The Connection Corner

Hand Picked by God

John 15:16 — You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

A few years ago, Bri and I went Christmas shopping for the radio station. We started the morning with coffee in hand and a mission in mind. We were going to make a lot of kids’ Christmas mornings brighter.

We both knew it would take hours, and we were ready for it. We mapped out our route, and started a friendly competition: who could spot the best toys at the best prices first?

We moved down the aisles like treasure hunters, testing buttons, reading labels, and shaking boxes just to see if a toy might survive rough little hands. I held up a puzzle and said, “This could be good, but will they like it?”

Bri held up a stuffed animal and declared, “Maybe, but how about this instead?”

By the third store, our carts were overflowing, energies were draining, and our imaginations were fading. We were working hard just to stay intentional for each kid because, still, we wanted to make each child’s Christmas Wish possible.

We pictured kids opening these gifts, surprised and squealing. We remembered the generosity of each and every listener of 88.7 The Cross whose generosity made this possible. It mattered deeply, so we pressed on.

When we came to the end of our day’s labor of love, I stood there in the self-checkout line and a thought struck me. It was something like this.

We were being intentional on behalf of strangers and thinking through each choice with care. If we could do that for people we would never meet, how considerate must God be in choosing us?

John 15:16 came to mind: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give you.”

God does not pick us at random. He chooses with purpose. He knows us completely and loves us. And just like Jesus says in John 15, He chooses us so that our lives would bear fruit — the kind that lasts.

By the time the final bags were loaded into the car, my feet were sore but my heart felt so full because I hadn’t thought of it quite like that before.

I am Hand-picked. And so are you. I hope you will remember that today.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

When was the last time you felt truly chosen or seen? How did that change the way you showed up?
John 15:16 says God chose you with purpose. Where might He be inviting you to bear fruit right now — in your family, workplace, or community?
How does remembering that you are “hand-picked” challenge the doubts or insecurities you carry?
What gifts or callings has God placed in your life that are meant to last beyond this season?
How might believing you are chosen affect the way you treat others today?

December 15, 2025/by Sarah Hall

Finding Jesus on the Long Road

Daily Devotional, David Hall

Psalm 16:11 — You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

The star hovered above the horizon calling them forward like a song. The Magi trudged onward, carrying treasures, hope, and exhaustion. Each step felt heavier than the last, yet the drumbeat of hope continued.

The villages they passed offered little—some bread as well as suspicion. Still the star hung unwavering above them as if to say, “Joy to the world! The Lord is come!”

The desert wind cut across their faces as they paused to rest. But the melody continued in their bones: “Let earth receive her King; let every heart prepare Him room.”

They pressed on. They had studied the stars for decades, and they knew the signs. The long-awaited Savior had come. He was deserving of their gifts of praise and so much more.

When the star finally rested above a small house, they approached slowly, holding their breath, hearts pounding.

Inside, a child lay in wide-eyed wonder. The Magi laid down their gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Kneeling, they felt layers of joy rise—relief, awe, and nearly weightless gladness.

Here He was, the promised Messiah. He comes to make His blessings flow. He, alone, rules the world with truth and grace.

A dream warned them not to return the way they had come, and they obeyed. Everything—the star, the dream, the child waiting—reminded the Magi why they had kept walking. Every sleepless night, every risk, every mile in the dust had led them to this.

And the joy they felt was worth it all because the song in their hearts came from Him.

As they knelt, the Wise Men finally understood the truth Scripture had been pointing to all along: “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11)

And now, kneeling before the child, he felt joy like never before that comes from finally arriving where you were meant to be, from standing before the One who makes every sacrifice matter.

Today, no matter what journey you are on, keep moving toward Him because…oh, the wonders of His love. Bring your gifts, bring your heart, and follow the signs.

And when you find Him, the joy waiting for you will rise like a song—let heaven and nature sing, because He is always worth the journey.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

What journey are you currently on that feels long, uncertain, or exhausting? How might God be using it to draw you closer to Him?
The Magi kept moving even when the road was hard. What helps you continue seeking Jesus when joy feels distant?
Psalm 16:11 says joy is found in God’s presence. Where do you usually look for joy first — and how might that need to shift this season?
When have you experienced joy not because circumstances were easy, but because you sensed God was near?
What gift — time, attention, trust, worship — might God be inviting you to lay at His feet this Christmas?

L Y R I C S

Joy to the world the Lord is come
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven and Heaven and nature sing

We will sing sing sing
Joy to the world
We will sing sing sing

Joy to the world the Savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods rocks hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat repeat the sounding joy

We will sing sing sing
Joy to the world
We will sing sing sing

He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders wonders of His love

(We will sing sing sing)
We’re singing we’re singing
Joy to the world
We will sing sing sing

Joyful joyful we adore Thee
God of glory Lord of love
Oh Lord of love
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee
Opening to the sun above

Joy to the world
(Joyful joyful we adore Thee)
We adore You God
(God of glory Lord of love)
There’s no one like You
No one like You God
(Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee)
Opening to the sun above

December 14, 2025/by David Hall

A Hug That Calmed The Storm

Brenda Price, Daily Devotional

Galatians 5:14 — For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.

In a department store crowded with shoppers and twinkling lights, a little girl’s cry pierced the air. She was sitting in a shopping cart, face red, blotchy. Her tiny fists were curled tight.

Her mother crouched beside her, whispering reassuring words but nothing seemed to comfort her. The woman’s shoulders were braced because she knew she was carrying not just her child, but the judgmental glances of everyone around her.

Shoppers sidestepped them and hurried past.

Then a boy, no older than four-years-old appeared from the next aisle over. He ran toward the crying girl he had never met and wrapped her in a hug. There was absolutely no hesitation in this.

Then the crying stopped. Within seconds the toddler was giggling again.

The mother covered her mouth, and that is when she began to cry. It was just a hug, but it calmed the storm going on inside that anxious mother’s heart.

I have told this story to friends before, and every time, I catch myself imagining the love it takes to step toward someone else’s chaos. The boy did not lecture, he did not calculate, he simply noticed and acted.

That is exactly what Scripture calls us to do: “For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Galatians 5:14).

It struck me that small gestures carry immense weight. Peace does not always arrive with grand plans or elaborate words. Sometimes, it comes in the form of a hug from a stranger, a kind word, or a hand offered when someone is struggling.

As I reflect on it now, I realize how often I hesitate. How many moments pass me by because I am afraid to step in? And yet, if one four-year-old can quiet a storm, what might we accomplish if we simply move toward each other instead of away?

The next time someone near you is struggling, consider this: a small act of care, offered without expectation, can make a world of a difference in their life. More than you’ll ever know.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

When you notice someone else’s struggle, do you tend to step closer or quietly move on? What usually holds you back?
Think of a time when a small act of kindness changed your day. How did it affect you emotionally or spiritually?
Who might be feeling overwhelmed, judged, or unseen around you right now — at home, work, or even while running errands?
What simple act of love could you offer today without overthinking it — a word, a gesture, or your presence?
How might loving your neighbor “as yourself” look different this season if you responded with compassion before calculation?

December 13, 2025/by Brenda Price