Category: study

  • Walk WITH Him: Growth Begins by Staying Close

    Walk WITH Him: Growth Begins by Staying Close

    Walk With Me — It’s Time to Grow

    “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” — John 15:4

    Last week, we began with an invitation:

    It’s time to grow.

    Not simply to know more about Jesus, but to allow what we believe about Jesus to increasingly become the way we live.

    But where does that kind of growth begin?

    Do we need to study more? Pray more? Serve more? Try harder? Become more disciplined?

    Those things can certainly be part of spiritual growth. But I don’t think they’re where it begins.

    Growth begins with relationship.

    Before we can walk LIKE Jesus, we have to learn to walk WITH Jesus.

    It’s possible to know a lot about someone without actually knowing them very well. And if we’ve been Christians for a while, I wonder if we can sometimes do the same thing with Jesus.

    We know the stories. We know the verses. We know the right answers.

    We may begin our morning reading Scripture and talking with God—and then close our Bible, get up from the chair, and spend the rest of the day operating as though everything depends on us.

    We make decisions. We solve problems. We respond to people. We carry our worries. We plan our futures.

    And somewhere along the way, Jesus can unintentionally become Someone we spent time with that morning rather than Someone we’re walking with throughout the day.

    But Jesus didn’t simply say, “Learn about Me.”

    He said, “Follow Me.”

    That’s an invitation to a life lived together.

    I love the idea of having a quiet time with Jesus in the morning. There is something precious about opening God’s Word before the noise of the day begins.

    But walking with Jesus can’t end when we close our Bible.

    What happens during the other twenty-three hours?

    What happens when the phone rings with news we weren’t expecting?

    When someone says something that hurts us?

    When we’re trying to make a decision and don’t know what to do?

    When the answer we’ve been praying for still hasn’t come?

    When we’re irritated, disappointed, afraid, tired, or overwhelmed?

    What happens when we’re folding laundry, driving to work, sitting in a waiting room, making dinner, answering emails, caring for someone we love, or lying awake at 2 a.m. with thoughts that won’t stop?

    That’s where discipleship becomes real.

    Walking with Jesus means learning to recognize that He is present in those moments too. And instead of immediately reacting, fixing, controlling, worrying, or relying on ourselves, we begin learning to turn toward Him.

    Jesus, You’re here. What does it look like to walk with You in this?

    Maybe that’s one of the simplest prayers of discipleship.

    I’ve been thinking about walking with Jesus in three simple movements:

    WITH Him → AWARE of Him → RESPONSIVE to Him

    First, we learn to live with Him.

    We stop dividing life into “God time” and “everything else.”

    Jesus comes with us into all of it. Then, as we walk with Him, we become increasingly aware of Him. We begin noticing what His Word says about the situation we’re facing. We become more aware of what is happening in our own hearts.

    Why did that comment bother me so much?

    Why am I trying so hard to control this?

    Why am I afraid?

    Am I responding from truth—or from fear?

    Am I trying to get my way—or am I willing to surrender?

    And as we become more aware, we learn to become responsive to Him. Sometimes responding means moving. Sometimes it means waiting. Sometimes it means speaking. Sometimes it means remaining quiet.

    It may mean forgiving when we’d rather hold onto the hurt. Apologizing when we’d rather defend ourselves. Trusting when we’d rather control. Serving when we’d rather be served. Obeying when our feelings are telling us to do something completely different.

    That is growth.

    Not perfection.

    Practice.

    We’ve talked about seeking Jesus. We’ve talked about following Him. We’ve talked about abiding in Him.

    But here’s what I’m realizing:

    We never graduate from those things.

    A new believer seeks Jesus—and a mature disciple still seeks Him.

    A new believer learns to follow Jesus—and a mature disciple still wakes up every morning needing to follow.

    A new believer learns to abide—and maturity may actually teach us just how desperately dependent upon Him we really are.

    Jesus gives us such a beautiful picture of this in John 15. A branch doesn’t produce fruit by deciding to work harder. It doesn’t grit its teeth and say, Today I’m going to be more fruitful. It remains connected to the vine.

    Jesus said:

    “Apart from me you can do nothing.” — John 15:5

    That’s humbling. But I also find it incredibly freeing. Because spiritual maturity isn’t Christian self-improvement.

    God isn’t asking us to transform ourselves into the image of Jesus through sheer determination. He’s inviting us to remain close enough to Jesus that He transforms us.

    Have you ever spent enough time with someone that you started picking up some of their mannerisms? Maybe you started using one of their phrases. Laughing at the same things. Responding in similar ways.

    There’s something about proximity that changes us. I think there’s a spiritual truth tucked inside that idea. The more time we spend walking with Jesus, the more His heart begins shaping ours.

    We begin seeing people differently. Our reactions begin changing. The things that once seemed incredibly important may start losing their grip.

    Compassion grows.

    Patience grows.

    Humility grows.

    Trust grows.

    We begin wanting what He wants. Not because we’ve mastered a list of Christian behaviors. But because we’ve been walking with Jesus.

    And slowly, sometimes so slowly we don’t even recognize it at first, He changes us.

    Maybe you’ve been thinking about spiritual growth and feeling overwhelmed. There is so much you don’t know. So much you still struggle with. So many places where you wish you were further along.

    Can I remind you of something?

    We’re not learning how to finish the journey. We’re learning how to faithfully take the next step. So don’t worry about ten steps from now.

    Bring Jesus into this one. The conversation you’re about to have. The decision you’re trying to make. The worry you’ve been carrying. The relationship that’s difficult. The prayer that hasn’t been answered. The ordinary responsibilities waiting for you today.

    Instead of asking only, “What should I do?”

    Maybe begin asking:

    “Jesus, how do I walk with You in this?”

    And then stay close enough to listen.

    This Walk With Me season isn’t about leaving behind everything we’ve already learned. We’re going deeper. We’re going to keep seeking. Keep following. Keep abiding. Keep choosing joy. Keep inviting others along.

    Because eventually, walking WITH Jesus changes the way we walk THROUGH life.

    And the more we walk with Him, the more we begin to walk LIKE Him.

    Eventually, someone else may see what Jesus has done in us and need us to turn toward them and say:

    “Walk with me.”

    But we’re not there yet.

    For today, let’s simply begin here:

    Walk WITH Him.

    Stay close.

    Notice His presence.

    Listen for His voice through His Word.

    Respond when He leads.

    And faithfully take the next step.

    Because maybe spiritual growth isn’t about trying harder to become like Jesus.

    Maybe it’s about staying close enough to Jesus that He changes us.

    A Question for the Journey

    As you move through your ordinary day, ask yourself: Am I simply believing in Jesus—or am I learning to live my everyday life WITH Jesus?

    Then choose one situation you’re facing today and pray: Jesus, You are here. Help me walk with You in this.

    One situation.

    One prayer.

    One faithful step.

    And tomorrow?

    We’ll walk with Him again.

    Adventure awaits — will you Choose Joy?

    With love and joy,

    Laura

  • I Choose to Encourage: The Power of Words

    “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” — John 1:1 (NIV)

    Words are powerful.

    With a few carefully chosen words, we can inspire someone to keep going, mend a broken relationship, or offer hope in a difficult season. Yet words can also wound, discourage, and leave scars that last for years.

    Think about the words that have impacted your life. Perhaps someone spoke encouragement over you when you doubted yourself. Maybe a teacher, mentor, friend, or family member saw something in you that you could not yet see in yourself. Their words helped shape who you became.

    Unfortunately, many of us can also recall hurtful words that have lingered long after they were spoken. Words have a way of embedding themselves in our hearts and influencing how we see ourselves and the world around us.

    That is why John 1:1 is so profound:

    “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

    John identifies Jesus as the Word. Before creation, before time itself, the Word existed. Through Him, God brought life, order, and purpose into the world.

    God chose words to create.

    Throughout Scripture, we see the power of God’s spoken Word. He spoke light into darkness. He spoke truth into confusion. He spoke life where there was nothing.

    If words matter so much to God, they should matter to us.

    As followers of Christ, we have an opportunity every day to reflect His character through the words we speak. Our conversations can bring healing instead of hurt. Our comments can build confidence instead of tearing people down. Our encouragement can help others see what God is doing in their lives.

    Encouragement is more than simply saying something nice. It is intentionally speaking truth, hope, and life into someone else’s journey. Encouragement reminds people that they are seen, valued, and loved by God.

    The world offers plenty of criticism, negativity, and division. Social media feeds, news headlines, and daily conversations can quickly become places where people feel attacked rather than uplifted.

    What if Christians became known for encouragement?

    What if our words reflected the heart of Christ?

    What if we paused before speaking and asked ourselves, “Will these words build up or tear down?”

    Every day presents opportunities to encourage:

    • Thank someone for their faithfulness.
    • Speak hope to someone who is struggling.
    • Send a text of appreciation.
    • Pray with a friend.
    • Remind someone of God’s promises.

    Small words can have a lasting impact.

    Today, choose to encourage.

    Let your words reflect the One who is called the Word. Let them bring light into someone’s darkness and hope into someone’s uncertainty.

    Because words are never neutral. They shape how we see ourselves, others, and God. They can unite or divide, heal or harm, inspire or discourage.

    May we use our words wisely and intentionally, choosing encouragement wherever we go.

    Reflection Questions

    1. Who has encouraged you with their words recently?
    2. Is there someone in your life who needs encouragement today?
    3. How can your words better reflect the love and truth of Christ?

    Sometimes the simplest choice—choosing words that give life—can make the biggest difference.

    With love and joy,

    Laura

    This reflection connects with Day 13: “I Choose to Encourage” from the Today I Choose devotional. Each day offers practical encouragement and biblical truth to help you make intentional choices that strengthen your faith and impact those around you.

  • Irrevocable: Living in the Confidence of God’s Calling

    “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” — Romans 11:29 (NASB)

    Have you ever questioned whether God could still use you after a failure, disappointment, or detour in life? Perhaps you’ve wondered if you missed your opportunity to fulfill God’s purpose. Maybe you’ve looked at your circumstances and thought, “Surely God has moved on to someone else.”

    Romans 11:29 offers a powerful reminder:

    “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”

    The word irrevocable means something that cannot be taken back, withdrawn, canceled, or reversed. When God gives a gift or places a calling on a person’s life, He does not change His mind. His purposes are not based on our perfection but on His faithfulness.

    That should bring great comfort to every believer.

    God’s Gifts Are Given with Purpose.

    God has uniquely gifted each of us. Some gifts are obvious, while others develop over time. We may be gifted to encourage, teach, serve, lead, create, give, or show mercy. These gifts are not accidents; they are intentional expressions of God’s grace in our lives.

    Too often, we compare our gifts to someone else’s and conclude ours are less valuable. Yet God never intended for us to all serve in the same way. Just as every piece of a puzzle has a unique place, every believer has a unique purpose within the body of Christ.

    The gifts God has given you are not random talents. They are tools designed to glorify Him and bless others.

    Life doesn’t always unfold as we expected. We make mistakes. We take wrong turns. We experience loss, hardship, and seasons of uncertainty.

    Yet God’s calling remains.

    That doesn’t mean we can live however we want and still experience the fullness of His plan. We have choices to make. We can choose obedience or disobedience. We can choose to follow Him or follow our own desires.

    God’s call is irrevocable, but our response requires intentionality.

    Each day we are invited to say, “Yes, Lord. I will follow where You lead.”

    Many people spend years asking, “What is God’s will for my life?”

    While God may not reveal every detail of the future, He does provide ways for us to discern His direction.

    1. Through Prayer

    Prayer is not simply presenting our requests to God; it is also listening for His voice.

    In a world filled with noise, we must intentionally create space to hear Him. Sometimes we rush into decisions before ever seeking God’s wisdom. Other times, we spend all our prayer time talking and never listening.

    God often speaks through gentle promptings, conviction, peace, and clarity that align with His character and His Word.

    The more time we spend with Him, the more familiar we become with His voice.

    2. Through His Word

    God will never lead us contrary to Scripture.

    His Word serves as our compass when we are unsure of the path ahead. It reveals God’s character, His promises, and His desires for His children.

    Many times, we ask God for direction while leaving our Bible closed. Yet some of the clearest guidance He gives is already written on its pages.

    When we consistently read, study, and meditate on Scripture, our hearts become aligned with His will.

    3. Through Obedient Listening

    Listening requires more than hearing; it requires responding.

    Sometimes God reveals His call one step at a time rather than giving us the entire roadmap. We want all the details, but God often asks us to trust Him with the next step.

    As we faithfully obey what He has already shown us, He often reveals what comes next.

    The question is not always, “What is God’s calling?” Sometimes the question is, “Am I listening and obeying what He has already said?”

    Romans 11:29 reminds us that God’s gifts and calling are irrevocable. He is not surprised by our struggles, failures, or delays. His plans are not fragile. His purposes are not easily undone.

    That does not mean we should become passive. Rather, it should inspire us to pursue Him more intentionally through prayer, Scripture, and obedience.

    God has gifted you for a purpose.

    God has called you for a reason.

    And because His gifts and calling are irrevocable, you can move forward with confidence, knowing that the One who called you is faithful to complete what He began.

    So today, listen carefully. Open His Word. Spend time in prayer. Take the next step of obedience.

    The God who called you has not changed His mind.

    With love and joy,

    Laura

    P.S. This post is an expansion of I Choose God’s Call from the Today I Choose 30-Day Devotional.

    Purchase through Amazon… https://amzn.to/449JjZH

  • Learning to Listen: What Habakkuk Teaches Us About Hearing God

    The Book of Habakkuk is one of the most honest conversations with God found in Scripture. Habakkuk did not approach God with polished prayers or perfect understanding. He came with questions, confusion, frustration, and even disappointment. Yet through his journey, we are given a beautiful picture of how to truly listen to God.

    Too often, we think listening to God means hearing an audible voice or receiving immediate answers. But Habakkuk shows us that listening begins with bringing our hearts honestly before the Lord and positioning ourselves to hear Him.

    Habakkuk opens his book with difficult questions:
    “How long, Lord, must I call for help, but You do not listen?” (Habakkuk 1:2).

    That verse alone is comforting because it reminds us that God is not intimidated by our questions. Habakkuk looked around at injustice, pain, violence, and suffering, and he could not understand why God seemed silent. Instead of walking away from God, he brought his confusion directly to Him.

    That is the first lesson in listening to God:
    Bring your honest heart before Him.

    Many times, we want to clean up our emotions before we pray. We think faith means pretending we are not struggling. But Habakkuk teaches us that genuine faith is willing to wrestle with God while still remaining near Him. God would rather have our honest prayers than distant silence.

    After pouring out his concerns, Habakkuk does something powerful. He says:

    “I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what He will say to me…” (Habakkuk 2:1).

    Habakkuk intentionally positioned himself to listen.

    Listening to God requires stillness and expectation. In a world full of noise, distraction, opinions, notifications, and constant activity, it is difficult to hear the gentle voice of God. Habakkuk teaches us that listening is not passive; it is intentional. He stood watch. He waited. He expected God to speak.

    Sometimes we want quick answers, but God often speaks in the waiting.

    God’s response to Habakkuk was not necessarily the answer he expected. In fact, some of what God revealed was difficult and challenging. Yet Habakkuk continued listening. This reminds us that listening to God is not just about hearing what comforts us; it is also about trusting what He says, even when we do not fully understand it.

    That may be one of the hardest parts of faith.

    We often want clarity before obedience, but God frequently asks for trust before understanding. Habakkuk learned that God’s plans were bigger than his perspective. While Habakkuk could only see immediate problems, God saw the full picture.

    Isn’t that true in our lives too?

    We see delays, disappointments, unanswered prayers, and closed doors. God sees protection, preparation, growth, and purpose. Listening to God means trusting His wisdom above our limited understanding.

    One of the most beautiful transformations in Scripture happens within the short three chapters of Habakkuk. The book begins with confusion and questioning, but it ends with worship.

    Habakkuk concludes by saying:

    “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines…yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” (Habakkuk 3:17-18).

    What changed?

    Habakkuk’s circumstances had not improved yet. The problems were still there. But through listening to God, Habakkuk’s perspective changed. He moved from fear to faith, from frustration to trust, from questioning to worship.

    That is what happens when we truly listen to God.

    Listening does not always immediately change our situation, but it changes us. God steadies our hearts. He reminds us of who He is. He gives peace that circumstances cannot provide.

    The book of Habakkuk teaches us several important truths about listening to God:

    • Bring your honest questions to Him.
    • Create space to wait and listen.
    • Expect God to speak through His Word, His Spirit, and His timing.
    • Trust Him even when His answers are difficult.
    • Allow His presence to transform your perspective.

    God still speaks today. Often not through dramatic signs, but through Scripture, prayer, quiet moments, conviction, peace, and the gentle leading of the Holy Spirit. The question is not whether God is speaking. The question is whether we are positioning ourselves to listen.

    Like Habakkuk, may we become people who stand watch, wait expectantly, and choose trust even before we see the outcome. Because sometimes the greatest miracle is not getting immediate answers, but developing deeper faith while we wait.

    With love and joy,

    Laura

  • Faith Over Fear: Staying Close to Your Stronghold

    Fear has a way of making us feel trapped. It whispers lies into our hearts:
    You’re powerless.
    You’re not good enough.
    You’re going to fail.
    You’ll never make the right decision.

    And when our decisions are made from fear, we often end up feeling even more lost. Fear clouds our judgment, steals our peace, and keeps us focused on the size of the problem instead of the greatness of God.

    But God was never meant to be distant from us in our struggles. He is our refuge, our protector, and our stronghold.

    “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.” — Psalm 18:2

    The greatest fear we should have is not failure, rejection, or uncertainty. It is separation from the presence of God. Because apart from Him, fear grows louder. Apart from Him, we begin believing the lies of the enemy instead of the truth of our Creator.

    The enemy thrives in fear because fear pulls us away from trust. Scripture reminds us:

    “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.” — 1 John 4:18

    So how do we receive that perfect love? How do we move from fear to faith?

    We bring our fear honestly before God.

    We confess it.

    We stop pretending to be strong enough on our own and instead ask:
    Lord, who do You say that I am?

    What do You want me to do?

    And then—we trust what we hear from Him.

    God’s voice will never speak shame, hopelessness, or condemnation over your life. He speaks the truth. Identity. Purpose. Peace. He reminds you that you are His.

    The enemy says:
    You are not enough.
    God says:
    My grace is sufficient for you.

    The enemy says:
    You are powerless.
    God says:
    My power is made perfect in weakness.

    The enemy says:
    Fear the future.
    God says:
    Trust Me with it.

    Faithful decisions are not always easy decisions, but they are rooted in trust that God is bigger than the situation standing in front of you. Fear asks, “What if everything goes wrong?” Faith asks, “What if God is already making a way?”

    Sometimes we think faith means never feeling afraid. But faith is not the absence of fear; it is choosing to move forward while holding tightly to God.

    Jesus gives us this beautiful invitation:

    “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” — Matthew 11:29

    What a comfort to know we do not carry life alone. A yoke was designed to distribute weight. Jesus never intended for us to carry every burden, every fear, every uncertainty by ourselves. When we walk with Him, He carries what is too heavy for us.

    Peace comes when we stop striving for control and start surrendering to God’s leadership.

    If you feel overwhelmed today, pause and ask yourself:
    Am I listening to fear, or am I listening to God?

    Then bring your fears honestly before Him. Ask Him who He says you are. Ask Him where He is leading you. Trust His answer more than your emotions.

    Because when you stay close to your stronghold, fear loses its power.

    God is with you.
    God is for you.
    And His perfect love still casts out fear.

    With love and joy,

    Laura