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“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” — Proverbs 17:22

In today’s world, we all run the risk of crushing our own spirit with the anxieties of life. We carry concerns regarding our home, about paying the bills, our marriage, our children, and our jobs.

Sometimes we have to narrow the view from the big picture and focus on the little things that bring us a “a cheerful heart.” When our mind is fixed on the big picture of our own world’s overwhelming stress, it’s easy to feel despair and hopelessness.

However, if we intentionally slow down and take in the moment, it’s easier to see the good, the positive, things that make you laugh, reasons to smile, and the encouraging things that help create “a cheerful heart.” When we intentionally change our thinking away from our worries, we’ll fight off the inevitable health problems.

A Cheerful Heart

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” — Proverbs 17:22

In today’s world, we all run the risk of crushing our own spirit with the anxieties of life. We carry concerns regarding our home, about paying the bills, our marriage, our children, and our jobs.

Sometimes we have to narrow the view from the big picture and focus on the little things that bring us a “a cheerful heart.” When our mind is fixed on the big picture of our own world’s overwhelming stress, it’s easy to feel despair and hopelessness.

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However, if we intentionally slow down and take in the moment, it’s easier to see the good, the positive, things that make you laugh, reasons to smile, and the encouraging things that help create “a cheerful heart.” When we intentionally change our thinking away from our worries, we’ll fight off the inevitable health problems.

April 20, 2026

The Name of God

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Don’t be fooled by those who say a foreign god is the same as our God, just known by a different name. There is no God but Christ Jesus. He is the only One given for us to be known to us as God, the only One worthy to be Lord, and the only One who leads a true religion of redemption. Jesus is the only God whose name is above all names.

Scoffers may criticize Christian beliefs because they refuse to humble themselves under God’s economy of salvation by grace through faith. Jesus didn’t leave Heaven to come to earth in order that we can save ourselves through religious works.

Let’s pray today that we may freely keep the name of Jesus confidently on our lips as the only God.

April 19, 2026

The Messiah

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14

Our Savior wasn’t just a visitor to us or made similar like us, but the Messiah was born with us into humanity. The Messiah would not be a mere fellow mortal who jumped at the opportunity to be elevated to a higher position among peers. The only God-Man, Jesus Christ, is unlike any deity conjured up in the mind of men.

Our Lord and only true God, known by no other name, became Immanuel, God with Us. Which is why He is called by the Gospel writers, both the Son of God and the Son of Man, because He is with us as both God and man and that makes Him our Savior.

Let’s pray today that we may not forget that our Lord has walked our experience and knows us.

April 18, 2026

Reasoning in Faith

“Come now, let us settle the matter, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.“ Isaiah 1:18

Forgiveness for sins is not a cheap exchange but a reasoning between our heart and head with faith in God’s Word. Forgiveness is an exchange of conversation, toil, and yielding of guilt through the prayer of faith. Biblical Christianity is not mindless. The Son of God gave up the glory of Heaven for the cruel cross of Calvary in exchange for our forgiven life.

Our sins may be the darkest of humanity, the deepest in depravity, or the most shameful of haunting guilt, but God’s promise is that if we go and settle it with Him in faith those stains will be washed away. By this, and in the Lord’s eyes, we’ll stand in robes of cleanliness.

Let’s pray today that we may turn our heart and mind toward the Lord trusting in His promise through faith.

Extraordinary Moments

You don’t need an extraordinary event to experience a wonderful moment. Just be intentional at seeing and recognizing something positive or something worthy of being grateful for. When you see it, share it. The wonder of that moment may just be the boost you need for a rewarding day.

 

Working for Others

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” — Proverbs 11:25

After 12 years as the top law enforcement officer in a Georgia county, the Sheriff decided to find work that was less stressful. He started a tire store that brought him good working hours and great financial rewards. However, he felt miserable and purposeless until he got out of the tire business and back into law enforcement as a detective. He would later say that law enforcement was in his blood and if he couldn’t be working for others through resolution of crimes, he didn’t feel alive.

There can be a number of reasons why you may be in your chosen profession, but when your profession gets in you — when you feel like it’s in your blood — you will find that by working for others you are actually working for yourself. A job is no longer drudgery when it brings meaning to your life and gives you a sense of purpose. In this way, your work to refresh others will ultimately refresh you.