Empty Hands, Full Heart

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Ephesians 3:8 — Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, He graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ.

It was pouring rain the day I left the UPS Store. As I got into my car, I noticed a man sitting under the awning nearby. In that moment, I felt a strong nudge of compassion—one of those quiet impressions that settles in and refuses to leave.

I knew I was supposed to give him something.

The only problem was, I didn’t have any cash.

Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had something to offer. I looked around my car and saw my Bible resting on the console.

I remember thinking, Surely not my Bible. There has to be something else.

So I searched again.

Nothing.

That’s when I realized the Lord was asking me to give a stranger my Bible.

I took out the notes and keepsakes tucked inside and walked over with it in hand.

His first words were, “Sorry, ma’am. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

I assured him he hadn’t. Then I explained that I didn’t have any money to give him, but what I was handing him was more valuable than money.

He smiled and told me he had reading glasses in his bag. Then he thanked me and said he was encouraged that someone had thought about him.

The rain kept falling. The moment passed. But on my drive home, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

How often do we disqualify ourselves because our hands seem empty?

We look at what we don’t have and forget what Christ has already given us.

Paul understood that. He knew he wasn’t deserving, yet God entrusted him with the endless treasures of Christ and sent him to share them with others.

The same is true for us.

You may not have all the answers. You may not have much to give. But if you know Jesus, you already carry the greatest treasure imaginable.

Sometimes the most meaningful acts of obedience aren’t planned or polished. They simply require us to trust that what God has placed in our hands is enough.

So the next time you feel that quiet nudge to notice someone, encourage someone, or stop and help someone, don’t rush past it.

The thing that feels small in your hands may become something far greater once it’s placed in God’s hands.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Have you ever felt God nudging you to do something small that turned out to have a bigger impact than you expected?
  • What gifts or resources has God already placed in your hands that you may be overlooking?
  • Who in your life might need encouragement, hope, or the message of Christ today?
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Packing Blessings Till They Overflow

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Luke 6:38 — Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.

Recently I was reminded of Luke 6:38.

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

I’ve read that verse many times, but this time the phrase “pressed down, shaken together and running over” stood out. Honestly, I didn’t fully understand it, so I decided to dig deeper.

God tells us to seek, and we will find.

I discovered that in biblical times, when people bought dry goods, merchants would press and shake the contents to fit as much as possible into the container—so full that it would overflow into the buyer’s lap. That was considered a generous, abundant measure.

The first thing that came to mind when I learned this was getting an Icee.

I know. I know. Stay with me.

On a hot summer day, I would fill the cup halfway, shake it down, tap it on the counter, and pack it in tight. Then I’d keep filling it until it overflowed. Because isn’t that the goal? To fit as much as possible into the cup.

It made me think about what God is inviting us into.

He calls us to give freely—of our time, love, prayers, and resources—holding nothing back. And in return, He is not outdone in generosity. He fills our lives in ways we could never manufacture or contain.

So today, choose to give freely—whether it’s kindness, encouragement, or simple faithfulness in front of you. Trust that nothing poured out in love is ever wasted.

And God sees it. He is faithful to meet you again and again… pressed down, shaken together, and running over.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Where in your life are you tempted to hold back instead of giving freely—your time, kindness, patience, or encouragement?
  • When you think about God’s generosity toward you, does it change the way you approach generosity toward others? Why or why not?
  • Is there someone in your life right now who could be encouraged by something simple you already have to give?
  • Do you tend to see giving as loss… or as trust in God’s ability to refill what you release?
  • What would it look like today to live open-handed instead of tightly holding on?
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When Faith Finds Words

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Isaiah 55:11 — So is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Have you ever been at a loss for words?
A rhetorical question, right?

Three weeks before I was scheduled to share my testimony at a women’s retreat, I found myself at my kitchen table—pen in hand—staring at a blank sheet of paper. The weight of emotion filled my mind, and insecurity slowly crept in. I didn’t doubt God’s faithfulness, but I wanted to honor Him well.

I kept thinking, “There are over one hundred women counting on me, yet I can’t seem to write one word about a lifetime of memories?”

After what felt like an hour, I walked into my bedroom and picked up a notebook I had received at that same retreat two years earlier. I hadn’t written in it then either. I remember thinking, why would I keep a blank notebook in my drawer for two years?

Frustrated, I flipped to the last page.

There, written in my own handwriting, were six simple words:

“He will give me the words.”

I smiled. Somehow, I had saved that nearly empty notebook and preserved a reminder I didn’t know I would need—a reminder that God is faithful to give us what we need most.

When I sat down to write again, the words started to flow—not from pressure, but from trust in who God is and what He has already said. It was as if the One who is the Word Himself faithfully supplied exactly what I needed to tell the story of all Jesus had done for me.

And when He did, I could not stop writing until it was finished. You see, when God speaks, it doesn’t return empty. It accomplishes what He sends it to do. That day, His Word met me in my insecurity, quieted my fear, and filled a blank page.

I never want to grow callused either to the Word of God or to the reminders the Holy Spirit gives us about God’s word…and my hope for you is the same.

Maybe there is something in your life that feels unfinished or empty right now—something you don’t quite have the words for yet.

Lean on the living Word of God.

The same God who filled a blank notebook page is still speaking today. His Word still accomplishes what He sends it to do, and it is waiting to meet you right where you are.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Have you ever faced a situation where you felt inadequate or unsure of what to say or do?
  • What reminders has God placed in your life that have strengthened your faith at just the right moment?
  • How have you experienced God’s Word meeting you in a time of fear, uncertainty, or insecurity?
  • Is there an area of your life that feels unfinished or “blank” right now?
  • What would it look like to trust God to provide exactly what you need for the next step?
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The Dinner Table Discovery

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Psalm 139:16 — You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

The best God-conversations happen at our dinner table. I’m going to let you in on one of them.

It was after dinner, and we were still sitting around the table when my five-year-old eagerly exclaimed, “Guess what, Mama? Guess what, Daddy? I talked to God in my dream today at naptime!”

If I wasn’t all ears before, I was now. I probably had the same look on my face as a child during story time. So, I asked what anyone would ask, “What did God look like? What was He saying to you?”

To my surprise, she turned to me and said so clearly, “He looked familiar.”

“What does familiar mean?” My husband asked.

She answered, “You know—like my friend at school. I know her. She is familiar to me.”

“That’s right,” I added. “You know your friend, so she’s familiar. And the same is true for God.”

I continued, “God knew you before you were even born. Before a single day of your life had passed, He already loved you and had His hand on your life. So maybe it makes sense that He felt familiar to you.”

That night, my momma heart felt like it grew three sizes bigger. I was reminded of something simple but powerful in that moment—children don’t strive to know God the way we often do. They simply trust that He’s near.

To them, God isn’t distant or complicated… He’s familiar.

Maybe that’s the invitation for all of us—to come back to that kind of faith.

Because when we make space for Him, even around something as ordinary as a dinner table, we may just find that God is closer—and more familiar—than we ever realized.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • When was the last time God felt familiar and close to you?
  • What makes you sometimes view God as distant or complicated?
  • How does Psalm 139 change the way you think about your identity and worth?
  • What can you learn from the simple faith and trust of a child?
  • How can you create more space in your everyday life to notice God’s presence?
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The Backseat Smoothie Sermon

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Psalm 51:1 — Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.

Rushing out the door, I hurried all the way to my car—smoothie in one hand, tote bag and purse in the other. I was feeling the weight of the morning hustle and bustle. And because it’s me, I rarely leave any margin for time.

You know the feeling, right?

I drove less than a mile down the road when I heard a funny sound inside the car. I wasn’t sure where it came from until I glanced behind me and saw my smoothie splattered across the backseat. Oh no.

Raise your hand if you’ve ever been driven by your emotions like that? Pun intended. Well, you’re not alone.

I said, “It’s okay, Kirstie. It’s totally fine!”

My eye twitched as I continued, “No, my breakfast is just splattered across my entire back seat, and it will have to sit there all day. It will just smell like mildew later. No big deal. Really. It’s fine!”

Fast forward to that afternoon when I was using all my strength to remove the smoothie stain from my seat. Yet no matter how hard I scrubbed, the stain would not come clean.

But do you know what? Some stains don’t come out no matter how hard you try.

In that moment, I felt reminded that I too was once stained with sin. I could never scrub it away no matter how hard I tried. I needed God, in His mercy, to blot them out. Now my sin-stained heart has been washed white as snow by the precious blood of Jesus.

Still today, the stain from the smoothie is on the seat of my car. But guess what? That’s okay with me because every time I see it, I remember that no earthly effort can remove the stain of my sin either.

And maybe that’s where this meets you—in the places you’ve been scrubbing, striving, trying to make things right on your own.

There’s a better way… one that doesn’t depend on how strong you are but on how willing your heart is to be held in mercy. Only the blood of Jesus can cleanse and restore us completely. He can cover your sin, restore your heart, and make you new—not because you cleaned yourself up, but because you finally surrendered to the One who could.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Have you ever tried to “clean up” guilt, shame, or mistakes through your own effort?
  • Why do you think people struggle to accept God’s mercy freely?
  • What does Psalm 51:1 teach us about the character of God?
  • Are there areas in your life where you’re still striving instead of surrendering?
  • How does knowing Jesus completely removes the stain of sin change the way you see yourself today?
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From Fan to Follower

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Mark 8:34 — Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.”

Before I was a follower of Christ, I was a fan of Christ. When I think of my “Jesus Fan” era, one of my favorite Christian music artists—Tiffany Hudson from Elevation Worship—comes to mind. Let me elaborate.

I have attended many concerts, admiring her voice from a distance. Every one has been sold out, which means I’m no different than the thousands of people in the room who admire her.

I know every word to every song she sings. I follow her on every social media platform you can think of. I know a lot about her, but I don’t personally know her. I don’t have a personal relationship with her.

Being a fan is more about admiration than commitment.

For many years, I was comfortable being a fan of Jesus. I didn’t want the responsibilities of a follower. I believed in Him, admired Him, and even spoke His name—yet I struggled with fully surrendering my life to Him.

While I carried the label of “Christian,” my everyday choices, my speech, and my character behind closed doors told a different story. People look at the outside, but God looks at the heart, and my heart was far away from Him.

I was active in church life: attending regularly, serving, joining small groups, and investing in marriage retreats. Through the world’s eyes I looked like a disciple, but deep down I knew I wasn’t. But I didn’t quite fit with the world anymore either. Jesus had set me apart from it.

Yet Jesus never called people to be admirers in the crowd. He called them to follow after Him—to deny themselves, take up the cross they’ve been avoiding, and follow Him.

It is only by the grace of God that I can confidently say I am no longer a fan, but an unashamed follower of Christ. In March of 2023, I dropped my nets, just like Peter, to follow Him. The responsibilities that I once viewed as burdens, I now see as an abundant life. The character that was questionable behind closed doors now carries a holy conviction.

So, I challenge you to ask yourself this:

If someone found out you follow Jesus, would it surprise them—or make perfect sense? Would they say, “Wow, that’s surprising!” or “Oh, that makes sense?”

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Would you describe your relationship with Jesus as more of a fan or a follower right now? Why?
  • Is there an area of your life where you’ve been resisting surrender to God?
  • What does “taking up your cross” look like for you in this season?
  • Do your daily choices and private life reflect your faith publicly?
  • What is one step you can take today to follow Jesus more intentionally?
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The Blood-Bought Glow Up

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Ephesians 2:13 — But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.

It started with a question: “What has God done for you?”

Charity Gayle and others were sitting in a loose circle at a songwriting retreat. Around the room you could see faces of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds all carrying their own story to tell.

One by one, they began to share what God had done for them.

A man talked about who he was before grace found him—how far he ran from God for years. A woman followed, sharing her past regrets and breakthroughs. Then another shared. And another.

And without anyone planning it, a pattern began to form.

Every story started in the same place: far from God.

And every story ended the same way: Jesus met them there and gave them new life.

Lost, then found.

Charity sat still, listening, feeling something stir. She thought about the songs she used to sing in church as a child. You can almost hear it—threads of Amazing Grace weaving through the air, carrying the steady truth of Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.

It was the reality that people who were once distant didn’t stay that way. They were brought near by the blood of Christ.

That moment would become the heartbeat behind her song, “Thank You Jesus for the Blood.”

But the story didn’t stay in that room.

Because it’s your story too. And mine.

Maybe yours doesn’t feel dramatic. Maybe it’s simple or you grew up in church or it’s hard to put into words. But it still holds the same miracle—a before and after and a life that didn’t stay the same.

And somewhere, someone is sitting across from you, needing to hear it. You’re living proof that Jesus is alive and that His blood was enough. There’s power in your testimony.

And I hope you will tell it too.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

Your Story:
When you think about your own life, where do you see the “far” and “brought near” moments in your story?

Recognizing Grace:
Is there a part of your past you’ve minimized or overlooked that actually shows God’s grace at work?

Sharing Your Testimony:
Who in your life might need to hear what God has done for you—and what’s holding you back from sharing it?

Personal Connection to the Gospel:
Does your relationship with Jesus feel personal right now, or more distant? What would it look like to lean back into that closeness?

Gratitude and Worship:
How can you intentionally thank Jesus today for bringing you near—through your words, actions, or time with Him?

 

 

L Y R I C S

I was a wretch, I remember who I was
I was lost, I was blind, I was running out of time
Sin separated, the breach was far too wide
But from the far side of the chasmYou held me in Your sight

So You made a way, across the great divide
Left behind, Heaven’s throne, to build it here inside
And there at the cross You paid the debt I owe
Broke my chains, freed my soul, for the first time I had hope

Thank You Jesus, for the blood applied
Thank You Jesus, it has washed me white
Thank You Jesus, You have saved my life
Brought me from the darkness into glorious light

You took my place, laid inside my tomb of sin
You were buried for three days but then You walked right out again
And now death has no sting and life has no end
For I have been transformed by the blood of the Lamb

Thank You Jesus, for the blood applied (thank You, Jesus)
Thank You Jesus, it has washed me white
Thank You Jesus, You have saved my life
Brought me from the darkness into glorious light

There is nothing stronger
Than the wonder working power of the blood, the blood
That calls us sons and daughters
We are ransomed by our Father through the blood, the blood
There is nothing stronger
Oh, the wonder working power of the blood, the blood (it calls us)
That calls us sons and daughters
We are ransomed by our Father through the blood, the blood

Thank You Jesus, for the blood applied
Thank You Jesus, it has washed me white
Thank You Jesus, You have saved my life
Brought me from the darkness into glorious light

Glory to His name
Glory to His name
There to my heart was the blood applied
Glory to His name

Songwriters: Bryan McCleery / Charity Gayle / David Gentiles / Ryan Kennedy / Steven Musso
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The Giver is Better than the Gift

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Proverbs 2:3-4 — Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.

Have you ever felt like your life looked perfect on the outside, but your heart was still…off? That was me not long ago, stepping into a season I thought I’d prayed into for years.

I was starting a new job, new serve opportunities at church, and new activities with the kids. Life felt full—beautifully full. I thought, I’m finally getting what I asked God for. A season of harvested blessings… So why does my heart feel empty?

Somewhere between the excitement and the schedule, I noticed a quiet shift inside me. I loved what God had given me, but I was less eager for God Himself.

What once felt like intimate friendship now felt mechanical because the gifts had started getting in front of the Giver.

On the inside, I knew this was a problem. So, one afternoon, I closed the door, sat down, and asked the only question I could think of: “God, what do You want me to know?”

And in that stillness, I felt the tug in my heart to search for Him with the same intensity I would search for hidden treasure—asking, listening, and leaning in for insight.

Following that, I opened a devotional book. As I began reading, it said,

“I want you to know that the way you love Me moves My heart. You are My delight.”

I was in awe. Every word landed like a gentle hand on my shoulder. The condemnation I’d braced for never came. Instead, mercy wrapped around me. Moments before, I had felt distant and small—but God revealed Himself as the one who comforts, not condemns.

Seasons of drift can happen to all of us. Life can look so blessed on the outside and feel thin on the inside. But God is always closer than we realize, waiting for the moment we turn toward Him.

If that’s you, there’s no need to brace yourself. Just seek God, look for insight like it’s silver, and ask Him what He wants you to know.

Then pay attention.

Because He really is kinder—and nearer—than you know.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Have you ever experienced a season where life felt full on the outside but empty on the inside? What do you think was missing?
  • In what ways might you be enjoying God’s blessings more than pursuing God Himself right now?
  • When was the last time you intentionally paused and asked God, “What do You want me to know?” What might it look like to make that a regular practice?
  • Proverbs says to seek wisdom like hidden treasure—what would it look like for you to pursue God with that level of intention this week?
  • Is there an area in your life where you’ve felt distant from God? How does this devotional reshape the way you think He responds when you turn back toward Him?
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Closer to God, Closer Together

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Psalm 105:4 — Search for the LORD and for His strength; continually seek Him.

I remember when my husband and I first started dating. I put in so much effort getting to know him. There never seemed to be enough hours in the day to spend together. I looked forward to his presence with full-on giddy anticipation—and somehow, that feeling never wore off while we were dating.

Fast forward nearly fourteen years.

I love him more now than I did back then, but if I’m honest, there are weeks when our marriage gets neglected. Not intentionally. Life just gets loud and demanding. I want to show up better, but I’ve learned something the hard way: wanting a strong marriage doesn’t create one. Investing in one does.

At a marriage retreat, a speaker really helped us. He illustrated a simple, yet, impactful visual on a white board. He drew a triangle where God was at the top, the husband on one corner, and the wife on the other. Then he drew arrows from the husband to God and from the wife to God.

His point was clear: as each person grows closer to God, they naturally grow closer to each other.

It made sense. If I wasn’t consistently spending time with God, looking for His strength instead of my own and turning my heart toward Him again and again, why would I expect to have the desire or discipline to prioritize my marriage? And I think that’s true for any kind of relationship.

Turns out, “marriage takes work” isn’t just a saying—it’s a lifestyle. For us, that work looked like intentional date nights, reading devotionals together, joining a marriage group, and serving alongside one another.

Any loving relationship—friendship, parenting, marriage—requires time, effort, and intentionality. Following Christ is no different. No relationship deepens accidentally. Closeness follows pursuit.

If you are wondering where your priorities lie, then I encourage you to ask yourself “What do I value?” and “What am I actually giving my time to?” Because time tells the truth.

And sometimes, the most loving thing we can do is realigning our priorities— by returning to the top of the triangle. One intentional step up at a time.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Where in your life have you been wanting growth without actively investing in it?
  • What does it look like for you to continually seek God in this season—not just occasionally, but consistently?
  • Is there a relationship (with God or others) that needs intentional time and attention right now?
  • What is one practical step you can take this week to realign your priorities toward God?
  • If “time tells the truth,” what does your current schedule say about what you value most?
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Remember Before You Rush

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Psalm 103:2 — Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.

Have you ever wanted the benefits of being in God’s presence… but didn’t actually carve out time to be with Him? I know I’m guilty.

Lots of days go like this. It’s mid-morning, and I’m already behind—getting myself and the girls ready for school, the laundry buzzer going off, and my phone lighting up with reminders I forgot about.

I exhale, “I’ll pray in the car.”

I don’t.

See, it’s easy to prioritize what I can see over what I can’t. Schedules, notifications, and to-do lists that multiply overnight. Meanwhile, the presence of God waits patiently. I keep making this trade—presence for productivity. What’s eternal for what feels urgent.

The problem was never that God left. It was my attention.

So, I found myself wondering how many times the word “remember” shows up in Scripture (Clearly a Google-worthy question). The answer? 172 times. That stopped me. If God repeats something that often, you know it matters.

And here’s what I’ve learned: to reset my focus, I have to consciously remember all the ways He has cared for me so I never forget the good things He has done. I have to think on the ways He has rescued, restored, and redeemed. It fills my heart with wonder and turns to praise.

Not just in words—but in how I live, what I prioritize, and where I place my attention.

And that is how I put Him in His rightful place.

The next morning, the phone still lights up. The schedule still waits. But this time, I turn it face down. I give God the first unhurried minutes of my day.

Not because I have to. Because remembering Him first changes everything—my focus, my heart, and my day. And when we give Him first place, we discover our own hearts finally have room to breathe.

So today, don’t wait until the chaos dies down. Turn the phone down. Open the Word. Pause long enough to remember and let the presence of God shape the moments that follow. Watch how starting with Him first changes more than your morning—it changes your life.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What tends to take your attention first thing in the morning?
  • Where are you trading God’s presence for productivity right now?
  • What are a few specific ways God has been good to you recently?
  • How does remembering those things change your heart?
  • What would it look like to give God your first, not your leftover, time?
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