together, we'll walk through each step of the process and explore how God can use our "ordinary, mundane" lives for purpose that extends past ourselves...</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="15" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/59509-called-out-living-the-mission" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Called Out: Living the Mission (Youth)</b></a><br><i>5 Days – Union of Evangelical Students</i><br><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="4675ebb5-07cc-4872-91fc-322180f7eebd" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5" dir="auto"><p data-end="309" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="0">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.</p></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="16" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >WATCH THE SERMON</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-subsplash_media-block " data-type="subsplash_media" data-id="17" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-subsplash-holder"  data-source="g9q7f7j" data-title="Limitless Love"><div class="sap-embed-player"><iframe src="https://subsplash.com/u/-D2VDKW/media/embed/d/g9q7f7j?" frameborder="0" allow="clipboard-read; clipboard-write" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe></div><style type="text/css">div.sap-embed-player{position:relative;width:100%;height:0;padding-top:56.25%;}div.sap-embed-player>iframe{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;}</style></div></div></div></div></div></div></section>]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>Two Kinds of Wise 1.13.25</title>
						<description><![CDATA[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.]]></description>
			<link>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/01/13/two-kinds-of-wise-1-13-25</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 13 Jan 2026 20:27:58 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/01/13/two-kinds-of-wise-1-13-25</guid>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="sp-section sp-scheme-0" data-index="18" data-scheme="0"><div class="sp-section-slide"  data-label="Main" ><div class="sp-section-content" ><div class="sp-grid sp-col sp-col-24"><div class="sp-block sp-image-block " data-type="image" data-id="0" style="text-align:center;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-image-holder" style="background-image:url(https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/21411651_1920x1080_500.png);"  data-source="D2VDKW/assets/images/21411651_1920x1080_2500.png" data-fill="true"><img src="https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/21411651_1920x1080_500.png" class="fill" alt="" /><div class="sp-image-title"></div><div class="sp-image-caption"></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="1" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="2" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="abc5739f-a12a-4cde-b65c-2509ecb69990" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-2" dir="auto"><p data-end="599" data-start="145">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.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>James tells us there are only two kinds of wisdom shaping our lives:<br data-start="748" data-end="751">earthly wisdom and Heavenly wisdom.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>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.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>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.</p><p data-end="599" data-start="145"><br>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.</p></div><br><b>REFLECT |&nbsp;</b><ul><li>When you look at your recent choices and reactions, what kind of wisdom do they reflect?</li><li>Where do you see signs of earthly wisdom creeping in (envy, comparison, striving, pride)?</li><li>What situation in your life right now needs heavenly wisdom and godly peace?</li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="3" style="text-align:left;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE VERSES</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="4" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Key Verses are denoted with an *</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="5" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><ul><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JAS.3.13-18.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">James 3:13-18*</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JAS.1.5.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">James 1:5*</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ECC.1.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ecclesiastes</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="6" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DAILY DEVOTIONAL</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-accordion-block " data-type="accordion" data-id="7" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-accordion-holder"  data-style="dividers" data-icon="chevron" data-position="right"><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 1 | THE WISDOM TEST</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>We live in a world where everyone seems to have an opinion about everything. Social media feeds are filled with people declaring their expertise on topics they've barely studied. But here's what's fascinating: James doesn't ask who thinks they're wise. Instead, he asks a much more challenging question. Real wisdom isn't about winning arguments or being the loudest voice in the room. It's not about having all the answers or impressing others with our knowledge. True wisdom is demonstrated through how we live our lives, not just what we say. Think about the wisest people you know. Are they the ones constantly posting their opinions online or dominating every conversation? Probably not. The truly wise people in our lives often speak less but live more authentically. They demonstrate their understanding through their actions, their character, and their relationships. Wisdom is like love or faith - it's invisible until it's not. You can't fake it for long because it will eventually show up in how you treat others, how you handle conflict, and how you respond to life's challenges. The question isn't whether you think you're wise, but whether your life demonstrates the kind of wisdom that comes from above. Today, let's shift our focus from trying to sound wise to actually living wisely. Let's allow our actions to speak louder than our words.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |</b><br>'Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.' - James 3:13<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>When you think about the wisest people in your life, what specific actions or character traits do they demonstrate that reveal their wisdom?<br><br><b>QUOTE |</b><br>"James, he doesn't start off by asking, who thinks that they're wise. He doesn't say that. I thought about that for a moment. He asked instead, who is wise and understanding among you."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>God, help me to be more concerned with living wisely than appearing wise. Show me how to demonstrate Your wisdom through my actions, my words, and my relationships. Let my life be a reflection of Your truth rather than my own opinions.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 2 | STRENGTH UNDER CONTROL</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>There's a beautiful misunderstanding in our culture about what true strength looks like. We often mistake loudness for leadership, aggression for assertiveness, and pride for confidence. But real wisdom operates differently. Meekness is often confused with weakness, but it's actually the opposite. Meekness is strength under control. It's having the power to retaliate but choosing restraint. It's being confident enough to stay quiet when others are shouting. It's being strong enough to be gentle when the situation calls for it. Some of the most spiritually mature people you'll ever meet aren't the ones with titles or platforms. They're not the ones making the most noise or demanding the most attention. Instead, they live quiet, faithful lives that speak volumes about their character. They've learned that true wisdom doesn't need to announce itself. This kind of wisdom shows up in everyday moments: when someone cuts you off in traffic and you choose not to honk; when a coworker takes credit for your idea and you don't make a scene; when someone disagrees with you and you listen instead of preparing your rebuttal. The world tells us to fight for our rights, demand respect, and make sure everyone knows how smart we are. But heavenly wisdom whispers a different message: be confident enough to be quiet, strong enough to be gentle, and wise enough to let your life do the talking.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>'But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.' - James 3:17<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>In what areas of your life do you find it most challenging to demonstrate 'strength under control,' and what would it look like to respond with meekness instead?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Meekness is confused as weakness. And it's not. It's not. It's not meekness. It's strength that's under control. Strength under control."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, teach me the difference between weakness and meekness. Help me to be strong enough to be gentle and confident enough to be quiet. Show me how to control my strength and use it in ways that honor You and bless others.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 3 | THE FRUIT REVEALS THE ROOT</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Have you ever noticed how you can tell what kind of tree you're looking at by examining its fruit? An apple tree produces apples, not oranges. A peach tree gives peaches, not pears. The same principle applies to the wisdom operating in our lives - it will always produce recognizable fruit. Earthly wisdom might look impressive on the surface, but its fruit tells a different story. It produces bitter envy that can't celebrate when others succeed. It creates selfish ambition that's more concerned with personal recognition than genuine service. It generates confusion and disorder because it's rooted in self-centeredness rather than truth. We see this everywhere: people with incredible success but no peace, individuals with everything they thought they wanted but still feeling empty inside. Even Solomon, who had wealth, power, intelligence, and pleasure beyond measure, concluded that it was all meaningless without the right foundation. But heavenly wisdom produces entirely different fruit. It creates peace where there was conflict. It brings clarity where there was confusion. It generates mercy where there was judgment. This wisdom shows up when we pause before reacting, when we listen instead of interrupting, when we choose forgiveness over keeping score. The beautiful truth is that we get to choose which kind of wisdom shapes our lives. And that choice will be evident in the fruit we produce - not just in our successes, but in our character, our relationships, and our impact on others.</i><br><i><br></i><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><i><br></i>'For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.' - James 3:16<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>Looking at the 'fruit' currently being produced in your life - your relationships, reactions, and responses to challenges - what kind of wisdom does it reveal is at work?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"People with everything. People with everything but no peace. We see it in people with success, but yet there's still a hole in their heart and there's no satisfaction that they're tasting."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Father, help me to honestly examine the fruit being produced in my life. Where I see the bitter fruit of earthly wisdom, please uproot it and plant Your heavenly wisdom instead. Let my life produce fruit that brings glory to You.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 4 | THE PEACEMAKER'S PATH</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>In a world full of conflict, division, and heated arguments, there's something revolutionary about choosing the path of peace. But heavenly wisdom doesn't just avoid conflict - it actively creates peace when conflict is already present. This isn't about being passive or avoiding difficult conversations. It's about approaching disagreements with a different spirit. It's about being the person who brings calm to chaos, understanding to confusion, and healing to hurt. This kind of wisdom shows up in practical ways that anyone can practice. It appears when you pause before reacting to that frustrating text message. It's present when you choose to listen - really listen - instead of just waiting for your turn to speak. It emerges when you decide to extend mercy instead of keeping a mental scorecard of wrongs. Peacemaking is an active choice that requires wisdom, courage, and often sacrifice. It means being willing to be misunderstood, to absorb some pain, and to prioritize relationships over being right. It's choosing to build bridges instead of walls, even when walls would be easier to construct. The promise is beautiful: those who make peace will be blessed. Not those who win arguments, not those who prove their point, but those who create peace where there was none. In a world desperate for peace, we have the opportunity to be agents of heavenly wisdom that transforms conflict into connection.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>'Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.' - James 3:18<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>Think of a current conflict or tension in your life - how could you apply heavenly wisdom to create peace rather than simply avoiding the situation or trying to win?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"This kind of wisdom, it doesn't just avoid conflict. What it does is it says it creates peace when conflict is present."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>God, make me a peacemaker in my family, workplace, and community. Give me the wisdom to know when to speak and when to listen, when to stand firm and when to yield. Help me to sow peace wherever I go.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 5 | ASK AND RECEIVE</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Here's the most encouraging news you'll hear today: if you feel like you lack heavenly wisdom, you're not stuck. You're not doomed to repeat the same patterns or make the same mistakes. There's a direct line to the source of all wisdom, and it's always open. The God who created the universe, who keeps the planets in perfect orbit, who designed you for this exact moment in history - this same God says that if you lack wisdom, you can simply ask for it. No prerequisites, no waiting period, no complicated application process. Just ask. This isn't about asking for more knowledge or information. The internet has given us access to more facts than any generation in history, yet we're not necessarily wiser. This is about asking for the kind of wisdom that transforms how we live, how we love, and how we respond to life's challenges. Real wisdom isn't proven by how much you know - it's demonstrated by how much of your life you're willing to submit to God. It's about recognizing that the Creator of everything might have better insights than we do about how to navigate relationships, handle conflict, and find true satisfaction. The invitation is simple and the promise is sure: ask for heavenly wisdom, and it will be given to you. Not because you deserve it, but because God is generous and wants to give good gifts to His children. Today is a perfect day to take Him up on this incredible offer.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>'If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.' - James 1:5<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |</b><br>What specific area of your life do you most need God's wisdom right now, and what would it look like to genuinely surrender that area to His guidance?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"If you lack this kind of heavenly wisdom, this is good news for you. If you lack it, ask for it and it will be given."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Heavenly Father, I admit that I need Your wisdom more than I need to be right. I ask You to give me the kind of wisdom that comes from above - wisdom that creates peace, shows mercy, and bears good fruit. Help me to submit my life to Your guidance.<br></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="8" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >ACTION STEP</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="9" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">This week, before making any significant decisions or responding to challenging situations, pause and ask God for His heavenly wisdom. Practice the discipline of seeking God's perspective first rather than relying on your own understanding or the world's advice. Choose one specific area where you've been operating in worldly wisdom and intentionally submit that area to God's lordship.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="10" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >PRAYER</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="11" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word today and for the reminder that You freely give wisdom to those who ask. We confess that too often we try to rely on our own understanding or the world's wisdom instead of seeking Your perspective first. Help us to be people marked by heavenly wisdom - pure, peace-loving, gentle, and submissive to Your will. Transform our hearts and minds so that the fruit of our lives reflects Your character. Give us the humility to ask for Your wisdom daily and the courage to follow it even when it's difficult. May we be peacemakers who sow peace and reap righteousness in our relationships and communities. We submit our lives to Your lordship and ask that You would shape us according to Your perfect wisdom. In Jesus' name, Amen.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="12" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE APP PLANS</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="13" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/22066-gaining-godly-wisdom" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Gaining Godly Wisdom</b></a><br><i>5 Days – YouVersion</i><br>Many of us see wisdom as something more experienced people have. But, we really can have it no matter how long we’ve lived. This 5-day Plan will give you insight into what godly wisdom actually is and how to gain it.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="14" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/14699-spiritual-wisdom" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Spiritual Wisdom</b></a><br><i>3 Days&nbsp;</i><i>– The Urban Alternative</i><br>Our travels through life can often feel like a narrow, treacherous road. Spiritual wisdom is God’s way of handling the twists and turns of navigating the journeys of life. This three-day plan by Dr. Tony Evans will tell you steps to accessing that spiritual wisdom.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="15" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/17740-god-can-give-you-wisdom" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>God Can Give You Wisdom</b></a><br><i>5 Days – Life.Church</i><br><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="4675ebb5-07cc-4872-91fc-322180f7eebd" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5" dir="auto"><p data-end="309" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="0">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!</p></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="16" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >WATCH THE SERMON</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-subsplash_media-block " data-type="subsplash_media" data-id="17" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-subsplash-holder"  data-source="dcrb3j2" data-title="Two Kinds Of Wise"><div class="sap-embed-player"><iframe src="https://subsplash.com/u/-D2VDKW/media/embed/d/dcrb3j2?" frameborder="0" allow="clipboard-read; clipboard-write" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe></div><style type="text/css">div.sap-embed-player{position:relative;width:100%;height:0;padding-top:56.25%;}div.sap-embed-player>iframe{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;}</style></div></div></div></div></div></div></section>]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>Don't Make The Trade 1.4.25</title>
						<description><![CDATA[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.

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			<link>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/01/06/don-t-make-the-trade-1-4-25</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 06 Jan 2026 20:25:54 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/01/06/don-t-make-the-trade-1-4-25</guid>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="sp-section sp-scheme-0" data-index="18" data-scheme="0"><div class="sp-section-slide"  data-label="Main" ><div class="sp-section-content" ><div class="sp-grid sp-col sp-col-24"><div class="sp-block sp-image-block " data-type="image" data-id="0" style="text-align:center;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-image-holder" style="background-image:url(https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/20132390_334x188_500.jpg);"  data-source="D2VDKW/assets/images/20132390_334x188_2500.jpg"><img src="https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/20132390_334x188_500.jpg" class="fill" alt="" /><div class="sp-image-title"></div><div class="sp-image-caption"></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="1" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="2" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="abc5739f-a12a-4cde-b65c-2509ecb69990" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-2" dir="auto"><p data-end="599" data-start="145">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.</p><br><p data-end="992" data-start="601">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.</p><br><p data-end="1447" data-start="994">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.</p><br><p data-end="1817" data-start="1449">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.</p></div><br><b>REFLECT |&nbsp;</b><ul><li><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="6f058b7d-834c-43db-8d04-b57be1e541d7" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-2" dir="auto"><p data-end="1900" data-start="1843">Where am I most tempted to choose comfort over calling?</p></div></li><li><p><br></p><p data-end="1900" data-start="1843">What spiritual habits help keep me anchored when I’m weary?<br><br></p><br><p><br></p></li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="3" style="text-align:left;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE VERSES</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="4" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Key Verses are denoted with an *</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="5" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><ul><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/GEN.25.27.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Genesis 25:27*</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/GEN.25.22-23.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Genesis 25:22-23*</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/HEB.12.16.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hebrews 12:16*</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ROM.8.5-6.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Romans 8:5-6</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/GEN.25.34.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Genesis 25:34*</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/HEB.12.1-2.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hebrews 12:1-2*</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/GAL.5.16.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Galatians 5:16*</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/1PE.2.9.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">1 Peter 2:9*</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/MAT.7.24-25.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Matthew 7:24-25</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="6" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DAILY DEVOTIONAL</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-accordion-block " data-type="accordion" data-id="7" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-accordion-holder"  data-style="dividers" data-icon="chevron" data-position="right"><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 1 | THE MOMENT THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>We've all been there—exhausted, overwhelmed, and facing a decision that seems small in the moment but carries eternal weight. Esau found himself in exactly this position. After a long day of hunting, he came home famished and made a trade that would haunt him forever. He exchanged his birthright, his spiritual inheritance, for a bowl of soup. What strikes me most about this story isn't the dramatic nature of Esau's choice, but how ordinary it seemed. He wasn't shaking his fist at God or declaring war on heaven. He was simply tired, hungry, and focused on immediate relief rather than long-term reward. How often do we find ourselves in similar moments? Maybe it's choosing to skip prayer because we're too busy, or compromising our values because everyone else is doing it, or allowing bitterness to take root because forgiveness feels too hard. These aren't necessarily dramatic spiritual rebellions—they're quiet trades where we exchange something precious for something temporary. The beautiful truth is that God sees these moments coming. He knows our weaknesses and our tendencies to live for the immediate rather than the eternal. That's why He calls us to be intentional about our choices, to remember that every decision either moves us closer to or further from His best for our lives. Today, you have the opportunity to choose differently than Esau. You can value what God has given you and refuse to trade your spiritual inheritance for temporary satisfaction.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |</b><br>'The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was content to stay at home among the tents.' - Genesis 25:27<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What temporary relief or immediate gratification are you most tempted to choose over God's long-term plan for your life?<br><br><b>QUOTE |</b><br>"Most people, they don't wake up saying that, I'm done with God. And you know what? This year, I don't want anything to do with Him. I'm not looking his way. I feel like most of us don't do that. Most of us don't wake up and start shaking our fist at God. I think instead, more often, it's the in the moment decisions, isn't it?"<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Father, help me to see beyond my immediate needs and desires to the eternal inheritance You have prepared for me. Give me wisdom to recognize when I'm being tempted to trade what matters most for what feels urgent right now. Strengthen my resolve to choose Your way, even when it's difficult. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 2 | RELIEF VS, REWARD</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>There's a fundamental difference between living for relief and living for reward. Relief is immediate, temporary, and focused on escaping present discomfort. Reward is future-oriented, lasting, and worth waiting for. Esau chose relief—he was hungry, tired, and wanted immediate satisfaction. Jacob, though flawed, understood the value of the reward that came with the birthright. In our daily lives, we face this same choice repeatedly. When stress mounts, do we reach for unhealthy coping mechanisms that provide quick relief, or do we turn to God and His promises for lasting peace? When relationships become difficult, do we choose the relief of avoidance or the reward of working through conflict with grace and forgiveness? The enemy's strategy hasn't changed since the Garden of Eden. He presents us with immediate solutions to our discomfort, hoping we'll forget about the greater reward God has in store. He knows that when we're exhausted, isolated, or overwhelmed, we're more likely to grab whatever temporary fix is right in front of us. But here's what Esau forgot and what we must remember: our spiritual inheritance isn't just about the future—it affects how we live today. When we choose God's way over immediate relief, we experience His peace, His strength, and His presence in the midst of our circumstances. We don't have to wait until heaven to enjoy the benefits of being His children. The question isn't whether you'll face moments of hunger, exhaustion, or pressure. The question is: will you choose relief or reward?</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>'See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.' - Hebrews 12:16<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>In what areas of your life are you currently choosing immediate relief over the greater reward God has promised?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Genesis 25, as we read, shows us how dangerous it is to live in the moment and to live for relief instead of reward, to live for appetite instead of inheritance."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, help me to see beyond my immediate circumstances to the eternal reward You have prepared for me. When I'm tempted to choose quick fixes over Your perfect plan, remind me of the inheritance I have as Your child. Give me patience to wait for Your timing and Your ways. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 3 | WHEN APPETITE BECOMES AUTHORITY</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Hunger isn't wrong—it's human. God created us with appetites and desires, and many of them are good and necessary. The problem comes when we allow our appetites to become the loudest voice in our decision-making process. Esau's hunger wasn't sinful, but letting that hunger drive his choices led to devastating consequences. We all have appetites—for food, comfort, approval, success, security, and more. These desires become dangerous when they start making decisions for us instead of being submitted to God's wisdom. When we're controlled by our flesh rather than led by the Spirit, we inevitably make choices that prioritize immediate satisfaction over eternal significance. Think about the last time you made a decision you later regretted. Chances are, it happened when you were operating from a place of unchecked appetite rather than spiritual wisdom. Maybe you spoke harshly because you were hungry for respect, or you compromised your integrity because you were desperate for approval, or you avoided a difficult conversation because you craved comfort more than growth. The good news is that we don't have to be slaves to our appetites. God has given us His Spirit to help us discern between what we want and what we need, between what feels good and what is good. When we walk in the Spirit, we can acknowledge our appetites without being controlled by them. Today, pay attention to the voices competing for authority in your life. Is it your hunger for comfort, your desire for control, or your need for approval? Or is it the gentle, steady voice of the Holy Spirit guiding you toward God's best?</i><br><i><br></i><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><i><br></i>'Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.' - Romans 8:5-6<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>Which of your appetites or desires is currently speaking the loudest in your life, and how can you submit it to God's authority instead?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Hunger, when unchecked, it becomes authority. Doesn't becomes the loudest voice. The flesh always says, relief right now is better than obedience."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Father, I acknowledge that I have appetites and desires that sometimes compete with Your will for my life. Help me to recognize when my flesh is trying to take authority over my decisions. Fill me with Your Spirit and give me the strength to choose Your way over my way. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 4 | BECOMING AN ANCHORED BELIEVER</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Ships don't drift away during calm weather—they drift when storms hit and they're not properly anchored. The same is true for believers. Most people don't wake up one day and decide to abandon their faith. Instead, they slowly drift away because they've stopped being anchored to Jesus. An anchor doesn't prevent storms from coming. Anchored ships still feel the wind and waves, still experience pressure and turbulence. But they don't drift because they're secured to something solid and unmovable. As believers, we need to understand that being anchored to Christ doesn't mean we won't face difficulties—it means we won't be swept away by them. Esau wasn't anchored. When the storm of hunger hit, he had nothing to hold him steady, so he drifted toward whatever promised immediate relief. He treated something sacred as ordinary because he had lost sight of its true value. But anchored believers respond differently to life's storms. When you're anchored to Jesus, you still feel hungry, tired, and pressured. You still face temptation and difficult circumstances. The difference is that you refuse to hand away what God has given you. You remember who you are and whose you are. You fix your eyes on Jesus rather than your feelings. Becoming anchored isn't a one-time decision—it's a daily choice to stay connected to Christ through prayer, Scripture, and fellowship with other believers. It's choosing to feed your spirit even when your flesh is demanding attention. It's remembering your identity as God's chosen, beloved child, especially when circumstances try to convince you otherwise.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>'Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.' - Hebrews 12:1-2<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What spiritual practices help you stay anchored to Jesus when life's storms hit, and how can you strengthen those anchors today?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"An anchor doesn't stop storms. It stops drifting."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>https://sermonshots.com/#:~:text=Lord Jesus, I,in You. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 5 | YOUR ROYAL IDENTITY</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>The enemy's greatest weapon isn't temptation—it's amnesia. He wants you to forget who you are and what you possess as a child of God. When you lose sight of your true identity, you become vulnerable to trading your inheritance for temporary satisfaction, just like Esau did. But here's the truth that can anchor your soul: you are chosen, you are royal, you are holy, and you are God's special possession. This isn't just encouraging language—it's your actual identity. You didn't earn it, you can't lose it, and no circumstance can change it. When you truly understand who you are, you'll be less likely to trade what you have for what the world offers. Esau despised his birthright, treating it as worthless. But you have something even greater than what Esau possessed. You have been adopted into God's family, given His Spirit, and promised an eternal inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade. You have been called out of darkness into God's wonderful light, not because of anything you've done, but because of His incredible love for you. When you remember your royal identity, the enemy's offers lose their appeal. Why would you trade your peace for temporary relief when you're already a child of the King? Why would you compromise your integrity for worldly success when you're already chosen and beloved? Why would you live in fear when you're already secure in God's love? Today, let this truth sink deep into your heart: you are not ordinary, you are not forgotten, and you are not alone. You are God's special possession, called to declare His praises and live in the light of His love. Don't let anyone or anything convince you to trade this incredible inheritance for something temporary.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>'But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.' - 1 Peter 2:9<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |</b><br>How does remembering your identity as God's chosen, royal, and holy child change the way you view the temptations and challenges you face today?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. Listen to this one. Receive this today. God's special possession you are, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Heavenly Father, thank You for choosing me, adopting me, and making me Your special possession. Help me to remember my royal identity, especially when I'm tempted to settle for less than Your best. May my life declare Your praises and reflect the light of Your love to everyone around me. Amen.<br></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="8" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >ACTION STEP</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="9" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">This week, identify one area where you've been living shortsightedly or allowing immediate desires to override God's best for your life. Commit to 'staying in the circle' by choosing God's way over the temporary relief or satisfaction that's tempting you. Practice asking God for wisdom in your daily decisions and spend time each day feeding your spirit through prayer, Scripture reading, or worship.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="10" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >PRAYER</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="11" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Lord Jesus, thank You for the reminder that we are Your chosen people with an incredible spiritual inheritance. Help us to value what You have given us and not trade away our peace and blessings for temporary satisfaction. When we face pressure and temptation this week, remind us of who we are in You. Give us the strength to stay anchored to You and the wisdom to make decisions that honor You rather than just satisfy our immediate desires. Help us to fix our eyes on You and walk by Your Spirit. We commit this new year to You and ask that You would help us live with eternal perspective. In Your precious name, Amen.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="12" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE APP PLANS</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="13" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/19051-experiencing-gods-peace" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Experiencing God's Peace&nbsp;</b></a><br><i>5 Days – YouVersion</i><br>The world’s peace is different from God’s peace. Worldly peace is temporary and dependent upon circumstances. God’s peace offers a permanent solution, which is salvation through Jesus and His presence in our lives. In this Plan, we’ll dive into what God’s peace truly means and how we can experience it in our lives.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="14" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/16462-from-anxiety-to-peace" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>From Anxiety to Peace</b><b>&nbsp;</b></a><br><i>6 Days&nbsp;</i><i>– YouVersion</i><br>If you find yourself constantly struggling with worry and anxiety, this Bible Plan is for you. There will not be a quick formula that guarantees 100% peace nor will everything related to anxiety be addressed. However, the principles contained in this Plan offer pathways toward victory when they are lived out. You’re invited to begin this journey from anxiety to peace.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="15" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/13452-finding-peace" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Finding Peace</b></a><br><i>10 Days – Touch Ministries</i><br><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="4675ebb5-07cc-4872-91fc-322180f7eebd" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5" dir="auto"><p data-end="309" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="0">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</p></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="16" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >WATCH THE SERMON</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-subsplash_media-block " data-type="subsplash_media" data-id="17" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-subsplash-holder"  data-source="mp4bf4n" data-title="Don't Make The Trade"><div class="sap-embed-player"><iframe src="https://subsplash.com/u/-D2VDKW/media/embed/d/mp4bf4n?" frameborder="0" allow="clipboard-read; clipboard-write" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe></div><style type="text/css">div.sap-embed-player{position:relative;width:100%;height:0;padding-top:56.25%;}div.sap-embed-player>iframe{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;}</style></div></div></div></div></div></div></section>]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>The Next Next Scene 12.28.25</title>
						<description><![CDATA[This peace wasn’t a promise of perfect circumstances. It was the arrival of a Person. Jesus didn’t come to remove all conflict or difficulty; He came as the Prince of Peace. The peace He offers reaches deeper than surface calm and touches every part of our lives.]]></description>
			<link>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/01/01/the-next-next-scene-12-28-25</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 01 Jan 2026 19:42:34 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/01/01/the-next-next-scene-12-28-25</guid>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="sp-section sp-scheme-0" data-index="18" data-scheme="0"><div class="sp-section-slide"  data-label="Main" ><div class="sp-section-content" ><div class="sp-grid sp-col sp-col-24"><div class="sp-block sp-image-block " data-type="image" data-id="0" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-image-holder" style="background-image:url(https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/22240154_3840x2160_500.JPG);"  data-source="D2VDKW/assets/images/22240154_3840x2160_2500.JPG" data-fill="true"><img src="https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/22240154_3840x2160_500.JPG" class="fill" alt="" /><div class="sp-image-title"></div><div class="sp-image-caption"></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="1" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="2" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">This peace wasn’t a promise of perfect circumstances. It was the arrival of a Person. Jesus didn’t come to remove all conflict or difficulty; He came as the Prince of Peace. The peace He offers reaches deeper than surface calm and touches every part of our lives.<br><br>First, Jesus brings eternal peace with God. Our greatest problem wasn’t stress or instability—it was separation from God because of sin. Christmas was God’s rescue mission. Jesus came to live the life we couldn’t live and die the death we deserved. When we place our trust in Him, our past no longer defines us, and our future becomes secure. We are no longer enemies of God, but children welcomed into His family.<br><br>Second, Jesus brings internal peace. This peace doesn’t erase hardship, but it stands guard over our hearts in the middle of it. It’s a peace that doesn’t depend on circumstances improving, but on knowing we belong to a faithful Father. Even when life feels overwhelming, His peace anchors us from the inside out.<br><br>Finally, Jesus brings external peace—a peace meant to flow through us to others. Like the shepherds who couldn’t keep the good news to themselves, we are called to carry Christ’s peace into a broken world. That means choosing peace over being right, dropping the rope in conflict, and extending grace even when it’s not returned. We become peace-bearers because we have received peace ourselves.<br><br>If Jesus could bring peace into the chaos of the first Christmas, He can bring peace into whatever you’re facing today.<br><br><b>REFLECT |&nbsp;</b><ul><li><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="6f058b7d-834c-43db-8d04-b57be1e541d7" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-2" dir="auto"><p data-end="2060" data-start="1963">Where might God be inviting you to wait with greater trust and attentiveness to His Spirit?</p></div></li><li><p><br></p><p data-end="2060" data-start="1963">How can your life shine the light of Jesus to those around you this week?</p><br><p><br></p></li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="3" style="text-align:left;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE VERSES</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="4" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Key Verses are denoted with an *</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="5" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><ul><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PHP.1.6.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Philippians 1:6*</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/LEV.12.8.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Leviticus 12:8</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/2CO.8.9.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">2 Corinthians 8:9*</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/LUK.2.22-32.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Luke 2:22-32*</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/HEB.11.7.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hebrews 11:7</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/GEN.6.17.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Genesis 6:17</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/NUM.23.19.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Numbers 23:19</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/GAL.5.25.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Galatians 5:25*</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ISA.49.6.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Isaiah 49:6</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/2PE.3.9.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">2 Peter 3:9</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/MAT.5.14-16.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Matthew 5:14-16*</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="6" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DAILY DEVOTIONAL</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-accordion-block " data-type="accordion" data-id="7" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-accordion-holder"  data-style="dividers" data-icon="chevron" data-position="right"><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 1 | GOD'S UNFINISHED SYMPHONY</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Have you ever started a project with great enthusiasm, only to abandon it halfway through? We've all been there - the half-finished craft project, the book we never completed, the resolution that faded by February. But here's the beautiful truth about our God: He doesn't operate like us when it comes to finishing what He starts. Christmas wasn't just a beautiful beginning - it was the continuation of an eternal plan. Before the first star was hung in the heavens, before time itself began ticking, God had already set in motion a rescue mission for humanity. The baby in the manger wasn't Plan B; He was the fulfillment of a promise that spans from eternity past to eternity future. When you look at your own life, you might see unfinished business, broken dreams, or incomplete healing. You might wonder if God has forgotten about you or given up on the work He started in your heart. But Christmas reminds us that God is in the business of completion. The same God who orchestrated the birth of Jesus in a humble stable is the same God working in your story today. Your life isn't a rough draft that God is still trying to figure out. You're part of His masterpiece, and He's committed to seeing it through to the end. Every setback, every delay, every moment of uncertainty is part of His perfect timing. He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |</b><br>"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." - Philippians 1:6<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What area of your life feels unfinished or abandoned, and how might God be continuing His work there even when you can't see it?<br><br><b>QUOTE |</b><br>"God finishes what he starts."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Father, thank You that You are not like us - You finish what You start. Help me trust in Your perfect timing and faithfulness, especially in the areas of my life that feel incomplete. Give me patience to wait for Your completion and eyes to see Your ongoing work in my story. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 2 | THE LAMB AMONG THE POOR</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>There's something beautifully ironic about the scene at the temple when Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus for dedication. According to Jewish law, families were to bring a lamb for sacrifice, but if they couldn't afford it, they could bring two doves instead. Mary and Joseph brought the doves - the offering of the poor. Picture this: the Lamb of God, carried into the temple by parents who couldn't afford to bring an actual lamb. The very One who would become the ultimate sacrifice was presented with the humble offering of those who had little. This wasn't an accident or an oversight in God's plan - it was intentional. Jesus didn't just come to help the poor; He came as one of them. He experienced what it meant to have parents who counted every coin, who made sacrifices just to follow God's commands. The King of Kings entered the world not in a palace but in a stable, not with wealth but with want. If you've ever felt overlooked because of your circumstances, under-qualified because of your background, or under-resourced compared to others, you're in incredible company. The Savior of the world knows exactly what it feels like to be where you are. He chose to experience limitation, poverty, and humble beginnings not because He had to, but because He wanted to identify completely with us. Your current circumstances don't disqualify you from God's purposes - they might just be the very platform He wants to use to display His glory.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"If they cannot afford a lamb, they are to bring two doves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for them, and they will be clean." - Leviticus 12:8<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>How does knowing that Jesus chose to experience poverty and limitation change your perspective on your own challenging circumstances?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Jesus didn't come for the poor. He came as the poor."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Jesus, thank You for choosing to come not just for the poor, but as one of the poor. Help me see that my limitations don't limit Your power, and my circumstances don't determine my worth in Your eyes. Use my humble beginnings for Your glory. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 3 | DANCING IN THE WAIT</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Simeon had been waiting for decades. Day after day, year after year, he held onto a promise that the Holy Spirit had given him - that he would see the Messiah before he died. Can you imagine the questions that must have crossed his mind during those long years? The doubts that might have whispered in the quiet moments? But here's what made Simeon's waiting different: it wasn't passive. He didn't just sit around hoping something would happen. He stayed sensitive to the Spirit's leading, positioning himself where God could use him. When the Spirit prompted him to go to the temple that day, he went. And in that moment of obedience, his decades of waiting culminated in holding the Christ child. Waiting on God isn't about sitting still - it's about staying close enough to Him that you can sense His next move. It's like dancing with a partner who knows the steps perfectly. You have to stay so close, so attentive, that you can feel the slightest shift in direction, the gentlest pressure that signals the next movement. Maybe you're in a season of waiting right now. Perhaps you're wondering if God has forgotten His promises to you, if His timing will ever align with your hopes. Remember that waiting isn't weakness - it's faith with endurance. It's trusting that God's delays are not His denials, and that He's preparing something beautiful even when you can't see it yet. Stay close to Him. Keep dancing. Your breakthrough moment might be just one step of obedience away.</i><br><i><br></i><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><i><br></i>"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." - Galatians 5:25<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>In what ways can you stay more sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading during your current season of waiting?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"To dance with him, you have to stay so close and so intimate that you see his next step he's taking."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Holy Spirit, teach me to dance closely with You during this season of waiting. Help me stay sensitive to Your promptings and obedient to Your leading. Give me faith to trust Your timing and strength to endure with hope. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 4 | LIGHT FOR ALL NATIONS</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>When Simeon held baby Jesus in his arms, he made a declaration that would have shocked many in the temple that day. He called Jesus "a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel." This wasn't just about Israel anymore - this was about everyone. In a time when racial and cultural barriers seemed insurmountable, when people were divided by ethnicity, social status, and religious background, Simeon proclaimed that this child would be the light for all nations. Christmas shattered every barrier that humans had built to separate themselves from one another. This truth is just as revolutionary today. In our world of division, where people are categorized and separated by countless differences, Jesus remains the light that unites us all. He doesn't see Democrat or Republican, rich or poor, educated or simple, insider or outsider. He sees people He loves, people He died for, people He wants to reach. But here's the beautiful part - you get to be part of spreading that light. Jesus called His followers "the light of the world," which means you carry His illumination wherever you go. In your workplace, your neighborhood, your family gatherings, you have the opportunity to let His light shine through you. The world has enough darkness. What it desperately needs is more people who will let the light of Christ shine so brightly through their lives that others can't help but notice. Your kindness, your hope, your love - these are all ways His light breaks through the darkness around you.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden." - Matthew 5:14<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>How can you intentionally let the light of Christ shine through you to break down barriers and reach people who feel excluded or overlooked?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Christmas. It shattered racial, cultural and social barriers."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord Jesus, thank You for being the light that breaks down every barrier. Help me to be a reflection of Your light in this dark world. Use me to reach across divisions and show Your love to people who feel excluded or forgotten. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 5 | THE STORY CONTINUES</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>When Simeon held Jesus and declared he was ready to die in peace, it wasn't because the story was ending - it was because he understood his part in the continuing story. He had seen salvation, and now he could rest knowing that God's plan was unfolding exactly as promised. Christmas doesn't end at the manger. The birth of Jesus wasn't the conclusion of God's work; it was the beginning of a new chapter that continues to this day. Every person who encounters Jesus becomes part of this ongoing story. Every life transformed, every heart healed, every person who chooses to follow Him adds another page to the narrative that began in Bethlehem. You are living in the continuation of the Christmas story. Your life, your choices, your faith - they all matter in God's grand narrative. Just as Simeon had a specific role to play in recognizing and proclaiming Jesus, you have a unique part in making Him known to your generation. The next scene in this story isn't just about seeing Jesus - it's about following Him. It's about letting His life transform yours so completely that others can see Him through you. It's about understanding that you were born not just to exist, but to participate in God's redemptive work in the world. As you step into each new day, remember that you're not just living your life - you're writing the next chapter of the greatest story ever told. Make it count. Let your life be a continuation of the hope, love, and light that entered the world that first Christmas.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"For he says, 'In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.' I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation!" - 2 Corinthians 6:2<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |</b><br>How do you want your life to continue the Christmas story, and what specific steps can you take to make Jesus known in your sphere of influence?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Christmas. It doesn't end at the manger. It doesn't. It continues. Living off into our lives today."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Father, thank You that the Christmas story continues through my life. Help me understand my role in Your ongoing work and give me courage to follow Jesus boldly. May my life be a bright chapter in the story of Your love for the world. Amen.<br></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="8" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >ACTION STEP</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="9" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">This week, identify one specific way you can 'take the lampshade off' and let God's light shine through you. Whether it's showing kindness to a difficult coworker, reaching out to someone who's hurting, or simply being more intentional about reflecting Christ's love in your daily interactions, commit to one concrete action that will help others see Jesus through your life.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="10" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >PRAYER</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="11" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Father, thank You for the example of Simeon who waited faithfully and was rewarded with seeing Your salvation. Help us to wait with that same faith and to stay close enough to You that we can follow Your lead like dancers following their partner. Give us courage to let Your light shine through us this week, and help us to remember that You have a purpose for each of our lives. May we live with the peace that comes from knowing You and the joy that comes from being part of Your eternal story. In Jesus' name, Amen.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="12" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE APP PLANS</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="13" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/51958-the-heart-of-christmas" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>The Heart of Christmas</b></a><br><i>4 Days – DaySprings</i><br>The Heart of Christmas Bible reading plan explores the stories of Simeon, the Shepherds, Anna, and Mary, each responding to the birth of Christ with faith and awe. Journey through their encounters, discovering how God revealed the Savior to them in unique ways. This plan will inspire you to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, nurturing a heart filled with worship, hope, and joy during the season.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="14" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/48410-rediscovering-hope-peace-joy-and-love-in-advent" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Rediscovering Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love in Advent </b></a><br><i>4 Days&nbsp;</i><i>– Salvation Army</i><br>As you journey through this Advent season, pause each week to rediscover the hope, peace, joy and love that can be yours because of the miracle of the first Christmas — Jesus moving into our neighbourhood. May that miracle become a reality for us all this Advent as we allow Jesus to move into our homes, families, relationships and into our hearts.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="15" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/52263-the-deliverer-has-come-a-5-day-reading" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>The Deliverer Has Come: A 5-Day Reading Plan for Kids</b></a><b><br></b><i>5 Days – Waterbrook Multnomah</i><br><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="4675ebb5-07cc-4872-91fc-322180f7eebd" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5" dir="auto"><p data-end="309" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="0">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.</p></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="16" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >WATCH THE SERMON</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-subsplash_media-block " data-type="subsplash_media" data-id="17" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-subsplash-holder"  data-source="3pmtn9z" data-title="The Next Next Scene"><div class="sap-embed-player"><iframe src="https://subsplash.com/u/-D2VDKW/media/embed/d/3pmtn9z?" frameborder="0" allow="clipboard-read; clipboard-write" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe></div><style type="text/css">div.sap-embed-player{position:relative;width:100%;height:0;padding-top:56.25%;}div.sap-embed-player>iframe{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;}</style></div></div></div></div></div></div></section>]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>The Joy of Christmas 12.14.25</title>
						<description><![CDATA[This peace wasn’t a promise of perfect circumstances. It was the arrival of a Person. Jesus didn’t come to remove all conflict or difficulty; He came as the Prince of Peace. The peace He offers reaches deeper than surface calm and touches every part of our lives.]]></description>
			<link>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/01/01/the-joy-of-christmas-12-14-25</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 01 Jan 2026 19:14:46 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2026/01/01/the-joy-of-christmas-12-14-25</guid>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="sp-section sp-scheme-0" data-index="18" data-scheme="0"><div class="sp-section-slide"  data-label="Main" ><div class="sp-section-content" ><div class="sp-grid sp-col sp-col-24"><div class="sp-block sp-image-block " data-type="image" data-id="0" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-image-holder" style="background-image:url(https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/22240154_3840x2160_500.JPG);"  data-source="D2VDKW/assets/images/22240154_3840x2160_2500.JPG" data-fill="true"><img src="https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/22240154_3840x2160_500.JPG" class="fill" alt="" /><div class="sp-image-title"></div><div class="sp-image-caption"></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="1" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="2" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">This peace wasn’t a promise of perfect circumstances. It was the arrival of a Person. Jesus didn’t come to remove all conflict or difficulty; He came as the Prince of Peace. The peace He offers reaches deeper than surface calm and touches every part of our lives.<br><br>First, Jesus brings eternal peace with God. Our greatest problem wasn’t stress or instability—it was separation from God because of sin. Christmas was God’s rescue mission. Jesus came to live the life we couldn’t live and die the death we deserved. When we place our trust in Him, our past no longer defines us, and our future becomes secure. We are no longer enemies of God, but children welcomed into His family.<br><br>Second, Jesus brings internal peace. This peace doesn’t erase hardship, but it stands guard over our hearts in the middle of it. It’s a peace that doesn’t depend on circumstances improving, but on knowing we belong to a faithful Father. Even when life feels overwhelming, His peace anchors us from the inside out.<br><br>Finally, Jesus brings external peace—a peace meant to flow through us to others. Like the shepherds who couldn’t keep the good news to themselves, we are called to carry Christ’s peace into a broken world. That means choosing peace over being right, dropping the rope in conflict, and extending grace even when it’s not returned. We become peace-bearers because we have received peace ourselves.<br><br>If Jesus could bring peace into the chaos of the first Christmas, He can bring peace into whatever you’re facing today.<br><br><b>REFLECT |&nbsp;</b><ul><li data-end="2237" data-start="2137">Which type of peace—eternal, internal, or external—do you most need to lean into right now?</li><li data-end="2340" data-is-last-node="" data-start="2238">Where might God be inviting you to act as a peacemaker this week, even when it’s uncomfortable?</li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="3" style="text-align:left;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE VERSES</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="4" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Key Verses are denoted with an *</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="5" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><ul><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/LUK.2.13-14.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Luke 2:13-14</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ISA.9.6.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Isaiah 9:6</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ROM.5.10.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Romans 5:10</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ROM.5.1.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Romans 5:1</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JHN.14.27.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">John 14:27</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PHI.4.7.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">John 16:33</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PHI.4.7.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Philippians 4:7</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/LUK.2.17.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Luke 2:17</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ROM.12.18.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Romans 12:18</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/EPH.2.14.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ephesians 2:14</a>*</li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="6" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DAILY DEVOTIONAL</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-accordion-block " data-type="accordion" data-id="7" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-accordion-holder"  data-style="dividers" data-icon="chevron" data-position="right"><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 1 | WHEN HEAVEN INTERRUPTS CHAOS</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Picture this: You're nine months pregnant, and your husband tells you that you need to travel 90 miles on foot to pay taxes. Not exactly the peaceful Christmas scene we see on greeting cards, right? Mary and Joseph's reality was filled with Roman oppression, government demands, and uncomfortable circumstances. Yet in the middle of this chaos, something extraordinary happened - heaven interrupted. The first Christmas wasn't a cozy Hallmark story. It was messy, difficult, and far from perfect. But that's exactly when God chose to break into our world. The angels didn't wait for ideal conditions to announce the birth of Jesus. They proclaimed peace on earth right in the midst of the chaos. This gives us incredible hope today. You might be facing your own chaotic circumstances - financial stress, relationship struggles, health concerns, or uncertainty about the future. But just like that first Christmas, God doesn't wait for perfect conditions to show up in your life. He meets you right where you are, in the middle of your mess. The peace the angels announced wasn't about perfect circumstances - it was about the arrival of the Prince of Peace himself. Jesus didn't come to make everything easy; He came to make everything possible. When life feels overwhelming and nothing seems to go according to plan, remember that God specializes in interrupting chaos with His presence.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |</b><br>'Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."' - Luke 2:13-14<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What chaotic circumstances in your life right now might God be wanting to interrupt with His peace and presence?<br><br><b>QUOTE |</b><br>"In the chaos, Heaven interrupts."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, thank You that You don't wait for perfect circumstances to show up in my life. Help me to recognize Your presence even in the chaos and trust that You are working all things together for good. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 2 | THE RESCUE MISSION</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Christmas didn't start in a manger - it started with a rescue mission. Before the shepherds, before the wise men, before the star, there was a problem that needed solving. Humanity was separated from God, and we couldn't fix it ourselves. We often think of ourselves as just lost, like we're wandering around trying to find our way back to God. But the reality is much more serious than that. We weren't just lost - we were separated, cut off, and unable to bridge the gap on our own. That three-letter word 'sin' created a chasm between us and our Creator that no amount of good works, religious activity, or moral living could cross. That's why Jesus came. The baby in the manger wasn't just there to be admired in a nativity scene. He came with a specific mission: to live the perfect life we couldn't live and to die the death we deserved. This wasn't Plan B for God - this was always the plan. From the very beginning, God knew we would need a Savior. This truth should fill us with both humility and hope. Humility because it reminds us that we can't save ourselves - we need God. Hope because it shows us just how far God was willing to go to rescue us. The eternal Son of God became human, lived among us, and gave His life so that we could be reconciled to the Father.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>'When we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son. How much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!' - Romans 5:10<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>How does understanding Christmas as a rescue mission rather than just a celebration change your perspective on what Jesus did for you?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Christmas begins with this really hard truth that you and I, we didn't land in some neutral zone. We weren't just lost. You and I were separated and unable to fix it for ourselves. We need God, don't we?"<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Father, thank You for sending Jesus on a rescue mission for me. Help me never to take for granted the incredible sacrifice that was made so I could be reconciled to You. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 3 | PEACE THAT GUARDS YOUR HEART</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>There's a difference between the peace the world offers and the peace that Jesus gives. The world's peace depends on everything going right - perfect health, stable finances, smooth relationships, and favorable circumstances. But Jesus offers something completely different: a peace that can coexist with troubles and hard times. This peace isn't circumstantial or situational - it's relational. It flows from knowing Jesus as your Lord and Savior, not from having a perfect life. When you know Him, your past no longer defines you, and your future is secure in His hands. This creates a supernatural calm that the world simply cannot understand or replicate. God's peace doesn't remove trials from your life. Instead, it stands watch over your heart during those trials. Like a guard posted at the entrance of a city, this peace protects your heart and mind from being overwhelmed by anxiety, fear, and despair. It's beyond human explanation because it comes from a divine source. You don't find this peace by being religious or earn it by being good. You receive it by trusting in Jesus. When storms rage around you - and they will - this peace becomes your anchor. It reminds you that no matter what you're facing, you belong to the Prince of Peace, and He is in control.</i><br><i><br></i><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><i><br></i>'And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.' - Philippians 4:7<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>In what areas of your life do you need God's supernatural peace to stand guard over your heart and mind?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"God's peace doesn't remove trials. It stands watch as it says it will guard your hearts. It's supernatural, it's beyond explanation, and it's found only in Christ."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Jesus, I need Your peace that transcends understanding. Help me to trust in You rather than my circumstances, and let Your peace guard my heart and mind today. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 4 | PEACE THAT FLOWS THROUGH YOU</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>The peace that Jesus gives isn't meant to stop with you. Like a river that flows from its source to nourish everything in its path, the peace of Christ is designed to flow through you to others. You become a carrier of His peace in a chaotic world. Think about the shepherds on that first Christmas night. After encountering the angels and seeing baby Jesus, they didn't keep the good news to themselves. They spread the word about what they had experienced. In the same way, when Christ's peace fills your heart, it naturally overflows into your relationships and interactions with others. This means you have the opportunity to be a peace agent in every situation you encounter. When conflicts arise, you can choose to drop the rope instead of pulling harder. When relationships are strained, you can pursue peace over being right. When others are anxious or fearful, you can bring the calm presence of Christ into their chaos. Being a peace-bringer doesn't mean avoiding difficult conversations or pretending everything is fine. It means approaching conflicts with grace, speaking truth in love, and extending forgiveness even when others don't reciprocate. It means being the person who brings hope into hopeless situations and calm into chaotic moments.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>'After they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.' - Luke 2:17<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>Who in your life needs you to be a carrier of Christ's peace to them, and how can you practically demonstrate that peace this week?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Peace doesn't stop with us, you know, it doesn't. The peace comes into us and it's supposed to now flow through us."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, help me to be a conduit of Your peace to others. Show me opportunities to bring Your calm presence into chaotic situations and to extend grace even when it's difficult. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 5 | PEACE BEGINS WITH YOU</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>As we conclude this journey through the peace of Christmas, remember this important truth: peace begins with you. Not because you create it or manufacture it, but because you choose to receive it and live from it. The Prince of Peace has already done the work - now it's about letting His peace transform how you live. Just as Jesus brought peace to the chaotic circumstances of that first Christmas, He can bring peace to any situation you're facing today. Whether you're dealing with family tensions, work stress, health concerns, or uncertainty about the future, the same Jesus who was born in Bethlehem is present with you right now. This peace isn't just a nice feeling or a temporary calm. It's the presence of the Prince of Peace himself living within you. When you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you carry His peace wherever you go. You become a walking demonstration of what it looks like when heaven interrupts earth. The world desperately needs what you have to offer. In a culture filled with anxiety, division, and chaos, people are hungry for the authentic peace that only Jesus can provide. As you live from His peace, others will notice. They'll see something different about how you handle stress, conflict, and uncertainty. And that opens the door for you to share the source of your peace. Remember, we need each other in this journey. It takes all of us to be the church, to carry Christ's peace into a broken world. You're not meant to do this alone.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>'If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.' - Romans 12:18<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |</b><br>How will you choose to live differently this week, knowing that you carry the peace of the Prince of Peace within you?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>" Peace begins with you and me. That's where it starts."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Prince of Peace, thank You for the incredible gift of Your peace. Help me to live from that peace and share it with others. Use me to bring Your calm presence into every situation I encounter. Amen.<br></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="8" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >ACTION STEP</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="9" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">This week, identify one relationship or situation where you've been in a 'tug of war' battle - whether it's with a family member, coworker, or friend. Instead of trying to win or prove you're right, intentionally choose to 'drop the rope' and pursue peace. Ask Jesus what He would have you do in that situation and take one concrete step to be a peacemaker, whether that's apologizing first, choosing not to argue, or extending grace where it's not deserved.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="10" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >PRAYER</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="11" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Lord Jesus, thank You for being our Prince of Peace. Thank You that Your peace isn't dependent on our circumstances being perfect, but on Your perfect love for us. Help us to remember that we were once Your enemies, but You reconciled us to Yourself through Your sacrifice. As we go from this place, help us to be carriers of Your peace. When we find ourselves in conflicts this week, remind us to ask what You would have us do. Give us the courage to drop the rope when needed and to choose peace over being right. May Your supernatural peace that transcends understanding guard our hearts and minds. Use us as Your peace agents in our homes, workplaces, and communities. We pray that others would see You through the peace we carry. In Your precious name we pray, Amen.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="12" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE APP PLANS</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="13" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/19051-experiencing-gods-peace" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Experiencing God's Peace</b></a><br><i>5 Days – YouVersion</i><br>The world’s peace is different from God’s peace. Worldly peace is temporary and dependent upon circumstances. God’s peace offers a permanent solution, which is salvation through Jesus and His presence in our lives. In this Plan, we’ll dive into what God’s peace truly means and how we can experience it in our lives.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="14" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/16462-from-anxiety-to-peace" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>From Anxiety to Peace</b></a><br><i>6 Days&nbsp;</i><i>– YouVersion</i><br>If you find yourself constantly struggling with worry and anxiety, this Bible Plan is for you. There will not be a quick formula that guarantees 100% peace nor will everything related to anxiety be addressed. However, the principles contained in this Plan offer pathways toward victory when they are lived out. You’re invited to begin this journey from anxiety to peace.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="15" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/58391-how-to-find-peace-in-god" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>How To Find Peace In God (Youth)</b></a><b><br></b><i>3 Days – Life.Church</i><br><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="4675ebb5-07cc-4872-91fc-322180f7eebd" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5" dir="auto"><p data-end="309" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="0">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.</p></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="16" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >WATCH THE SERMON</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-subsplash_media-block " data-type="subsplash_media" data-id="17" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-subsplash-holder"  data-source="8rwnxmp" data-title="The Joy of Christmas"><div class="sap-embed-player"><iframe src="https://subsplash.com/u/-D2VDKW/media/embed/d/8rwnxmp?" frameborder="0" allow="clipboard-read; clipboard-write" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe></div><style type="text/css">div.sap-embed-player{position:relative;width:100%;height:0;padding-top:56.25%;}div.sap-embed-player>iframe{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;}</style></div></div></div></div></div></div></section>]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>SEATED IN CHRIST 12.7.25</title>
						<description><![CDATA[The Christian life doesn’t begin with striving — it begins with position. Long before we made a choice to follow God, He had already chosen us. Scripture reminds us that we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ and adopted into God’s family, not because of what we’ve done, but because of what He has done. We are sealed by the Holy Spirit, marked as secure and forever belonging to Him...]]></description>
			<link>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2025/12/08/seated-in-christ-12-7-25</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 08 Dec 2025 20:58:40 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2025/12/08/seated-in-christ-12-7-25</guid>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="sp-section sp-scheme-0" data-index="18" data-scheme="0"><div class="sp-section-slide"  data-label="Main" ><div class="sp-section-content" ><div class="sp-grid sp-col sp-col-24"><div class="sp-block sp-image-block " data-type="image" data-id="0" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-image-holder" style="background-image:url(https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/22240154_3840x2160_500.JPG);"  data-source="D2VDKW/assets/images/22240154_3840x2160_2500.JPG" data-fill="true"><img src="https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/22240154_3840x2160_500.JPG" class="fill" alt="" /><div class="sp-image-title"></div><div class="sp-image-caption"></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="1" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="2" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">The Christian life doesn’t begin with striving — it begins with position. Long before we made a choice to follow God, He had already chosen us. Scripture reminds us that we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ and adopted into God’s family, not because of what we’ve done, but because of what He has done. We are sealed by the Holy Spirit, marked as secure and forever belonging to Him.<br><br>The resurrection of Jesus is more than a miracle — it’s a display of unstoppable power. He didn’t only rise from the grave; He rose in victory over sin, darkness, and every spiritual power that stood against God. That same resurrection power now lives inside every believer. Even more incredible, the Bible says we are seated with Christ in heavenly places right now — not later, not someday, but today.<br><br>When we understand this, it changes everything. We don’t work for victory; we live from it. Our obedience isn’t about earning God’s love, but responding to it. We are God’s workmanship, created for good works that flow out of our identity, not to create it. The Christian life begins by resting in what Jesus has already accomplished — learning to sit in His presence before we try to walk in our own strength.<br><br><b>REFLECT |&nbsp;</b><ul><li data-end="1564" data-start="1418">What would shift in your life if you truly lived from your position in Christ instead of striving to earn something He has already given?</li><li data-end="1645" data-is-last-node="" data-start="1565">Where might God be asking you to sit, rest, and trust Him more this week?</li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="3" style="text-align:left;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE VERSES</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="4" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Key Verses are denoted with an *</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="5" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><ul><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/EPH.1.3-5.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ephesians 1:3-5*&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/EPH.1.7.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ephesians 1:7</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/EPH.1.9-11.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ephesians 1:9-11</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/EPH.1.13.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ephesians 1:13</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/EPH.1.15-20.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ephesians 1:15-20</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/EPH.1.22-23.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ephesians 1:22-23&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/EPH.2.1-10.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ephesians 2:1-10*</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/MAT.16.18-19.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Matthew 16:18-19*</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/LUK.10.19.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Luke 10:19</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ROM.10.17.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Romans 10:17</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/COL.2.15.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Colossians 2:15</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/2CO.4.7.NIV" rel="" target="_self">2 Corinthians 4:7</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/GAL.3.3.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Galatians 3:3</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="6" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DAILY DEVOTIONAL</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-accordion-block " data-type="accordion" data-id="7" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-accordion-holder"  data-style="dividers" data-icon="chevron" data-position="right"><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 1 | CHOSEN BEFORE TIME BEGAN</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Have you ever wondered if God really wants you? In a world that often makes us feel unwanted or inadequate, it's easy to question our worth. But here's a truth that will transform your perspective: God chose you before the foundation of the world. This wasn't a last-minute decision or a backup plan. Before time began, before you took your first breath, before you made any mistakes or achievements, God looked at you and said, "I want that one." This divine choice isn't based on your performance, your background, or your potential. It's based entirely on His love and sovereign will. When you feel like you don't measure up, remember that He measures up perfectly, and He chose you anyway. You're not an accident or an afterthought - you're a deliberate choice of the Creator of the universe. This truth should bring incredible peace to your heart. You don't have to earn God's love or prove your worth. You're already chosen, already wanted, already loved beyond measure. Your identity isn't found in what others think of you or even what you think of yourself. Your identity is found in being chosen by God Himself.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |</b><br>"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love." - Ephesians 1:3-4<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>How does knowing that God chose you before the foundation of the world change the way you view yourself and your struggles today?<br><br><b>QUOTE |</b><br>"He chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy without blame before him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Father, thank You for choosing me before time began. Help me to rest in this truth when I feel inadequate or unwanted. Remind me daily that my worth comes from Your choice, not my performance. In Jesus' name, Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 2 | SEALED AND SECURED</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Imagine receiving a package with an unbroken seal - you know it's authentic and hasn't been tampered with. When you believed in Christ, God placed His own seal on you: the Holy Spirit. This isn't just a symbol; it's a guarantee of your security and His ownership of your life. In ancient times, a seal represented authority, authenticity, and protection. Kings would seal important documents to show they were genuine and couldn't be altered. God has done the same with you. The Holy Spirit is His seal, marking you as His own and guaranteeing your eternal security. This means you belong to God completely. You're not on probation, hoping to earn your place in His family. You're not at risk of losing your salvation because of your failures. The seal of the Holy Spirit is God's promise that you are His forever. When doubts creep in about your standing with God, remember the seal. When you feel distant from Him, remember the seal. When you mess up, remember the seal. Your relationship with God isn't based on your ability to hold onto Him, but on His promise to hold onto you. The seal cannot be broken by your weakness, only strengthened by His faithfulness.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise." - Ephesians 1:13<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What areas of your life do you struggle to trust God's security and ownership, and how can remembering His seal on your life bring you peace?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"He predestined us. He chose us. He sealed us with the Holy Spirit. I win. Amen. You win. We're in Christ."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, thank You for sealing me with Your Holy Spirit. Help me to live with confidence in Your security and ownership of my life. When I doubt, remind me of Your unbreakable seal. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 3 | RESURRECTION POWER WITHIN</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Death has a finality to it that we all understand. When something dies, it's powerless, lifeless, and begins to decay. But Jesus didn't just overcome death - He demonstrated a power so magnificent that it defies human comprehension. He raised Himself from under the weight of every sin ever committed, from Adam to the last person who will ever live. Here's the incredible truth: that same resurrection power now lives in you. You're not just forgiven; you're empowered. You're not just saved from something; you're saved to something extraordinary. The power that conquered death, hell, and the grave is the same power working within you today. Before Christ, you were spiritually dead - unable to please God or make yourself righteous. Dead things can only do one thing: decay. But God made you alive with Christ's life. You now have access to supernatural power for supernatural living. This isn't about trying harder or being more religious. This is about recognizing the divine power that already resides within you. When you face impossible situations, remember the resurrection power. When you feel weak and defeated, remember the resurrection power. When circumstances seem overwhelming, remember that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is working in and through you.</i><br><i><br></i><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><i><br></i>"And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead." - Ephesians 1:19-20<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>In what specific area of your life do you need to rely more on God's resurrection power rather than your own strength?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"The resurrection power of Christ lives in us. Hallelujah. We were raised with him as well."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Heavenly Father, thank You for the resurrection power of Christ that lives within me. Help me to walk in this power daily, trusting You for strength beyond my own abilities. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 4 | SEATED IN HEAVENLY PLACES</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Where you sit matters. In important meetings, seating arrangements reflect authority and relationship. In God's kingdom, you have been given the most incredible seat imaginable - you are seated with Christ in heavenly places. This isn't a future promise; this is your present reality. Right now, as you read this, you are spiritually positioned in the throne room of heaven. You have access to heavenly authority, heavenly perspective, and heavenly power. This doesn't mean you're physically in heaven yet, but spiritually, you're already there with Christ. From this heavenly position, earthly problems look different. Financial struggles, relationship conflicts, health concerns - while real and challenging, they're viewed from heaven's perspective. You're not fighting for victory; you're fighting from victory. You're not trying to get to a place of authority; you're already there. This truth should transform how you approach each day. You don't have to beg God for help from a distance - you're seated right next to Jesus. You don't have to wonder if you have access to God's power - you're positioned in the very place where all power originates. You can walk in the power and glory of heaven today because that's where you spiritually reside.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"And raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus." - Ephesians 2:6<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>How would your daily decisions and attitudes change if you truly lived with the awareness that you are seated with Christ in heavenly places?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"We're seated with Christ in the heavenly places. It's a spiritual place right now. Someday we'll be there in reality, but right now it's really real that we live there and we can walk there with the power and the glory that's in Heaven."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord Jesus, thank You for raising me up and seating me with You in heavenly places. Help me to live from this position of authority and victory rather than striving to achieve it. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 5 | REST IN WHAT'S ALREADY DONE</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>We live in a culture obsessed with doing. We measure worth by productivity, success by achievement, and value by performance. But the Christian life operates on a completely different principle - it begins not with a big "do" but with a big "done." Jesus accomplished everything necessary for your salvation and relationship with God. There's nothing left for you to add, nothing you can do to improve it, and nothing you can do to lose it. Your Christian life is built on resting in His finished work, not on your ongoing efforts. This doesn't mean you become passive or lazy. Instead, it means you stop trying so hard to please God through your performance and start resting in the fact that you already please Him through Christ. When you truly understand this, good works flow naturally from a heart of gratitude rather than a heart of obligation. God isn't waiting for you to get your act together before He loves you. He isn't keeping score of your failures or measuring your spiritual temperature daily. He looks at you through Christ and sees perfection. He's not disappointed in you; He's delighted with you. Stop trying so hard to earn what you already have and start enjoying the relationship that's already yours.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>'"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |</b><br>What areas of your spiritual life are you still trying to "earn" rather than resting in what Christ has already accomplished?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Our Christian life doesn't begin with a big do, but with a big done. It's not what I do, it's what he did."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Father, help me to rest in the finished work of Jesus rather than striving to earn Your love and acceptance. Teach me to live from a place of grace rather than performance. In Jesus' name, Amen.<br></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="8" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >ACTION STEP</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="9" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">This week, practice 'sitting with Christ' by setting aside time each day to simply rest in His presence without any agenda other than enjoying intimacy with Him. When you feel burdened or stressed, consciously surrender those concerns to Him and remind yourself of your position as one who is seated with Christ in heavenly places. Choose one area where you've been striving in your own strength and deliberately practice depending on the Holy Spirit's power instead.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="10" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >PRAYER</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="11" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Father, thank You for the incredible truth that we are seated with Christ in heavenly places. Help us to truly grasp the magnitude of what You have done for us and to live from that place of rest and victory. When we are tempted to strive in our own strength, remind us to return to that place of sitting with You, surrendering our burdens and allowing Your Holy Spirit to work in and through us. May we be a people who walk in the authority and intimacy that comes from knowing our position in Christ. Transform us from the inside out as we learn to depend completely on You. We love You and thank You for choosing us. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="12" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE APP PLANS</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="13" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/36664-life-in-the-spirit-adopted-into-christs-family" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Life In The Spirit: Adopted Into Christ's Family</b></a><br><i>5 Days – whoisgrace</i><br>No matter what your life has been like, the astonishing truth is that change is possible when you say yes to Jesus as King and Lord. But what exactly does life in Christ look like? In Romans 8:14-21, in the middle of one of the most theologically packed and beautiful chapters in the Bible, the apostle Paul describes the identity of a Christian led by the Holy Spirit.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="14" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">I<a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/1785-identity-in-christ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>dentity in Christ</b></a><br><i>7 Days&nbsp;</i><i>– Jeff Bethke</i><br>This is a seven day devotional focusing on our identity in Christ and what that means.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="15" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/869-identity" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Identity (Youth)</b></a><b><br></b><i>4 Days – Switch</i><br><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="4675ebb5-07cc-4872-91fc-322180f7eebd" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5" dir="auto"><p data-end="309" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="0">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.</p></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="16" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >WATCH THE SERMON</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-subsplash_media-block " data-type="subsplash_media" data-id="17" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-subsplash-holder"  data-source="66mdz7w" data-title="Peace on Earth"><div class="sap-embed-player"><iframe src="https://subsplash.com/u/-D2VDKW/media/embed/d/66mdz7w?" frameborder="0" allow="clipboard-read; clipboard-write" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe></div><style type="text/css">div.sap-embed-player{position:relative;width:100%;height:0;padding-top:56.25%;}div.sap-embed-player>iframe{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;}</style></div></div></div></div></div></div></section>]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>TAME IS YOUR TONGUE 11.23.25</title>
						<description><![CDATA[Words may be small, but their impact is massive. A single sentence can lift a heart—or crush one. A quiet comment can strengthen a relationship—or slowly erode it. The devastation of the 1894 Hinckley fire began with tiny sparks from passing trains, yet those sparks consumed 350,000 acres. Our words work the same way. What feels small to us can grow into something far bigger than we ever intended.]]></description>
			<link>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2025/11/25/tame-is-your-tongue-11-23-25</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 25 Nov 2025 16:01:03 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2025/11/25/tame-is-your-tongue-11-23-25</guid>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="sp-section sp-scheme-0" data-index="18" data-scheme="0"><div class="sp-section-slide"  data-label="Main" ><div class="sp-section-content" ><div class="sp-grid sp-col sp-col-24"><div class="sp-block sp-image-block " data-type="image" data-id="0" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-image-holder" style="background-image:url(https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/21411651_1920x1080_500.png);"  data-source="D2VDKW/assets/images/21411651_1920x1080_2500.png" data-fill="true"><img src="https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/21411651_1920x1080_500.png" class="fill" alt="" /><div class="sp-image-title"></div><div class="sp-image-caption"></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="1" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="2" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Words may be small, but their impact is massive. A single sentence can lift a heart—or crush one. A quiet comment can strengthen a relationship—or slowly erode it. The devastation of the 1894 Hinckley fire began with tiny sparks from passing trains, yet those sparks consumed 350,000 acres. Our words work the same way. What feels small to us can grow into something far bigger than we ever intended.<br><br>James understood this well. He compares the tongue to three powerful images:<ul><li>a bit small enough to fit in a horse’s mouth yet strong enough to direct its entire body,</li><li>a rudder that quietly guides a massive ship through wind and waves,</li><li>and a tiny spark that can ignite an entire forest.</li></ul><br>Each picture reminds us that our words carry influence, direction, and, if we’re not careful, destruction.<br><br>That’s why we have to ask a crucial question before we speak: Will my words build, or will they burn? Gossip is never harmless—it’s a spark. Sarcasm, careless venting, or unfiltered frustration can ignite relational fires that are far harder to put out than they are to start. Paul challenges us in Ephesians to choose a different path: to speak only what is helpful, wholesome, and beneficial “according to their needs.” Think of it like examining food before eating it ... If we wouldn’t want to receive the words we’re about to give, then they probably aren’t worth speaking.<br><br>James is honest with us: no human can tame the tongue on their own. But the good news is that we’re not left on our own. What is impossible for people becomes possible with God. Through the Holy Spirit, believers receive the gift of self-control. When we walk with the Spirit: pausing, praying, and inviting Him into our speech, He empowers us to respond with patience instead of anger, truth instead of gossip, encouragement instead of criticism.<br><br>The solution is simple, but powerful: ask for help. Pray for God to set a guard over your mouth. Invite the Holy Spirit to direct your words before they ever leave your lips. With His help, our speech can shift from sparks that destroy to tools that build, heal, and bring life.<br><br><b>REFLECT |&nbsp;</b><ul><li>Where have your words recently acted like sparks—small comments that may have caused more harm than you realized?</li><li>What would it look like this week to intentionally speak words that build others up according to their needs?</li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="3" style="text-align:left;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE VERSES</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="4" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Key Verses are denoted with an *</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="5" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><ul><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JAS.3.1.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">James 3:1</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JAS.3.2.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">James 3:2</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JAS.3.3-4.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">James 3:3-4</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JAS.3.5-6.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">James 3:5-6</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JAS.3.7-8.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">James 3:7-8</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JAS.3.9-12.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">James 3:9-12</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PRO.18.21.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Proverbs 18:21</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PRO.17.28.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Proverbs 17:28</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/EPH.4.29.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ephesians 4:29</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/MAT.19.26.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Matthew 19:26</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/GAL.5.22-23.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Galatians 5:22-23</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JAS.1.26.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">James 1:26</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PSA.141.3.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Psalm 141:3</a>*</li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="6" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DAILY DEVOTIONAL</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-accordion-block " data-type="accordion" data-id="7" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-accordion-holder"  data-style="dividers" data-icon="chevron" data-position="right"><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 1 | SMALL SPARKS, BIG FIRE</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Have you ever watched a small campfire spark float away on the wind? It seems so insignificant, yet that tiny ember has the potential to ignite an entire forest. Our words carry this same deceptive power. What comes out of our mouths may seem small in the moment, but the impact can be enormous. James uses vivid imagery to help us understand this truth. Just as a small bit controls a powerful horse, and a tiny rudder steers a massive ship, our tongue—though small—has incredible influence over the direction of our lives and relationships. The words we speak today don't just disappear into thin air; they land in hearts, minds, and memories, shaping how others see themselves and the world around them. Think about a time when someone's words deeply hurt you. Those words probably weren't physically large, but their impact was significant. Conversely, remember when someone's encouragement lifted your spirits and gave you hope. Same principle, different outcome. The reality is that every conversation is an opportunity. Every text message, every comment, every casual remark carries potential energy—either constructive or destructive. We get to choose which kind of spark we release into the world. Will our words be the kind that build bridges, heal wounds, and inspire growth? Or will they be the sparks that start fires we never intended to ignite? This isn't about walking on eggshells or never speaking honestly. It's about recognizing the weight and responsibility that comes with the gift of speech. Our words matter more than we often realize, and that awareness should shape how we use them.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |</b><br>'Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.' - James 3:5-6<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>When you think about the conversations you've had this week, were your words more like sparks that could start fires, or like water that puts out flames?<br><br><b>QUOTE |</b><br>"Consider what A great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire. A world of evil among the parts of the body it corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, help me to recognize the power in my words. Give me wisdom to understand that even my smallest comments can have lasting impact. Help me to be mindful of the sparks I'm releasing into the world through my speech. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 2 | THE BUILD OR BURN QUESTION</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Before you hit 'send' on that text, before you share that piece of information, before you respond to that frustrating comment—pause. Ask yourself one simple but powerful question: "Will this build or will this burn?" This question cuts through all the justifications we often make for our words. We tell ourselves we're "just being honest" or "speaking our mind," but honesty without love can be destructive, and speaking our mind without a filter can leave devastation in its wake. The real question isn't whether we have the right to say something, but whether saying it will contribute to building someone up or tearing them down. Every word we speak falls into one of these two categories. There's no neutral ground when it comes to the impact of our communication. Even our silence can be a choice to build by refusing to participate in destructive conversation. Building words are like tools in the hands of a skilled craftsperson—they create, repair, and strengthen. They offer encouragement when someone is struggling, wisdom when someone is confused, and hope when someone is discouraged. Burning words, on the other hand, are like matches thrown carelessly—they destroy trust, damage relationships, and leave scars that can last for years. The beautiful thing about choosing to build is that it becomes a habit. The more we practice asking this question, the more natural it becomes to choose words that uplift rather than tear down. We begin to see conversations as opportunities to add value to someone's day rather than just opportunities to express ourselves. This doesn't mean we can't address difficult topics or have honest conversations. It means we approach them with the intention to build rather than burn.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>'The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.' - Proverbs 18:21<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>Think of a recent conversation where you chose words that built someone up—how did that feel, and what was the outcome compared to times when your words may have been more destructive?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"When it comes to my words, am I burning or building?"<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Father, before I speak today, remind me to ask whether my words will build or burn. Give me the wisdom to choose life-giving words and the courage to remain silent when my words would only cause harm. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 3 | THE FILTER WE NEED</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>"I'm just a person who speaks my mind." How many times have we heard this phrase used as an excuse for hurtful words? But speaking your mind without a filter isn't authenticity—it's often just a lack of self-control dressed up as honesty. Not every thought that crosses our mind needs to be voiced. Not every piece of information we hear needs to be repeated. Not every opinion we hold needs to be shared in every conversation. Wisdom knows the difference between what can be said and what should be said. Think about it this way: we filter our water before drinking it, we filter our emails before they reach our inbox, and we filter our photos before posting them. Why wouldn't we filter our words before speaking them? A good filter doesn't stop everything from getting through—it just stops the harmful stuff. The filter we need isn't complicated. It's asking questions like: "Is this true? Is this helpful? Is this kind? Is this necessary right now?" These simple questions can save us from so much regret and save others from unnecessary pain. Gossip and rumors often spread because people don't use this filter. Someone hears something interesting and immediately feels the urge to share it, without considering whether it's verified, whether it's helpful, or whether it's their story to tell. But rumors and idle chatter aren't harmless entertainment—they're sparks that can ignite wildfires of hurt and division. Developing a healthy filter for our words is one of the most loving things we can do for the people in our lives. It shows that we value their well-being more than our impulse to speak. It demonstrates that we understand the weight our words carry and we're committed to using that weight responsibly.</i><br><i><br></i><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><i><br></i>'Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.' - Proverbs 17:28<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What would change in your relationships if you consistently filtered your words through the questions: 'Is this true? Is this helpful? Is this kind? Is this necessary right now?'<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Y'all, some things do not need to be said. I don't know if you knew that, but you don't have to articulate everything that goes through your brain. In fact, as a general rule, you shouldn't."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, help me develop a healthy filter for my words. Give me the wisdom to know when to speak and when to remain silent. Help me value others' well-being more than my impulse to express every thought. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 4 | DUMPING WATER, NOT SPILLING TEA</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>In our culture, "spilling tea" has become synonymous with sharing gossip or juicy information about others. But what if instead of spilling tea, we made it our mission to dump water on the fires that gossip creates? When someone starts sharing information that could damage another person's reputation, we have a choice. We can lean in, ask for more details, and become part of the problem. Or we can be the person who says, "I don't think we should be talking about this" and redirects the conversation toward something more constructive. This isn't about being self-righteous or acting superior. It's about recognizing that gossip isn't harmless entertainment—it's a spark that can ignite a wildfire. Reputations that took years to build can be reduced to ashes in a single conversation. Communities that were once united can be consumed by division and mistrust. Dumping water means choosing to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem. It means asking ourselves before we repeat something: "Is this going to build or is this going to burn?" It means having the courage to change the subject when conversations turn destructive. Sometimes dumping water looks like offering a different perspective: "I've always known them to be kind" or "There might be more to the story." Sometimes it looks like simply refusing to engage: "I'd rather not talk about someone who isn't here to defend themselves." And sometimes it looks like actively building someone up instead of tearing them down. The beautiful thing about choosing to dump water instead of spill tea is that it creates a culture of safety around you. People begin to trust that their reputation is safe in your presence, and that trust becomes the foundation for deeper, more meaningful relationships.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>'Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.' - Ephesians 4:29<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>When you're in a conversation where someone begins sharing gossip or negative information about another person, what practical steps can you take to 'dump water' instead of 'spill tea'?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Instead of spilling tea, we need to be dumping water. We need to be dousing the flames, Dousing the sparks."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>God, give me the courage to be a water-dumper rather than a tea-spiller. Help me to redirect conversations away from gossip and toward building others up. Make me a safe person for others' reputations. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 5 | THE POWER WITHIN YOU</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>"I just can't help it—that's just how I am." Have you ever said this about your words or heard someone else say it? It's easy to feel defeated when it comes to controlling our speech. After all, James himself acknowledges that no human can tame the tongue through their own strength. But here's the incredible truth: what's impossible for people is possible with God. If you've put your faith in Jesus, you have the Holy Spirit living within you. This isn't just a nice theological concept—it's a practical reality that changes everything about what you're capable of. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is available to help you choose life-giving words over destructive ones. Self-control is listed as one of the fruits of the Spirit, which means it's not something you have to manufacture through willpower alone. It's something that grows in you as you walk in step with God's Spirit. When you feel that familiar urge to say something you know you shouldn't, you can ask the Holy Spirit for help in that moment. This doesn't mean it will always be easy, but it does mean it's always possible. You're not stuck with patterns of speech that hurt others and damage relationships. You're not doomed to repeat the same destructive communication habits forever. Through the Spirit's power, real transformation is available. The key is remembering to ask for help. Too often, we try to change on our own and then wonder why we keep failing. But God wants to partner with you in this transformation. He wants to help you become someone whose words consistently build rather than burn. Start each day with a simple prayer: "Lord, set a guard over my mouth. Keep watch over the door of my lips." Then trust that He will provide the wisdom and strength you need, moment by moment, to speak words of life.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>'Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."' - Matthew 19:26<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |</b><br>In what specific situations do you find it most challenging to control your words, and how might asking the Holy Spirit for help in those moments change your response?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"By the Spirit's power in you, by his power in me, we can tame our tongues. Don't say you can't do it."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Holy Spirit, I acknowledge that I cannot tame my tongue on my own. I need Your power working in me to transform my speech. Set a guard over my mouth and help me speak words that bring life. Thank You that with You, all things are possible. Amen.<br></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="8" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >ACTION STEP</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="9" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">This week, before speaking in any situation, pause and ask yourself: 'Will these words build or burn?' Practice the prayer from Psalm 141:3 daily: 'Set a guard over my mouth, Lord, keep watch over the door of my lips.' Choose one relationship where you can intentionally speak life-giving, encouraging words.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="10" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >PRAYER</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="11" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Lord Jesus, thank You for this time of fellowship and learning together. We confess that we have not always used our words wisely, and we ask for Your forgiveness. Help us to rely on Your Holy Spirit's power to tame our tongues and speak words that build others up. Set a guard over our mouths and keep watch over the door of our lips. May our words reflect Your love and grace to everyone we encounter this week. Transform our hearts so that our speech flows from a place of love and truth. In Your precious name we pray, Amen.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="12" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE APP PLANS</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="13" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/61208-better-together" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Better Together</b></a><br><i>24 Days – Rick Warren</i><br>There’s no way you can be all God wants you to be and fulfill the purposes that you were put on this planet to fulfill without any help. We need each other, and we belong to each other in the Body of Christ! In this series, Pastor Rick explains how to do life in relationship to other people.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="14" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/23042-how-to-love-your-neighbors" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>How To Love Your Neighbors</b></a><br><i>4 Days&nbsp;</i><i>– YouVersion</i><br>In a world where so much division and tension exists, we’d all be better off if we learned to love others—even if it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable. In this 4-day plan, we’ll discuss who our neighbors are and how to love them.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="15" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/57407-love-your-neighbor" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Love Your Neighbor</b></a><b><br></b><i>7 Days – Every Home For Christ</i><br><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="4675ebb5-07cc-4872-91fc-322180f7eebd" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5" dir="auto"><p data-end="309" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="0">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.</p></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="16" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >WATCH THE SERMON</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-subsplash_media-block " data-type="subsplash_media" data-id="17" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-subsplash-holder"  data-source="r8m36sw" data-title="Tame is your Tongue"><div class="sap-embed-player"><iframe src="https://subsplash.com/u/-D2VDKW/media/embed/d/r8m36sw?" frameborder="0" allow="clipboard-read; clipboard-write" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe></div><style type="text/css">div.sap-embed-player{position:relative;width:100%;height:0;padding-top:56.25%;}div.sap-embed-player>iframe{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;}</style></div></div></div></div></div></div></section>]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>INTEGRITY IN COMMUNITY 11.16.25</title>
						<description><![CDATA[Faith was never meant to be a solo journey. Yes, our relationship with Jesus is personal—but it’s not private. Scripture consistently shows that God forms His people together. Sixteen of the twenty-one New Testament letters aren’t written to individuals at all, but to communities learning how to grow, serve, and love side by side. When we forget that, we drift into a kind of faith shaped more by Western individualism than by the biblical vision of shared life in Christ.]]></description>
			<link>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2025/11/18/integrity-in-community-11-16-25</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 18 Nov 2025 18:10:04 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2025/11/18/integrity-in-community-11-16-25</guid>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="sp-section sp-scheme-0" data-index="18" data-scheme="0"><div class="sp-section-slide"  data-label="Main" ><div class="sp-section-content" ><div class="sp-grid sp-col sp-col-24"><div class="sp-block sp-image-block " data-type="image" data-id="0" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-image-holder" style="background-image:url(https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/21411651_1920x1080_500.png);"  data-source="D2VDKW/assets/images/21411651_1920x1080_2500.png" data-fill="true"><img src="https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/21411651_1920x1080_500.png" class="fill" alt="" /><div class="sp-image-title"></div><div class="sp-image-caption"></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="1" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="2" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Faith was never meant to be a solo journey. Yes, our relationship with Jesus is personal—but it’s not private. Scripture consistently shows that God forms His people together. Sixteen of the twenty-one New Testament letters aren’t written to individuals at all, but to communities learning how to grow, serve, and love side by side. When we forget that, we drift into a kind of faith shaped more by Western individualism than by the biblical vision of shared life in Christ.<br><br>James warns us about one of the biggest threats to that kind of community: favoritism. It’s easy to be drawn toward people who look polished or put-together while unconsciously pulling away from those who seem different, struggling, or overlooked. But when we do that, we fracture the unity God calls His people to protect. Favoritism doesn’t just harm the person left out—it reshapes our own hearts, feeding comparison, pride, or insecurity. And it misrepresents God, who consistently looks past appearances and sees the heart.<br><br>The better way is the way of equity—honoring the unique story, gifts, and dignity God places in every person. Real faith calls us to move beyond surface judgments and into genuine relationship, where love is more than a warm feeling; it becomes action. It looks like choosing the seat next to someone new. Offering encouragement without expecting anything back. Seeing someone’s worth before seeing their clothes. It means investing in our own character so that we bring humility, compassion, and Christlike love into every interaction.<br><br>As we move through this week, may we ask the Spirit to help us see people the way God sees them—and to build a community where every person is truly known, valued, and welcomed.<br><br><b>REFLECT |&nbsp;</b><br><ul><li data-end="269" data-start="105">Where might favoritism—subtle or obvious—be shaping the way you interact with others, and what would it look like to see that person the way God sees them?</li><li data-end="417" data-is-last-node="" data-start="270">How can you intentionally invest in building genuine community this week, rather than approaching faith as something lived only on your own?</li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="3" style="text-align:left;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE VERSES</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="4" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Key Verses are denoted with an *</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="5" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><ul><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JAS.2.1.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">James 2:1*</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JAS.2.2-13.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">James 2:2-13*</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/GAL.3.28.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Galatians 3:28*</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ROM.2.11.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Romans 2:11*</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/1SA.16.7.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">1 Samuel 16:7*</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="6" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DAILY DEVOTIONAL</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-accordion-block " data-type="accordion" data-id="7" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-accordion-holder"  data-style="dividers" data-icon="chevron" data-position="right"><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 1 | FAITH THAT WORKS</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Have you ever noticed how some people can talk a great game but when it comes to action, they fall short? We've all been there - making promises we don't keep or having good intentions that never translate into reality. Faith works the same way. It's not enough to simply believe the right things or say the right words; authentic faith shows up in how we live. When James writes about faith, he's not talking about a private, internal experience that stays locked away in our hearts. He's describing something dynamic and visible - faith that rolls up its sleeves and gets to work. This kind of faith doesn't just sit in church pews on Sunday morning; it walks into Monday morning meetings, family dinners, and chance encounters at the grocery store. Think about the people who have impacted your life the most. Chances are, they weren't just people who talked about love, kindness, or integrity - they were people who embodied these qualities. Their faith wasn't just something they possessed; it was something they practiced. The beautiful thing about functional faith is that it creates a ripple effect. When we live out our beliefs authentically, it gives others permission to do the same. It creates an environment where faith becomes contagious, not because we're preaching at people, but because we're demonstrating what it looks like to trust God with our whole lives. Today, consider how your faith is functioning. Is it just a Sunday experience, or is it the driving force behind how you treat your coworkers, respond to difficult situations, and show up for the people in your life?</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |</b><br>'My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.' - James 2:1<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>In what specific area of your life do you need to move from just believing something to actually practicing it?<br><br><b>QUOTE |</b><br>"Real faith is functional. It doesn't just preach, it practices."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>God, help me to live out my faith in practical ways today. Show me where I've been all talk and no action, and give me the courage to let my beliefs shape my behavior. Make my faith functional, not just theoretical.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 2 | FAITH IN COMMUNITY</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>We live in a culture that celebrates the individual - the self-made person, the lone wolf, the independent spirit. While there's value in personal responsibility and individual growth, this mindset can creep into our faith life in unhealthy ways. We start thinking that faith is just between 'me and God,' forgetting that we were designed for community. From the very beginning, God said it wasn't good for man to be alone. This wasn't just about marriage; it was about the fundamental human need for connection and relationship. When we look at the New Testament, we see this principle woven throughout. Most of the letters weren't written to individuals but to communities of believers, emphasizing that faith is meant to be shared and lived out together. Community isn't just nice to have; it's essential for spiritual growth. In isolation, we can convince ourselves of almost anything. We can rationalize our blind spots, justify our weaknesses, and avoid the uncomfortable growth that comes from being known by others. But in authentic community, we're challenged, encouraged, and held accountable in ways that help us become who God created us to be. This doesn't mean faith isn't personal - it absolutely is. Each of us must make our own decision to follow Jesus. But once we make that choice, we're invited into something bigger than ourselves. We become part of a family, a body, a community where our individual faith is strengthened and expressed through our relationships with others. The question isn't whether you need community; it's whether you're willing to be vulnerable enough to experience it.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>'There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.' - Galatians 3:28<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>How has being in community with other believers challenged or strengthened your personal faith journey?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Real faith is relational, not just personal. Community is the context of our faith."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Father, thank You for designing me for community. Help me to be vulnerable enough to let others into my faith journey and wise enough to invest in theirs. Show me how to build authentic relationships that point us all closer to You.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 3 | WELCOME WITHOUT WALLS</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Picture this: two people walk into your church on Sunday morning. One is wearing an expensive suit, driving a luxury car, and clearly has financial means. The other is wearing worn clothes, looks like they haven't had a good meal in a while, and seems out of place. If you're honest, which person would naturally get more of your attention and warmth? This scenario isn't hypothetical - it's the exact situation James addresses in his letter. The problem isn't being kind to the well-dressed person; kindness is always good. The problem is the double standard that treats people differently based on their appearance or status. This kind of favoritism doesn't just hurt individuals; it damages the entire community. When we show partiality, we're essentially saying that some people are more valuable than others. We're creating an environment where people feel they need to measure up to certain standards to be truly welcomed. This contradicts everything the gospel teaches about God's love and acceptance. True welcome doesn't have conditions attached. It doesn't require people to clean up their act, dress a certain way, or prove their worth before they're embraced. It recognizes that every person who walks through the door is made in God's image and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. The beautiful truth is that when we create genuinely inclusive communities, everyone benefits. The wealthy person learns humility and compassion. The struggling person experiences dignity and hope. And together, they create a picture of God's kingdom that's far more beautiful than any homogeneous group could ever be.</i><br><i><br></i><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><i><br></i>'For God does not show favoritism.' - Romans 2:11<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What unconscious biases might be affecting how you welcome and treat different people in your community?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Our church is open to all who genuinely seek truth. All. And that not only applies to differences in social or economic status, like James is talking to here. Poor, middle class, rich. This goes for any other category or label."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, open my eyes to see people the way You see them. Help me to welcome others without conditions or expectations, and to create spaces where everyone feels valued and loved. Remove any prejudice from my heart.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 4 | HEART OVER APPEARANCE </div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>When God was looking for Israel's next king, He sent Samuel to Jesse's house to anoint one of his sons. As Samuel saw Jesse's impressive older sons, he was sure he'd found God's choice. They looked the part - tall, strong, kingly. But God had a different perspective entirely. He wasn't looking at their height, their build, or their impressive presence. He was looking at something much deeper. This story reveals a fundamental difference between how humans evaluate people and how God does. We're naturally drawn to what we can see - appearance, status symbols, achievements, charisma. These aren't necessarily bad things, but they're surface-level indicators that don't tell us much about a person's character or heart. God chose David, the youngest son who was out tending sheep while his brothers were being presented to the prophet. David wasn't chosen because he was unimpressive - he was chosen because God saw something in his heart that others missed. His heart was oriented toward God, and that made all the difference. This challenges us to examine our own priorities. How much time and energy do we invest in our outward appearance compared to our inner character? Do we put as much effort into developing patience, kindness, and integrity as we do into our physical fitness or professional success? The goal isn't to neglect our physical health or appearance, but to maintain proper perspective. External things are temporary and limited in their impact. Character, however, shapes every relationship we have and every decision we make. It's what God values most, and it's what should matter most to us too.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>'The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.' - 1 Samuel 16:7<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>Do you invest as much effort into developing your character as you do into maintaining your outward appearance?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>&nbsp;"God cares about your heart, not your height. God cares more about your heart than cares about your hair or your house or how much your shoes cost. He cares about your heart."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>God, help me to see beyond the surface in myself and others. Give me Your perspective on what truly matters. Develop in me a heart that seeks You above all else, and help me to value character over appearance.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">MERCY OVER JUDGMENT</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>There's something powerful about mercy that judgment simply cannot match. Judgment builds walls, creates distance, and shuts down possibilities. Mercy, on the other hand, builds bridges, creates connection, and opens up new opportunities for growth and relationship. When we approach others with a judgmental spirit, we're essentially saying that we have the right to determine their worth based on our limited perspective. We're playing God, deciding who deserves kindness and who doesn't. But mercy recognizes that we're all flawed, we're all in need of grace, and we're all on a journey of growth. This doesn't mean we ignore sin or pretend that all choices are equally good. It means we approach others with the same grace we hope to receive. It means we lead with compassion rather than condemnation, understanding rather than criticism. Mercy is particularly powerful in community settings. When people know they'll be met with grace rather than judgment, they're more likely to be honest about their struggles, more willing to seek help when they need it, and more open to growth and change. Mercy creates an environment where transformation can actually happen. The beautiful thing about choosing mercy is that it changes us as much as it impacts others. When we extend grace, we become more gracious people. When we choose understanding over judgment, we become more understanding ourselves. Mercy doesn't just triumph over judgment in our relationships with others; it triumphs over the harsh judgment we often direct toward ourselves. As you go through your day, look for opportunities to choose mercy over judgment. You might be surprised by how it transforms not just your relationships, but your own heart as well.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>'Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.' - James 2:12-13<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |</b><br>Where in your life do you need to replace judgment with mercy, either toward others or toward yourself?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Mercy triumphs over judgment. That is God's heart and that's God's word for us, his people."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, thank You that the same faith that saved Abraham and Rahab is available to me. Help me embrace faith that works—faith that trusts, follows, and puts You first. Transform me from the inside out by Your amazing grace. Amen.</div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="8" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >ACTION STEP</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="9" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">This week, intentionally reach out to someone in your church or community who might typically be overlooked or ignored. Make an effort to have a genuine conversation with them, learn their name, and show them the same warmth and welcome you would give to anyone else. Also, spend time in prayer asking God to search your heart for any areas where you might be showing favoritism or judging based on outward appearance.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="10" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >PRAYER</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="11" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Lord Jesus, thank You for accepting us just as we are and for looking at our hearts rather than our outward appearance. Help us to be a community that reflects Your love and acceptance to everyone who walks through our doors. Give us eyes to see people the way You see them, and hearts that welcome all without favoritism. Transform us from the inside out, and help us to prioritize character over appearance. May we be known as a people who love our neighbors as ourselves. In Your precious name, Amen.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="12" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE APP PLANS</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="13" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/61208-better-together" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Better Together</b></a><br><i>6 Days – ICF München</i><br>This reading plan is about genuine community, healthy relationships, and spiritual growth. Be encouraged to deepen your faith in fellowship and discover how God created us for one another—as companions, encouragers, and teammates.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="14" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/56891-a-new-way-to-love-your-neighbor" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>A New Way To Love Your Neighbor</b><b>&nbsp;</b></a><br><i>5 Days&nbsp;</i><i>– B&amp;H Publishing</i><br>Do you want better relationships? Do you consider yourself to be a loving person? It may sound simple, but loving others well is layered and comes with many challenges. It’s more than emotion or affection. It’s more than having things in common. Join Jada Edwards as she shows you how love is a divine choice to act in a favorable way toward another and how it’s more than making friends, acts of kindness, romance or marital love. It’s about redefining love from God’s perspective and discovering its divine power.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="15" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/1736-one-another" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>One Another</b></a> (Youth)<br><i>20 Days – Life.Church</i><br><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="4675ebb5-07cc-4872-91fc-322180f7eebd" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5" dir="auto"><p data-end="309" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="0">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</p></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="16" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >WATCH THE SERMON</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-subsplash_media-block " data-type="subsplash_media" data-id="17" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-subsplash-holder"  data-source="4nbxp35" data-title="Integrity in Community"><div class="sap-embed-player"><iframe src="https://subsplash.com/u/-D2VDKW/media/embed/d/4nbxp35?" frameborder="0" allow="clipboard-read; clipboard-write" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe></div><style type="text/css">div.sap-embed-player{position:relative;width:100%;height:0;padding-top:56.25%;}div.sap-embed-player>iframe{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;}</style></div></div></div></div></div></div></section>]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>FUNCTIONAL FAITH 11.9.25</title>
						<description><![CDATA[Faith is far more than intellectual agreement or Sunday morning belief—it’s a living, active force that transforms how we live every day. James reminds us that real faith isn’t meant to sit idle like an unused tool on a shelf. Instead, it works—engaging with life, shaping our choices, and producing visible fruit. Faith without deeds, James says, is like an unplanted field—it has potential, but no harvest.]]></description>
			<link>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2025/11/10/functional-faith-11-9-25</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 10 Nov 2025 18:38:31 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2025/11/10/functional-faith-11-9-25</guid>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="sp-section sp-scheme-0" data-index="18" data-scheme="0"><div class="sp-section-slide"  data-label="Main" ><div class="sp-section-content" ><div class="sp-grid sp-col sp-col-24"><div class="sp-block sp-image-block " data-type="image" data-id="0" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-image-holder" style="background-image:url(https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/21411651_1920x1080_500.png);"  data-source="D2VDKW/assets/images/21411651_1920x1080_2500.png" data-fill="true"><img src="https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/21411651_1920x1080_500.png" class="fill" alt="" /><div class="sp-image-title"></div><div class="sp-image-caption"></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="1" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="2" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Faith is far more than intellectual agreement or Sunday morning belief—it’s a living, active force that transforms how we live every day. James reminds us that real faith isn’t meant to sit idle like an unused tool on a shelf. Instead, it works—engaging with life, shaping our choices, and producing visible fruit. Faith without deeds, James says, is like an unplanted field—it has potential, but no harvest.<br><br>To drive this truth home, James points to two powerful examples: Abraham and Rahab. Abraham, known as the father of all who believe, trusted God’s promise of a son even after years of waiting. Later, when God asked him to offer that son, Abraham’s obedience revealed a faith that held nothing back. At the moment of testing, God provided a ram as a substitute—foreshadowing how He would one day provide His own Son for us.<br><br>Then there’s Rahab—a woman whose background and circumstances couldn’t have been more different. A prostitute living in Jericho, she had only heard stories of God’s power, yet that was enough to move her heart. When the Israelite spies arrived, her faith took action. She hid them and helped them escape, risking everything to side with the God she had come to believe was real.<br><br>Both Abraham and Rahab show us what genuine faith looks like—it trusts God with what’s most precious, follows His lead even without knowing the full plan, and puts Him first above everything else. That same transforming faith is available to us today. It’s not about perfection or position, but about putting belief into motion—living out what we say we believe, one faithful step at a time.<br><br><b>REFLECT |&nbsp;</b><br><ul><li data-end="1614" data-start="1545">Where might God be calling you to put your faith into action this week?</li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="3" style="text-align:left;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE VERSES</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="4" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Key Verses are denoted with an *</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="5" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><ul><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JAS.2.20-26.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">James 2:20-26</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/GEN.15.6.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Genesis 15:6</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ROM.4.3-5.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Romans 4:3-5</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/GEN.22.2.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Genesis 22:2</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/GEN.22.3.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Genesis 22:3</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JOS.2.9-12.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Joshua 2:9-12</a>*</li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="6" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DAILY DEVOTIONAL</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-accordion-block " data-type="accordion" data-id="7" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-accordion-holder"  data-style="dividers" data-icon="chevron" data-position="right"><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 1 | FAITH THAT WORKS</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Have you ever owned a tool that just sat in your garage collecting dust? Maybe it was a power drill you bought with great intentions, or a set of weights that became an expensive coat rack. Tools are designed to be used, and when they're not, they fail to fulfill their purpose. Faith works the same way. It's not meant to be a Sunday morning accessory or a philosophical concept we discuss in small groups. Real faith is functional—it engages with the messiness and challenges of everyday life. When we truly believe something in our hearts, it shows up in how we live, speak, and make decisions. Think about the people in your life whose faith you admire most. What draws you to them isn't just what they say they believe, but how that belief transforms their actions. They love when it's difficult, forgive when it hurts, and serve when it's inconvenient. Their faith isn't idle—it's active and alive. James uses the image of an unplanted field to describe inactive faith. A field has incredible potential to produce a harvest, but if no seeds are planted, it remains barren and useless. Similarly, faith that never moves beyond our thoughts and feelings fails to produce the spiritual fruit God intends. The beautiful truth is that God has given each of us a field of faith with unlimited potential. Every day presents opportunities to plant seeds through acts of love, kindness, courage, and obedience. When we step out in faith—even in small ways—we begin to see God work in and through us in ways we never imagined possible. Your faith isn't meant to be a museum piece, admired but never touched. It's meant to be a living, breathing part of who you are, shaping every aspect of your life and leaving a mark on everyone you encounter.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |</b><br>"You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?" - James 2:20<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What is one specific area of your life where you've been keeping your faith 'on the shelf' instead of putting it to work?<br><br><b>QUOTE |</b><br>"Real faith is functional. Real faith is to say that another way. Faith that works is faith that works."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, help me move beyond passive belief to active faith. Show me where You want me to plant seeds of faith today, and give me the courage to step out and trust You in practical ways. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 2 | TRUSTING GOD WITH WHATS PRECIOUS</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>What's the most precious thing in your life? Is it your children, your marriage, your career dreams, or maybe your health? We all have something that makes our hearts skip a beat when we think about losing it. For Abraham, it was Isaac—the miracle son he'd waited decades to receive. When God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, it wasn't because God wanted child sacrifice. Rather, God wanted to reveal what was truly in Abraham's heart. Would Abraham trust God even when His request seemed to contradict everything he understood about God's character and promises? This is where faith gets real and raw. It's easy to trust God with the small stuff, but what about the things that matter most to us? What about the dreams we've prayed for, worked toward, and finally received? What about the relationships that give our lives meaning? Abraham's willingness to trust God with Isaac wasn't about blind obedience—it was about knowing God's character so deeply that he could trust Him even in the darkness. Abraham believed that even if God allowed Isaac to die, He was powerful enough to raise him from the dead. That's the kind of faith that transforms us. The beautiful part of Abraham's story is that God provided. At the last moment, He provided a ram caught in the thicket. God never intended for Isaac to die—He wanted to show Abraham (and us) that when we trust Him with our most precious treasures, He proves Himself faithful. Today, God isn't asking you to literally sacrifice what you love most. But He is asking if you're willing to hold it with open hands, trusting that His plans for you are good, even when you can't see the whole picture.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you." - Genesis 22:2<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What precious thing in your life do you find hardest to trust God with, and what would it look like to hold it with open hands?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Real faith trusts God with what is precious."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Father, You know what's most precious to me. Help me trust You with it completely, knowing that Your love for me is greater than my love for anything else. Give me Abraham's faith to believe You are good, even when I don't understand. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 3 | FOLLOWING GOD'S MAP</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>"I'll tell you where you're going after you get going." That's essentially what God told Abraham when He called him to leave everything familiar and head toward an unknown destination. Can you imagine the anxiety that might have caused? Most of us want the complete itinerary before we even pack our bags. Yet this is exactly how faith works. God rarely gives us the full roadmap from start to finish. Instead, He gives us enough light for the next step, trusting that our relationship with Him will guide us through each intersection and decision point along the way. We often condition our obedience on understanding the complete plan. "God, if You'll just show me how this all works out, then I'll step forward." But faith doesn't work that way. Faith is trusting that God knows the way even when we don't, and believing that we don't walk alone. Think about it—if God mapped out every detail of your future, you'd probably be overwhelmed rather than encouraged. The challenges, the losses, the unexpected turns might paralyze you with fear. Instead, God gives us what we need when we need it: His presence, His promises, and enough light for the next faithful step. This doesn't mean we shouldn't plan or seek wisdom. It means we hold our plans loosely, ready to adjust when God redirects our path. It means we trust His timing, His methods, and His destinations, even when they don't match our expectations. Every day presents new intersections where we must choose: Will we trust God's leading or demand our own understanding? Will we step forward in faith or remain paralyzed by uncertainty? Abraham chose to trust, and his legacy of faith continues to inspire us thousands of years later.</i><br><i><br></i><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><i><br></i>"Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac." - Genesis 22:3<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What step is God asking you to take right now, even though you can't see the complete path ahead?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Here's what I've observed in my life. We. I condition obedience on knowing and understanding the plan."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, help me trust Your guidance even when I can't see around the next corner. Give me the courage to take the next step You're showing me, knowing that You go before me and walk beside me. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 4 | PUTTING GOD FIRST</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Rahab had everything to lose and nothing to gain—at least from a human perspective. She was a prostitute in Jericho, living in a city marked for destruction. When Israelite spies showed up at her door, she faced a life-altering choice: protect her familiar way of life or trust in the God of Israel she'd only heard about. What's remarkable about Rahab's story is that she chose God over everything familiar—her home, her culture, her livelihood, even her own people. She had heard about God's mighty works and decided that this God was worth the risk. Her faith moved her to action, hiding the spies and helping them escape. Rahab's choice mirrors Abraham's in a powerful way. Both chose God over what was comfortable and familiar. Both were willing to step into the unknown because they believed God was trustworthy. The patriarch and the prostitute—two very different people with the same transforming faith. This is the beauty of God's grace: it doesn't matter where you've been or what you've done. The same faith that saved Abraham saves us all. The same faith that transformed Rahab from an outsider to an ancestor of Jesus is available to you today. Putting God first doesn't always mean dramatic, life-changing decisions like Rahab's. Sometimes it's choosing honesty when a lie would be easier, choosing forgiveness when you'd rather hold a grudge, or choosing generosity when you'd rather be selfish. It's the daily decision to let God's will shape your choices rather than your own comfort or convenience. The question isn't whether you're perfect or have it all figured out. The question is whether you're willing to put God first, trusting that His way is better than your way, even when it costs you something precious.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient." - Joshua 2<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What familiar comfort or security might God be asking you to surrender in order to put Him first in your life?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>&nbsp;"Real faith puts God first. Notice there's a similarity with Abraham. Rahab, like Abraham, chose God over all that was familiar. Her home, her culture, her livelihood, her people."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>God, like Rahab, I want to choose You over everything familiar and comfortable. Help me trust that Your way is always better than my way, even when it requires sacrifice. Transform my heart to desire You above all else. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 5 | THE SAME FAITH THAT SAVES</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Abraham and Rahab couldn't have been more different. He was the respected patriarch, the father of nations, the friend of God. She was a prostitute from a pagan city, living on the margins of society. Yet both share the same incredible honor: they're celebrated in Scripture as examples of authentic, life-changing faith. This is the stunning message of grace—it's the same faith that saves everyone. It doesn't matter if you're a patriarch or a prostitute, a CEO or a janitor, someone who's had it all together or someone who's made every mistake in the book. The faith that transforms sinners into saints is available to all of us. Both Abraham and Rahab demonstrate that authentic faith is impossible to hide. You can't have genuine faith without evidence of it showing up in your life. What you truly believe in your heart will be expressed in how you behave. You can lie with your mouth, but you can't lie with your life. Their stories remind us that faith isn't about perfection—it's about direction. It's not about having all the answers—it's about trusting the One who does. It's not about being worthy—it's about accepting the worthiness that God freely gives. As we conclude this journey together, the question isn't whether you're good enough for God's faith to work in your life. The question is whether you'll embrace it. Will you choose the kind of faith that works—faith that trusts God with what's precious, follows His leading without needing the complete map, and puts Him first above everything else? This same transforming faith that changed Abraham and Rahab is knocking at the door of your heart today. It's the faith that doesn't just change what you believe—it changes who you are and how you live. Will you embrace it?</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." - Genesis 15:6<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |</b><br>How has this week's journey through faith challenged you to move from passive belief to active, transforming faith in your daily life?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Abraham and Rahab, the patriarch and the prostitute. And the message is so, so clear, Church. It is the same faith that saves. It is the same faith that transforms sinners into saints."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, thank You that the same faith that saved Abraham and Rahab is available to me. Help me embrace faith that works—faith that trusts, follows, and puts You first. Transform me from the inside out by Your amazing grace. Amen.<br></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="8" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >ACTION STEP</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="9" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">This week, identify one area where your faith has been "inactive" - perhaps a relationship that needs reconciliation, a habit that needs changing, or a step of obedience you've been avoiding. Take one concrete action this week that demonstrates your faith is not just something you believe, but something you live out. Ask God to show you what that next step should be and then take it, trusting Him with the outcome.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="10" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >PRAYER</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="11" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Lord God, thank You for this time of discussion and reflection on Your Word. We are challenged by the examples of Abraham and Rahab, and we want our faith to be the kind that works - active, obedient, and trusting. Help us to surrender what is precious to us into Your hands, knowing that You are good and Your plans for us are good. Give us courage to take the next steps You're calling us to take, even when we can't see the whole journey ahead. Transform our hearts so that our actions truly reflect our faith in You. We commit to living out our faith this week in practical ways, trusting You to guide and strengthen us. In Jesus' name, Amen.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="12" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE APP PLANS</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="13" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/55133-rahab-how-god-uses-the-unlikely" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Rahab - How God Uses the Unlikely</b></a><b>&nbsp;</b><br><i>5 Days – Woodbury Ministry</i><br>This 5-day Bible Plan explores the story of Rahab, a woman with a broken past whom God redeemed and used for His Kingdom purposes. Through her story, you’ll see how God’s grace transforms lives, how faith leads to action, and how even the most unlikely can leave a lasting legacy. Each day includes a devotional, multiple scripture references, a prayer, and a journal prompt to guide your journey of faith and encouragement.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="14" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/38‑life‑of‑abraham" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Life of Abraham&nbsp;</b></a><br><i>19 Days&nbsp;</i><i>– Immersion Digital</i><br>As the father of our faith, Abraham took his relationship with God personally. Through chapter-long daily assignments, this plan explores the biblical narrative of Abraham’s life and offers insight into what an active faith in God really looks like. The closing days of the plan include New Testament references to Abraham, inviting us to follow his example of a faith-filled life.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="15" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/22434‑james‑faith‑in‑action" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>James: Faith In Action (Youth)</b></a><br><i>15 Days – Angelicare</i><br><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="4675ebb5-07cc-4872-91fc-322180f7eebd" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5" dir="auto"><p data-end="309" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="0">Walk through James in 15 days and learn what real faith in action looks like.</p></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="16" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >WATCH THE SERMON</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-subsplash_media-block " data-type="subsplash_media" data-id="17" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-subsplash-holder"  data-source="hxmct2r" data-title="Functional Faith"><div class="sap-embed-player"><iframe src="https://subsplash.com/u/-D2VDKW/media/embed/d/hxmct2r?" frameborder="0" allow="clipboard-read; clipboard-write" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe></div><style type="text/css">div.sap-embed-player{position:relative;width:100%;height:0;padding-top:56.25%;}div.sap-embed-player>iframe{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;}</style></div></div></div></div></div></div></section>]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>MORE THAN SUNDAY 11.2.25</title>
						<description><![CDATA[Authentic Christian faith reaches far beyond Sunday morning—it’s meant to transform how we live every single day. In James 1:22-25, believers are reminded that hearing God’s Word is only the beginning. James compares it to looking in a mirror: one person glances quickly, sees what needs to change, and walks away unchanged; another looks carefully, remembers what they saw, and acts on it. The blessing doesn’t come from listening alone—it comes from obedience.]]></description>
			<link>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2025/11/03/more-than-sunday-11-2-25</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 03 Nov 2025 19:46:58 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2025/11/03/more-than-sunday-11-2-25</guid>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="sp-section sp-scheme-0" data-index="18" data-scheme="0"><div class="sp-section-slide"  data-label="Main" ><div class="sp-section-content" ><div class="sp-grid sp-col sp-col-24"><div class="sp-block sp-image-block " data-type="image" data-id="0" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-image-holder" style="background-image:url(https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/21411651_1920x1080_500.png);"  data-source="D2VDKW/assets/images/21411651_1920x1080_2500.png" data-fill="true"><img src="https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/21411651_1920x1080_500.png" class="fill" alt="" /><div class="sp-image-title"></div><div class="sp-image-caption"></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="1" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="2" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Authentic Christian faith reaches far beyond Sunday morning—it’s meant to transform how we live every single day. In James 1:22-25, believers are reminded that hearing God’s Word is only the beginning. James compares it to looking in a mirror: one person glances quickly, sees what needs to change, and walks away unchanged; another looks carefully, remembers what they saw, and acts on it. The blessing doesn’t come from listening alone—it comes from obedience.<br><br>Jesus echoed this in Luke 11:28, saying, “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” True freedom and blessing are found not in doing whatever we please, but in aligning our lives with God’s truth. The world defines freedom as limitless choice, but Scripture shows us that real liberty comes from living within God’s loving boundaries. A fish is free only in water, and a train runs freely on its tracks—so too, we flourish when we walk in obedience to God’s design.<br><br>As we let Scripture shape our hearts, our faith moves from words to action. We begin to love more deeply, serve more willingly, and reflect Christ more clearly in our everyday choices. When we live out what we hear, our faith becomes alive, authentic, and world-changing.<br><br><b>REFLECT |&nbsp;</b><br><ul><li data-end="1614" data-start="1545">What part of God’s Word have I been hearing but not yet applying?</li><li data-end="1682" data-start="1615">How might obedience bring greater freedom in my life this week?</li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="3" style="text-align:left;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE VERSES</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="4" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Key Verses are denoted with an *</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="5" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><ul><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JAS.1.22-25.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">James 1:22-25*</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/LUK.11.28.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Luke 11:28*</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/LUK.1.48.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Luke 1:48</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JHN.8.31-32.NIV" rel="" target="_self">John 8:31-32*</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/MAT.7.24-28.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Matthew 7:24-28*</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JAS.2.14-19.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">James 2:14-19*</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JHN.14.15.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">John 14:15*</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="6" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DAILY DEVOTIONAL</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-accordion-block " data-type="accordion" data-id="7" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-accordion-holder"  data-style="dividers" data-icon="chevron" data-position="right"><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 1 | BEYOND SUNDAY MORNING</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Have you ever caught yourself nodding along during a powerful message on Sunday, feeling inspired and ready to change, only to find yourself living the exact same way by Wednesday? You're not alone. Many of us have fallen into the trap of treating faith like a weekend hobby rather than a daily lifestyle. James challenges us with a sobering truth: simply hearing God's Word isn't enough. When we sit in church, read our Bibles, or listen to inspiring podcasts but fail to act on what we learn, we're only fooling ourselves. It's like knowing you need to exercise to get healthy but never actually going to the gym. True faith isn't something we put on for special occasions. It's not a Sunday outfit we wear and then hang back in the closet until next week. Faith is meant to be woven into the fabric of our everyday lives - in how we treat our coworkers, respond to traffic jams, handle our finances, and love our families. The beautiful thing about authentic faith is that it transforms us from the inside out. When we truly embrace God's Word and live it out, we discover that our Monday through Saturday lives become just as meaningful as our Sunday morning experiences. We stop compartmentalizing our faith and start experiencing the joy of walking with God every single day. Today, consider what it would look like to carry Sunday's inspiration into Monday's reality. What would change if your faith became a lifestyle rather than just a weekly event?</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |</b><br>"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." - James 1:22<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What specific area of your life have you kept separate from your faith, and how might God be calling you to integrate His truth into that space?<br><br><b>QUOTE |</b><br>"Faith, for me and you, it's not a status. It's not something you and I flip on and off. James, he's instructing us that it's a lifestyle. It's something that we pick up daily."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, help me move beyond being a Sunday-only believer. Transform my heart so that my faith becomes a living, breathing part of every day. Show me where I've been hearing but not doing, and give me the courage to live authentically for You. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 2 | THE MIRROR TEST</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>We've all had those moments standing in front of a mirror, noticing something that needs attention - maybe our hair is messy or there's something stuck in our teeth. Most of us instinctively fix what we see because ignoring it would be foolish. Yet when it comes to God's Word, we often do exactly what we'd never do with a physical mirror. God's Word acts like a spiritual mirror, showing us who we really are - both our beauty as His children and the areas that need His transforming touch. The question isn't whether we see ourselves clearly; it's what we do after we look. Do we walk away unchanged, or do we allow God to work in those areas He's revealed? Some of us have become experts at spiritual window shopping. We read inspiring verses, highlight meaningful passages, and even share them on social media, but we never actually apply them to our lives. We admire the truth from a distance rather than letting it change us up close. The difference between a casual glance and an intentional look is life-changing. When we truly examine ourselves in light of God's Word, we can't help but be transformed. His truth has a way of exposing not just our flaws, but also His incredible love and grace that empowers us to change. True blessing comes not from simply reading about God's love, but from experiencing it through obedience. When we respond to what we see in His Word, we discover the joy of becoming more like Jesus every day.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like." - James 1:23-24<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>When you look into the mirror of God's Word, what is one thing He's been consistently showing you that you've been walking away from without addressing?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"I used to think that wisdom was having all of the answers. &nbsp;When you open the Bible, it doesn't let you escape you. It doesn't. What you see is what you get. It tells the truth about you."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Father, thank You for Your Word that shows me who I really am. Help me not to be a forgetful hearer, but give me the courage to act on what You reveal. Transform me as I look intently into Your perfect law of freedom. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 3 | TRUE FREEDOM FOUND</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Have you ever noticed how some people's words stick with you long after the conversation ends? There's something about the way they speak that carries weight, substance, and life. Their words don't just fill the air - they fill your heart with encouragement, wisdom, or hope. Being slow to speak isn't about being quiet all the time. It's about being intentional with our words, choosing them carefully so that when we do speak, what we say matters. It's the difference between adding to the noise and adding to the conversation. When we rush to respond, we often say things we later regret. We might interrupt someone mid-sentence because we're so eager to share our thoughts. We might offer quick fixes to complex problems or give advice when what someone really needs is just to be heard. But when we slow down, we give ourselves time to consider not just what we want to say, but what needs to be said. Think about the people in your life whose words have shaped you for the better. They probably weren't the ones who talked the most, but the ones who spoke with purpose. They asked good questions, offered thoughtful responses, and knew when silence was more powerful than speech. As followers of Christ, our words have the power to build others up or tear them down. When we choose to be slow to speak, we're making space for wisdom to guide our responses. We're choosing quality over quantity, substance over noise.</i><br><i><br></i><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><i><br></i>"To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'" - John 8:31-32<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>In what area of your life have you been pursuing worldly freedom, only to find yourself feeling more trapped than liberated?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Real freedom isn't about having no boundaries. It's about having the right ones."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Jesus, thank You that Your truth sets me free. Help me to see that obedience to You isn't bondage but the path to real freedom. Give me the wisdom to embrace Your boundaries as gifts of love, not restrictions. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 4 | FAITH THAT MOVES</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Have you ever watched someone talk about swimming but never get in the water? They might know all the techniques, understand the physics of buoyancy, and even teach others about proper form. But until they actually dive in, all their knowledge remains theoretical. Faith works the same way. James delivers a hard truth: faith without action is dead. It's not that our actions save us, but rather that genuine faith naturally produces action. When we truly believe something, it changes how we live. If we say we have faith but our lives remain unchanged, we might need to examine whether our faith is real or just intellectual agreement. Think about Peter walking on water. He didn't stay in the boat analyzing the physics of how Jesus could stand on the surface. He didn't conduct a theological debate about the possibility of miracles. When Jesus called him, Peter stepped out. His faith moved him to action, and that's when the miracle happened. God isn't looking for perfect people; He's looking for people willing to take steps of faith. You might feel inadequate or unprepared, but remember - you've overcome challenges before that seemed impossible at the time. That difficult season you thought would destroy you? You made it through. That problem that kept you awake at night? God provided a way. Faith isn't about having all the answers; it's about trusting the One who does. When God prompts you to act, to forgive, to serve, or to step out of your comfort zone, He's not asking you to be perfect. He's asking you to be obedient. And in your obedience, He'll show up in ways that will amaze you.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." - James 2:17<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What step of faith has God been calling you to take that you've been hesitating on because you're waiting to feel more prepared or confident?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>&nbsp;"You can do hard things. You know how I know? Think about the season that you thought was going to sink you. You thought for sure, I'm going down. You made it through."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, I don't want my faith to be dead or inactive. Give me the courage to step out when You call, trusting that You'll provide everything I need. Help me remember that You've brought me through challenges before, and You'll do it again. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 5 | BUILDING ON A ROCK</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Every builder knows that the foundation determines everything. You can have the most beautiful materials, the most skilled craftsmen, and the most detailed plans, but if your foundation is weak, your entire structure is at risk. Jesus used this powerful imagery to teach us about the importance of not just hearing His words, but actually living them out. Life has a way of testing the foundations we've built upon. Storms come - sometimes as sudden crises, other times as slow, steady pressures that wear us down over time. In these moments, we discover what our lives are really built on. Are we standing on the solid rock of applied truth, or are we hoping that good intentions and Sunday morning inspiration will be enough? The wise builder in Jesus' parable didn't just admire the blueprints; he dug deep and built on solid rock. This represents those who hear God's Word and put it into practice. When the storms hit their house, it stood firm because it was built on something unshakeable. Building on the rock requires more effort upfront. It's easier to build on sand - it requires less digging, less preparation, less commitment. But when life's inevitable storms arrive, only those who have built on the foundation of obedience to God's Word will stand strong. The beautiful promise is that God doesn't leave us to build alone. He provides both the blueprint through His Word and the strength to follow through. Every act of obedience, every choice to do what's right even when it's difficult, is another stone laid on the solid foundation that will sustain you through whatever storms may come. Your foundation is being built one choice at a time. What are you building on today?</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock." - Matthew 7:24<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |</b><br>Looking at the current storms or challenges in your life, what does their impact reveal about the foundation you've been building on?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"God wants our trust and our obedience. Again, he knows every detail of our life."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Father, I want to be a wise builder who not only hears Your words but puts them into practice. Help me dig deep and build my life on the solid rock of obedience to You. Strengthen me for the work ahead and sustain me through every storm. Amen.<br></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="8" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >ACTION STEP</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="9" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">This week, identify one specific area where God has been speaking to you through His Word but you haven't taken action. Choose one concrete step you can take this week to move from hearing to doing. Whether it's having a difficult conversation, breaking a bad habit, or starting a new spiritual discipline, commit to taking that step and ask someone in your group to hold you accountable.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="10" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >PRAYER</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="11" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Lord, thank You for Your Word that doesn't just inform us but transforms us. We don't want to leave here unchanged. Help us to be people who reflect Your Word in our daily lives and respond with obedience when You speak. Give us the courage to take the hard steps You're calling us to take, knowing that You are with us every step of the way. May our faith be evident not just on Sundays, but every day of the week. Transform us from the inside out as we seek to live as true doers of Your Word. In Jesus' name, Amen.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="12" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE APP PLANS</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="13" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/54-obedience" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Obedience</b></a><br><i>14 Days – YouVersion</i><br>Jesus Himself said anyone who loves Him will obey His teaching. No matter what it costs us personally, our obedience matters to God. The "Obedience" reading plan walks through what the Scriptures say about obedience: How to maintain a mindset of integrity, the role of mercy, how obeying frees us and blesses our lives, and more</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="14" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/25388-walking-in-obedience" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Walking in Obedience</b></a><br><i>5 Days&nbsp;</i><i>– Dare To Be</i><br>Have you ever had to make a decision between something that makes logical sense on paper and the thing you believe God has asked you to do? The tension that comes when you recognize the two aren't the same can feel confusing. Join Natalie Grant &amp; Charlotte Gambill as they share the importance of walking in obedience and how it positions us to respond in faith despite our feelings.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="15" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/34739-obedience" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Obedience to God's Plan (Youth)</b></a><br><i>3 Days – The Urban Alternative</i><br><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="4675ebb5-07cc-4872-91fc-322180f7eebd" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5" dir="auto"><p data-end="309" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="0">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.</p></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="16" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >WATCH THE SERMON</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-subsplash_media-block " data-type="subsplash_media" data-id="17" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-subsplash-holder"  data-source="wykjgg8" data-title="More Than Sunday"><div class="sap-embed-player"><iframe src="https://subsplash.com/u/-D2VDKW/media/embed/d/wykjgg8?" frameborder="0" allow="clipboard-read; clipboard-write" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe></div><style type="text/css">div.sap-embed-player{position:relative;width:100%;height:0;padding-top:56.25%;}div.sap-embed-player>iframe{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;}</style></div></div></div></div></div></div></section>]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>TAKE IT IN 10.26.25</title>
						<description><![CDATA[In a world that thrives on instant reactions and constant noise, James gives us a simple but powerful reminder: “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” (James 1:19–20) These words are more than good advice — they’re a roadmap to spiritual and emotional maturity.]]></description>
			<link>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2025/10/27/take-it-in-10-26-25</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 27 Oct 2025 18:15:56 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2025/10/27/take-it-in-10-26-25</guid>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="sp-section sp-scheme-0" data-index="18" data-scheme="0"><div class="sp-section-slide"  data-label="Main" ><div class="sp-section-content" ><div class="sp-grid sp-col sp-col-24"><div class="sp-block sp-image-block " data-type="image" data-id="0" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-image-holder" style="background-image:url(https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/21411651_1920x1080_500.png);"  data-source="D2VDKW/assets/images/21411651_1920x1080_2500.png" data-fill="true"><img src="https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/21411651_1920x1080_500.png" class="fill" alt="" /><div class="sp-image-title"></div><div class="sp-image-caption"></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="1" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="2" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">In a world that thrives on instant reactions and constant noise, James gives us a simple but powerful reminder: “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” (James 1:19–20) These words are more than good advice — they’re a roadmap to spiritual and emotional maturity.<br><br>Listening well has become a spiritual superpower in our culture of assumptions and snap judgments. When we slow down and truly hear others — and God — we grow in humility, patience, and wisdom. Pride says, “I already know,” but humility says, “I want to understand.”<br><br>Being slow to speak means choosing our words carefully, letting our responses carry grace and truth instead of frustration or offense. And being slow to anger doesn’t mean ignoring our emotions; it means allowing the Holy Spirit to guide them instead of being ruled by them.<br><br>James also reminds us that spiritual growth requires clearing out the clutter — habits, distractions, and influences that keep us from hearing God clearly. As we make space for His Word and His presence, we begin to reflect His character more in how we listen, speak, and love.<br><br><b>REFLECT |&nbsp;</b><br><ul><li>Where in your life do you need to slow down and listen — to God or to someone else?</li><li>How can you use your words this week to bring peace, not reaction, into your relationships?</li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="3" style="text-align:left;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE VERSES</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="4" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Key Verses are denoted with an *</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="5" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><ul><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JAS.1.19-21.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">James 1:19-21</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PRO.18.13.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Proverbs 18:13</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PRO.10.19.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Proverbs 10:19</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PRO.10.20-21.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Proverbs 10:20-21</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PSA.103.8.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Psalm 103:8</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PSA.46.10.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Psalm 46:10</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/EPH.4.11-12.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ephesians 4:11-12</a>*</li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="6" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DAILY DEVOTIONAL</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-accordion-block " data-type="accordion" data-id="7" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-accordion-holder"  data-style="dividers" data-icon="chevron" data-position="right"><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 1 | THE SUPERPOWER OF LISTENING</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>In a world where everyone seems to be talking at once, where social media feeds are filled with opinions and reactions, there's something revolutionary about simply listening. We live in a culture that rewards the loudest voice, the quickest comeback, and the most clever response. But what if the real power lies in something much quieter? Listening has become a rare gift. When someone truly listens to us - not just waiting for their turn to speak, but genuinely hearing our heart - it feels like a breath of fresh air. It makes us feel valued, understood, and loved. This is exactly what James is calling us to embrace as followers of Christ. Think about the last meaningful conversation you had. Chances are, it wasn't because someone impressed you with their words, but because they made space for yours. They leaned in, asked good questions, and created a safe place for you to share what was really on your heart. Listening is more than just being quiet while someone else talks. It's an act of love that says, "You matter. Your thoughts, feelings, and experiences are important to me." When we choose to listen first, we're following the example of our heavenly Father, who invites us to come to Him with everything on our hearts. As we begin this journey together, let's challenge ourselves to see listening not as a passive activity, but as an active choice to love others well. In a noisy world, your willingness to truly hear someone might be the most powerful thing you do today.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |</b><br>"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." - James 1:19<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>Who in your life needs you to listen to them more intentionally, and what might be preventing you from giving them that gift?<br><br><b>QUOTE |</b><br>"In a culture that is fueled by assuming and speculating and jumping to conclusions, let me tell you, listening is a superpower. It is absolutely a superpower."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, help me to slow down and truly listen to those around me. Give me the wisdom to know when to speak and when to simply be present. Make me quick to hear and slow to assume. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 2 | THE WISDOM OF HUMILITY</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>There's something beautiful that happens when we realize we don't have all the answers. It might seem counterintuitive, but admitting what we don't know is actually a sign of growing wisdom, not weakness. Pride has a way of making us think we need to have an opinion about everything, a solution for every problem, and an answer for every question. But this kind of thinking actually closes us off from learning and growing. When we approach conversations believing we already know what the other person is going to say, we miss the opportunity to discover something new. True wisdom begins with humility - the recognition that there's always more to learn, more to understand, and more ways to grow. This doesn't mean we become wishy-washy or that we don't have convictions. Instead, it means we hold our opinions with open hands, ready to be challenged, refined, or even changed when we encounter truth. When we listen with humility, we create space for God to teach us through others. That difficult conversation with a family member might reveal something about our own heart. That friend who sees things differently might offer a perspective we've never considered. Even that person who frustrates us might be carrying wisdom we need to hear. Humility in listening also means we're not just waiting for our turn to prove how smart we are or how right we've been. We're genuinely curious about what others think and feel, and we're open to being surprised by what we discover.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"To answer before listening - that is folly and shame." - Proverbs 18:13<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What assumptions or preconceived notions might be preventing you from truly hearing what others are trying to communicate to you?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"I used to think that wisdom was having all of the answers. And I remember having a conversational lunch with one of my mentors, and I told him that I feel like wisdom. I should have all of the answers. If I'm getting wiser in life, I should know more. And I said, but I feel like the more that I grow, the deeper that I go, the more questions that I have. And without hesitation, he said, that's wisdom, my friend. Wisdom is humility."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Father, humble my heart and open my mind. Help me to approach every conversation with curiosity rather than certainty. Teach me through the people You've placed in my life. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 3 | WORDS THAT BUILD</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Have you ever noticed how some people's words stick with you long after the conversation ends? There's something about the way they speak that carries weight, substance, and life. Their words don't just fill the air - they fill your heart with encouragement, wisdom, or hope. Being slow to speak isn't about being quiet all the time. It's about being intentional with our words, choosing them carefully so that when we do speak, what we say matters. It's the difference between adding to the noise and adding to the conversation. When we rush to respond, we often say things we later regret. We might interrupt someone mid-sentence because we're so eager to share our thoughts. We might offer quick fixes to complex problems or give advice when what someone really needs is just to be heard. But when we slow down, we give ourselves time to consider not just what we want to say, but what needs to be said. Think about the people in your life whose words have shaped you for the better. They probably weren't the ones who talked the most, but the ones who spoke with purpose. They asked good questions, offered thoughtful responses, and knew when silence was more powerful than speech. As followers of Christ, our words have the power to build others up or tear them down. When we choose to be slow to speak, we're making space for wisdom to guide our responses. We're choosing quality over quantity, substance over noise.</i><br><i><br></i><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><i><br></i>"Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues." - Proverbs 10:19<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>How can you be more intentional about speaking words that build others up rather than simply filling silence with noise?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Wisdom is being a person whose words have weight, that what you say has substance. When you speak, it's helpful. It's worth hearing. It's not just noise."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, help me to be thoughtful with my words. Give me wisdom to know when to speak and when to listen. Let my words bring life, encouragement, and truth to those around me. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 4 | EMOTIONS AS DATA, NOT DRIVERS</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Emotions are powerful things. They can motivate us to great acts of love and compassion, but they can also drive us to say and do things we later regret. The key to emotional maturity isn't eliminating emotions - it's learning to have them without letting them have us. When we're slow to anger, we're not suppressing our feelings or pretending everything is fine when it's not. Instead, we're creating space between what we feel and how we respond. We're treating our emotions as valuable information about what's happening in our hearts and circumstances, but we're not letting them make our decisions for us. Anger often signals that something important to us feels threatened or violated. That's useful information! But when we rush toward anger, we often miss the opportunity to understand what's really going on beneath the surface. We react instead of respond, and we usually make things worse instead of better. In our culture of outrage, where people seem to be looking for reasons to be offended, choosing to be slow to anger is countercultural. It requires us to pause, breathe, and ask ourselves what's really happening here. It means we're more interested in understanding than in being understood, more committed to peace than to being right. This doesn't mean we become doormats or that we never address problems. It means we address them from a place of wisdom and self-control rather than from a place of reactive emotion.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love." - Psalm 103:8<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What triggers tend to make you react quickly in anger, and how might slowing down help you respond more wisely in those situations?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>&nbsp;"Emotional maturity. I have emotions. Emotions do not have me. They don't have me. They're a source of data, but they're not sitting in the driver's seat."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>God, help me to be like You - slow to anger and abounding in love. When I feel strong emotions, help me to pause and seek Your wisdom before I respond. Give me self-control and compassion. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 5 | MAKING ROOM FOR GOD</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Sometimes the biggest obstacle to spiritual growth isn't what we need to add to our lives - it's what we need to remove. Just like a garden needs weeding to help the good plants flourish, our hearts need clearing out to make room for what God wants to do in us. When we're constantly busy, constantly connected, constantly consuming information and entertainment, it becomes difficult to hear God's voice. Our lives can become so cluttered with good things that we miss the best things. We can be so focused on our own plans and priorities that we crowd out space for God's purposes. Making room for God might mean putting down our phones more often so we can be present with the people He's placed in our lives. It might mean saying no to some commitments so we can say yes to what He's calling us to. It might mean getting quiet enough, long enough, for Him to speak to our hearts. This isn't about adding more religious activities to an already packed schedule. It's about creating space - physical, emotional, and spiritual space - for God to work. It's about making His purposes our top priority and arranging everything else around that commitment. When we make room for God, beautiful things happen. We start to see His hand at work in ways we missed before. We begin to hear His voice more clearly. We find ourselves becoming the people He created us to be, and we discover that His ways really do work - they bring glory to Him and good to us.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." - Psalm 46:10<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |</b><br>What might you need to remove from your life or schedule to create more space for God to work in and through you?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"We need to make room for what God wants to do in us and through us. We gotta make room. We've gotta make up our minds that nothing in my life is gonna get in the way of that."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, help me to make room for You in every area of my life. Show me what needs to go so that Your purposes can take priority. Help me to be still and know that You are God. Amen.<br></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="8" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >ACTION STEP</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="9" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">This week, practice the 'two ears, one mouth' principle by intentionally listening more than you speak in your conversations. Choose one relationship where you will focus on truly listening without interrupting, giving advice, or planning your response. Additionally, spend time in prayer asking God to reveal anything in your life that needs to be 'taken out' - any influences, habits, or attitudes that are hindering your spiritual growth.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="10" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >PRAYER</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="11" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Lord Jesus, thank You for the wisdom You've shared with us today through James. We recognize that listening, speaking carefully, and controlling our anger are not just good life skills - they are marks of spiritual maturity that honor You. Help us to be people whose words have weight and whose lives reflect Your character. Give us the courage to examine our hearts and remove anything that hinders our relationship with You. Make us quick to listen to Your voice above all others, slow to speak words that don't build up, and slow to anger that doesn't produce Your righteousness. Transform us to be more like You - compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love. We commit to taking these steps this week, trusting that when we do things Your way, it works and brings glory to Your name. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="12" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE APP PLANS</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="13" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/17838-swift-to-hear-and-slow-to-speak/day/1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Swift to Hear and Slow To Speak</b></a><br><i>3 Days – Vance K Jackson</i><br>Before you speak, choose to listen to the heart of the matter. Before you abruptly make a move, choose to hear all the facts. Before you proceed to execute, choose to listen to wise counsel. Before you pursue, pray and seek God for His instruction. </div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="14" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/17199-me-my-big-mouth/day/1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Me and My Big Mouth</b></a><br><i>5 Days&nbsp;</i><i>– North Point Ministeries</i><br>We often speak too quickly and wish we could take our words back, forgetting James’ wisdom to be “quick to listen, slow to speak.” When we pause before responding, we make space for others, reflect Christ’s humility, and allow our words to bring peace instead of regret.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="15" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/2650-watch-your-mouth" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Watch Your Mouth (Youth)</b></a><br><i>6 Days – Kennetra A. Bryant</i><br><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="4675ebb5-07cc-4872-91fc-322180f7eebd" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5" dir="auto"><p data-end="309" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="0">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. &nbsp;In the Watch Your Mouth Bible Plan, readers will discover in scripture accounts where individuals mouths either produced progression or regression in their lives.</p></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="16" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >WATCH THE SERMON</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-subsplash_media-block " data-type="subsplash_media" data-id="17" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-subsplash-holder"  data-source="r27g38x" data-title="Take It In"><div class="sap-embed-player"><iframe src="https://subsplash.com/u/-D2VDKW/media/embed/d/r27g38x?" frameborder="0" allow="clipboard-read; clipboard-write" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe></div><style type="text/css">div.sap-embed-player{position:relative;width:100%;height:0;padding-top:56.25%;}div.sap-embed-player>iframe{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;}</style></div></div></div></div></div></div></section>]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>VOICES AND CHOICES 10.19.25</title>
						<description><![CDATA[Life can often feel like a loop of the same struggles and temptations. But this isn’t a sign of failure—it’s part of our spiritual journey. James reminds us that God is not the source of our temptation. He is the Father of heavenly lights, unchanging and perfectly good. While people and circumstances may shift, God’s character remains steady, setting the standard for what is right and true.]]></description>
			<link>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2025/10/22/voices-and-choices-10-19-25</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 22 Oct 2025 19:59:54 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://christchapelfr.com/blog/2025/10/22/voices-and-choices-10-19-25</guid>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="sp-section sp-scheme-0" data-index="18" data-scheme="0"><div class="sp-section-slide"  data-label="Main" ><div class="sp-section-content" ><div class="sp-grid sp-col sp-col-24"><div class="sp-block sp-image-block " data-type="image" data-id="0" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-image-holder" style="background-image:url(https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/21411651_1920x1080_500.png);"  data-source="D2VDKW/assets/images/21411651_1920x1080_2500.png" data-fill="true"><img src="https://storage1.snappages.site/D2VDKW/assets/images/21411651_1920x1080_500.png" class="fill" alt="" /><div class="sp-image-title"></div><div class="sp-image-caption"></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="1" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="2" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Life can often feel like a loop of the same struggles and temptations. But this isn’t a sign of failure—it’s part of our spiritual journey. James reminds us that God is not the source of our temptation. He is the Father of heavenly lights, unchanging and perfectly good. While people and circumstances may shift, God’s character remains steady, setting the standard for what is right and true.<br><br>Temptation, instead, comes from two places: Satan—whose goal is always to steal, kill, and destroy—and our own human desires that pull us away from God. Yet, being tempted is not the same as sinning. Even Jesus faced temptation and overcame it without sin. That same power is available to us through the Holy Spirit.<br><br>We don’t have to be trapped in cycles of defeat. When we understand how temptation works and recognize our own weak spots, we can make wiser choices and avoid settings that lead us astray. God promises we will never face temptation beyond what we can bear and that there will always be a way out. Each moment of testing is an opportunity to rely on His strength, not our own.<br><br><b>REFLECT |&nbsp;</b><br><ul><li data-end="1788" data-start="1722">What temptations or patterns do you find yourself repeating, and how can you lean on God’s strength—and the Holy Spirit’s guidance—to resist them this week?</li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="3" style="text-align:left;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE VERSES</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="4" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Key Verses are denoted with an *</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="5" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><ul><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JAS.1.12.KJV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">James 1:12</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JAS.1.13-18.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">James 1:13-18</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/HEB.4.15.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hebrews 4:15</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/1CO.10.13.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">1 Corinthians 10:13</a>*</li><li><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/MRK.1.12-13.NIV" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mark 1:12-13</a>*</li></ul></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="6" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >DAILY DEVOTIONAL</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-accordion-block " data-type="accordion" data-id="7" style=""><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-accordion-holder"  data-style="dividers" data-icon="chevron" data-position="right"><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 1 | THE UNCHANGING FOUNDATION</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Have you ever felt like you're walking in circles, facing the same struggles over and over again? Maybe it's that same temptation that keeps knocking at your door, or that familiar pattern of doubt that creeps in during difficult seasons. It's easy to wonder if God is somehow behind these challenges, testing us or even punishing us. But here's the beautiful truth: God is not the author of your struggles. He doesn't sit in heaven devising ways to trip you up or make your life harder. Instead, He is described as the Father of heavenly lights - constant, unchanging, and consistently good. While everything else in life shifts and changes like shadows moving across the ground, God's character remains rock solid. This matters more than we might realize. When we truly understand that God's nature sets the standard for goodness itself, it changes how we view our circumstances. Even when life feels chaotic or unfair, we can anchor ourselves to this truth: God is good, and His goodness never wavers. Think about the people in your life who have disappointed you, or the circumstances that have let you down. These experiences might make it tempting to project that same uncertainty onto God. But unlike everything else that changes and fails, God's character is our unshakeable foundation. His love for you isn't dependent on your performance or circumstances - it flows from who He is.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |</b><br>"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." - James 1:17<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>IIn what areas of your life have you questioned God's goodness, and how might understanding His unchanging character help you view those situations differently?<br><br><b>QUOTE |</b><br>"God is good. Even if you don't feel like it today, it's true. God is good."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Father, thank You that Your character never changes. When life feels uncertain and I'm tempted to doubt Your goodness, help me remember that You are the source of every good gift. Anchor my heart in the truth of who You are. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 2 | KNOW YOUR ENEMY</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>If God isn't the source of our struggles, then where do they come from? Understanding this is crucial because, as they say, knowledge is power. We have a very real enemy who has made it his mission to see us fall. His tactics aren't random or haphazard - they're calculated and personal. Satan studies you. He observes your patterns, your weaknesses, and your desires. He knows exactly which buttons to push and when to push them. He's been perfecting his craft for millennia, and he knows how to make destruction look appealing. He can wrap up death in a pretty package and even put a bow on it. This might sound intimidating, but here's why this knowledge is actually empowering: when you understand how your enemy operates, you can better prepare for his attacks. You're not walking blindly into battle anymore. You can recognize his schemes and strategies. But remember, we don't just battle an external enemy. We also wrestle with our own fallen nature - that part of us that's naturally inclined to run from God rather than toward Him. This internal struggle is real and ongoing, but it doesn't define us or doom us. The enemy wants you to feel isolated and ashamed, like you're the only one struggling. But the truth is, every believer faces these battles. You're not alone in this fight, and you're not powerless against it.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." - 1 Peter 5:8<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What patterns or weaknesses in your life might the enemy be trying to exploit, and how can awareness of these areas help you be more prepared?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"He is hell bent on your destruction. I don't say that to scare you. I say that to prepare you."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Lord, give me wisdom to recognize the enemy's schemes in my life. Help me stay alert and prepared, knowing that You have already given me everything I need to stand firm against his attacks. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 3 | TEMPTATION ISN'T SIN</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Here's something that might surprise you: feeling tempted doesn't make you a bad person. In fact, even Jesus experienced temptation, yet He never sinned. There's a crucial difference between being tempted and giving in to temptation. When you feel that pull toward something you know isn't right, when you sense that draw toward a choice that would take you away from God's best - that feeling itself isn't sin. It's what you do with that feeling that matters. You haven't failed just because you've been tempted. This understanding can be incredibly freeing. How many of us have felt guilty just for experiencing temptation? How many times have we condemned ourselves for having thoughts or feelings that we didn't even act on? But temptation is part of the human experience. It's proof that we're alive and that we have choices to make. The beautiful truth is that in every moment of temptation, you have a choice. You always have a choice. You're not a victim of your circumstances or your feelings. You have the power to choose your response. Jesus faced temptation in the wilderness, and He shows us that it's possible to experience the pull of temptation without giving in to it. He faced it head-on and chose obedience to the Father. The same Spirit that empowered Jesus is available to you today.</i><br><i><br></i><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><i><br></i>"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin." - Hebrews 4:15<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>How does knowing that Jesus experienced temptation change your perspective on your own struggles, and what does this reveal about God's understanding of your human experience?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"Temptation does not equal sin. Just because you feel a pull towards something, you're like, I know that's wrong. I know that's not good. But I'm feeling this draw toward it. That doesn't mean you did anything wrong."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Jesus, thank You for understanding what it's like to be human and to face temptation. Help me remember that feeling tempted isn't failure, and give me strength to make choices that honor You. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 4 | YOU ARE NOT ALONE</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>One of the enemy's most effective lies is making you believe you're the only one struggling with whatever you're facing. He whispers that your battle is unique, that others wouldn't understand, that you're somehow worse than everyone else. But this couldn't be further from the truth. The struggles you face, the temptations that seem to target you specifically - others have walked this path too. You're not the first person to battle with pride, lust, anger, fear, or whatever your particular struggle might be. Throughout history, believers have faced similar challenges and found victory through God's strength. This isn't meant to minimize your struggle or make it seem less significant. Your battle is real and personal. But knowing you're not alone can provide incredible comfort and strength. It means there are others who understand, others who can offer wisdom and support, others who have found ways to overcome. More importantly, God understands your struggle intimately. He's not surprised by your temptations or disappointed that you face them. He knew exactly what you would struggle with before you were even born, and He's already made provision for your victory. The community of believers exists partly for this reason - to support one another through these battles. We're not meant to fight alone. We're a body, doing ministry together, supporting each other through the challenges of life.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." - 1 Corinthians 10:13<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |&nbsp;</b><br>What would change in your approach to personal struggles if you truly believed that others have faced similar battles and found victory?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>&nbsp;"You're not the only one. If you struggle with it, others do too. You're not alone."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Father, thank You that I'm not alone in my struggles. Help me find courage in knowing that others have walked this path and that You understand completely. Connect me with the support and community I need. Amen.<br></div></div></div><div class="sp-accordion-item"><div class="sp-accordion-item-content"><div class="sp-accordion-item-title">DAY 5 | THE WAY OUT</div><div class="sp-accordion-item-description"><i>Here's the most encouraging truth of all: God will never allow you to be backed into a corner with no way out. When temptation comes - and it will come - God always provides an escape route. Always. This isn't just a nice sentiment; it's a promise backed by God's faithfulness. Sometimes that way out is obvious - removing yourself from a tempting situation, calling a friend for accountability, or choosing to engage in worship instead of dwelling on tempting thoughts. Other times, the escape route might be less clear, requiring you to lean into the Holy Spirit's guidance and trust His leading. The key is recognizing that you don't have to fight these battles in your own strength. The same Spirit who led Jesus through His temptation in the wilderness is available to you. When you try to resist temptation through willpower alone, you'll likely fail. But when you lean into the Spirit's power, you have access to supernatural strength. This doesn't mean the battle becomes easy, but it does mean you're not fighting alone. The Spirit will guide you, strengthen you, and show you the way out that God has provided. Your job is to follow His lead and trust His guidance. Remember, God's faithfulness isn't dependent on your circumstances feeling good. Even when life is difficult, even when the temptation feels overwhelming, God remains faithful to provide what you need to stand firm.</i><br><br><b>BIBLE VERSE |&nbsp;</b><br>"At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with wild animals, and angels attended him." - Mark 1:12-13<br><br><b>REFLECTION QUESTION |</b><br>In what current area of temptation do you need to stop relying on your own strength and instead lean into the Holy Spirit's guidance and power?<br><br><b>QUOTE |&nbsp;</b><br>"When temptation comes, lean into the spirit. Follow his lead. Do not try to do it in your own strength, you will fail.."<br><br><b>PRAYER |&nbsp;</b><br>Holy Spirit, I acknowledge that I can't overcome temptation in my own strength. Lead me to the way out that You've provided. Help me trust Your guidance and follow Your lead in every moment of testing. Amen.<br></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="8" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >ACTION STEP</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="9" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">This week, spend time in prayer asking the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas where you might be vulnerable to temptation. Identify one specific 'bait' or pattern that tends to trip you up, and create a practical plan for how you will 'lean into the Spirit' when that temptation arises. Consider memorizing 1 Corinthians 10:13 as a reminder that God always provides a way out.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="10" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >PRAYER</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="11" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style="">Lord Jesus, thank You for this time of fellowship and learning together. We are grateful that You understand our struggles with temptation because You faced them too, yet without sin. Help us to remember that You are always good, always faithful, and always provide a way out when we are tempted. Give us the wisdom to recognize the enemy's tactics and the strength to choose Your better path. As we go into this week, may we lean into Your Spirit's power and trust in Your goodness, even when circumstances are difficult. Help us to encourage one another in our faith journey, knowing that we are not alone in our struggles. In Your precious name we pray, Amen.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="12" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >BIBLE APP PLANS</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="13" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/14755-need-some-self-control-devo-from-time-of-grace" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Need Some Self-Control? Devotions from Time of Grace</b></a><br><i>3 Days – Time of Grace Ministries</i><br>Self-control is hard to grow. But the soil of God’s love in Christ is rich enough to produce all the self-control you need.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="14" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/1404-overcoming-temptation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Overcoming Temptation</b></a><br><i>4 Days&nbsp;</i><i>– Life Church</i><br>You’ll have temptation in your life — and you’ll need to learn to wait on God. This plan will help you discover how to do the right thing when the wrong thing looks so good.</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-text-block " data-type="text" data-id="15" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/133-temptation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>Temptation</b><b>&nbsp;</b></a>(Adult and Youth)<br><i>7 Days – Life.Church</i><br><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="4675ebb5-07cc-4872-91fc-322180f7eebd" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5" dir="auto"><p data-end="309" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="0">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.</p></div>*This is a good devotional for both adults and youth</div></div><div class="sp-block sp-heading-block " data-type="heading" data-id="16" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><span class='h2' ><h2 >WATCH THE SERMON</h2></span></div></div><div class="sp-block sp-subsplash_media-block " data-type="subsplash_media" data-id="17" style="text-align:start;"><div class="sp-block-content"  style=""><div class="sp-subsplash-holder"  data-source="2q6pdsh" data-title="Voices and Choices"><div class="sap-embed-player"><iframe src="https://subsplash.com/u/-D2VDKW/media/embed/d/2q6pdsh?" frameborder="0" allow="clipboard-read; clipboard-write" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe></div><style type="text/css">div.sap-embed-player{position:relative;width:100%;height:0;padding-top:56.25%;}div.sap-embed-player>iframe{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;}</style></div></div></div></div></div></div></section>]]></content:encoded>
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