A Heart for Christ

Monday, January 26, 2026

Speaking in a Way that Honors God

Cursing has become very normal in our society. You hear it everywhere—on TV, online, and especially at school. People use curse words in almost every sentence, and after a while, it can start to feel like no big deal. Some of us may even catch ourselves doing it and thinking it’s okay. But God actually talks about this in the Bible. In Ephesians 4:29 (NLT), He reminds us, “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”

It can be hard to avoid cursing because you hear it all the time. People do it when they’re mad, joking around, or just trying to fit in. I hear it at school a lot, and sometimes people don’t even think about it. But as followers of the Lord Jesus, we can’t let this be our normal. God really does care about the words we use. In Luke 6:45 (NLT), Jesus said, “What you say flows from what is in your heart.” That means the things we say show what’s going on inside of us.

If our hearts are full of anger or frustration, those feelings can come out in our words. But when we invite Jesus into our hearts, He helps us choose better words. We won’t always get it right, but we can pause, ask God for help, and try again. Even small choices with our words matter to God, and He cares about how we choose to speak.

The Bible says, “But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language” (Colossians 3:8, NLT). That lets me know God isn’t trying to shame us—He’s helping us grow. Even small changes in how we talk can make a difference. Let’s remember to ask God to guide our words every day so we can speak in a way that honors Him and lifts others up.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Sunday, January 18, 2026

Moving to Your Next Level

In 1Corinthians 3:10(NKJV), the Apostle Paul referred to himself as a wise master-builder. He said “According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.” This verse is pivotal to our success in life, because in it, God looks us square in the face and tells us that we’ve been empowered by Him! Just like the Apostle Paul, we are master builders too. We are building our lives on the foundation that was laid by Christ. We can do it masterfully because God has given us the tools of His Word and the example of Christ. Through His Holy Spirit that dwells within us, we are more than equipped. So, we have superior tools, top-notch material, and an expert teacher. Now all we need to do is to employ them for God’s glory.

God has poured an overwhelming amount of spiritual goodness and power in us through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And it doesn’t stop there. Our cups run over! God’s has positioned us under the fountain of His continual overflow! Every time that you and I invest His goodness in the lives of others, we are continually and immediately filled with more. You might look at your life and determine that you’ve not experienced this. Well, I would like to assure you that you are well on your way, but I also want to warn you about the pitfalls that can easily gum up your pipeline to the next level of greater blessings.

Don’t forget the One with the plan
Nothing corrodes a life like arrogance and pride. These cause us to lean on our own understanding—on our own opinions and attitudes about things. We get ahead of God and think we can lead our own paths. Not true. God is the One with the plan for our lives, and if we allow ourselves to forget this, we’re going to be in trouble. Paul warns us about this in 1Corinthians 3:10. He tells us to be careful how we build on the foundation of Christ and think that we can do things our way.

Deuteronomy 8:18(NLT) sets the context for building on the foundation that Jesus Christ laid for us all. It reminds us to “Remember the LORD your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful.” Paul makes it clear that God’s empowerment causes us to be successful in life, and this empowerment comes with responsibility. Carrying forth this responsibility is the key to being transported from one level of blessings to the next!

Don’t allow insecurities to detour you
A foundation is the structure that supports the weight and framework of a building. If the foundation is strong, then a person can be assured that the house or building will be equally strong; but if the foundation is poorly constructed, the house will not stand. A strong wind can tear it to pieces. The Apostle built his foundation on the Chief Cornerstone, Jesus Christ, and if we look at Paul’s history, the fact that he was able to build anything is utterly amazing. He, at one time, persecuted God’s people, and he had great disdain for Jesus Christ, but he was converted on the road to Damascus, and this completely changed the direction of his life. He once used bad material and inadequate tools to construct the foundation of his life, but after he accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and experienced the love of God in the depths of his soul, he saw the light.

Paul began to build a foundation so strong that you and I are now following the same blueprint and equipment that he used. He was not perfect. Paul was a flawed human being, and so are we. Despite this, he went on to do some pretty amazing things through our blessed Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This should be motivation and inspiration to us, because just as the Lord worked through the Apostle Paul, he wants to do the same for us.

The fact that Paul called himself a wise master-builder gives us a very strong representation of our own ability through Christ. Many of us are allowing our lives to slip by because we’re insecure. We haven’t understood that we are

empowered by Christ to build lives that are pleasing to God and incredibly fulfilling to us as well. We might feel inadequate and ill-equipped because of the things we’ve suffered and gone through. We might feel weak and don’t know how to pull ourselves out of that hole. Well, Christ is extending his hand to us, and all we need to do is take it. We all have insecurities, but God told Paul in 2Corinthians 12:9(NLT), “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”

Don’t forget your keys
God commands us in Romans 12:2(NLT), “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” This verse makes it plain that God has designed our minds to transport us.

Jesus Christ said in Matthew 16:19 (NIV), “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” How do we bind stuff? Initially, we bind it with our minds. Your mind is a gateway for things to enter in and impact your soul. Your mind is also the tool that allows you to move from a dimension of darkness and despair to one of love and light. So many of us fail to comprehend the astounding brick-laying ability of the power of choice–the power of paying attention to what we allow into our minds.

Jesus Christ has given us the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. How did he deliver these keys? He delivered them to us through the scriptures. The knowledge of God’s Word is the key to every door worth entering in life. Without God’s Word in our minds, we live beneath our privilege, and that’s not what God wants. Through the keys that Jesus Christ supplied, we can have good judgement and make good decisions and choices.

Living a life beneath our privilege is a life where strong winds continually tear down what we’ve built. After a while, God expects that we will wake up and realize that we’re binding some stuff that isn’t so pretty. He has something for us to do, and it’s to allow Him to guide us as we study His Word. There’s a person whose life we’re meant to impact—a situation that we’re slated to change for the better, but if we keep thinking the same way we’re thinking and acting the same way we’re acting, we’ll keep making the same choices and decisions we’re making. We’ll keep going down the path that leads us away from all that God has in store.

So, the better choice is clear. We must remember that God is the One with the plan, and He has a purpose for our lives. Our faith must be at a point where nothing deters us from doing what He has placed us on this earth to do. He’s qualified and equipped us to soar like eagles and move from one level of blessings to the next. Use the keys that Jesus Christ has provided. Those keys make it possible to confess the promises of God over your life with the authority of Christ, and to never lose hope and faith. He is faithful to His Word and will continue to lift you higher when you obey and trust Him with all your heart.

Sunday, January 11, 2026

Let’s Not Be Stubborn About Correction

Everyone knows that education helps us grow into capable and responsible people. From the time we learn how to walk and talk, we start learning new things, and that’s because growth doesn’t happen by accident. God wants us to learn. The Bible tells us, “Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment”(Proverbs 4:7, NLT). When we work hard in school, we’re not just learning facts—we’re training our minds so we can better understand God’s Word too. This pleases God, and it helps us, because growing in knowledge prepares us to recognize the blessings He gives and the opportunities He places in front of us.

Being stubborn about correction can make it hard for us to grow. As children of God, we’re still learning, which means we’re going to make mistakes sometimes—and that’s okay. God doesn’t correct us to hurt us or make us feel bad. He corrects us to help us do better. The Bible says, “The Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights” (Proverbs 3:12, NLT). If we act like we already know everything and don’t listen, we can start moving away from God without even realizing it. And when that happens, it’s easier to listen to the wrong voices instead of listening to what God says.

Proverbs 15:10 (NLT) says, “Whoever abandons the right path will be severely disciplined; whoever hates correction will die.” This verse is teaching us that ignoring correction is serious. When God warns us about something and we keep doing it anyway, there are consequences. God isn’t trying to be mean—He’s trying to protect us. He sees our hearts and knows when we’re choosing to listen and when we’re choosing to ignore Him.

For example, let’s say you play video games for hours every day, but only spend about five minutes reading the Bible. Then God starts to convict your heart and lets you know that something needs to change. Instead of listening and spending less time on the game and more time with God, you ignore that feeling and refuse to let the game go. That’s what it looks like when we ignore correction. God is trying to help us grow, but we have to be willing to listen.

So in conclusion, when God lets us know that what we’re doing is wrong, we should listen. He’s not trying to stop us from having fun—He’s helping us grow. When we accept correction instead of ignoring it, our relationship with God gets stronger, and we grow in our faith.

Monday, January 5, 2026

Growing Closer to God This New Year

As we step into a brand-new year, it’s a good time to think about your relationship with God. Just like friendships grow when we spend time together, our relationship with God grows when we choose to spend time with Him too. This past year may have had ups and downs. Maybe some days you may have felt really close to God, and other days maybe not so much. But the new year gives us a fresh start.

Growing closer to God doesn’t mean being perfect or having everything figured out. It just means choosing to spend more time with Him—like reading your Bible, praying honestly, or even just talking to Him during your day.

The Bible reminds us that following Jesus isn’t something we do once and then we’re done. It’s something we keep choosing every day. Colossians 2:6–7 (NLT) says, “And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” I like how this verse talks about growing roots, because it reminds me that faith takes time.

Just like a tree doesn’t grow overnight, our relationship with God grows little by little. The more we stay close to Him, the stronger our faith becomes, even when life feels confusing or hard. Some days following God feels easy, and other days it doesn’t. But every time we choose to spend time with our Heavenly Father through prayer, reading His Word or just talking to Him, our faith grows, even if we don’t notice it right away.

As children of God, we can make small choices that help us grow closer to our Heavenly Father. You don’t have to do everything at once. One good choice at a time keeps you moving forward with the Lord. It helps you stay on the right path and keep a joyful heart as you step into the new year.

Monday, December 29, 2025

Remembering the Lord During the Holidays

Around this time of year, when everyone is setting up their trees, buying gifts, and finishing work or school assignments, it can be hard to think of anything else because the holidays demand so much of our attention. But as children of God, we need to be especially mindful of what the holidays really mean. We need to take time each day to honor our Heavenly Father for the gift of Jesus Christ and all the many blessings we have received through His only begotten Son.

Titus 3:4-6 (NLT) says, “But when God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.”

This verse really shows us just how merciful God is. Instead of pushing us aside or leaving us to figure things out on our own, He sent His one and only Son as a sacrifice for us. Think about that for a moment—God cared enough to provide a way for us to be made right with Him, even though we don’t deserve it. Because of His mercy, we have every reason to be thankful, no matter what kind of struggles or success we have.

The thankfulness we show God isn’t just a good feeling in our hearts. It shows up in how we live, how we think, and how we choose to keep Him first each day. We have the privilege as His children to continue to pray and to seek Him, like Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 (NLT): “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” This means that we put our Heavenly Father first and let His way rule over our ways; His ways are always best and full of love.

To be close to God is not a chore. It’s a gift. Jesus Christ showed us what it looks like to stay connected to the Father who loves us so much. Even during busy and exciting seasons like the holidays, God is still near and ready to spend time with us. When we pause and remember Him, we’re not giving something up—we’re gaining peace, joy, and a deeper understanding of what truly matters. Remembering the Lord helps keep our hearts focused and reminds us that His love is the greatest gift of all.

Sunday, December 21, 2025

Finding Wisdom Through God

James 1:5 (NLT) says, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” This verse teaches us that whenever we are confused or unsure about something, we can go to God, and He will give us the wisdom we need.

Most of us can agree that being in a situation where we feel lost and don’t know what to do is not enjoyable. As Christians, we are very blessed because God is with us at all times. Without Him, it would be much harder to climb out of the difficult situations we sometimes fall into. Psalm 32:8 (NLT) tells us about God’s guidance and steady presence when we feel unsure or lost: “The LORD says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.’”

As kids, we don’t always know what wisdom is or why it’s important. Wisdom isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about asking God to help you choose what’s right and doing it, even when you really want to do something else. Sometimes, wisdom just means stopping for a second and thinking before you act. That is why it is so important to seek God for wisdom when we are faced with problems, so He can guide us onto the right path. Proverbs 3:13–14 (NLT) says, “Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold.” This verse reminds us that wisdom is more valuable than anything money can buy.

It’s also important to remember that not all knowledge from the world lines up with God’s truth. 1 Corinthians 3:19 (NLT) says, “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, ‘He traps the wise in the snare of their own cleverness.’” Worldly wisdom can sound convincing, like, “Just do it,” or “It’s not that serious,” or “Everybody does this.” It might seem smart, but it doesn’t always lead to good choices. God’s wisdom, on the other hand, helps you pause, think, and choose what’s right—even when it’s hard or when you really don’t want to.

So in conclusion, we should always turn to God when we need wisdom. Whether it’s for school, work, or a difficult season in life, we should never allow the opinions of the world to convince us that God’s Word is wrong. He’s always right, and when we follow His wisdom, the results will always be worth it.

Monday, December 15, 2025

Keeping Your Promise

We have all probably made a promise to someone and didn’t follow through—like saying we would help with work or cook a meal for a friend. Even if it doesn’t seem like a big deal to us, it matters to God. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 5:37 (NLT), “Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’” This teaches us to be honest and keep our commitments.

Numbers 30:2 (NLT) says, “A man who makes a vow to the Lord or makes a pledge under oath must never break it. He must do exactly what he said he would do.”

This scripture is another reminder that when we make a promise, even a small one, God cares about whether we keep our word—especially when we promise something to Him.

When it comes to our friends, loved ones, and others, we also need to think about how they feel when a promise is broken. When someone is counting on us and we don’t follow through, it can really hurt or disappoint them. God wants us to treat people with care and honesty. It’s what the loving example of Jesus Christ teaches us.

We should never make promises if we know there is a big chance we won’t be able to complete them, even if we are feeling pressure to say yes.

Ecclesiastes 5:4–5 (NLT) says, “When you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him. It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it.”

This verse teaches us that it is better to be honest and say nothing than to make a promise we know we won’t keep. The wisdom of this truth reminds us not to make empty promises to God, and it also applies to the promises we make to the people around us. We should never treat our Heavenly Father that way. He is loving and kind to us, and He has never once given a promise He didn’t keep. That is an amazing example, and He wants us to know that through His strength, we can become the kind of person who always keeps their word.

So in conclusion, we should remember to only make promises we are willing and able to fulfill. The Bible teaches us that having a good reputation matters. Proverbs 22:1 (NLT) says, “Choose a good reputation over great riches.” When we keep our promises, people learn they can trust us, and that honors God. It also helps us treat others the way we want to be treated and builds a reputation of being trustworthy and honest.

A Heart for Christ

Monday, January 26, 2026

Speaking in a Way that Honors God

Sunday, January 18, 2026

Moving to Your Next Level

Sunday, January 11, 2026

Let’s Not Be Stubborn About Correction

Monday, January 5, 2026

Growing Closer to God This New Year

Monday, December 29, 2025

Remembering the Lord During the Holidays

Sunday, December 21, 2025

Finding Wisdom Through God

Monday, December 15, 2025

Keeping Your Promise

Speaking in a Way that Honors God

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