I Choose Today...

I Choose Today to Dwell in Stillness

As I was reading about the life of the apostle John, something struck me about his exile to the island of Patmos. John was sent there by Emperor Domitian around 95 AD—exiled, silenced, and cut off from the church community he loved. He likely spent one to two years there. But what stands out is not the length of time, but what God did in the stillness. It was in that place of isolation that John received the visions recorded in the Book of Revelation. What the enemy meant to silence him, God used to reveal one of the most powerful messages in Scripture. Alone, away from the noise, John was positioned to hear God’s voice with clarity. That quiet, stripped-down space became the setting for God’s greatest revelation through him. The other detail that amazes me is John’s age. He was about 95 years old at the time. Think about that—God was still using him powerfully in his nineties! John’s story reminds me that as long as we have breath, God still has purpose for us. Our usefulness doesn’t expire with age, circumstances, or isolation. This encourages me to pay attention to the quiet. Because if God could use

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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 Shout My Worship

There’s a kind of worship that doesn’t whisper. It doesn’t politely nod in agreement or sit silently in the pew. It doesn’t wait for the perfect conditions or for everything in life to make sense. This kind of worship rises from the depths of our soul and shouts. In Hebrew, the word Shabach means “to shout, to commend, to triumph in praise.” It’s loud. It’s bold. And it’s rooted in faith—especially the kind that declares God’s goodness before the breakthrough. When I first encountered this concept, I had to ask myself: When was the last time I shouted my worship—not from hype, but from holy hope? Shabach praise isn’t about volume for the sake of noise. It’s about proclaiming truth in defiance of despair. It’s the kind of praise that echoes from prison cells like Paul and Silas. It’s the voice that refuses to stay silent even when the night feels long. God doesn’t need our volume. But sometimes, we do. Sometimes our hearts need to hear the sound of our own voice declaring that He is faithful, He is near, and He is not done. And sometimes, the people around us need to hear it too—because our shout becomes

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I Choose Today to Trust Over Understanding

Not long ago, I was at an event when a woman nearby had a medical emergency. She needed immediate attention, and the emergency responders had just arrived. As they were setting up their equipment, a young boy stepped in—curious and concerned—wanting to understand what was happening. He began asking questions of the people around her, even speaking to the woman herself, who was barely responsive. His questions weren’t mean-spirited; he was simply trying to make sense of what he saw. But without realizing it, he was standing in the way of those who could actually help. Finally, a family member gently led him aside so the professionals could do their job. That moment instantly brought Proverbs 3:5 to mind: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.” Sometimes, we’re just like that boy. We step into a situation, asking endless questions of God and everyone around us, desperate to understand why something is happening or how He’s going to fix it. But in our effort to make sense of things, we end up crowding the space where God is working. Trusting God doesn’t mean we shut off our minds—it means we stop letting

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I Choose Today to Rest Under His Hand

Psalm 139 is one of the most breathtaking pictures of God’s intimate love, care, strength, protection, and empowerment toward us—His beloved. David, the psalmist, opens by acknowledging how completely God knows him. Every word, every action, even the not-so-proud moments… and still, God adores him. In verse 5, David says, “You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head” (Psalm 139:5 NLT). This isn’t a casual tap on the head. This blessing is God personally bestowing His favor, care, and approval. His hand is active—protecting, guiding, comforting, and reminding us that He’s got us surrounded. He goes ahead into our future, shields us from the lies of the past, and walks right beside us in the present. I picture a loving parent with their hand resting gently on their child’s head as they walk together. • Belonging – The gentle touch says, You’re mine. You’re loved. You’re safe with Me. • Comfort – That steady hand reminds the child they won’t lose their way. Every twist and turn is navigated with the Father’s protection. • Grace and Goodness – Even when the child wanders off and regrets their choices, that same hand guides

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