I Choose Today...

I Choose Today to Believe God Still Revives What Looks Dead

Have you ever experienced the death of a dream… a relationship… a job… a family… your innocence? In our own strength, we are powerless to resurrect what’s been lost. But I have hope-filled news for you today, I know Someone who does have the power to resurrect the dead. His name is Jesus. There is a historical account in Scripture of Lazarus, one of Jesus’ close friends. Lazarus became sick and died rather quickly. His sisters had sent for Jesus, hoping He would come and heal him, but Jesus didn’t arrive before Lazarus passed. And then four days after his death, Jesus finally showed up. To Martha and Mary, it must have felt like all hope was gone. But with Jesus, being “too late” is still right on time for the impossible. Because healing may have passed, but resurrection had not. In John’s Gospel, we see Jesus respond to Martha with these powerful words: “Jesus told her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?’” (John 11:25–26, NLT) “Do you believe this, Martha?”

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I Choose Today to Train for the Race

Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” When I was raising my daughter, this verse was foundational for me. Like so many parents, I was intentional about training her in the things of God: integrity, respect, love, kindness, honor, and work ethic. But as I think back now, I realize Scripture doesn’t just call us to train our children, it calls us to train ourselves as well. The Bible speaks in more than fifty places about training, discipline, and instruction. Training takes intentionality. It takes work. When I was training to walk half marathons — 13.1 miles — it was sixteen weeks of methodical preparation, starting small and slowly building endurance. To cross that finish line, I logged nearly 300 miles of walking. It took discipline, long and lonely roads, sore muscles, and many moments when I wanted to quit. But every time I crossed that finish line, it was worth it. Lately, I’ve been thinking about my spiritual training the same way. It takes discipline, showing up, studying God’s Word, letting Him teach, correct, and strengthen me. It’s breaking down bad habits

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I Choose Today to See the Seed in My Hand

Have you ever looked at something small and thought, What could this possibly amount to?A dream, a step of faith, a prayer whispered when you don’t feel strong enough to believe it out loud. It feels so small, almost insignificant. But what if God sees it differently? Seeds don’t look like much. They’re tiny, fragile, forgettable. But inside a seed is an entire future, roots, branches, fruit, even shade for generations to come. The extraordinary is already written into the ordinary. It just hasn’t had its season to grow yet. Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed…” (Matthew 13:31–32). Small at the start, but when planted, it grows into something so much larger than we could imagine. The same is true for you. The seed in your hand, your willingness, your obedience, your faith, may not look like much. But God is the One who makes it grow. Your part is to plant, to trust, to release it into His hands. Don’t despise what feels small today. That prayer matters. That step of faith matters. That “yes” matters. You don’t have to see the full picture yet. You just need to believe the seed has a

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I Choose Today to Meet God at the Table

Sometimes it’s not the mountaintop moments that change us, but the quiet, ordinary places — like the kitchen table. That’s where God met me, and it’s the story I share today with (in)courage. I’d love for you to join me there, pull up a chair, and see how He speaks in the everyday moments we often overlook. 👉 Read the full devotion here And while you’re there, don’t forget you can sign up to receive daily encouragement from (in)courage right to your inbox. It’s such a gift to have words of hope arrive exactly when you need them most. ✨ Sign up here

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I Choose Today to Be Unburdened

Not too long ago, I hosted an event at my home. As I greeted my guests at the door, I asked to take their bags, coats, and anything else that might weigh them down. That small gesture helped them relax and feel unburdened. When we’re unburdened, we can breathe deeper, be more present, and actually enjoy the people we’re with. That’s exactly what Jesus wants for us too. When we come into His presence, He invites us to hand Him our baggage—the worries, the shame, the endless to-do list, the heaviness of disappointment or grief. He wants to unburden us, teach us, and give us rest for our souls. Listen to His words in Matthew 11:29: “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Even as you read that verse, do you feel something stir inside of you? For me, I can almost feel my shoulders drop. It’s like a deep exhale, a release of what I didn’t even realize I was holding. When I’m awake in the middle of the night, replaying the same problem over and over, I’ll pray and ask

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