Today, let's pause in those decision points and ask: Am I choosing the stew of the moment, or the lasting inheritance God has for me? May we live differently—prioritizing the eternal over the temporary, integrity over impulse, and God's will above all.

God knows us completely—our hidden motives, our selfish grabs, our deceptions big and small. He formed us in the womb, calls us by name, and claims us as His own. No imperfection, no past failure, no ongoing struggle can thwart His redemptive plan or cancel His promises.

Just as a potsherd is a shattered piece of clay, so are we when broken by life or our own choices. Yet God, the Master Potter, has the power to restore us, reshape us, and make us whole again—into the vessel He originally designed.

So often, when we're in those dark, humiliating, or desolate places—feeling broken, unworthy, or cast aside—that's exactly where God meets us. In the stillness, He invites us to stop striving, stop fighting, stop yelling back at life... and simply listen. Be still. Hear His voice.

God wants our hearts, not just our habits.

Think about your own routines. Where can you naturally weave in conversation with God?

God works powerfully with raw honesty, but He has little patience for pretense or performance. He doesn't play hide-and-seek. Give Him the unfiltered truth.

God’s love isn’t a flaky situationship, a limited-time offer, or a “terms & conditions apply” deal. It’s FOREVER (eternal banger), UNFAILING (never runs out of battery), and FAITHFUL (shows up every single time, no cap).

One of the most profound insights on this comes from St. Augustine, the influential bishop and theologian from North Africa in the late 4th and early 5th centuries. He wrote, "Understanding is the reward of faith." (In fuller context: "For understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore do not seek to understand in order to believe, but believe that you may understand.")

Heavenly Father, You understand my heart more deeply than I ever could. Examine me today, test me, and eliminate anything that obstructs my dedication to You. Renew my heart, making it pure and steadfast, and fill it with love for You. Empower me to live with a heart fully committed to Your purposes.

Our true passport is heavenly, not earthly. We live here as ambassadors, but our allegiance and eager expectation are fixed on our return to the Father through Christ.

Spiritual transformation isn't primarily about trying harder to behave better—it's about thinking differently.

As you pray today using this pattern—praise first, then gratitude, confession, and intercession—may your heart draw nearer to God.

Let perseverance complete its work in you, supported by the patience that comes from trusting His perfect timing.

Money doesn't create an easier road to travel. It may allow you to travel in a nicer car, but rarely does a Rolls Royce respond well to gravel and pot holes.

As children of God, our speech matters because it flows from our renewed identity in Him. We can't tame the tongue in our own strength, but through the Holy Spirit's power, a transformed heart produces consistent, life-giving words. Let your speech today match your actions—full of truth, love, encouragement, and praise. Guard against careless words that spark harm. Choose to build up rather than tear down, remembering that people around you bear God's likeness.

As a coach, I’ve said “hard work” a million times – because easy work doesn’t move the needle. When we pour ourselves out and get exhausted for the right reasons, God promises profit – spiritually, financially, relationally.

Yet Peter does not let us rest in possession alone. He urges us to: “make every effort” to build on the foundation of faith by adding these seven qualities in progression. Each one flows from and strengthens the previous, producing a life that is increasingly fruitful, stable, and reflective of Christ.

It’s hard to wrap our minds around this kind of “super-victory.” Yet as we anticipate trials in this life, remember: the reward for faithful endurance far surpasses any earthly trophy.

Principles and practices must walk together. We can hold truth with strength and clarity, yet always with the humility and kindness that mark wisdom from heaven.