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Today we close out our reading through Philippians. This letter has brought comfort to so many, and I pray Paul’s words have been an encouragement to you as well.

At the beginning of January, I felt a war raging in my heart and mind. Anxious thoughts and worries overwhelmed me, and I struggled to find rest or peace. I knew this season was a trial—a testing of my faith—and an opportunity to show God that I truly trust Him by running to Him with every burden.

Paul’s words in Philippians 4:6–8 have always been a source of comfort for me, but during this time, I clung to them with desperation.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Days passed with my heart unsettled and my mind anxious—until I opened the living Word of God and truly dwelled there. As I read and reflected, the Lord met me. Tears gave way to peace, and my worries were quieted by His presence. That peace—so deep and unexplainable—only came when I remained in His Word.

It was striking how quickly the anxiety returned when I stepped away, and how faithfully the Lord sustained me the moment I opened Scripture again. He reminded me clearly that His Word, His truth, and His thoughts are exactly what I need.

I encourage you today to bring every worry and care to God. Fix your thoughts on Him and on what is true. Remain in His Word.

I pray you experience the same peace that surpasses understanding—the peace that guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. I am so thankful that God’s promises are true, that He meets us in the chaos, and gently leads us into rest. Just being with Him is enough.

4 weeks ago | [YT] | 2

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Today we begin reading Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Paul is writing from prison, yet this letter is marked by joy, gratitude, and rejoicing. Despite his circumstances, he continually thanks God, encourages the church, and calls believers to walk in humility—just as Christ did.

Paul opens with a beautiful prayer of thanksgiving, rejoicing in the partnership he shares with the church and expressing his confidence that God will finish the good work He has begun.

“Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.  And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:3-6

Even while imprisoned, Paul’s heart remains fixed on the Christ and on His people.

Brothers and sisters, there is beauty in pouring out our lives for Jesus—the One who gave everything for us. No matter what circumstances we face, we can choose to lift our eyes off our pain and struggles and fix them on the work of the Lord. When we read, reflect, and remain in God’s Word, our perspective shifts from what is temporary to what is eternal.

Set your heart and mind on His Kingdom, on His people, and on His promises. Ask the Lord to help you find reasons to rejoice, even in hardship—to encourage others, to bless them, and to live with quiet confidence that God is still at work. Joy is not found in the absence of suffering, but in the presence of Christ.

4 weeks ago | [YT] | 3

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As we come to the close of 2025, I want to pause and sincerely thank each of you who has subscribed and chosen to spend time with me in God’s Word this year. It is truly a gift to read Scripture together, to reflect on what the Lord is teaching us, and to remain anchored in Him through every season. We are so blessed to have the Word of God as our strength and our song.

I look forward to hearing how God is speaking to you as you continue to read, reflect, and remain in your own personal Bible study. Each time you open the Bible and spend time with it, God is at work in ways that go far beyond what you can see.

Over the next several days, I’ll be sharing readings from 1 & 2 Thessalonians. In these letters, the apostle Paul writes to the church in Thessalonica with encouragement, instruction, and sound doctrine to help believers mature and grow. He commends them for their steadfast faith, urges them to pray continually, and gently consoles them concerning loved ones who have died. Couldn’t we all use encouragement like that?

For many, this year has carried loss. And for those of you who have remained steadfast through grief, trials, and uncertainty, my prayer is that Paul’s words will soothe your soul and remind you that God sees you and is near.

These letters also speak clearly about the second coming of Christ. For believers who were persecuted, this was meant to be a deep comfort—an assurance that Jesus will return with justice, bringing rest to His people. As we wait for Christ’s return, Paul calls us to stand firm in the faith: to keep working, keep waiting, and not grow idle or weary in doing good.

If teachings about the second coming feel difficult or uncomfortable, I encourage you to reflect on Paul’s words prayerfully and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into understanding and peace. For those who believe, this truth is meant to comfort us. Our Savior—the eternal King—is reigning in heaven, and one day we will meet Him in the clouds and dwell with Him forever. Let’s remain rooted in that hope. Let’s place our hope in eternity.

First Thessalonians ends with a section often titled Paul’s Final Advice (1 Thessalonians 5:12–22). As we look ahead to a new year, this counsel is a beautiful place to begin:

“Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other. Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.”

As we move forward, may we continue to read God’s Word faithfully, reflect on it deeply, and remain steadfast in Christ—together.

1 month ago | [YT] | 6

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As we turn the pages of Ephesians, we come to one of Paul’s most stirring calls to courage:

“Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm…
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.”
(Ephesians 6:10–18)

These are not just words for ancient believers—they are for us, here and now.

In a world that often feels heavy with darkness, confusion, and compromise, God has not left us defenseless. He has equipped us—with truth, with righteousness, with peace, faith, salvation, His Word, and the power of prayer.

🛡️ We are not called to retreat—we are called to stand.

Not in our own strength, but in His.
Not clothed in fear, but in the full armor of God.

So take heart. When the days feel long and the world feels loud, remember: you are covered, protected, and empowered by the One who overcame it all.

Let’s keep reading, reflecting, and remaining in His Word together—strengthened for the fight, anchored in His truth, and shining as children of light. ✨

4 months ago | [YT] | 4

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Thank you for journeying through Colossians with me these past few weeks. It's been a true honor to read the words of Paul-written not in comfort, but in chains. Even in suffering, he poured out encouragement to the early church, and through his letter, we're reminded of the beauty and supremacy of Christ (Colossians 1:15-20). We also learned what it means to walk in our new nature, becoming more like Christ each day (Colossians 3:12-15).

This week, we'll open a new letter-Ephesians. This is one of my favorite books in the bible, as it has spoken deeply into my own walk with Christ. It reminds us of:

🙏 Who we are in Him
🤝 How we, the Church, are one body
🌟 How to walk in love and light
💬 How to live out godly relationships
⚔️ And how to stand strong, wearing the full armor of God

Let’s continue to read, reflect, and remain in God’s Word together.

"For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of the light! For the light within you produces every kind of goodness, righteousness, and truth."
(Ephesians 5:8–9)

5 months ago | [YT] | 6

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In Colossians, Paul asks believers to “remember my chains” 🔗—a powerful reminder that following Christ might bring hardship or rejection. Yet, he ends with a blessing: “May God’s grace be with you.” ✨ For anyone facing fear or persecution, Paul’s words encourage us to stand firm, knowing God’s grace is always with us. Praying that you all may be strengthened by the Word of God 📖 and that we may be filled with boldness 💪 to proclaim the gospel.

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” — Colossians 3:16-17 🙏

5 months ago | [YT] | 5