One of my favorite things about the 30-Day Challenge is how it reminds us—we’re not doing this faith thing alone. When you’re listening to Christian radio every day, you realize there are thousands of people hearing the same song, praying the same prayers, and walking through the same messy life moments. That’s fellowship. It’s knowing someone else out there is being encouraged by the same truth you needed this morning… probably while spilling coffee on themselves like I did. Fellowship isn’t just being around people—it’s being connected to God with people. And when you fill your mind with hope and Scripture every day for 30 days? It gets a whole lot easier to love, to forgive, to cheer someone on. Fellowship builds faith. And faith grows best… together.

Acts 2:42:
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

The very best of what life could offer? – for that, the Bible says the key is wisdom. This is no insider-trading tip giving you a cheat code to money and fame; instead, wisdom – which is to honor God first – leads to real prosperity. It’s not about secret handshakes or special knowledge; just ask God for the strength to lean on his word instead of your strength, and you’re well on your way with wisdom. Proverbs personifies wisdom as the ultimate companion – when she’s close by your side, you’re walking how God wants.

Proverbs 3:16:
Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. 

At the start of a new year, so many of us put together a fitness plan. Maybe the goal is to lift a certain amount of weight, run a specific number of miles, or simply finish a race without stopping. Whatever the goal, you commit to the plan because you want to grow stronger. Our spiritual life isn’t any different. If we want to become fit in our faith, we have to be intentional. And the best training plan we can follow is spending time in God’s Word. When we do, God uses Scripture to shape us, strengthen us, and guide us in the direction He wants us to go. So, what’s your bible reading plan this year?

2 Timothy 3:16-17:
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Car time is usually my alone time. For you alone time may be at home because no one else is there. Perhaps your alone time is just 15 minutes after everyone else in the house has gone to bed. Or maybe it’s early in the morning when no one else is up. Whenever your alone time is, being still and thinking about God is a time that usually becomes encouraging and uplifting. Thankfulness, joy, peace and awe are senses that often occur when we are still before God.

Psalm 8:3-4:
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?

Life moves fast. I’ve noticed when I slow down, I’m more apt to notice someone who is in need. That’s an opportunity for generosity. Sometimes I don’t feel equipped. And I wonder if my small effort will matter. But God has a way of multiplying even the smallest gesture. Here’s the most profound things I’ve noticed. When I reach out with an act of generosity, I’m changed too. My perspective changes. My priorities shift. I realize that I’m a part of something much bigger — God’s grand plan. Today, try to slow down and notice who is right in front of you. Let compassion interrupt. And dare to step out in generous love.

1 John 3:17:
But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?

If anyone had a reason to be anxious about the future, it was Jesus. He knew that His mission was to one day be crucified for your sins… I don’t know about you, but that would make it pretty hard for me to live carefree. But Jesus didn’t let the future distract Him from the present. He loved, He served, He smiled, and He lived. He even broke bread with the men that would one day betray and abandon Him! Every day was an opportunity to serve God, who holds every day in His hands… even the ones I worry about.

Matthew 6:34:
Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

If there’s one thing the 30-Day Challenge does, it’s this: it gets prayer moving again. Because when you hear God’s Word sung and spoken every day, it softens your heart. It opens your eyes. And suddenly you find yourself praying about things you used to just worry about. Prayer isn’t fancy. Don’t overthink it. Half my prayers start with, “Lord, I’m a mess — help.” And He does. He listens. He responds. Just like the music keeps showing you every day – God is close, involved, and caring. Take these 30 days and let prayer become part of your rhythm… not a last resort. Let the songs remind you that God’s listening. Let the stories remind you He works. Let the hope remind you He still moves mountains. One whisper to God can change the whole day.

Philippians 4:6:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

They say that power corrupts, but God wants his power in you to do something different entirely. In God’s kingdom he pours out his power freely. Yet, it’s not to dominate or destroy —it’s to uphold and inspire. The Christian life is not an exercise of willpower to believe an impossible fairytale. It’s not a motivation playlist to pump you up with pithy peptalks. It’s a God-fueled heart-belief in the greatest news of all time, and the transforming peace he gives goes beyond description.

Romans 15:13:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

There’s nothing quite like hearing the words, “Thank you.” When someone notices what you’ve done, it makes you feel seen and encouraged. And when you stop to think about everything God does every single day, you realize there’s no way we could ever thank Him enough. He pours out new mercies every morning. He listens and responds to our prayers. He works all things — big and small — for the good of those who love Him. And then there are all the things He does that we never see. But when you choose to tell God, “Thank you,” for all that He’s done – it not only brings honor to Him, it opens the door for your gratitude to grow.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

A friend recently asked me, “Are you sure you’re going to heaven?” “Absolutely!” I replied. With a frustrated look on her face she said, “How can you be so sure?  I think I’m going to heaven, but I just don’t know if I’ve done enough.” I replied to her, “Emma (not her real name), nobody gets into heaven based on the good things they have done.  Grace and forgiveness come from God when we have faith in what Jesus did on the cross.  He paid the penalty for our sin. I know I’m going to heaven, not based on anything I have done, but on what Jesus did for me.”

Ephesians 2:8-9:
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

True worship isn’t about perfect posture or a flawless singing voice. It’s about showing up with your whole self: your hope, your worries, your gratitude. When you pour out adoration from a sincere place, it can feel awkward. You might get emotional. Over time, you may feel your heart soften, your stress untangle. You’ll worry less about your performance and more about a deeper relationship with God Almighty. It’s a place where you are fully seen, deeply known, and completely loved. Some people raise their hands when they sing and pray. Some people bow their heads quietly. There are so many ways to worship God. It’s a response of your heart to God’s goodness.

John 4:24:
God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.

How are those New Years resolutions going? …Yeah, it’s okay. I haven’t been perfect either. Don’t get me wrong, I want to be stronger, healthier, and overall better at the whole “life” thing, but when I fall short, I don’t beat myself up as much as I used to. I’m an imperfect person, and God loves using imperfect people. Cowards, sinners, outcasts… you name it. Because when we’re at the end of our human strength, we’re forced to lean on God’s strength… and that’s when I get to see His power. I’m reminded all the time that it’s not me who’s making life happen: it’s Christ through me.

2 Corinthians 12:9:
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

You know, one of the surprising things that happens during the 30-Day Challenge is this nudge you start feeling in your heart… this little voice saying, “Hey, maybe I can give more than I think.” Not always money—sometimes it’s time, patience, forgiveness… or letting someone else have the last cookie even though you were emotionally attached to it. But when you surround yourself with God’s truth for 30 days, you start to notice how generous He is. And suddenly giving doesn’t feel like a chore—it feels like a chance to look a little more like Him. Giving isn’t about having extra… it’s about having a heart that trusts God to take care of you. And the more you listen, the more you realize: generous people aren’t people with a lot—they’re people with a lot of love.

2 Corinthians 9:7:
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Our culture is big on delivery – results, efficiency, “two-day shipping” even, maybe. Delivery might be what my appetite wants now, but God knows the eternal need of my soul is deliverance. Anyone in a right relationship with God can count on his deliverance. When you trust Jesus to make you righteous, you’re delivered from the greatest trouble our world knows: sin. Don’t count on a wish list of deliveries – the Bible says troubles will come, after all. But where it counts most, for eternity, for salvation, God’s deliverance comes through.

Psalm 34:19:
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

We all love food—it’s at the center of most of our gatherings. There’s nothing like a table piled high with good food while being surrounded by good friends. And yet, there comes a time in life when the table needs to be empty. Not for punishment, but for purpose. A time when saying no to what your belly wants becomes a yes to what God wants. When you choose to do that, to fast and pray for someone else, something incredible happens: chains are loosened, hearts are healed, and people are set free. Skipping a meal in order to accomplish all that, is definitely worth an empty belly.

Isaiah 58:6:
Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?

Three different people who were already going through stressful situations just lost their jobs.  One had just bought a house.  One had just had a baby.  One was already behind on several payments.  Maybe you are going through something like that, too. How do you praise the Lord and really mean it in situations like that?  The key is to remember where real joy comes from.

Habakkuk 3:17-18:
Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of olive fail, and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

Spiritual growth doesn’t happen by accident. It takes intention, and a regular returning to the source of truth. When I carve out space to engage with God’s Word, something within me wakes up. It’s like opening the curtains after a long night and letting sunlight pour in. In those moments, I find guidance, like a hidden treasure. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it. And it starts with a rhythm of Bible reading. You may not always feel ready. You might not always be excited. But if you make even a little bit of time, God will meet you in His Word. You can read starting with the Old Testament. You could dig in chronologically. Or you could use a Bible reading plan. Just make a plan and get started!

1 Timothy 4:13:
Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

Lets be really clear about something: loving people is not easy. Love comes naturally when I’m with people I like… but with others, love is a chore. Maybe you spent time with people like that over the holidays last month! But when it’s all said and done, love is self-sacrifice. It’s caring when you don’t have to, and forgiving when you don’t want to. Love means putting someone else’s well-being before my own, even when they don’t deserve it. That’s what Christ did for me… and I definitely didn’t deserve it. Remembering His love makes it a little easier to love others. After all, they need His grace just as badly as I do.

Galatians 5:14:
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

If you really want the 30-Day Challenge to change you, lean into this one word: gratitude. Because when you listen to Christian radio every day for 30 days, you start noticing blessings you used to walk right past. The little things—like breath in your lungs, grace in your story, coffee in your cup, and God’s faithfulness in every chapter. Gratitude doesn’t mean everything’s perfect. It means you look for the goodness of God in spite of what’s imperfect. And the more you hear songs about His power, His love, His promises… the more your heart learns to say, “Thank You”—even on the days that feel heavy. Gratitude shifts your focus. It lifts your spirit. It reminds you that God is at work in places you can’t even see yet. Do the 30-Day Challenge with a grateful heart… and watch joy start growing everywhere.

Psalm 118:1:
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

Christians aren’t always known for getting along—that’s sad. One of Jesus’ last prayers on Earth was for his followers to be one – as much “one” as he and his Father are. We have a choice: be discouraged that it looks like Jesus’ prayer hasn’t been answered—or realize that YOU have an opportunity to be part of God’s answer. Let’s love each other, and let’s show the world we believe who Jesus says he is—together.

John 17:21:
(Jesus prays) that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

Have you ever been somewhere that had a fruit basket? It kind of makes you want to just grab a piece and enjoy it. That’s how we should see the resources God has given us. They aren’t meant to be held tightly or kept just for ourselves—they’re meant to be shared with open hands. You could lend a hand to a neighbor, offer a meal to a lonely senior, or pass along some gently used clothes to someone in need. Whatever you have to give, place it in your “basket” and see what God does with it.

Deuteronomy 15:11:
For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore, I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.

“There’s got to be more to it!”  Those were the words of a seventh grader after he asked Christ into his life.  “What do I do now?” “Reading the Bible is a good start,” I answered.  “I could even give you some verses to memorize that might help you through your day.” He memorized 50 verses in one week! I remember thinking, “God is going to use this guy.”  And God did! Chris’ leadership resulted in 50 plus teenagers trusting Christ throughout his high school years.  His excitement for Jesus was contagious.

Matthew 28:19-20:
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

If you want to be more bold in your faith, there is no better way than prayer. When you trust beyond what you can see or imagine, your faith grows. Every time you lean toward heaven with open hands, you begin to sense that you’re not speaking into empty air. Your cries, hopes, and heartaches are heard by One who actually responds. You might not see change right away. You might look at your circumstances and wonder if anything is moving at all. But something holy is happening in your heart. You’re aligning with the divine. Let your heart hope big. Bring your plans, worries and dreams to the One who listens. And be ready for answers that show you His perfect love.

Matthew 21:22:
And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.

There are so many questions I’d love to ask God. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a book of answers, written by Him just for you and me? …Way too often, I forget that I have one of those. The Bible is the ultimate User’s Guide for life, with more wisdom and power in its pages than any self-help book or motivational speaker. More than that, it’s God’s love letter. It tells the greatest story imaginable: how Jesus became like you, died for you, and rose to save you. The Bible was written for my benefit, and life is so much richer when I take the time to incorporate it into my schedule.

John 15:11:
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

During the 30-Day Challenge, something incredible happens—you start noticing the people under your own roof a little differently. Not because they suddenly stop leaving dishes everywhere or forgetting to close the fridge… but because your heart starts to soften. God uses the music, the stories, and the truth to remind you of what—and who—matters most. Family can be messy, loud, imperfect… kind of like me in the morning before coffee. But they’re also one of God’s greatest gifts. And these 30 days? They’re a chance to reset the tone in your home. To bring in peace where there’s been tension. Joy where there’s been stress. Hope where there’s been silence. When you fill your own heart with God’s truth everyday, you start pouring that truth back into the people you love. And that can change everything.

Joshua 24:15:
And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Maybe Jesus is clear to you now. No, you’ve never claimed to know the Bible front-to-back, but somewhere, you knew enough to flip the switch. You remember a time before the Jesus-Light came on, and now you’re never going back to that dark. The Bible talks about a blinded-ness. Not over the eyes, but the spiritual kind that you and I used to have. We can’t make the change happen for anyone else: it takes the Holy Spirit doing his work for eyes to open to Jesus. Once someone sees him – sees the Savior every heart needs – there’s no turning back.

2 Corinthians 3:16:
But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.

If you enjoy stirring ingredients into a bowl to make a delicious dessert, it’s probably because you know each ingredient adds its own flavor, texture, and richness. That’s exactly what fellowship does too! Each person God has put in your life brings something unique—whether it be encouragement, wisdom, laughter, perspective—and when we choose to make time for each other, life becomes that much sweeter. So don’t skimp on the ingredients because when you stir in a little fellowship with friends, add a little dash of encouragement, and put in a small sprinkle of love…well, that is the recipe for a very rich life.

Hebrews 10:24-25:
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near

Over and over and over and over again, I blew leaves off my lawn last Fall.  Lots of trees mean lots of leaves, and my house is surrounded by them.  There’s a real sense of satisfaction when I’ve blown the leaves off my yard, because it looks great – until the next day when more leaves have fallen.  The satisfaction is then gone. Sin in my life is a lot like those leaves.  Confession is like the leaf blower.  When I admit my wrong-doing or thinking, God turns on His leaf blower and cleans out the sin.

Psalm 32:5:
I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.

You’ve probably had those days. When plans unravel, your strength is drained and your courage is running low. Relying on your own power is pointless. It feels counter intuitive to surrender. But that’s exactly how to find peace. Trusting God calls your thoughts upward. You’ll find a fresh calm in cracks once occupied by fear. When things are going great, it’s easy to trust God. But it’s the hard days that begin the transformation where you become more like Christ. Good days and bad days come and go. Still, God never changes.

Hebrews 13:8:
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

To be honest, giving is something I struggle with a lot. Jesus says it’s better to give than to receive, and I believe Him… so why don’t I trust Him with my money? Over and over in the Bible, God promises to repay our generosity. He promises to provide what I need, the same way He provides for the birds of the air. Are you not more valuable than them? Maybe the only way to grow my trust in God is to step out in faith, give until it hurts a little, and then watch Him work. Even if I don’t reap the benefits in this life, I know that my reward will be waiting for me in the next one.

Proverbs 19:17:
Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed.