I Choose Today...

I Choose Today to Encourage

Social media is at the forefront of life. It’s where we shop, gather news, communicate, network, promote… the list goes on. Like everything else, it can be used for good or evil. Since launching the podcast, I’ve found myself more active on social platforms. When I post, I usually choose a quote from either the blog or the podcast—something encouraging for whoever might stumble upon it. I only get a second (maybe less) to make an impact. So I choose my quotes wisely. And then I started thinking… If someone were scrolling through the words I speak in a day, what would the quote of the day be? Would it lift someone up or tear them down? Would it stop them in their tracks with hope or heap more heaviness onto their hearts? The Bible tells us what our “quotes” should sound like. Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:11: “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” This was the very first verse I clung to when I started this I Choose Today journey—because that is my heart: to encourage. If you’ve listened to Episode 2 of the podcast, I Choose Today to

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I Choose Today to Recognize the Good

“Every good and perfect gift is from above…” James 1:17 (NIV) I don’t always recognize the good. Not because it’s not there, but because I’m often too distracted to notice it. But God’s goodness? It hasn’t stopped flowing — even when life has felt heavy, or lonely, or hard. It’s not always loud or obvious. Sometimes it looks like a kind word, an unexpected text, a quiet morning, or strength for one more step. I remember when I was really sick for a long time. I had friend just show up with some soup and vitamins. She sat with me and just chatted for a while. It didn’t fix anything, but it reminded me that God hadn’t left. That even in my hard moments, His goodness still found me. Moments like that have changed the way I see things. Because when we train our eyes to look for His goodness, we begin to realize how present He’s always been. Romans 8:28 says that God works all things together for good — not just the pleasant or easy things. That means the pain, the waiting, the uncertainty — none of it is wasted. He’s working even when we don’t feel it,

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I Choose Today to Open the Door to More

One of my favorite things is to have a meal with family and friends. For a long time, I had wanted a big round table—one where everyone could visit easily, rather than being limited to just the people sitting near them at a rectangle table. A few years ago, I finally got my table and have put it to good use! For our Bible Study group, we share a meal together each week before we have our study. We sit around our large round table, relaxed, sharing stories, sharing our desires, hopes, and sometimes our pain. We bond over each other’s experiences; we laugh together, cry together, dream together. We open up our hearts to each other and give a glimpse of ourselves. Sharing a meal with them is an intimate time of connection around this large round table. One of my favorite times of my week. Have you ever had that experience with your family and/or friends? Does it bring a smile to your face and joy in your heart like it does mine? Now, imagine that same warmth, that same connection—but with Jesus Himself. Jesus wants this type of opportunity with you too. He said it Himself in

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I Choose Today to Build in Faith

A little while back, a pastor friend of mine wrote a sermon about the faith of Noah. He pointed out that Noah is listed in the “Hall of Fame” of Faith: “It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before.” — Hebrews 11:7a (NLT) Noah had great faith because he obeyed God—building something that had never been seen, built, or even imagined—simply because God said to. Noah obeyed and built the ark. What’s remarkable is that the ark’s design stood out from every other ancient boat. Unlike boats meant for navigation, the ark was built for survival, not direction—it had no rudder, no sails, no way to steer. It didn’t need them, because God was in control of its course. We don’t need to steer when God is leading. At that time, rain had never even fallen (Genesis 2:5-6 suggests the earth was watered by mist). Yet, Noah obeyed. He built a massive ship for a phenomenon he had never seen, purely on faith in what God spoke to him. Even when we don’t understand, obedience is our part—God

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I Choose Today to Seek Deliverance

Have you ever found yourself holding onto something that you know is weighing you down—fear, anxiety, guilt—but felt too paralyzed to let it go? If so, you’re not alone. Many of us cling to chains God never meant for us to bear. The good news is that God is a Deliverer, and He longs to set us free. Today, let’s explore how His promises invite us to cry out to Him and experience His transforming power. ““Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom; He snapped their chains.” (Psalms‬ ‭107‬:‭13‬-14). He delivered them from their distresses! What a promise! So why do we hold onto our chains, our fears, anxieties, addiction, tendencies? Do we think our chains will go away on their own, as Pharaoh did when he waited an entire day to ask for deliverance from the frogs? When asked by Moses when he (Pharaoh) wanted to be delivered from the plague, ““Do it tomorrow,” Pharaoh said.” (Exodus‬ ‭8‬:‭10‬a). How often do we do the same—putting off deliverance until ‘tomorrow,’ even when we’re overwhelmed by our burdens? What are we waiting for? Why are

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