"The fact that you have a relationship with Jesus Christ makes you wealthy no matter your financial situation!”  

The question for you this week is this: Are you where you are supposed to be, and doing what you are supposed to be doing?

The task at hand might feel small. It might even feel somewhat pointless in light of eternity. The truth is your current task may have more eternal value than you can fathom. In addition, it may also be precisely where Jesus expects to find you when it is time to call you to the next mission.

I invite you to consider today: Are you already living a miracle? Look around. Does your life already speak of the One who created you and sustains you? Does it already testify to miracle upon miracle and in fact point to an assurance of power capable of delivering on that one miracle for which you are holding out?

If you stop and do an honest assessment, I think you will find the honest answer is yes.

If the Court finds that a president has sweeping authority on tariffs, you should go and make disciples.

If the Court finds that Congress must specifically speak before tariffs are deployed, you should go and make disciples!

The U.S. government is poised to re-open after the longest shutdown in U.S. history. An end to the prolonged closure is in sight after eight U.S. Senators who caucus with Democrats (seven Democrats and one independent) voted with all but one Senate Republican to approve a bill that extends all government funding through January 30, 2026 and funds a handful of agencies (veterans’ affairs, military construction, legislative branch, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture) through the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2026.

There will be those who are hungry in your midst this week. Feed them! It is so straight-forward it almost sounds flippant, but our instruction in this environment really is that simple, and we are reminded of it repeatedly in scripture (you can start with Pr. 25:21-22, Matt. 25:35-40, Is. 58:10, and Jam. 2:15-17).

The systematic and mass slaughter of human beings made in the image of God specifically for their faith in Jesus is an atrocity that demands the world’s attention.

As you continue to heed the instruction to reject anxiety about speaking before kings, consider your time in your prayer closet. Consider both the quantity and the quality of your time with the King. If necessary, make the adjustments needed such that, when called into the great assembly, you will be able to say,

“I’ve been here before.”

“Avoid foolish and stupid arguments” (2 Timothy 2:23). And, “as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Rom. 12:18). This story is a vivid example of a common current tactic, which aims specifically to divide for the purpose of achieving a certain policy or political end. Decline to take the bait. The substance should be engaged in a thoughtful way, but no matter your policy position, firmly decline the temptation to let this spat rob you of your peace with others.

Choose faithfulness. 1 Corinthains 10:13 reminds us that God knows the temptations you face, and that He is faithful to carry you through them by providing a means of escape. Take a moment today to consider where there might be traps laid in your life. What steps do you need to take to guard against them?

There will be a resolution that opens the federal government, but it is unclear when that resolution will be achieved. In the meantime, there is a very real and increasing opportunity for you and me as Jesus followers to meet the resulting practical needs around us. Virtually all the coverage of this story will be doom and gloom and focused on which party is responsible for which aspects of the shutdown, but let’s instead dig in and meet real need with real action. How will you help?

When you face the inescapable truth that sin is once again rising up in your heart, respond with the deep assurance that sin’s jurisdiction in your heart and life is only temporary! Noah may have had to grapple with how his sin would be overcome, but you do not! You know that your sin has already been conquered by the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 12:11)!

“In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines” (Pr. 18:17).

“Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike” (Deut. 1:17).

As you enjoy the World Series—or maybe you’ve already turned your recreational attention to football or some other hobby—remember to constantly keep before you the eternal joy that is yours in heaven!

We should be in fervent prayer for those who were harmed in this situation. Pray for their continued healing and restoration, and that they would be drawn into the comfort of a relationship with their Creator. Commit also to holding fast to the truth that all responsible for these evil acts should be held accountable.

“When you speak to the King of the universe in the morning, it’s easy to speak to a U.S. Senator in the afternoon.” – Dr. Dick Foth

As the partial shutdown of the U.S. government continues into its third week, several agencies have announced reductions in force (RIFs). The agencies announcing layoffs include the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Education, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Treasury Department. So far, more than 4,100 federal employees have been terminated.

The Nobel Prizes have been awarded each year since 1901 and, while not without controversy, remain one of the most prestigious and widely recognized awards one can be granted. As with any subjective award, the announcement of the honorees (most commonly referred to as Nobel Prize laureates) generates a mix of acclaim and critique.

Pray for every soul in Israel, Gaza, and the surrounding region. Pray that peace would hold, but also that the rebuilding process would include not just the rebuilding of cities but also people and souls. Pray that those still living under Hamas control would find both earthy and eternal freedom (reports suggest that Hamas’s violent methods of control continue even in the wake of the hostage release).

How are you intentionally choosing proximity to the widow and the orphan, and what is one tangible way you can do so this week? Every life is precious to God and is fearfully and wonderfully formed by Him (Ps. 139:14), and you are tasked with being a tangible support to the fatherless (Jam. 1:27).

There are countless ways to begin, the best of which is to look around your community and your church to identify specific needs. If you look, you will find them. Another option to consider is A Fearless Life, which we offer as a way to connect willing adoptive families with funding to adopt from foster care.

“Seek peace and pursue it.” That is your charge and mine out of Psalm 34:14. It encompasses so much, beginning with the internal personal peace offered through Jesus as a result of surrendering our lives and wills to Him. But taken in context with the rest of scripture, including the call in Matthew 5:9 to be peacemakers, we are absolutely meant to be agents of physical peace in our world, as well.

The eternal praise of God is already in progress, and in fact awaits the moment when you and I will join in!

You very likely have a perspective on the politics and the public policy at play in this situation. Those are certain to vary across our community, but we can be united in our intentional focus to search out and stand with those most negatively impacted. Who in your world is missing paychecks or assistance in a way that materially impacts their wellbeing? What practical role can you play to stand in that gap with and for them?

Let’s together meet those needs for each other this week.

Representatives from Israel and Hamas are in Egypt to discuss implementation details of a 20-point peace plan. Both sides have tentatively agreed to large portions of the plan, but implementation may be the most difficult part of securing a firm and lasting peace, and there remains a large number of issues—including the political future of Hamas—yet to be resolved. Negotiators on both sides are aiming to accomplish a ceasefire and a hostage/prisoner swap as the first step while the larger negotiations continue.

Meanwhile, vigils were held around the world to commemorate the two-year anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel that began the current war, and to pray for the remaining hostages. There are believed to be 20 living hostages still held in Gaza, and an additional 28 deceased hostages whose remains have not yet been released.

How can you deliberately choose to live in the full expression of color and vibrancy offered to you? It is really quite simple (which is distinct from easy—this is not always or even usually easy). If you want to live in full possession of what Jesus came to give, you must accept the path He gave you to walk. Your life—every facet—must be yielded and even surrendered to Him.

Nobody is above the law and nobody is below the law. It has become a common refrain for The Equipped family, and it is certainly relevant for this story.

Your God knows what it is to sigh. He knows what it means to be troubled beyond words. He hears your groaning and even your sighing, and He understands. He is YHWH.

Pray for and grieve with those who are hurting and grieving. As you do so, resist the urge to be anxious or fearful. The brokenness of our world is in plain view, and we can be assured it will continue to be present. You can be equally assured of a peace that passes all understanding when your mind is stayed on Jesus (Philip. 4:7). 

The policy decisions of the world’s superpower matter. That includes economic decisions such as the federal funds rate. These are issues worth understanding, and in some cases worth factoring into your decision making.

They do not, however, impact your eternity, and this reality should dictate your level of fixation on them (translation: the federal funds rate should have no impact on your peace).

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philip. 4:7).

Justice and vengeance belong to the Lord (Rom. 12:19), and the perpetrator of this horrible act will face earthly justice. But you and I, my friend, are called to love and forgiveness. That is a difficult calling. It requires us to be open to our enemies turning from evil even after inflicting evil upon us.

Will you embrace that level of love for your enemies? It will truly set you free.

Your God is unchanging. He is the same yesterday and today and forever (Heb. 13:8). But He shows up in the most unexpected ways.

He shows up in what seems to be both victory and defeat. 

He shows up in mountaintop moments and in times of immense grief.

He is seated forever at the righthand of God the Father. But he was first a pre-teen from the neighborhood.

Have you recognized Him? Have you noticed His presence in your everyday?

There is great strife in our world today. But your God is in the midst of it all, and He is who He claims to be. He is the Messiah!