“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” — Psalm 136:1

As Thanksgiving approaches, we should make thankfulness a daily practice, not just a holiday event, by reflecting on God’s constant presence and blessings, even in difficult times. Thanksgiving is more than a holiday on the calendar. It is a spiritual posture, a lens through which we see God’s faithful hand at work in every season of our lives. Gratitude is not merely what we express when everything is going well; it is the anchor that holds us steady when life feels uncertain, heavy, or confusing. Scripture continually calls us to give thanks—not because every circumstance is easy, but because God Himself is unchangingly good.

True thanksgiving begins with remembering. Throughout the Old Testament, God repeatedly told His people to remember His works: the rescue from Egypt, the provision in the wilderness, the victories they could have never secured on their own. Thanksgiving is an act of intentional remembering—choosing to look back and say, “God was faithful then, and He is faithful now.” When we pause long enough to recognize God’s previous mercies, we find fresh strength to trust Him in the present.

Thanksgiving also reorients our hearts. The world trains us to focus on what we lack, what frustrates us, or what still needs fixing. Gratitude shifts our gaze away from scarcity and onto abundance—the abundance of God’s presence, His grace, His forgiveness, His promises. Like the one leper in Luke 17 who returned to thank Jesus, gratitude brings us closer to Him. It awakens worship, turning a moment of blessing into a deeper relationship with the One who blesses.

In seasons of difficulty, thanksgiving becomes a declaration of faith. When Paul says, “Give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18), he is not asking us to be thankful for every circumstance, but to recognize God’s nearness in them. Gratitude in suffering does not deny pain—it acknowledges that pain does not have the final word. It proclaims that God is still at work, still sovereign, still good, still worthy of praise.

Thanksgiving is a time to remember the gospel. If God never did another visible miracle in our lives, the cross and empty tomb would still give us an eternity of reasons to give thanks. In Christ, we have forgiveness of sins, adoption into God’s family, a home in Heaven, and His presence with us now. Every earthly blessing is a bonus compared to the treasure of knowing Him.

As we enter this season, let thanksgiving become more than a moment—let it become a rhythm. Take time to name specific blessings. Recall God’s faithfulness in past battles. Thank Him for His provision, seen and unseen. Look around at the people He has placed in your life. Look above to the Savior who gave everything for you. And look ahead with confidence, knowing that the same God who has been faithful in every yesterday will be faithful in every tomorrow.

Discussion Questions:

1. When was the last time you intentionally counted your blessings? What did you count?
2. What spiritual blessings are you most thankful for, and why?
3. How has God changed you in the past year, and which change are you most grateful for?

“How you experience your present is completely shaped by what you believe your ultimate future to be.” – Tim Keller

Every day, whether we recognize it or not, we are carrying something into tomorrow. Our words, our faith, our obedience, our prayers, our acts of love—all of it becomes part of the future God is shaping. What we choose to build today will be the very thing the next generation stands on tomorrow.

God has always invited His people to be participants in His unfolding story, not spectators to it. When He called Abraham, He didn’t simply promise him a future—He invited Abraham to deliver it by stepping out in faith. When the Lord placed Joseph in Egypt, He didn’t just show Joseph what was coming—He prepared him to become the vessel through which the future would be preserved. Throughout Scripture, God entrusts ordinary people with the extraordinary task of delivering the future He ordained. You and I are no different.

The future is not an abstract concept; it is the inevitable harvest of today’s choices. If we sow peace, forgiveness, generosity, and faith now, we deliver a future marked by those same things. If we sow bitterness, cynicism, fear, and apathy, that too becomes our inheritance.

Paul says, “…Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27 ESV). Christ isn’t only the hope we cling to—He is the hope we carry. Wherever we go, we bring the presence, the character, and the kingdom of Christ with us. That means the future of our families, our communities, and our walk with God is shaped not by our abilities but by His life within us.

Delivering the future doesn’t mean predicting tomorrow—it means preparing for God’s promises with faithfulness today. It’s showing your children what faith looks like by praying even when circumstances don’t change. It’s loving your spouse with Christ-like patience. It’s serving your local church with humility. It’s choosing forgiveness instead of holding a grudge. It’s opening your Bible even on the days you feel empty, trusting God to fill you. These seemingly small practices become the spiritual foundation stones of a future built on Christ.

The beauty of partnering with God is this: the results are in His hands. Our role is simply obedience. He takes our offering—our time, our love, our trust—and multiplies it beyond what we could imagine. The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed: tiny, ordinary, often overlooked, yet capable of growing into something far beyond its beginnings. Every act of obedience is a seed that delivers a future only God can bring to full maturity.

Today, ask yourself: What future am I delivering through my choices, my faith, and my obedience?  May you walk today with the awareness that you are carrying tomorrow—and may the future you deliver reflect the hope of Christ within you.

Discussion Questions:

1. How can you deepen your relationship with God to be better prepared to “deliver” the future?

“And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.” — Matthew 26:27-28.

Communion is one of the simplest acts of devotion that a believer participates in. Yet, it holds some of the most profound meaning in the Christian life—a small piece of bread, a small cup of juice—ordinary elements carrying extraordinary truth. When Jesus instituted this meal, He didn’t ask us to analyze it, debate it, or complicate it. God, in His kindness, has given His people a sacred practice that reminds us of whose presence we are in.

When Jesus gathered His disciples in the upper room, He didn’t simply give them a ritual—He offered them Himself. In that moment, Jesus was not merely establishing a symbolic gesture; He was inviting them into a deeper awareness that He would always be present with them. Through His broken body and shed blood, a new covenant of nearness was being formed. Communion, therefore, is not just remembrance—it is an encounter.

Every time we come to the table, we step intentionally into the presence of the One who overcame sin and death. We are not approaching a distant deity, a historical figure, or a moral example. We are approaching the living Savior who promises, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Communion declares that His presence is not theoretical; it is personal, close, and real.

Communion also reorients our hearts. We live in a world that constantly tries to define us—by our achievements, failures, labels, or past mistakes. But at the table, Jesus reminds us again: You are Mine. In His presence, shame is replaced with grace, fear is replaced with peace, and striving is replaced with rest. The bread tells us His sacrifice was for us. The cup tells us His covenant includes us. His presence reminds us that we belong to Him, not to our past or our anxieties. We join with believers across generations and nations in acknowledging the same Savior, the same sacrifice, the same hope. It is as though Jesus Himself pulls out a chair at the table and says, “Sit with Me. Be renewed. Be strengthened. Remember who I am and remember who you are in Me.”

Communion is not the end of the encounter; it is the beginning of living more aware of Christ’s nearness. It reminds us that we do not walk into any room, any difficulty, or any opportunity alone. The same Jesus who met us at the table walks beside us as we go.

So the next time you take the bread and the cup, pause and breathe deeply. Let your heart settle into the truth that you are sitting in the presence of the One who loves you, redeemed you, sustains you, and promises never to leave you. Communion is a reminder of whose presence you are in—and that presence changes everything.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does the act of communion help us remember that Christ was with us, died for us, and is alive in us now?
2. How does taking communion serve as a reminder of God’s presence and His promises to us? 

“The word advent means ‘expectation.’” What Advent can do for us is create a sense of hope.” – Louie Giglio.

The season of Advent is nearly upon us. It is a season so packed with tradition, so full of memory, so full of legend. And a season so full, often overfull, bustling and bursting with the exhausting activity of keeping traditions, and creating memories. Advent means the arrival of something significant. The arrival of Jesus changed the course of history and answered the deepest longings and needs of our lost and broken souls.

The Advent season is a special time of anticipation, reflection, and preparation as we await the celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth. It is a moment to slow down, evaluate our hearts, and ready ourselves spiritually for the profound gift of hope that Christmas brings. As we approach this sacred season, there are several ways to get ready and deepen our faith. We prepare not only to commemorate Christ’s birth over two thousand years ago but also to recognize His eventual return. This dual focus invites us to reflect on the significance of Christ’s presence in our lives today and to renew our hope in His promises.

The Advent season is a time of anticipation, reflection, and spiritual renewal, allowing us to deepen our relationship with God and prepare to welcome Jesus anew. Use this time to open your heart to God’s presence. Pray regularly, asking God to reveal His plans for you during this season. Cultivate patience and faith, trusting that God’s timing is perfect. Practice gratitude for the gift of Jesus and the hope He brings to the world.

Focusing on acts of kindness and charity is also a meaningful way to prepare. Advent is a time to emulate Christ’s love through serving others. Small acts of generosity—such as giving to those in need, volunteering, or simply showing kindness—are powerful ways to reflect the love of Christ and spiritually prepare our hearts. Incorporate prayer into your daily routine, asking for wisdom, patience, and a heart receptive to God’s love.

As we enter the Advent season, remember that preparation is more than outward festivities—it is a spiritual readiness. Open your heart to Christ daily, seek His presence, and let His hope ignite your soul. In doing so, you will find yourself more attuned to the true meaning of Christmas and better equipped to celebrate the coming of our Savior with joy, gratitude, and renewed faith.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you prepare for Advent?
2. What would you like to do differently this Advent season?

“He is great and glorious, whatever we may be; and it is for our joy, our safety, our everlasting happiness, that we should become his servants. It is necessary, for the right ordering of our lives, that our hearts may be in tune to yield the music of joy.” – Charles Spurgeon.

We live in a world where joy is often treated like a spark—bright, exciting, impressive, but brief. Most of what people call joy is really just excitement… or distraction. It’s the thrill of a new purchase, the rush of good news, the comfort of a compliment. It lifts for a moment—but fades quickly. Joy in Jesus is not a thin, fragile happiness that shatters when life gets hard. Joy in Jesus is sturdy. It stays standing when feelings tremble and circumstances shift. It doesn’t disappear in disappointment; rather, it anchors us within it and stands the test of time.

Jesus said in John 15:11, “I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow.” Notice—His joy. Not the world’s version. Not temporary emotional energy. Jesus offers a joy that is rooted in Himself—unchanging, eternal, and strong enough to outlast every season of life.

The verses surrounding John 15:11 emphasize the importance of staying connected to Christ, much like a branch is connected to the vine. Joy doesn’t grow through striving—it flows through abiding. When we make time to sit with Him, listen to His voice in Scripture, and stay responsive to His leading, joy becomes less of a feeling to chase and more of a fruit that quietly grows.

Enduring joy remembers who Jesus is, not just what He gives. Temporary joy rises and falls with circumstances. Lasting joy rests on God’s character. When life turns unexpectedly…When prayers take longer than we hoped…When circumstances don’t align with our expectations, joy rooted in outcomes will waver. Joy rooted in Jesus will stand.

Psalm 16:11 (ESV) says, “…in your presence there is fullness of joy….” Not in answered prayers. Not in fixed problems. In His presence. Our joy doesn’t increase when life gets easier—our joy increases when our awareness of His nearness deepens.

James writes, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,” (James 1:2 ESV). That feels upside down—until we realize trials don’t steal joy. They reveal where our joy is rooted. Trials stretch our dependence, deepen our trust, and mature our faith. They push our joy from the surface into the soil.

Joy that stands the test of time isn’t anchored in the moment—it’s anchored in eternity. Hebrews 12:2 says that Jesus endured the cross “for the joy set before Him.” He kept His eyes on the bigger story.

We can too.

Discussion Questions:

1.  Where do you see the difference between circumstantial happiness and rooted joy in your own life?
2. What drains your joy most easily—people, busyness, comparison, lack of rest, unmet expectations?

“You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.” – John 16:24.

Joy in Jesus is not a mood, a personality trait, or a burst of positive emotion that comes and goes depending on the day. Joy in Jesus is a settled confidence that God is who He says He is, and He will do what He said He would do. It is the deep assurance that we are held, loved, and seen—even when life feels uncertain.

Joy shows up in real life, not in perfect circumstances but in the middle of imperfect ones. When the email comes with news you didn’t want…When your plans fall apart…When the road ahead is foggy and you don’t know what’s next…joy whispers, “Jesus is still here. And He is still enough.”

In John 15:11, Jesus says, “I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” The joy we receive is not something we manufacture—it is His joy, planted within us. We experience it when we stay close to Him, remain in His words, and abide in His presence. Joy in real life looks like peace, not panic. It looks like choosing gratitude when complaining would be easier. It appears to be resting instead of striving.

Joy is not denial. We don’t pretend pain doesn’t exist. Jesus never asked us to fake happiness. In fact, He said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Joy does not erase sorrow; it sits beside it and reminds us that sorrow doesn’t get the last word.

Joy in Jesus also shows up in our relationships. A joyful person doesn’t drain life from others—they give it. They serve without needing applause. They forgive quickly, because they know how deeply they have been forgiven. They walk into a room not asking, “Who will encourage me,” but instead, “Who can I encourage today?”

Joy turns ordinary moments into sacred ones—the dinner table, the morning cup of coffee, the laughter shared with a friend, the silent prayer whispered in a car line.

Joy is found in obedience. The more we trust Jesus, the more our joy grows—because obedience plants seeds that bloom into freedom. Real joy is rooted in the unshakeable reality that Christ has already won. Our hope is secure. Our future is settled. Our worth is decided.

Joy is not the absence of hardship. Joy is the presence of Jesus.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does God’s joy sustain you during difficult seasons, and can you share an experience where this happened?
2. How is Christian joy related to love and hope, and what role does trust in God play in producing this joy? 

“There is no man upon the earth who isn’t earnestly seeking after happiness, and it appears abundantly by the variety of ways they so vigorously seek it; they will twist and turn every way, ply all instruments, to make themselves happy men.” —Jonathan Edwards.

We spend so much of life chasing happiness. We chase it in accomplishments, in purchases, in relationships, in distractions, and even in our own ability to control the world around us. And yet, the harder we chase happiness, the more it seems to slip through our fingers. The Bible offers a surprising truth: happiness isn’t found by running after it—happiness is found by running to Jesus.

In John 15, Jesus invites His disciples into a relationship that is rooted in Him. “Remain in me…so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” (John 15:4, 11). Notice what Jesus doesn’t say. He doesn’t say, “Do more and then you’ll be happy,” or “Fix yourself and then I’ll give you joy.” He says, remain or abide with Me.  We attach happiness to circumstances. Jesus roots it in Himself. Paul writes from prison —“Rejoice in the Lord always.” (Philippians 4:4). Paul doesn’t rejoice because prison is pleasant. He rejoices because Jesus is present. True joy isn’t found where you are—it’s found in who is with you.

Happiness in Jesus doesn’t rise and fall with the economy, the news cycle, someone else’s opinion, or the mood of the day. When happiness is tied to circumstances, we become emotional yo-yos—up one moment, down the next. But Jesus offers us something better: a happiness that’s anchored. A happiness that storms can’t sink. A happiness that pain can’t steal or circumstances can’t corrupt.

Henry David Thoreau said, “Everyone needs to believe in something.” Turns out, his words are backed up by the American Psychological Association, which says that, “People are inherently wired to believe in something supernatural. It provides a sense of peace and well-being to know that our world has an intentional design.” In short, it gives us hope that the world will be okay. God’s Word (the most important source) agrees in Luke 1:45 (CEB), which says, “Happy is she who believed that the Lord would fulfill the promises he made to her.

God created us for happiness, and the only way we will find true happiness in this world is to seek the happiness that comes from leaning steadfastly into our God, who loves us and wants what is best for us in all seasons of our lives.

As we find our strength in Him, trusting in His Word and loving others selflessly, we will see that happiness is not so elusive after all. Happiness is not a worldly trait. It’s a gift from a God who delights in the joy of His children.

Today, Jesus isn’t offering you a momentary spike of happiness—He is offering you Himself. And when you have Him, you have joy that nothing in this world can take.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are your initial thoughts or definitions of “happiness?”
2. If true happiness is tied to a relationship with God, what does that mean for how you live each day?

“The best news of the Christian gospel is that the supremely glorious Creator of the universe has acted in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection to remove every obstacle between us and himself so that we may find everlasting joy in seeing and savoring his infinite beauty.” – John Piper

In a world often filled with challenges, sorrow, and uncertainty, the joy of Jesus shines as a guiding light for believers. This joy is unlike any superficial happiness that fleetingly comes and goes; it is a deep-rooted, abiding happiness that springs from knowing and experiencing the love of Christ. The joy of Jesus is a gift that sustains us through life’s trials, bringing us peace and hope.

One of the greatest sources of joy in Jesus is His unconditional love. Jesus demonstrated this love sacrificially on the cross. Through His love, we are reconciled with God and granted the gift of eternal life. Knowing that we are loved unconditionally by Jesus transforms our outlook on life. It replaces despair with confidence, fear with courage, and sorrow with joy. His love is constant, and His presence in our lives assures us that we are never alone.

The joy of Jesus also derives from the promise of forgiveness. No matter our past mistakes or failures, Jesus’s mercy renews us daily. His forgiveness lifts the weight of guilt and shame, allowing our spirits to rejoice in His grace. This liberation from guilt fuels our joy, enabling us to live with a sense of freedom and purpose. In Christ, we find renewal and hope, knowing that His mercies are new every morning.

Furthermore, the joy of Jesus is rooted in His promise of peace. Despite the chaos of the world, Jesus offers us a peace that surpasses all understanding. In John 14:27, Jesus says, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. This peace is not dependent on external circumstances but is a fruit of our relationship with Him. As we seek Jesus and abide in His presence, our hearts are calmed, and our spirits are lifted beyond the troubles of life.

The joy of Jesus also manifests in the hope of eternity. Believers are provided with a future beyond this earthly life—an eternal home with God. This hope anchors our souls, allowing us to rejoice even amid suffering. It reminds us that our present struggles are temporary and that in Christ, victory and everlasting joy await.

Living in the joy of Jesus involves gratitude, worship, and sharing His love with others. It is a joyful response to His goodness and a testimony to those around us. When we rejoice in Jesus, our lives become a reflection of His love, inviting others to experience the joy that flows from knowing Him.

Discussion Questions:

1. What practical steps can you take this week to spread the joy you’ve found in Christ within your family, workplace, or community?
2. How can you remain open to encountering God in the midst of your daily routine, like the shepherds were?