God is with us. It is a short sentence with a deep meaning. The long-awaited Messiah finally makes His entrance to earth in a little town called Bethlehem. He was called Emmanuel which means “God with us.” Jesus in full humanity came to earth fully man yet fully God.

It is a complex design for our human minds to comprehend. He was perfect. The only human that ever walked the earth with no sin. His coming didn’t just rattle the generation of His time. It literally changed everything for eternity. No longer were animals needed to be slaughtered for sin. No longer was a high priest required in the holy of holies. With the death, burial, and resurrection of Emmanuel, the veil was torn from top to bottom and every person gained free access and ability to come to God through Jesus Christ. We gained a living hope who is with us – Emmanuel.

Today, we will unpack how Emmanuel, meaning God with us, changes everything.

1. God with Us from the Beginning

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God” (John 1:1-2).

In John we find an interesting account of the “Word” being with God in the beginning. John was giving a clear message to the Jewish and Gentile audience that the “Word” was always there, had been there, and would be there.

The “Word” here is in reference to the Son of God. In ancient culture, God was often referred to as the “Word of God,” but here we find it as the Word being with God and the Word being God. This implies two separate beings yet the same. Equals yet distinct.

John was setting the stage to introduce the Messiah, God’s Son as Emmanuel, the one who would come to be with His people. This bold proclamation would have shook things up. Some would believe. Some would deny. Some would criticize. Some would crucify. This Word, Jesus, would change the course of life for everyone. Emmanuel was not an afterthought; He is the eternal plan of God made visible.

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The holidays are a time filled with excitement and anticipation. However, sometimes the anticipation of family gatherings, large spreads of food, parties, and programs can be overwhelming. The demand to make things memorable and perfect can fill the mind with uncertainty and questions. When you throw in complicated family relationships, a dash of dysfunction, and the dynamic changes time can bring, the holidays can be hectic.

This season can quickly turn into anxiety-filled moments that some people don’t look forward to. If the holidays make you particularly anxious, today we are going to unpack a few verses to help take your heart from chaos to calm.

Here are eight verses and prayers to help you through the holidays.

1. Find Peace with a Focused Mind

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3).

The mind will create scenarios that never happen, focusing on heartbreak and exaggeratedly complicated situations. We can replay conversations over and over, question the motives of ourselves and others. When we bring this kind of overthinking into an already stressful holiday season, we are destined to struggle.

There is a better way. What if instead of focusing on all of the difficult situations and scenarios that could arise, we focused our minds on Christ instead? It takes intentional effort, but results in personal peace.

Lord,

I focus my mind on you. I choose to intentionally set aside my heartaches and complicated family dysfunction for you.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Autumn is a beautiful time of change and new beginnings. As we celebrate the coziness of the season, let's also pause, take in the beauty around us, and meditate on the God who turns the seasons. Download this prayer guide to help focus your quiet time in this new season.

Crisp leaves, cool breezes, deep colors, apple pie, and pumpkin lattes are just a few of the reasons I love fall. It’s a time to take a deep breath, pull out that soft sweater, and get outside. With every new season, we have an opportunity to embrace the changes and begin again. As we step into fall this year, don’t let the opportunity pass to renew your heart and deepen your relationship with God.

Today, I want to share seven prayers you can pray as you take your next steps. As you listen to the sound of the leaves moving in the breeze and watch them fall to the ground, whisper these prayers and see how God reminds you of His goodness.

1. Thank God for the Changing Seasons

“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things were created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:16).

If you live in an area where the leaves change to beautiful hues of red, orange, and yellow, you know the awe that comes with admiring the season’s change. The next time you see a color on a tree other than green, remember the Creator. He designed the beauty we see all around us, and we get to enjoy the change. Change isn’t always easy, but in this case, it is an opportunity to recall God’s goodness.

Dear Heavenly Father,

As the leaves change and the season brings cool weather and the beauty of transition, help me embrace it. Don’t let me miss the opportunity for a fresh start and a renewed heart as we step into fall. In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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We "love" pizza. We "love" our dogs. We "love" Fridays. But love, according to the Bible, is so much more than just a kind platitude. Together, let's take a look at what it really looks like to love as Jesus loves, and how it can drastically change all of our relationships, not just the romantic ones.

If we could sit down face to face today and ask each other if there was anything in our lives that makes us feel anxious, we could probably both spill a few real issues. Everyone struggles to some degree with anxiety at some point. Sometimes it is the simple little things that make our hearts beat a little faster, other times it is the debilitating heavy things in life that hinder our everyday activities and motivation.

There is a huge landscape as we approach the topic of anxiety. For today, I want to offer a few verses you can run to, cling to, and claim in moments when you feel your heart thump within your chest and your jaw tighten with anxious feelings and thoughts.

Before we begin, take a few slow deep breaths and relax your shoulders. God’s Word holds the power you and I need. If we think we can keep pushing through without dwelling in and drinking in God’s powerful Word, we do not fully understand the peace God offers His children. Let’s look at a few verses together and unpack what the Bible says about an anxious heart.

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While the Bible doesn't use the term "foster care," it does talk about caring for orphans and the vulnerable. And there are few more vulnerable than a child in a desperate situation. The Bible is clear; caring for orphans and children in need is not optional. It is the responsibility of every Christian.

Anxiety feels enormous in the life of your little one, but these seven prayers can remind them that they have an even bigger God on their side. Say these prayers aloud over your anxious child and let them hear the love and confidence in your words.

Life ebbs and flows. There are times when God feels close and there are other times when it seems like prayers don’t go above the ceiling, like hearing God’s voice feels impossible. There are different reasons why God can feel far away. Sometimes it’s simply us. We stop seeking. We struggle to be consistent in our time with God. Our prayers are last-minute pleas for help and church attendance is only out of necessity. Sin can start small and grow into a big wedge between who we want to be and who we truly are.

No matter how close or far you feel from God, today I want to offer you a few things to do to begin moving your heart toward God once again.

1. Say I’m Sorry

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Sometimes we think maybe God forgot about us, but often it’s the opposite. Even though deep down we have good intentions to honor God with our entire heart, soul, and mind, life gets busy. God can start to feel in our minds more like our last resort, when really we need a little extra support. If this is the case for you, go ahead and confess it. Tell God you are sorry and open the path of communication.

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Even when we cannot see a clear path forward, God is at work. Sometimes He calls us deeper and higher into new things to bring Him glory. Our lives are meant to be mission-minded testimonies of His grace in a world that desperately needs it.

Amazing grace. If you grew up in any type of faith culture, you probably heard this song at church. Perhaps you heard it at a funeral, or maybe your grandmother sang it to you or it played a recorded version on her radio.

It is a favorite in our Christian circles because of the deep message behind it. God’s grace isn’t something small or insignificant. It is truly amazing. Sometimes it can feel so big and out of reach that we can convince ourselves it is not for us. Sin, shame, poor choices, and life that feels too messed up can give us feelings and thoughts that make it difficult to understand the true gift of God’s grace. How could this free gift be available to sinful people?

The Bible is clear that God’s grace is for all mankind. It is a free gift and while yes, we are undeserving, that is the beauty in the gift. Even though we don’t deserve God’s free gift of grace, He still gave it. His one and only Son took your place and my place on the cross and paid for our sins.

If you are struggling to understand how this grace is truly free for you today, then let’s unpack a few verses to help us take a step toward understanding why we can fully accept and rest in God’s free gift of grace.

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Fear has a grip on so many people in our world. It paralyzes and prompts us to do things we otherwise would never do. Politics, health problems, relationship struggles, personal battles, mental health, finances, and the fear of the future give us much to feel fearful about. Even the most spiritual people will face this battle of fighting fear. But there is hope!

Over the years I have faced my own battles with fear that have led me to learn both the right ways and the wrong ways to not only combat fear but beat it. Fear isn’t something God approves of. In fact, we find hundreds of references in the Bible that tell us not to fear. But the only way we can truly have faith that overrides fear is to learn how to use God’s powerful Word as our weapon of defense.

Today, I want to offer you 10 prayers to pray that come straight out of the Bible for when you feel fearful. I will share with you the verse and a prayer you can pray in times of fear or distress.

1. “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you” - Psalm 56:3

As a little girl, I nightly dealt with nightmares. My mother taught me to repeat this verse as a prayer over and over in the dark moments when I felt fear creeping in. I would repeat this prayer in my heart and mind and sometimes even out loud. I still occasionally find myself uttering this prayer to God. Today, I want to teach it to you. It is simple, yet has made a profound impact on winning the battle with fear.

Prayer

Dear God,

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Help me remember to trust you right now. In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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I love to approach the new year with a fresh perspective by asking the Lord for a word to focus on and grow with. It’s a spiritual discipline that gives focus to the year ahead and direction for spiritual growth.

In secular terms, we might think of words like “success” or “promotion.” In spiritual terms this practice of choosing a word looks much different. It’s not about climbing a ladder or looking back at the end of the year and seeing how much you’ve accomplished. It’s more about choosing a word that focuses and shapes the heart to grow closer in a relationship with Jesus. So let’s get started!

I am going to give you a question to ask yourself, along with a few example words to take your spiritual life to new heights this year. First, ask yourself – What is God teaching me right now? Maybe you are in a waiting season, or a trusting season. Your life might feel turned upside down, or maybe recent loss has you grieving something you never imagined. If we turn to God’s Word in these difficult times, we can find the peace, patience, joy, and comfort we need to take the next step forward.

I just gave you four possible words you could claim as your spiritual word for the year. But let’s break it down word by word and verse by verse so you can find one that fits just right.

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If you are alive, there is a desire in your soul for peace. It is something we all want. Sometimes we feel it deeply. Other times the desire runs so deep is consumes everything we do.

The holidays seem to make that desire for peace even more pronounced, especially if there are family problems, a recent loss, or big changes in life that make the heart hurt. As we approach Christmas and try to really celebrate the reason for the season, let’s take just a few minutes to unpack a few different ways we can experience peace through God’s Word this Christmas.

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