The Connection Corner

Packing Blessings Till They Overflow

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?

June 26, 2026/by Kirstie Ford

Mountain, Meet Your Maker

Brenda Price, Daily Devotional

Matthew 17:20 — He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

It’s easy to say you’ve got faith…until you face a mountain.

But we’ve got a bigger God. Can I get an amen?

I came across this devotional I want to share with you. It’s from In Touch Ministries, and it is so good. It says…

“Are you facing what seems like an insurmountable obstacle? It might be a problem too complex to solve, a task beyond your ability, a sin too tempting to overcome, or a situation over which you have no control.

Facing such things can make us feel weak, helpless and vulnerable, but always remember that we have an almighty God, and nothing is too difficult for Him.

There’s a story in the Bible, where a Jewish leader with 50,000 of his men returned to Jerusalem from being in captivity, and they were going to rebuild their temple. But the obstacles that they were facing were just too much, and Yet even with thousands of people, the obstacles seemed overwhelming.

Well, God gave His prophet Zechariah a vision so that he could go and encourage these men. The message that the Prophet gave was…”Remember, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord.

So, the same truth applies to you today. Maybe you’re staring at a mountain that feels impossible to move—a diagnosis, a broken relationship, a financial burden, or a struggle you’ve carried for years.

In your own strength, it may be too much. But Jesus never said mountains move because we are strong. He said they move because our faith is placed in a strong God.

Faith isn’t pretending the obstacle isn’t there. It’s choosing to trust God in the middle of it.

Sometimes God moves the mountain. Sometimes He leads you over it. Sometimes He walks with you through it.

But either way, you’re not facing it alone.

The same Spirit who empowered God’s people then is with you now, giving you strength, wisdom, peace, and courage for whatever stands in front of you today.

So don’t focus on the size of the mountain. Focus on the greatness of your God.

Even faith as small as a mustard seed becomes powerful when it’s placed in the hands of an almighty God.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

What mountain are you facing right now that feels bigger than your faith?
Where might God be inviting you to trust Him instead of relying on your own strength?
How does remembering God’s power change the way you view your current challenge?

June 25, 2026/by Brenda Price

Having Fun is Serious Business

Daily Devotional, Tammi Arender

Nehemiah 8:10 — Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!

I think we need to get serious about having fun.

Somewhere along the way, adulthood started to feel like a slow stacking of weight. Things like bills, responsibilities, taking care of the kids, then our parents, deadlines, and expectations pulling at us.

Before long, it’s like life has quietly taken the life right out of us. Not all at once. Just little by little, until laughter feels like something we used to do.

Think about it for a second. What did you love to do as a kid? The kind of things you wouldn’t suggest doing now because it feels… a little childlike.

Maybe it’s a waterpark. Go-karts. Putt-putt. What about riding a horse?

Here’s the thing. You still could do those things!

It’s kind of sad that we feel like we have to carve out time on our calendars just to have fun, but the truth is, we were designed to live lives full of joy. We were meant to live with a childlike sense of wonder and joy.

Researchers say laughing is like “jogging on the inside.” It’s cardio for your core.

Researchers say laughing is like “jogging on the inside.” It lowers stress, engages your body, and reminds you that joy isn’t frivolous—it’s restorative.

Because joy was never meant to be separate from a faith filled life. It was meant to sustain it.

The strength you need from God won’t always come from pushing harder. It often comes from receiving the joy He gives. I’m not talking about a shallow escape or avoiding responsibility, but I’m talking about a steady, rooted gladness that reminds you God is still good in the middle of real life.

Because the God who calls you to faithfulness also invites you to joy. So maybe this isn’t about adding something extra to your life. Maybe it’s about returning to something you were never meant to lose.

Take the trip to the waterpark. Play a round of putt-putt. Laugh until your stomach hurts. Not because you’re ignoring life’s responsibilities, but because you’re remembering that God is still good.

And when you do, you may discover something surprising: joy isn’t a distraction from the life God has given you. It’s one of the ways He gives you strength to keep living it.

The joy of the Lord really is your strength.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

What is something you loved doing as a child that brought you genuine joy?
Have responsibilities crowded out healthy joy in your life? What might God be inviting you to rediscover?
What is one simple, life-giving thing you can do this week to enjoy God’s goodness and be refreshed by His joy?

June 24, 2026/by Tammi Arender