The Connection Corner

Find Your Freedom in Christ

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.”

Isaiah 61:1

Over Christmas, Sarah and I bought Reese a play yard—what we jokingly call “baby jail.” It has been a lifesaver, giving us a safe place to keep her while we do the everyday things parents need to do. Reese, however, sees it very differently.

One day, I placed her inside to play while I cleaned up. She immediately began crying and looking up at me with desperate eyes. She thought she was trapped.

But what she did not know was that the door was unzipped and wide open—right beneath the bars she clung to so tightly. The way out had been there all along.

I pointed to the open door, trying to help her see it, but she did not understand. She felt stuck, but the truth was, she was free to leave anytime. It took a while, but eventually, she noticed the opening and crawled through.

In that moment, I saw a glimpse of myself. For so long, I felt locked in the cage of my sin, weighed down by guilt and shame. I thought those things defined me. But over time, I learned the truth.

For me, walking through that open door meant trusting God’s promises, seeking mentors, and learning to embrace His forgiveness. It changed everything.

I want to encourage you—you can find freedom, too. What is holding you back? The door is open. Will you step through it?

January 24, 2025/by David Hall

Let God Speak to You

Andy Youso, Daily Devotional

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Colossians 3:16

The satisfying pop of a Coke Zero can opening echoed through the room as I sank into my favorite chair, Bible in hand. I had promised myself to finish the entire Bible in 90 days, and the clock was ticking.

The first week, I felt unstoppable. My pen flew across the pages of my journal, marking progress like a marathon runner tracking miles. But by week three, it started to feel like a chore. I was checking off chapters, but nothing was sinking in.

One morning, I hit a wall. I had barely started when a single verse stopped me in my tracks. It was as if the words were waiting for me, insisting I pause. So, I did. I set the plan aside and let myself dwell on that verse.

That was the day everything changed. Now, I read differently. Each morning, I let the words come to life. I write down what stands out, no matter how small. Some days, I read chapters; others, just a line. It is not about finishing anymore—it is about hearing Him.

Friend, if you have ever felt unworthy because you cannot keep up with a plan, take heart. It is not a race. God is not asking you to read faster or do more. He is simply asking you to show up and be present with Him.

What step could you take today to meet with God in His Word, one day at a time?

January 23, 2025/by Andy Youso

A Year of Kindness

Daily Devotional, Lisa Williams

“But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?”

1 John 3:17

Life can throw some hard punches, can’t it? A friend of 88.7 The Cross shared this story about the year her family’s world turned upside down.

You see, her mom was diagnosed with ALS. It was devastating, but even in the chaos, she had one simple request: she asked her husband to take time off work to care for her. He said yes without flinching.

He did not hesitate. He just did it.

But let’s talk about what that “yes” really means. No job means no paycheck—unless you have a boss like his. His employer, a faith-filled family business owner, decided to keep paying his full salary for a year. Let me say that again: a year.

That kind of generosity feels rare these days. It leaves you humbled and hopeful all at the same time.

So here is the question I keep coming back to: where can you step in and show that kind of kindness for someone else? You might not think you can do much, but trust me—whatever you do, it matters.

January 22, 2025/by Lisa Williams