Elevate Your Day with Andi and Brian Hale

Good Intentions

GOOD INTENTIONS
From Lead Me by Matt Hammitt
What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? – James 2:14-16 NLT
Years ago, I bought this small, octagon-shaped ball I saw at the store. It was black with yellow lettering on each of its flat surfaces. 20 pushups, 30 sit ups, 15 burpees, water break, etc. You know, toss it on the ground and do whatever exercise it tells you to do.
On the way home, it rolled out of a grocery bag and into the back seat of my car.
Two months later, it was still there. Every time I looked at it, I saw 20 pushups. I never dropped to the floor, but I did those pushups in my mind, every day. I was doing great.
The workout ball made its way from the car and into my house. There it was, speaking to me, 30 sit ups. I never dropped to the floor, but I did those sit ups in my mind, every day. I was feeling good about myself.
Ok, let’s get real. Buying that ball didn’t make me stronger or more in shape, though it could’ve if I had used it for its intended purpose. Owning it made me feel better about myself just for keeping it around. I was getting ripped on good intentions, but no one around me could see the difference.
So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. – James 2:17-19 NLT
Maybe you see your Bible sitting there, and you imagine yourself opening it more. Maybe you think about how you’re going to spend more time investing in your family, or others. Envisioning a more spiritually disciplined version of yourself makes you feel good.
Have you allowed your good intentions, imaginations and inner dialogue to define who you believe you are? Unfortunately, the people you’re called to lead can’t read your mind, desires or intentions. The only thing that speaks love to them is real action and real change.
Good intentions are worthless until they become actions.
Consider:
Identify some good intentions in yourself that you’ve been treating like realities.
What excuses are keeping your intentions from becoming reality?

Who You're Called To Be

WHO YOU’RE CALLED TO BE
From Lead Me by Matt Hammitt
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. – James 1:22-25 NLT
I’ll never forget the weight behind my wife’s words leading up to one of the most important conversations of my life. “We need to talk.” No one ever wants to hear those words, myself included. They can lead to hard conversations. Hard, yet necessary.
Sarah expressed her desire for me to be more present, more understanding, more in touch with my own fragile heart and emotions. Ultimately, she needed me to find the strength and confidence to lead her and our family well. I knew in that moment that I couldn’t do it unless God was leading me each step of the way.
I had been that double-minded man that James wrote about, swayed back and forth by the waves of the sea, allowing myself to be led by the wrong voices and influenced by my own shifting emotions. There was a clear way forward, but first, I had to accept my need for change.
It goes without saying that our marriage didn’t change overnight. But one small step at a time, with God’s leading hand, Sarah and I have made incredible strides. You can too. Moving forward requires a hard look at yourself in the mirror. If you’re willing to see yourself clearly, you’ll see some things that need to change. Only then can you move forward toward becoming who God has called you to be.
Over the course of the next five days, I’ll share some simple biblical and practical lessons that are helping me along the way. If you’re willing to look inward, then together, with God’s help, we can take some important steps toward healthier relationships.
Consider:
No human is perfect. Name one of your imperfections that negatively impacts your marriage and family. Name two or three, if you dare.
Have you had one of those “we need to talk” conversations? What did you hear? What did you say? Did it result in any change?

Living Out Love in Everyday Life

Living Out Love in Everyday Life
From Love Like Jesus on YouVersion
Colossians 3:14, “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
Colossians 3:14 calls us to prioritize love as the foremost virtue in our lives, which holds all other virtues together. On this final day of our devotional, let’s contemplate how to actively live out this call to love in our everyday lives.
Putting on love, as described in Colossians, means making love a daily choice, a conscious decision we make in every interaction and situation. It’s about letting love guide our thoughts, words, and actions. This kind of love is not just an emotion; it is an action, and a way of being that reflects the heart of God.
Living out love means seeing each day as an opportunity to express God’s love to those around us. It could be through small acts of kindness, encouragement, or simply being present for someone in need. It’s about making the most of every chance to show compassion, patience, and understanding.
This everyday love is also about forgiveness and grace. It involves letting go of grudges, offering forgiveness to those who have wronged us, and seeking reconciliation. By doing so, we free others and ourselves from the burden of bitterness and resentment.
As people of faith, embodying this love is a powerful witness to our belief in Christ. It’s a way of showing the world what Christianity is truly about – not just a set of doctrines but a living, breathing example of God’s love.
Moreover, living out love in everyday life requires intentionality and discipline. It means setting aside our natural tendencies towards self-centeredness and putting others first. It’s a commitment to being mindful of how our actions and words affect those around us and striving to be a source of positivity and light.
This kind of love also has a unifying effect. As Colossians 3:14 suggests, love binds everything together in perfect harmony. Our love can force unity and peace in an often divided and contentious world. It can bridge gaps, heal wounds, and create community and belonging.
However, consistently living out this love has its challenges. It requires perseverance, especially when our efforts seem unnoticed or unappreciated. It calls for us to be steadfast in our commitment to love, even when difficult.
In embracing this call to love, we also draw closer to God. We become more attuned to His voice and His leadership in our lives. Our acts of love become worship, aligning our hearts with His and allowing His love to flow through us.
As we conclude this devotional series, let’s commit to putting on love every day. Let it be the garment we wear, the lens through which we view the world, and the guiding principle in all we do.
Reflective Questions:
What are some practical ways you can ‘put on love’ in your daily interactions?
How can living out love daily strengthen your relationship with God and others?
Challenge:
Set a goal to perform at least one deliberate act of love each day for the next week. Journal these acts and reflect on how they impacted you and the recipients.

The Joy of Loving Others

The Joy of Loving Others
From Love Like Jesus on YouVersion
Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Philippians 2:3-4 calls us to a higher standard of love – one that values others above ourselves and seeks their well-being over our own. Let’s delve into the joy and fulfillment of loving others in this selfless, Christ-like manner.
This scripture challenges us to adopt a different perspective in a world often driven by self-interest and personal gain. It invites us to experience the profound joy of putting others first. This kind of love is not about diminishing our value but about recognizing the value in everyone and treating them accordingly.
Loving others in this way involves a shift in our mindset. It requires us to look beyond our desires and to see the needs and hopes of those around us. It’s about celebrating others’ successes as if they were our own, bearing their burdens like ours, and offering encouragement and support without seeking anything in return.
This selfless love also fosters deeper connections and relationships. When we genuinely value others and their interests, we build trust and create an environment of mutual respect and understanding. True community and fellowship are formed in this space of selfless love.
Practicing this love reflects our relationship with Christ as men and women of faith. Jesus Himself set the ultimate example of selfless love – teaching it and living it out in every interaction. By following His example, we not only honor Him but also bring His love to life in our own lives and the lives of those around us.
Selflessly loving others brings us closer to understanding God’s heart. It helps us to see people as He sees them: precious and worthy of love. This perspective shift can be transformational, not just for those we love but for us as well. It can lead to a more fulfilling, joy-filled life that mirrors the kingdom values Jesus taught.
However, embracing this kind of love can be challenging. It can mean setting aside our ego, preceding recognition, and sometimes putting our needs on hold. It might require patience, especially when our efforts seem unnoticed or unappreciated. But in these moments, our love becomes more like Christ’s – unconditional and boundless.
In practicing selfless love, we also discover a paradoxical truth: in giving, we receive. The joy and satisfaction that come from loving others are rewards in themselves. They enrich our lives, bringing a sense of purpose and fulfillment that is hard to find elsewhere.
As we reflect on Philippians 2:3-4, let’s embrace the call to love others selflessly. Let this love be a source of joy in our lives, a testament to the transformative power of Christ’s love in us.
Reflective Questions:
How can you practice putting others’ interests above your daily?
What personal changes might you need to make to love others more selflessly?
Challenge:
This week, choose to perform an act of kindness where you expect nothing in return. Focus on how this act makes you feel and reflect on its impact on you and the recipient.

Love as a Reflection of Faith

Love as a Reflection of Faith
From Love Like Jesus on YouVersion
James 2:17, “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
James 2:17 offers a powerful reminder that our faith manifests through our actions. In this context, love is not just a feeling or an idea but an active expression of our faith. Let’s explore how our love for others can testify to our faith in Christ.
True Christian love is active and engaging. It is not content with mere words or passive sentiments. Just as faith without works is dead, love without action is empty. We are to express our faith through our love for others, demonstrating the reality of our belief in tangible ways.
In everyday life, our love should go beyond comfort and convenience. It calls for us to be present and active in the lives of those around us. It’s showing up for a friend in need, lending a helping hand to a neighbor, or simply offering a listening ear to someone struggling. These acts of love are practical demonstrations of our faith, showing the world what we believe by how we live.
This active love also means seeking justice and showing mercy. It involves standing up for the oppressed, caring for the poor, and being agents of reconciliation in a divided world. By doing so, we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, who preached about love and justice and lived it out among the people He served.
As men of faith, this call to action challenges us to examine how our daily lives reflect our belief in Christ. It encourages us to ask ourselves if our love is active or confined to words and good intentions. Are we living out the love of Christ in a way that impacts others and glorifies God?
Moreover, this active love is a journey of growth and learning. It’s recognizing that we are not perfect but are constantly shaped and molded by God. Each act of love, each step of faith, brings us closer to the person God intends us to be. It’s a process of becoming more like Christ, the ultimate example of love and faith in action.
However, practicing this kind of love can be challenging. It often requires us to step out of our comfort zones to give more of ourselves than we think we can. It could mean forgiving someone who has hurt us deeply or showing kindness to someone who doesn’t deserve it. But in these moments of challenge, our faith is stretched and strengthened.
As we reflect on James 2:17, let us embrace this call to active love. Let our faith be alive and vibrant, demonstrated through our love for others. Let us be men who believe in the power of love and actively live it out in our daily interactions.
Reflective Questions:
What practical ways can you demonstrate your faith through acts of love in your community?
How can your actions of love testify to your faith to those around you?
Challenge:
Identify a specific need in your community or within your circle of influence. Commit to addressing that need this week through a practical act of love to demonstrate your faith.