By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week.

On a recent visit to Middle Daughter and Hubby’s house, we took advantage of the one day we’d had that week without any rain, and we all ventured down to the lake with Granddog.  We enjoyed watching the jet skis, pontoon boats, and other such vessels all greatly enjoying the water and the sunshine.

Very near the water’s edge was this particular sign.  It reads, of course, “Caution.  Swim at your own risk.”  The water, especially near the boat launch, contained many grasses and plants that normally grow along the bank of such a large lake.  The waves caused by the boats zooming past caused great splashing at times.  It could be very dangerous to attempt to swim in such an environment.  The sign was no-doubt posted to warn of such dangers.

It’s easy to look out over the beautiful waters of life, the radiant sunshine, and the boats and folks zooming past us at all rates of speed and miss the little things.  Had one stepped off into the waters of the lake, that action could have very quickly become disastrous.  Looking only at the big picture, a potential swimmer could miss the dangers of jumping in at the wrong place and under the wrong circumstances.

Now, don’t hear me wrong.  I’m not suggesting we ignore the great beauties before us.  I just think we need to be more aware of the little dangers that lie between us and those great beauties.  We shouldn’t be scared of life and all that “could go wrong,” but we should always be aware of the lurkings of Satan and his little minions.  He would like nothing more than for God’s children to be focused only on the great glories to come and thereby miss the dangers of sin and circumstance in front of our faces.

Warning signs are placed for a reason.  As you head off into the waters of yet another potentially great and beautiful week, just be aware and be prepared with your personal Life Preserver!  Jesus, the One Who walks on water, can certainly take care of you when you wade off into the unknowns.

Just a thought.

One of the greatest blessings God gives us as believers is the opportunity to continually grow in our relationship with Him. Faith was never intended to remain shallow or stagnant. The Christian walk is a lifelong journey of learning, refining, maturing, and drawing nearer to the heart of God through His Word. As we spend time in Scripture, we begin to understand not only who God is, but also who He is calling us to become.

Too often, believers can become comfortable with only a basic understanding of Scripture. We may rely on familiar verses, brief devotionals, or what others tell us about God without personally diving deeply into His truth. But the Lord desires more for us. He calls us into deeper study, deeper trust, deeper wisdom, and deeper obedience. Through prayerful study of Scripture, we begin to recognize God’s character more clearly, discern truth more faithfully, and stand more confidently in a world filled with confusion and distraction.

“Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.” — Hebrews 5:13-14

As you read Scripture, learn to dive into its deeper truths and teachings. See how verses connect with one another, even across generations of authors, revealing the consistency and faithfulness of God’s message throughout time. Recognize not only how Scripture reflects history, but also how it continues to speak into our lives today with wisdom, conviction, encouragement, and truth. The deeper we grow in our understanding of Scripture and the more faithfully we apply it to our daily lives, the closer we grow to Christ and the stronger our trust in Him becomes.

Today, on Memorial Day, we pause to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Their courage helped preserve the freedoms we cherish, including the liberty to worship, pray, and openly live out our faith.

As we remember those who gave their lives, we also reflect on the truth that true leadership begins with seeking the Lord’s wisdom and guidance. Scripture reminds us in Psalm 33:12, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.”

May we never take for granted the cost of freedom, and may we honor the memory of our fallen heroes by striving to lead lives marked by faith, gratitude, service, and unity. Today, we remember. Today, we give thanks.

In a world where headlines shift by the hour, uncertainty can easily stir anxiety, frustration, and quick reactions. We are often tempted to make snap judgments based on limited information, to assume the worst, or to rush ahead trying to force clarity where none yet exists. But Scripture reminds us that God is not surprised by uncertainty. He sees the full picture when we only see a single moment. Trusting in the Lord means resisting the urge to let fear, emotion, or incomplete understanding dictate our response. It means choosing wisdom over haste, prayer over panic, and discernment over assumption.

There is strength in pausing long enough to seek God’s direction before making decisions or forming conclusions. Not every report is complete, not every emotion is reliable, and not every urgent situation requires an immediate response. Sometimes the wisest action is to wait, gather understanding, and ask the Lord for clarity. Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV) offers timeless guidance: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

This week, when faced with unknowns, choose steady faith over fear. Trust that God is already ahead of what concerns you, and ask Him to grant you the wisdom to move carefully, thoughtfully, and in peace.

Today, Christians across our nation are coming together to observe the National Day of Prayer. In a world filled with uncertainty, challenges, and division, there has never been a more important time for believers to pause, seek God’s guidance, and pray for our families, communities, leaders, schools, churches, and nation.

Scripture reminds us in 2 Chronicles 7:14:
“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.”

We encourage you to take time today to pray intentionally and fervently. Whether individually, with your family, at your workplace, or with your church, your prayers matter. Let us pray for wisdom, peace, healing, unity, and revival throughout our country and throughout the world.

May today serve as a reminder that God is faithful, hears our prayers, and continues to work through His people.

Have a blessed National Day of Prayer.

In our fast-paced lives, it can be easy to become frustrated with the people around us. Whether it is a coworker who moves slower than we would like, a child who keeps making mistakes, or someone who simply sees things differently than we do, patience can sometimes feel difficult to maintain. Yet God reminds us that just as He shows endless patience and grace toward us, we are called to extend that same grace to others. Every person is carrying burdens, struggles, and challenges that we may not fully understand.

Patience is not weakness. It is a reflection of strength, maturity, and Christ-like character. When we choose patience over anger and understanding over frustration, we create opportunities for encouragement, healing, and peace. Often, the kindness we show someone in a difficult moment may be exactly what they need most. God can use our calm spirit and gentle words to impact others far more than harsh reactions ever could.

This week, when frustrations arise, pause and remember that God is still working on all of us. None of us are perfect, and we all need compassion along the journey. Ask God to help you respond with love, patience, and understanding, even when it is difficult. Sometimes the greatest testimony we can give is simply treating others with grace.

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” – Ephesians 4:2