Humble Yourself and Pray

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chron. 7:14)

A farmer once discovered his well had run dry. Instead of digging in pride on his own land, he humbled himself and asked a neighbor for help. Together they found fresh water flowing nearby. Humility opened the way to life.

God’s promise is clear

When His people humble themselves, confess their sin, and seek Him, He responds with forgiveness and healing. Pride resists God, but humility invites His presence and power.

Therefore

Healing begins when God’s people bow low in prayer and turn from sin. Humility is the doorway to revival.

  1. Confess honestly—admit your need and sins before God.

  2. Seek Him earnestly—pursue His presence above all else.

  3. Walk humbly—God exalts those who bow before Him (James 4:10).

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.” (James 4:10)

Pray, Believe, and Receive

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)

A little boy once asked his father for a puppy. Each night, he set out a small bowl of water and a blanket, fully expecting the puppy would come. His faith in his father’s promise gave him confidence to prepare—even before he saw the answer.

That’s the heart of prayer

Jesus invites us not only to ask, but to believe that God hears and delights to answer. Faith is the key—when we pray in His name and according to His will, we can be confident He will act (John 14:13–14; John 15:7). God gives good gifts to His children, far better than we could imagine (Matt. 7:7–11).

Therefore

Pray with faith-filled confidence. God is not reluctant to bless; He is a loving Father who delights to give what is best.

  1. Ask boldly—bring your needs and desires to God in prayer.

  2. Believe deeply—trust His promises even before you see the answer.

  3. Receive gratefully—expect His goodness and give thanks when He provides.

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matt. 21:22 ESV)

God Gives Generous Wisdom

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5)

A young man once asked an older mentor, “What’s the secret to success?” The mentor replied, “Good decisions.” The young man pressed further, “And how do you make good decisions?” With a smile, the mentor answered, “By learning from bad ones.” Experience can teach, but God’s wisdom spares us from many painful mistakes.

God delights in giving wisdom to His children. Unlike the world’s wisdom—often rooted in pride or self-interest—His wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, and full of mercy (James 3:17). It is more valuable than silver, gold, or jewels, and it leads to a life of blessing and peace (Proverbs 3:13–18).

Therefore

When you face decisions, don’t rely only on your own understanding. Ask God—He gives wisdom freely to all who seek Him.

  1. Pray for wisdom daily—invite God’s guidance in every choice.

  2. Treasure Scripture—it is the foundation of godly wisdom.

  3. Walk humbly—wisdom grows as we submit to Christ, who became for us the wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:30).

“Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” (Prov. 4:7 NKJV)

Overcome evil with good

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Rom. 12:21)

As I write this post today, it’s only been a few days since Charlie Kirk was assassinated at an event where he was speaking to college students. I’m still processing this evil act, praying for the young man who committed it, and continuing to pray fervently for Charlie’s wife Erika and their two little children.

It’s hard to make sense out of evil

What shocked me was how many people on the internet immediately posted that they were glad he had been murdered. I had expected people on every side of the political spectrum to at least agree that the murder of anyone is wrong. But this was not the case. I shouldn’t have been surprised, because evil does exist. The Bible gives us examples: those who stoned Stephen, those who nearly killed the apostle Paul, and the crowd who shouted “Crucify Him!” as Jesus was led to the cross.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:12)

God Can Use Evil for Good

Even though this evil act occurred, God is still bringing good out of it. Many are hearing the gospel preached and responding in faith, and Charlie’s organization, Turning Point USA, is experiencing explosive growth. According to Turning Point spokesperson Andrew Kolvet, the organization “has received over 32,000 inquiries in the 48-hours since his death to start new campus chapters.” To put that in perspective, they currently have 3,500 total.

The Bible Reminds Us

What others intend for evil, God can turn into good. Joseph told his brothers, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive.” (Gen. 50:20) And Romans 8:28 assures us, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Therefore

Evil is real and heartbreaking, but it does not have the final word. God is sovereign, and He can bring light, growth, and salvation out of the darkest of circumstances. Our call is not to be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good—trusting Him to bring ultimate good out of even the worst situations.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)

Jesus, the light in the darkness

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Years ago, a miner was working deep underground when suddenly the power went out. The lights went dark, and he was left in pitch blackness. He couldn’t see his hand in front of his face. The air grew heavy with fear as he stumbled, disoriented, not knowing which direction led to safety.

After what felt like an eternity!

He saw the faint glow of another miner’s headlamp coming down the tunnel. That single light pierced the darkness, cutting through his fear. The man called out, “Follow me—I know the way out.” With relief, the miner followed close behind, his confidence growing with every step as the light led him to freedom.

Just as that lamp rescued him from the cave’s darkness, Jesus rescues us from the darkness of sin and despair. His light does not just show us the way—it is the way, and when we walk in it, we find life.

Therefore

The world is filled with confusion, sin, and despair—like stumbling in a dark cave. Without Christ, we remain lost in that darkness. But when we follow Him, His light leads us, guides us, and fills us with hope. His light does more than show us the way—it transforms us, giving us the very light of life.

If you feel lost or surrounded by darkness, follow the light of Christ. His Word will guide your steps, His Spirit will dwell within you, and His presence will drive away fear and despair.

The right response is threefold:

  1. Follow Him daily—make Christ the leader of your steps, not just in crisis, but in every choice.

  2. Walk in His Word—let Scripture be the lamp that directs your path.

  3. Shine His light—reflect Christ to others so they too may be led out of darkness.

“I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.” (John 12:46)

“There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.” (John 1:9)

“For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” (2 Cor. 4:6)

Mike French
Rest for the Weary

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30)

Yoked together

A farmer once had two oxen yoked together to plow his field. The older, stronger ox carried most of the weight, while the younger, weaker one simply walked beside him. Because they were bound together, the weaker ox was able to do the work without being crushed by the load. In the same way, Jesus calls us to take His yoke upon us—not to burden us further, but to carry the weight we cannot bear on our own.

Rest in His presence

We live in a restless world, filled with heavy burdens—worry, guilt, work pressures, broken relationships, and uncertainty about the future. Yet Jesus promises true rest, not merely physical relief but rest for our souls. His rest comes from His presence, His gentleness, and His strength. It is not found in striving harder, but in surrendering more fully.

Therefore

When life feels overwhelming, come to Jesus. Lay your burdens at His feet and take up His yoke instead. His way is not heavy—it is filled with grace and peace.

The right response is twofold:

  1. Surrender your burdens—stop carrying them alone and give them to Christ.

  2. Walk with Him daily—learn from His gentleness and trust His strength to guide you.

“And he said, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’” (Exo. 33:14 ESV)

“For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.’” (Isa. 30:15 ESV)

Never Forsaken

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deut. 31:8)

A soldier preparing for battle feels the weight of fear pressing down—uncertain of what lies ahead. But then he looks to his commander, who promises to lead the way and never abandon his side. Courage rises, not because the battle has changed, but because he knows he is not alone.

God’s promise of presence

Throughout Scripture, God reassures His people with this simple but powerful truth: “I will never leave you.” When Moses prepared to hand leadership to Joshua, the people faced unknown territory and overwhelming enemies, yet God promised to go before them. That same promise echoes to us today—our circumstances may shift, but God’s presence remains constant.

Therefore

When fear or loneliness tries to overwhelm you, remember that the Lord Himself is with you. He does not send you forward alone; He goes before you, stands beside you, and remains with you through every trial.

The right response:

  1. Confidence—face challenges with courage, knowing you are never abandoned.

  2. Contentment—find peace in His presence rather than depending on possessions or people.

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’” (Heb. 13:5-6 ESV)

“Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:20 ESV)

Mike French
Unchanging Savior

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Heb. 13:8 ESV)

Trends come and go

Technology advances, fashions shift, and even relationships can change with time. What once felt reliable may eventually fail. But imagine standing on a massive rock while everything around you moves and shakes—though the ground quakes, the rock remains firm and immovable. That is what Jesus is for every believer: the solid foundation who never changes.

The God who does not change

From the Old Testament to the New, God declares His unchanging nature. He is the same God who created the world, led Israel through the wilderness, sent His Son to redeem us, and continues to reign today. His character, His promises, and His love remain constant. While everything else in life is uncertain, Jesus Christ is unshakably faithful—the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Therefore

  1. Rest in His faithfulness—trust that the One who has carried you will never abandon you.

  2. Anchor your hope—place your confidence in Christ alone, not in shifting circumstances.

When life feels unstable, remember that Jesus never changes. His Word stands firm, His promises never fail, and His presence never leaves you. Build your life on Him, and you will stand secure no matter what happens around you.

“For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.” (Mal. 3:6)

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Rev. 1:8)

From Death to Life

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” (John 5:24 ESV)

Picture a courtroom scene

The guilty verdict has been read, the penalty pronounced, and the prisoner awaits judgment. Suddenly, the judge steps forward, removes the prisoner’s chains, writes a personal check to pay the debt, and declares him free because the penalty has now been paid in full. That’s what happens spiritually when we receive Jesus as our personal savior—He completely pays our debt, our sentence of death is lifted, and we are granted eternal life.

Eternal life through faith in Christ

The moment you put your trust in Jesus Christ, you cross over from spiritual death to eternal life. You are no longer under condemnation but stand forgiven and redeemed. This is not something you can earn or achieve—it is the gift of God, secured by Christ’s death and resurrection. What once was hopeless separation has become joyful reconciliation with God.

Therefore

If you have believed in Jesus, you no longer need to fear judgment. You are secure in Him, alive forever, and called to live out that new life with gratitude. Let your joy in salvation be evident, and share this good news with others who are still bound by sin.

The right response is twofold:

  1. Rejoice—thank God daily that you have crossed from death to life.

  2. Proclaim—share the message of eternal life with those who still need to hear and believe.

“Truly, truly, I tell you, he who believes has eternal life.” (John 6:47)

“Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” (John 3:18)

“But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:31)