Today’s Always Uplifting Verse and Devotional to start your day off right!

God Is Always Cheering For You

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“O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.”

Psalms 139:1-3

I was a Bali Ha’i girl. 

Not the lead. Not even a sidekick. Just a nameless background character in my high school’s production of South Pacific, swaying in unison with a dozen other girls who had also been too nervous to audition. 

It was opening night, and my parents were sitting proudly in the audience. 

“Where’s Lauren? I don’t see her,” my dad whispered, scanning the stage. 

Mom gasped. “You think she got sick?” 

Y’all. They thought I was home with the flu. Meanwhile, I was fifteen feet away, swaying my heart out, grinning at the spotlight, and being completely, spectacularly unnoticed by the people who raised me. 

After the curtain dropped, they rushed backstage to look for me. 

“Lauren? Lauren?”  

I turned around, makeup smeared and hair half-unpinned. They gasped. 

“Oh! There you are! We thought you had the flu!” 

I blinked. “You—what?” 

“We couldn’t find you! But we cheered anyway.” 

And cheer they did. Night after night, through every show, they clapped like I was the star. It didn’t matter that I never had a single line. 

Because that’s what love does. It shows up, over and over, even when you think no one sees you. And if human parents can love like that, imagine how much more God does. 

He never loses sight of you. He never mistakes you for someone else. He’s right there, front row, cheering louder than anyone else in the room. 

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When Hope Feels Impossible

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Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 

Hebrews 10:23

Courtney reached for the stuffed giraffe, waving it in front of the baby in front of her. He let out a squeal as his tiny arms reached up to grab it, fingers barely able to close around its soft body. 

She laughed, brushing a curl off his forehead. “You like that one, huh?” 

He giggled in response. A tube ran from his nose, looping over his chubby cheek. Another fed into his stomach, connected to the machine beside him. A year ago, the sight of it would’ve sent a lump straight to her throat. 

Now? 

Now she just saw him. 

Her miracle boy. 

She hugged him close, rocking back and forth, soaking in the warmth of him, the weight of him. 

She remembered sitting in a doctor’s office, gripping her husband’s hand like it was the only thing keeping her grounded. 

“Your son has a rare form of dwarfism. He will not live.” 

The words landed like bricks, one after another. No hope. No future. Just impossible decisions no parent should ever have to make. 

Except—something in her refused to accept that. So, she fought. 

She dug into research, spent late nights scouring medical journals, and prayed like never before. And somewhere in that searching, she felt it—that quiet nudge, that voice that said, Keep going. Don’t be afraid. 

After six months in the hospital, against all odds, they brought him home. 

Now, here he was—laughing, playing, thriving. 

Courtney knew the road ahead wouldn’t be easy. There would be more hospital visits, more scary nights, more unknowns. 

But she also knew this—God had been better to them than she had ever dared to hope. 

It’s easy to get caught up in the fear of what’s ahead. To wonder if you’ll have enough strength or faith to make it through. 

But today, she wasn’t looking forward. She was looking back. 

At every time, God had provided. At every moment, she thought they wouldn’t make it—but did. And if God had carried them this far, He wasn’t about to stop now. 

Maybe that’s something we all need to remember. When fear whispers about the future, look back. Look at all He has done. And dare to believe He will still be good in the days to come. 

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Bloom Where You’re Planted

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“Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” 

John 15:2

I don’t know why I thought keeping plants alive would be easy. Water, sunlight, and a little love—how hard could it be? 

I envisioned a home filled with thriving greenery and blooming flowers. So, I headed to the store to buy all the supplies: pots, soil, a watering can, and a few plants I had no idea how to care for.  

But I was confident I would become a plant mom in no time. 

But as you might guess, things didn’t go as planned. I either watered them too much or too little, put them in too much sun or not enough. Despite my best efforts, a few of them started to wither. 

I felt a little defeated—why was this so hard? 

After doing a little research, I quickly realized my mistake. I had not taken the time to learn what each plant needed to grow. Some love sunlight, and some love shade. Some want constant watering, while others prefer dry soil. I had been treating them all the same—assuming what worked for one should work for another. 

Life with God isn’t so different. How often do I make my plans, set my expectations, and assume things should grow a certain way? But when something withers—when relationships change, when opportunities don’t work out, or when life takes an unexpected turn—I feel lost. 

But God is the Master Gardener, not me. 

He knows exactly what He’s doing. Sometimes He prunes things I thought were good. Sometimes, He allows seasons of waiting, where nothing seems to be happening. And sometimes, He uproots me entirely and plants me somewhere unexpected. Just like with my plants, I may not always understand why—but that does not mean He isn’t working in my life.  

Maybe you are in a season of your life that does not make sense. Can I encourage you? 

Trust the Gardener. After all, a plant can’t see the full picture—but it does not have to. It simply needs to trust that the gardener knows how to make it bloom. 

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The Road Back To Peace

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“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” 

Hebrews 13:8

My son tugged at my shirt, his tear-streaked face looking up at me, searching for reassurance. I bent down, wrapping him in my arms. 

“It’s gonna be okay, honey,” I whispered. 

And the second I said it, I felt the weight of those words. Because I remembered a time when I was not so sure. 

I grew up in church. I knew all the right things to say and all the right things to believe. But when I got hurt—really hurt—by people who claimed to follow Jesus, it shook something in me. Suddenly, I didn’t feel safe anymore. 

By the time I got to college, I wasn’t sure what I believed. I listened as people dissected faith, calling it outdated. And little by little, I started wondering if maybe they were right. 

So I went looking for the truth.  

I read, studied, and explored different religions, hoping one of them would bring me peace. But the more I searched, the more lost I felt. 

And then, one night, I hit my lowest point. 

I was tired. Empty. Done. And in that moment, with nothing left to give, I prayed the most desperate prayer of my life. 

“Jesus, if You are real, I need You.” 

And in that moment, I knew. He was there restoring and uplifting me. 

It wasn’t an argument that convinced me. It wasn’t a philosophy that finally made sense. It was a peace that wrapped around me that could only have come from Him. 

Now, holding my son, I breathed in that same peace, kissed his forehead, and whispered again. 

“It’s gonna be okay, honey.” 

And I knew, beyond any doubt, that it really would be. 

— Tasha Layton

 

Lyrics “Never”

Verse 1
When this broken world is breaking me down
When my tears and knees both fall to the ground
When my questions make me doubt You more than ever
You remind me that Your answer is always “never…”

Chorus
Never forgotten
Never forsaken
Never abandoned
Not for a second
I am safe in Your hands
Always and forever
You’re never not working
My heart is the proof
There’s not a broken too broken for You
Will there ever come a day when You’re not holding me together?
You say “never”

Verse 2
Every single time I look back I see
There’s never been a promise You didn’t keep
You don’t waste the wounds, You use them for the better
When it comes to You Your answer’s always, “never ”

REPEAT CHORUS

Bridge
You never let me down
No, You never let me down
When did You ever let me down?
Never, No Never

You never let me down
No, You never let me down
When did You ever let me down?
Never

REPEAT CHORUS

Outro
You say “never”
You say “never”

You never let me down
When did you ever let me down?
Oh, never
Never!

Written by Tasha Layton, AJ Pruis, Keith Everette Smith, Matthew West

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From Hardship to Hope

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“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” 

Romans 8:18 

Albert Brumley had been working since sunrise, and he felt every minute of it. His back ached. His hands were raw. His mind ran in circles, weighed down by worries that had nothing to do with the field in front of him. The country was in crisis, people were struggling, and the work never seemed to end. 

He exhaled hard and pressed his palm against the plow. Lord, how much longer? 

That was when he saw it—a bird lifting off the fencepost. One beat of its wings and it was free, soaring higher and higher, carried by nothing but the wind. 

Something deep in his chest cracked open. That’s what I want. To be lifted. To escape this heaviness. 

He knew he wasn’t alone in feeling this way. He saw it in the faces around him—people carrying more than they could bear, pushing forward because they had no other choice. But what if there was something greater waiting beyond all of this? What if one day, every burden would be lifted? 

That longing didn’t leave him. It stayed with him as he worked, as he walked, as he hummed a tune under his breath. A song was forming. 

By the time he got home, he was writing as fast as his hands could move. That simple song—born from sweat and struggle—would go on to bring comfort to millions. It would be sung in churches, at funerals, in quiet moments when hope felt far away. 

Because it wasn’t just a song. It was a promise. 

Some glad morning, when this life is over 
I’ll fly away 
To that home on God’s celestial shore 
I’ll fly away

I’ll fly away, oh glory 
I’ll fly away 
When I die, hallelujah, by and by 
I’ll fly away 

If your heart is tired, if the weight feels too much, remember this: it won’t last forever. God has prepared a place where every burden is lifted. Hold on—because on the horizon, joy is coming. 

 

LYRICS

Some bright morning when this life is over
I’ll fly away
To that home on God’s celestial shore
I’ll fly away

CHORUS:
I’ll fly away, oh glory
I’ll fly away, in the morning
When I die, Hallelujah by and by
I’ll fly away

When the shadows of this life have gone
I’ll fly away
Like a bird from these prison walls I’ll fly
I’ll fly away

CHORUS

Oh, how glad and happy when we meet
I’ll fly away
No more cold iron shackles on my feet
I’ll fly away

CHORUS

Just a few more weary days and then
I’ll fly away
To a land where joys will never end
I’ll fly away

CHORUS:
I’ll fly away, fly away, oh glory
I’ll fly away, in the morning
When I die, Hallelujah by and by
I’ll fly away
I’ll fly away

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When God Says, “It’s Time”

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“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.”

Psalms 37:23-24

J.D. stood in front of the mirror, gathering his long hair into a loose ponytail. He had waited years for this—the chance to grow it out. His Christian school had always required boys to have short hair, but once we started homeschooling, he finally had the chance to let it grow. And so, he did. 

I didn’t mind it much. It was just hair, and a chance for him to figure out who he was and wanted to be. Despite the challenges of being mistaken for a girl, I knew it was crucial to support his journey of self-expression and independence. But as time passed, I found myself wondering if I was doing the right thing. 

Then, one evening, he came to me and said, “Mom, do you think I should cut my hair?” 

I hesitated. “Well, what do you think?” 

He shrugged. “I think I want to, but I am just not sure when.” 

Everything in me wanted to say, Now! Right now is a great time! But instead, I swallowed my eagerness and smiled. “Whenever you’re ready, just let me know.” 

Weeks passed. If I ever mentioned it, his answer was the same: “Not yet.” Then, one day, he walked into my home office with his face clouded with uncertainty. “Mom, I want to cut my hair… but I’m scared. It feels like part of my identity. I don’t know who I am without it. Will you pray for me?” 

So, we prayed. For clarity. For peace. For him to hear God’s voice. 

The next day at work, I got a text. “Mom, I was talking to my teacher, and she told me she had a dream that I cut my hair. I think this is what I want to do! I’m ready.” 

That night, as the scissors snipped through each lock, J.D. lifted his head as he studied his reflection. His smile said everything. You see, it was never about the hair, but all about how he saw himself in God’s eyes. Now, he had his answer. 

Years have passed since that moment, and J.D. now stands on the edge of adulthood, facing bigger decisions than a haircut. But when I think back to that night, I am reminded: If God could guide him then, He can guide him now. And He can do the same for all of us. 

Because no decision—big or small—falls outside of His care. 

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Choosing Love Over Comfort

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“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful.” 

1 Corinthians 13:4-5

The second the car starts, the blast of cold air hits me like a wave. I fold my arms, pressing them tightly against my chest, trying to hold in the warmth. 

David does not seem to notice. He sits comfortably, one hand on the wheel, humming absently to the song on the radio. I could not take it anymore, so I reached for the air dial and turned up the heat. 

A few moments later, David casually turns it back down. 

I say nothing. He says nothing. But my jaw tightens just slightly.  

Why does he always do that? Why can’t he be the one to adjust? 

I cross my arms, staring out the window, watching the world blur past in streaks of green and gray. I could argue. I want to argue. It is not about the air. Not really. It is about the principle. 

But then, a thought sneaks in—Do you really have to win this? 

Yes, I want to be comfortable. I want to be considered. I want my way! But after I thought about it, I realized that love—real love—doesn’t demand its way. It does not keep score or measure degrees of fairness. So, I reach into the back seat, pull a blanket over my legs, and let the cold air stay. 

Jesus laid down everything for us. He did not demand His way. He gave everything. His life. His comfort. His rights. 

And here I am, learning that love means choosing someone else’s well-being over my own. It is not easy. But in the moments I choose to give instead of receive, I reflect a love so much greater than my own. 

So, today—maybe right now—there’s a moment where you can take the road of love too. Not because you have to, but because you can. Because love, at its core, is a choice. 

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A Love That Runs Toward You

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“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”

Isaiah 55:7 

The father spotted the boy before anyone else did. 

A speck on the horizon. A figure too thin, too tired, and walking with the weight of the world on his shoulders. 

His son. 

He jumped to his feet before his mind caught up. Then he was running—running like a fool or like a man who had never been wronged or his heart shattered. 

And when he reached the boy, he did not stop. He embraced him with arms wide open and buried his face in his son’s filthy hair, drinking in the moment he prayed for a thousand times. 

The boy started talking, voice shaking, eyes on the ground. “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you—” 

But the father did not let him finish. 

“Bring a robe!” He said, “The best one! And a ring for his hand, and for Heaven’s sake, fire up the grill. We’re celebrating tonight!” 

Because his son was home. 

No speeches. No groveling. No earning his way back. Just love, poured out without measure. 

And that is exactly how God loves you. 

Maybe you feel like you have gone too far. Like you have messed up too much and need to earn your way back. But God is not waiting for you to clean yourself up first. 

He just wants you home. 

So, if you have been running from Him, and if you have been carrying shame too heavy to bear, hear this: 

You don’t have to prove a thing. 

Just turn toward Him—He’s already on His way to you. 

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The Miracle of Letting Go

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“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” 

1 Peter 5:6-7

Adrian had always believed in one simple truth: hard work could fix anything. You push through, you keep going, and when life gets tough, you push harder. It made sense to him for a long time. 

But then it stopped working. 

The job offers dried up. His marriage ended, and suddenly, he was left alone in a house that used to feel like home. No matter how much effort he poured into it, things stayed broken. 

One evening, feeling completely worn out, Adrian did something he had not done in ages—he prayed. 

“God, I don’t know what to do anymore. I can’t carry this alone. Please, take it from me. Put me where You want me to be.” 

And for the first time in a long while, Adrian stopped trying to control everything. He let go. 

Less than a month later, the phone rang. 

He found out he got the job! And not just any job, it was the one he had been praying for. The hours worked, it was close to home, and most importantly, it allowed him to be there when his kids got off the bus. It was the perfect fit and a clear reminder that God had been working all along. 

When Adrian called in to Always Uplifting 88.7 The Cross to tell us his story, his voice cracked with emotion from relief. For the first time in a long time, he was not carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. 

Maybe you’re there right now, too. Exhausted. Stressed. Wondering why things aren’t falling into place. What if God has been waiting for you to surrender? 

It might be time to stop fighting. To lay it all down. Because sometimes, the freedom we are looking for does not come from trying harder, but from surrendering. 

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God Never Lets Go

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“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

Romans 8:38-39

Some roads feel endless. No matter how far you have come, it feels like you are just as far from where you are going. 

I know that kind of road well. 

I glance over at my husband, one hand steady on the wheel, the other resting within reach. I slip my fingers into his, and without looking, he gives them a squeeze. It is a small thing, but it anchors me by reminding me of where I have been and who never let me go. 

Because my road has not been straight.  

I was sixteen when I knew, without a doubt, that I was called to music and ministry. But Hurt has a way of shaking what you thought was solid. And when the hurt came from the place I thought was safest—the church—I started questioning everything. 

I kept going, though. I pressed into music even when the pain echoed through the notes I sang. For years, I ran toward success, touring, performing, and standing in front of thousands, but the bigger the stage, the heavier my heart felt. 

And then, finally, I had to stop. 

I thought stepping back from the spotlight was the end of my story, but it turned out to be the beginning of healing. And then there was him. 

My husband never pushed me, but he never let me disappear completely. He just held on and reminded me both who I was and who God was. 

I squeeze his hand again, and this time, I smile.  

Because that’s the thing about love—the real kind. It doesn’t let go. 

And neither does God. 

Maybe you have walked away, too. Maybe the weight of past wounds has convinced you to stop believing. But let me tell you this—God hasn’t given up on you. 

His hand is still there, waiting for you to take hold. 

– Tasha Layton

 

Lyrics “Worship Through It”

This looks impossible
But You’re the God of impossible
And I’ve seen your faithfulness all over my life
I need a miracle
And You’re the God of miracles
Some way, somehow You come through every time

Chorus
I know my God can do it
So, I’m gonna worship through it
Before I see my breakthrough
I’m gonna choose to praise You

I will sing hallelujah to the one
Who can do what the world says can’t be done
I know my God can do it
So, I’m gonna worship through it

In the middle of my no way out
In the middle of my don’t know how
I hear You whisper to me “peace be still”
This is why I believe
You will deliver me
You always have and you always will
You always have and you always will

I won’t wait ‘til the rocks cry out
I’m gonna praise You
I won’t wait till the walls come down
I’m gonna praise You
(Gonna) Lift my hands right here, right now
I’m gonna praise You
Oh God I praise You!

Written by Tasha Layton, Keith Everette Smith, Matthew West, AJ Pruis

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