I Choose Today...

I Choose Today to Focus on Life

As I was praying over a friend’s medical prognosis, I was reminded of a simple visual saying: A hummingbird and a vulture fly over the same desert. One searches for life, the other for death. Both find exactly what they’re looking for. I’ve mentioned this analogy before in relation to the words we speak, how our words can either bring life or death depending on what we choose to say. But this time, the Lord brought it to mind in a different way, not about our words, but about our thoughts. You see, when we look at the world around us, wars, division, brokenness, and even personal crises like medical diagnoses, it’s easy to focus on the negative. It’s easy to see the chaos and begin to expect more chaos. It’s a natural road to travel, and before long, we find ourselves scanning everything for what might go wrong. Like the vulture, we begin searching for death. But what if we chose to look for life instead? Because if we look for life, we will find it. I’m reminded of Jesus’ words to His disciples as He prepared them for the difficult road ahead: “I have told you all this

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I Choose Today to Let Peace Rule My Mind

There’s something about December that can make the mind feel loud. Schedules fill up. Expectations rise. Emotions get stirred. And even when life looks good on the outside, it can feel like everything inside is moving faster than you can process. Peace sounds wonderful… but it doesn’t always feel accessible. But peace isn’t something you chase. It’s something you allow to rule. Paul writes in Colossians 3:15, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” That word rule carries the idea of letting peace decide, letting peace guide, letting peace act as the one who makes the final call. Not your fear, not your assumptions, not your emotions. Peace. And peace is not the absence of noise; it’s the presence of Jesus. Isaiah 26:3 says God keeps in perfect peace the one whose mind is stayed on Him. Peace comes after the mind is anchored, not before. We often want peace to appear first and then we’ll be able to trust. But Scripture flips the order. Keep your mind on Him… trust grows… peace follows. The truth is, peace cannot rule where fear has taken the throne. Fear doesn’t step aside politely. It requires a choice. A pause. A

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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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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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I Choose Today to Embrace the Gift of Peace

Life brings storms—unexpected and often overwhelming challenges that touch every single one of us. No one is exempt from hardship. I’ve faced my share of storms, some while leaning fully into the peace of God, and others while striving in my own strength to find inner calm. The difference between those experiences is profound. The peace of God—a peace that surpasses all human understanding—is the only way I’ve truly been able to navigate life’s storms with strength and clarity. The Bible mentions peace more than 400 times, emphasizing how vital it is in our relationship with God. It isn’t just the absence of trouble but a deep, abiding calm rooted in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Here are a few promises from scripture that remind us of the peace God offers: • Philippians 4:7 (ESV): “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” • John 14:27 (ESV): “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” • Isaiah 26:3 (ESV): “You keep him in perfect

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