Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Timothy 4:16)

What a wonderful gift a good teacher is. They make lessons engaging and fun. Great teachers create a hunger in their students to be curious, to learn more and to research. Teachers build confidence , teamwork, shape behavior, and build community in their classrooms, helping to prepare their little “flock” for the outside world.

As teachers of the Bible, our role is even more important, because we are teaching truth, straight from God’s mouth. You may think this doesn’t apply to me because I’m not a teacher. Yes, you are! Unless you live alone in a cave, you come in contact with people and have relationships with them. We are influencers, just not getting paid to do it on social media! We are subject to a magnifying  glass all day, every day, and people are watching.   

You can’t be a good teacher if you don’t know the subject matter. How can you commit to knowing the Word of God more intimately in 2026 so that you can teach it well, wherever you go?

But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1 Corinthians 1:23-24)

Here in Corinthians, Paul is telling us something that we see to be true to this day: the gospel does not always come across as wisdom. In fact, it’s seen by many as foolishness. The Christian is called to give up fleshly desires, to live differently than the world does around him or her, and to freely give away money, to name a few callings. These sound foolish to much of the watching world. This is especially true in a culture where there are widespread societal arguments against the Bible or religion in general. But Paul reminds us that following Christ leads to true wisdom.

I’m guessing we all have people in our lives who see our faith as illogical or unwise—I know I do. And sometimes, I can be tempted to follow the world more than Christ. But be encouraged by this truth: that you have wisdom, no matter what others think, because you belong to Christ. Remember, Christ is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Preaching Christ, whether to ourselves or others, is preaching truth. 

Consider: Do you have an example of someone in your life who sees Christianity as foolishness? Pray for them today. Pray for yourself as well and meditate on Christ as true wisdom.

For am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10)

If Satan can deceive our hearts and minds even a little, he can slowly draw us away from the narrow path. As Christians, we are called to discern truth and to speak it in love. Often, this means distinguishing between what is true and what only appears to be true, what is just and what is merely pseudo-justice.

To please God, believers must stand firm on the truths that matter to Him—even when they are unpopular. Satan wants us to believe that topics like abortion, sexual identity, and cultural issues have no place in the church. He deceives us into believing these issues are too “political” and leads us to soften the Gospel to gain the approval of the secular world.

There is no area of life outside the lordship of Jesus. God calls us to submit every belief and conviction under His authority. We are not more loving than God when we dilute His truth to avoid offense; we only add confusion to a world longing for clarity.

Where might you be tempted to please people rather than God by softening God’s words? Ask the Lord for courage to speak the truth in love, even when it costs you approval. Take heart, Christian—He has already overcome the world.

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, because he was teaching them like one who had authority, and not like their scribes. (Matthew 7:28-29)

Why did the crowd think that Jesus’ teaching at the Sermon on the Mount was different from that of the “teachers of the law”? One of the Jewish religious groups at the time of Jesus were “teachers of the law” or Scribes. Scribes were Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament) and the oral tradition experts. Scribes would base their interpretations on approximately 1,500 years of historical decisions. In Matthew 23, Jesus is unapologetic in His rebuke of the traditions of the Scribes.

In contrast, Jesus’ teachings emphasized the spirit of the law rather than tradition. As Emmanuel, God with us, Jesus taught with pure, divine authority. The law says “Do not murder,” while Jesus says unrighteous anger is morally equivalent to murder. Jesus taught that no one fulfills the Law perfectly apart from Him and “there is no one who does good, not even one” (Psalm 14:1–3; Psalm 53:1–3).

At Valor, all our teachers unapologetically call us to reject the views of today’s secular society, to accept the love of Jesus, to follow the Bible, and to repent and be saved, just as Jesus called others to do.

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and teaching. (2 Timothy 4:2)

Second Timothy is likely Paul’s last letter. In it, he instructs his protégé Timothy to preach the Word, be ready in season and out of season, and to correct, rebuke and encourage.

When I was a child in the 1960s, our church was quick to rebuke and to correct. It felt as though nothing we did was right. We were often made to feel as though we were destined for eternal damnation. What did “Preach the Word” mean to me back then? Condemnation!

I appreciate that at Valor, just as Paul instructed Timothy, we emphasize “encouraging with great patience”. Rather than leading with rebuke, at Valor we preach the Word in the love of Jesus. As Romans 8:1-2 reminds us, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.” At Valor, we are unapologetic about truth, but we are always guided by His love.

Pray constantly. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

As Paul closes 1 Thessalonians, he includes exhortations and blessings for believers in verses 12 -28. “Pray constantly” is tucked between “rejoice always” and “give thanks in everything.” When I read these verses, I often feel guilty since I fall so short of always, constantly, and everything. However, Paul exhorts us, specifically in verse 17, to “pray constantly,” as an opportunity and privilege, not a staunch command.

Prayer is not intended to be a lifeless, rote practice, performed to earn God’s approval or goodness. It is an ongoing, two-way conversation with the one and only God, who wants to be in relationship with each of us, moment by moment. The more we communicate with Him, the closer we grow to Him. Prayer is acknowledging God’s unlimited power, presence, and knowledge, as well as our desperate need for His intervention. He is Emmanuel, God with us.

Through prayer we invite Him to be involved in our lives—in triumphs, in failures, in sweet moments, in daunting trials, in the smallest details, in the messiest situations—in every, every, everything. Let’s look to Jesus today, keeping the lines of conversation open, hopefully with increasing frequency, relying on Him moment by moment.

When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God boldly. (Acts 4:31)

I didn’t grow up in a Christian home, or with the practice of going to church. In fact, I was well into adulthood when I experienced corporate prayer by a room of believers. It can be a little weird if you are unfamiliar, but the Bible is clear that interceding on behalf of others for healing or direction and pleading for God to move are beautiful acts of faith. The Holy Spirit moves in us as individuals, and when we pray together, God works powerfully among us.

When we are vulnerable enough to cry out to God together, we are changed. The prayer times we have at Valor are a great example of this kind of surrender, desperation, and confidence in the Receiver of our prayers. We are bonded in our waiting. We are hopeful as we remember Who hears us. We are humbled by others who are praying for us and believing for more than we remembered to ask for ourselves. In Acts 4, we see the people of the early church in a desperate situation—and they pray, “Grant that your servants may speak your word with all boldness,” and God did it! He answered their prayers as they desperately surrendered to Him together. 

Lord, what is my next step toward being vulnerable in corporate prayer?

First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone…This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

I’m a goal-oriented person. God has a goal too, and it’s big.

You and I get to participate in the salvation work, but the heavy lifting is done by the power of the Holy Spirit. My salvation story started with an unplanned encounter with a college-age missionary. She discerned that I wanted to know if God was real. I was stunned—how could a stranger know this? She asked if she could pray for me, and a reluctant “yes” came out of my mouth. Her prayer was heartfelt and short: “God, help John find what he’s looking for. Amen.” A few months later, I was at a church service. Everything the pastor said was convicting to me, as if he knew my stuff. Later that year, I gave my life to the Lord.

I found out later that my parents had unleashed a whole army of “prayer people” to go after my soul. They wanted me saved, and they wanted me free. My parents tried the direct approach with me many times, and it was not well received or appreciated.

Know this—if you have difficulty reaching your loved ones, God knows who can. Heartfelt prayers are powerful—don’t stop. And be open to unplanned encounters…“Lord, give me sensitivity to your promptings. Lead me to people you have prepared; give me the right wisdom, heart, and opportunity to share the Gospel.”

Who is on your heart today? Go after them!

Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:18)

I look forward to hearing the voices of all the saints in heaven as they lift their voices in unceasing worship and prayer, a symphony I can’t wait to hear!  To be honest, there are days when I’m limping into the throne room. My song is nothing more than a weak squeak. I often wonder what in the world God is doing in my own family as I wait for answers to prayers that are over forty years old. I get tired and discouraged. Sometimes I feel like God is giving me a spiritual spanking and I’m not sure why.  

I’m happy to report that this state of mind doesn’t last long because I know Who I belong to. God encourages me to get up, put on my spiritual armor, and refocus. I’m reminded of the sovereignty of my Savior, the promise that He works all things out for the good of His saints and that He will never leave or forsake us. Let’s persevere, wrapping ourselves in these truths, as we kick Satan to the curb. One day we will all stand inside of our beautiful inheritance. Until then, our cries and sighs are heard by a living God. He hears, cares, and is working, even if we can’t see it or feel it. I’m convinced that God works powerfully through prayer according to His will. How can you revitalize your prayer life in 2026 to rely more fully on Him? 

Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)

When there are problems, my natural tendency is to worry. Can you relate? Based on the hundreds of times that Scripture tells us not to worry or fear, I assume that worry, fear, and anxiety are significant struggles for most of us.

Jesus addresses worry in Matthew 6:25-34—check it out now if you have a few minutes. In verse 27, Jesus reminds us that we can’t even “add one moment to [our] life span by worrying.” Worrying doesn’t accomplish anything worthwhile. Not a thing! But prayer is the real means by which we depend on God. If we will release our every concern to the care of the Almighty God, asking for His help and thanking Him, we can be 100% confident that He is at work for our good and His glory. I’m pretty good at the asking, but I often forget the thanksgiving part. God absolutely deserves our gratitude! And gratitude is good for our spirit, soul, and mind, giving us the right perspective when we focus on who God is, what He has done, and all that is good.

What do you need to ask God for today? What can you thank God for amid challenges you face?

Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person. (Colossians 4:5-6)

Have you ever overheard (or been) a Christian who is gossiping, complaining, or speaking harshly around an unbeliever? I know I have been guilty of not representing Christ well before those who don’t know Him. While every Christian is engaged in the daily work of dying to sin and being sanctified by Christ, we must also face the reality that our actions carry weight for a watching world. Our conduct and our words can either clarify or confuse the message of the Gospel. Each day we should ask, “What will best reflect Christ in this moment?” as we encounter souls in need of a Savior.

Outside the walls of the church, when we engage with those who do not yet believe, are our words marked by grace? Grace does not mean avoiding hard truths; it means delivering truth in a way that reflects God’s patience and mercy. Does wisdom flow from our lips in a way that invites curiosity rather than resistance? Speech seasoned with salt is both appealing and substantive—truth that preserves, gives flavor, and draws people in rather than driving them away. I want my words to be both wise and salty! Prayer shapes the heart. Wisdom shapes behavior. Gracious speech shapes our witness. Valor, may we be known as people whose words are gracious and seasoned with salt—evidence of lives transformed by grace through faith.

And now, Lord…grant your servants to speak your word with all boldness… (Acts 4:29-30)

Why do we pray for boldness in sharing our faith? Because without it, we default to our instincts: staying silent to avoid being in an uncomfortable situation. 

The reality is that sharing the Gospel can invite conflict, rejection, or discomfort, and our bodies are wired to avoid such things. Keeping our faith to ourselves feels safer than disrupting the peace in a relationship. We fear their rejection, what they might think of us, or even the end of that relationship. These are not irrational fears, but real outcomes that are possible when we share Christ. However, they should not stop us from sharing what we know needs to be shared.

That’s why we pray for an unafraid witness: to let God’s Spirit override those instincts with His promises. He assures us He’ll give us the words to speak (Luke 12:12), that if He is for us, no one can stand against us (Romans 8:31), that persecution is actually a blessing (Matthew 5:10-12), and that rejection of our message is rejection of Christ, not us personally (Luke 10:16).

Fear is inevitable and natural, that’s a fact. But we acknowledge the fear, surrender it to the Holy Spirit, and step forward anyway. In doing so, we become obedient servants who don’t shrink from the cost, but speak with godly confidence and without fear. Pray for boldness and share your faith with someone today. 

Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness—without it no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)

I love toddlers and dogs. When I’m feeling the need for a good belly laugh, I look for videos that highlight what happens when the two get into messes. A particularly funny one shows both standing in a kitchen with a bag of flour ripped open. You can hear in the background the mom sternly saying, “Who made this mess? Who did this?” Slowly, the baby points to the dog and the dog raises a paw towards the baby.

Our character should reflect both peace and holiness as we witness for Christ. This involves doing the Word of God, not just hearing it. It involves overlooking offenses or working toward reconciliation with those with whom we may be in conflict. When we stand before Jesus one day, I’m pretty sure He won’t accept any finger pointing. We won’t be able to blame our careless words on people who treated us poorly or our less-than-perfect life circumstances. We will be held accountable for our personal holiness and our genuine attempts to be peacemakers. The stakes are high as the verse clearly states. Without these, our witness is compromised. I’ve heard it said, “We may be the only Bible people ever read.” It’s both a privilege and terrifying to represent the Word of God with integrity in our everyday lives. Are there holes in your holiness and peacemaking skills? What do you need to “take off” and “put on” to witness well for Christ?

I wish before God…that whether easily or with difficulty, not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am—except for these chains. (Acts 26:29)

Here in Acts, Paul is giving his testimony to King Agrippa. Paul’s heart shines through as he shares about Christ wherever he is, even when he is in chains! I don’t always feel like sharing my testimony, especially after a long day at work. But Paul’s heart reminds me to always be ready to share the hope within me (1 Peter 3:15). 

Furthermore, Paul says that he wants all who hear him to become a follower of Christ—whether a king or slave, everyone. Similarly, we must desire for all people to know God (1 Timothy 2:3-4). This is easier said than done. For example, we might think a person doesn’t deserve to be saved after all the wrong they have done. It’s important to remember the incredible gift we have been given. No matter your story, you were dead in your sin but have been brought to life through Christ (Ephesians 2:1-5). Paul’s witness to Agrippa reminds us to desire for all to be saved, no matter who they are.

Consider: Think about someone who needs Jesus—maybe someone you do not get along with well, for whatever reason. Pray for them to know Christ. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a heart that desires all people to come to faith and the ability to share your faith in every circumstance.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

Being a witness for Christ can feel like enormous pressure. If you’re like me, it’s easier to see your inadequacies and want to hide them altogether. There are some days when I don’t want people to connect my choices with my incredible God. The gap feels too big. But another way I have come to understand “witness” is this: I am evidence of God’s goodness—proof that He saves sinners like me. And the same is true of you—your vulnerable journey can be evidence or proof of the Sovereign God you love so much. The power of the Holy Spirit does the heavy lifting!

Where are we called to witness? Jesus starts with Jerusalem. God often begins with what is close, familiar, and ordinary before expanding our reach. Faithful witness starts at home, in daily conversations, relationships, and routines. From there, God stretches us outward—sometimes farther than we expect. And yet Jesus does not tell the disciples (or us) to wait until they feel ready—instead, He promises the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit who empowered the early church empowers us today. As we step into each conversation and calling, we do so with God’s strength, not our own. What is your next step toward depending on the Spirit for courage in conversation today?

But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship Him. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and in truth. (John 4:23-24)

Intimacy (“Into me, see”) is one of the most profound things Jesus accomplished on the cross. In John chapter 3, Jesus tells Nicodemus that he must be reborn (spiritually) to experience the kingdom of God. In chapter 4, a Samaritan woman encounters Jesus at the well. Jesus knows the intimate details of her life, yet He doesn’t condemn her and instead invites her into intimate, true worship in Spirit and truth.

Jesus is about to fulfill a promise from Ezekiel 36:26, where God promises to transform us by removing our hard, self-willed hearts of stone and giving us responsive hearts filled with His Spirit, enabling us to follow His ways. God is Spirit, and every human has a spirit, but not every human spirit is made alive by the Holy Spirit.

I grew up in a Christian home, went to church, read my Bible, and memorized verses. I knew about God, but I didn’t know God. There’s a big divide between knowing about God and knowing God. He knows you already—every little bit: the good, the bad, and the ugly. God’s design is intimacy. It’s a relationship He’s seeking.

An important part of worship in truth is letting the Holy Spirit search the contents of our hearts, our motives, and our attitudes.

Let Him in. He loves you and knows your innermost thoughts. Let Him do a deep cleaning. It can be painful at times, but the refining process will produce a wonderful fragrance.

No, I insist on buying it from you for a price, for I will not offer to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing. (2 Samuel 24:24)

If you ask a child to give up a toy they haven’t played with for years, they will likely not give you much grief about it. But if you ask them to give away the toy they take everywhere with them, the request becomes completely different, because true sacrifice is not measured by what you are giving up, but by what it costs you. Sacrifice only exposes your heart when it asks for what you hold most closely.

In the same way, worship that costs you nothing requires no trust, no surrender, and no faith. When God asks you for the things you hold onto most tightly—your time, money, or control—you experience worship as a true sacrifice, rather than just a feeling or emotion.

What does costly worship look like in your schedule, relationships, and finances? In which of these areas are you going through the motions, rather than choosing to worship, regardless of the cost?

Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped, saying: Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will leave this life. The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. Blessed be the name of the LORD. (Job 1:20-21)

I love the example of Job! What a guy! God allows Satan to take all his animals and most of his servants, kill his children, and cover him in boils. His wife recommends he “curse God and die.” Then his friends come “to help” and only tell him it’s all his fault! Talk about a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day!

Ever have a day like that? I have! When my grandmother got sick, I was furious at God—in exchange for more time with her, I’d promised Him I’d go to church every week, tithe on my paper route money, drop out of Little Richie and the Fender Benders, pray more, read the Bible more, etc. She died anyway…“The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away” was said at her funeral. I was furious at God and ignored Him for the next sixteen years.

After he saved me, I found that worship was the key to walking through terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days. When I unashamedly worship our Creator, the pain of missing family gets easier to handle. Take my advice: worship beats worry. Try it—it works!

Then he consulted with the people and appointed some to sing to the LORD… As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set an ambush… (2 Chronicles 20:21-22)

A former Satanist-turned-believer recently pointed out that Satanists most often attack Christianity—not Islam, Buddhism, or Hinduism—because the forces of darkness see believers as their true and formidable foes. Scripture teaches that these forces are defeated by God as His people wholeheartedly worship and obey Him through prayer, fasting, and unashamed praise!

That’s precisely what happened in 2 Chronicles 20. Facing overwhelming enemies, King Jehoshaphat and Judah depended on God in prayer, then sent singers ahead of the army proclaiming, “Give thanks to the LORD, for His steadfast love endures forever.” As they obeyed God and worshiped Him, the Lord fought for them, conquering their foes.

When facing darkness or spiritual attack, wield your weapons: sing boldly, pray passionately, and declare God’s goodness. Worship is vital. Your voice, whether you’re a Grammy winner or considered the worst in Colorado, is part of God’s appointed means of worship in the fight. My journey to Christ began when I saw worshipers engaging God in ways I’d never seen. Their passion captured me. I said, “Whatever they have, I want!” God used their worship to break through the doubt and cynicism that plagued me—I don’t fully understand how, but our worship and God’s heavenly armies work synergistically to win battles both seen and unseen. The sight of true worship was the start of my transformation—all glory to God!

We must worship without shame daily and corporately. God uses our fervent praise to strengthen His people and advance His mission in Northwest Arvada. Even if our circumstances never improve, worshiping the King is crucial since it leads to experiencing His Holy Spirit and a heart focused on what is eternal, which is what we need more than good circumstances.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. (Romans 12:1)

As we go through life, the world often exposes us to examples of sacrifice, like a fireman running into a burning building to save lives. When we see these things from afar, we respect those who make these sacrifices. But if a fireman saved us from a burning building, our gratitude would be much greater. But Jesus didn’t just save us from a burning building, He knew all our flaws and all the sins we would ever commit, yet He chose not only to save us, but to bear the punishment meant for us. How can we not give everything we are to the One that gave us everything we have?

This is exactly the challenge that Paul is extending to the Romans (and to us): The more we grasp God’s mercy, the more of our lives we should be willing to surrender.

Thankfulness is good, but living as a true sacrifice is the goal. This is not a one-time action, but a continual goal and daily choice.

Question: Does your level of surrender match your understanding of the grace that has been extended to you? What are some specific areas in your life you can live as a living sacrifice that you are not currently?