A Heart for Christ: July 2025

Monday, July 28, 2025

The Power of One Prayer

Let’s be honest—we’ve all had moments where we felt stuck, like we messed up so badly that there was no way out. It’s kind of like falling into a deep hole and thinking, “I’ll never get out of this.” But somehow, we do. Somehow, we climb out and keep going. And maybe, just maybe, that “somehow” was someone praying for us.

Here’s the thing—prayer is powerful. Like, reallypowerful. And sometimes we don’t realize just how much it can change a person’s life—even if we only pray for them once.

The Bible talks about this in James 5:16 (NLT) ”Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”

That’s a big reminder that our prayers actually do something. When we talk to God with a real heart of faith, it can shift things in someone’s life. It’s not just words—we’re inviting God to step in and help in ways we may not even see right away.

So next time you hear a friend is going through something, or you notice someone’s just not themselves—pray for them. Even a short prayer can go a long way. And who knows? One day, someone might be praying for you too.

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.

Monday, July 21, 2025

Don’t Be Ashamed of Jesus

One day, someone might ask you what you believe. When that happens, don’t be scared to say you believe in Jesus. In Matthew 10:32-33 (NLT), Jesus said,“Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.” That means when we speak up about our faith, Jesus will gladly tell God that we belong to Him. He loves when we stand with Him.

Being a child of God is something to be excited about! We don’t need to feel nervous or embarrassed. God is the one true God, and He chose us to be His. That’s amazing! But sometimes, people who don’t know God may try to make us feel left out. They might think it’s not “cool” to love Jesus. But Jesus understands that. In John 15:18 (NLT), He said, “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.” So when people don’t accept us because of our faith, we’re actually sharing in what Jesus went through—and that means our love for Him is real.

Sometimes it’s hard to stand up for what’s right, especially when others don’t. But God sees that. In Matthew 5:10 (NLT), Jesus reminds us, “God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” That means when we get teased or left out for following Him, He promises to reward us. And His rewards are better than anything we could get here on earth.

So don’t stay quiet about your faith. Tell people how much God loves them. Talk about His kindness, His power, and how He changed your life. God is good, and He deserves to be known.

Never be ashamed of being God’s child. Even if it’s hard sometimes, remember: His love is worth more than being popular. He’ll always be with you, and He smiles when you choose to stand strong for Him.

Monday, July 14, 2025

Keeping God First During Summer Vacation

James 4:8 (NLT):

“Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.”

Summer break is finally here! Most of us can’t wait to sleep in, hang out with friends, play video games, or go on vacation. And honestly, those things can be fun and relaxing. But let’s not forget something super important — spending time with God.

James 4:8 reminds us that when we draw close to God, He draws close to us. That means the more we spend time with Him, the more we’ll feel His love and guidance in our lives. God’s not far away, He’s waiting for us to come near to Him.

So how can you grow closer to God this summer? Here are a few simple ideas:

Pray more often. You don’t have to use fancy words. Just talk to God about your day, your feelings, and what’s on your heart. Philippians 4:6 (NLT) says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”
Read your Bible regularly. Maybe challenge yourself to read a little more than usual. Psalm 119:105 (NLT) says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” God's Word helps guide us through life.
Spend quiet time listening for God’s voice. This could be through worship, soaking in His presence, or even praying in the Spirit more.

The more time you give to God, the more your relationship with Him will grow. Just like you grow closer to a friend by spending time with them, you’ll grow closer to God by making time for Him.

This summer, let’s enjoy our break—but also make time to grow spiritually. God has amazing things to show you when you draw near to Him.

Monday, July 7, 2025

Picking the Right Kind of Friend

We all want good friends—people we can laugh with, talk to, and trust. But not everyone who seems nice is the right kind of friend. So how do you know? One way is to think about the kind of person you are yourself, and then think about the friend who helps you be your best. For example, I’m kind of quiet, love to have fun, and care a lot about my schoolwork. That means I want friends who are fun but also serious about doing the right thing.

The Bible gives us great advice about friendship. Proverbs 27:17 (NLT) says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” This means a real friend helps you grow and become better. If someone always pulls you into drama or makes fun of others, they may not be the best friend for you. Proverbs 13:20 (NLT) says,“Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.” So the people we hang around can either help us or hurt us.

If you’re not sure who to hang out with, it’s okay to ask God. He knows what you need better than anyone. A simple prayer can help you make a wise choice.

Dear Father God,
Please help me choose the right kind of friends—people who care about You, about doing the right thing, and about helping me grow. Show me who is good for me and help me to be a good friend too. Thank You for always guiding me.
In the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, I pray, amen.

A Heart for Christ