Elevate Your Day with Andi and Brian Hale

Stepping Into The New

We all come to moments and seasons in our life where it’s time to start something new. Sometimes these seasons come by design and the choices we have made, other times they come because of circumstances outside our control. Whether it is starting a new walk of life in Christ, a new business or job role, marriage, or new school year, a season of new beginnings gives us the opportunity to take steps of faith and start fresh. 
Starting something new can be a difficult task especially if it is out of your comfort zone. Our faith can be tested in extreme highs and lows and learning how to walk out this new way of life can be met with adversity. There are questions that come to our minds in these seasons such as: How do I actually live a life centered on Jesus? How do I learn this new position? How do I have a healthy marriage? How can I lead my kids in this next school year? 
Amidst all the questions and uncertainties, the Apostle Paul and the Prophet Isaiah understood something about God when it comes to facing new seasons. They understood that God is a path-maker. We need Him to set the new direction.
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. ~ Isaiah 43:19
Isaiah told the people that God was doing something new in the land and that He was going to make a pathway through the wilderness and create rivers in dry places. Isaiah trusted that no matter what was happening in the world, God had a way of making a path for those who trust Him. 
It can feel as though we are in new territory and a new way of doing life however, if we put our trust in God, He will make a path for us. The Apostle Paul understood that when we trust in Jesus Christ, the old life passes away and we walk into newness. In other words, God’s got this! 
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17
Step into this new season fully trusting and believing that God will make a pathway and order our steps according to His purposes.
Reflection Question:
What is new in my life that I can trust God with?

As My Soul Thirsts

There are many seasons in our life where we can become tired, wearied, and in need of renewal. We need a strong Reboot in our life in order to keep going. Stress at work, in family, and unexpected circumstances can cause us to feel empty.  
We often attempt to find fulfillment in sources that do not satisfy our spirit. We begin to stress eat or drink, we workout harder thinking it will satisfy our body, we buy more stuff thinking it will fulfill the emptiness inside. These things are not necessarily bad, but they do not truly satisfy. Instead of rebooting ourselves with God’s Word, prayer, and rest, we tend to fill ourselves up with things that won’t really satisfy us. Being emotionally drained, tired, and stressed often comes from our spirits being neglected and ignored. 
Think about how vehicles work. A car needs gas to go. If you neglect to put gas in your car, then the car will not be able to take you anywhere. If you have ever experienced a moment running out of gas only to find yourself stranded on the side of the road waiting for someone to come to your aid, you know that that is a difficult and frustrating experience. The only thing that will make your car run again is gas. Anything else is useless.
On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”  By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. ~ John 7:37-39
Jesus knew what we really needed. He understood that our spirits needed to be refreshed and rebooted with something more powerful, something lasting, something eternal. Jesus knew that we needed the Holy Spirit to fill us up and empower us to move forward. 
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? ~ Psalm 42:1-2
If you are running on empty, tired, weary, or longing for something to satisfy your heart, then look no farther than the Spirit that Jesus offers us. It is His Spirit that will strengthen and empower us to move forward. The offer Jesus gave over 2000 years ago still stands today. Rivers of living water are still flowing through His Spirit. All we have to do is believe and receive. Over the next few days we will journey together to find His rest and find satisfaction that only He can offer. 
Reflection Question:
What have I been turning toward to satisfy my soul?
Prayer:
Lord, I feel empty, weak, and tired. Help me say no to things that will not satisfy. I need what only you can give. Let your Spirit wash over me like streams of water. I’m setting you in your place of first priority. ~ Amen

Joy of Obeying

From The Joy of Belonging by Angie Moses
Bible References: Genesis 6:9-22
Key Verse: “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching…” (John 14:23)
Obeying God isn’t always easy. Take Noah: God told him to build a giant boat when rain wasn’t even a thing yet. People mocked him, thought he was nuts. But Noah trusted God, followed the plan, and built the ark. Good thing, too—because that obedience saved his family and fulfilled God’s purpose.
God’s commands—like loving your neighbor, forgiving the unforgivable, or stepping out in faith—can feel tough. They might not make sense right away or win you popularity points. But obedience isn’t about comfort; it’s about trust. When we obey, we’re saying, “God, I believe You know best.” And that trust brings a deep joy—knowing we’re in step with the One who loves us most.
Let’s Pray:
“Father, give me a heart that hears and obeys You. I want the joy of living Your way. Amen.”
Questions to Reflect On:
What’s one thing God asks of you that feels hard—like forgiving or giving up a habit?
Why do you think it’s tough to obey there?
What matters more: pleasing people or pleasing God? Why?
Take Action:
Ask three friends or family what they’ve enjoyed most about their week—listen and share a bit of your own joy.

Joy of Knowing God

You get to know someone by hanging out with them—sharing meals, swapping stories, just being together. The same goes for God. David, the guy who wrote the Psalms, didn’t just know facts about God; he knew God personally. How? He spent time with Him—praying, worshiping, reading God’s Word. Through that, David learned God’s heart: His love, His power, His care.
We’ve got the same chance today. The Bible shows us who God is—His kindness, His justice, His plans for us. Prayer lets us talk to Him. Worship draws us close. The more we do this, the more we know Him—not just as a distant God, but as our Shepherd, our Friend. And that knowing? It fills us with joy.
Let’s Pray:
“Father, help me carve out time for You. I want the joy of knowing You more. Amen.”
Questions to Reflect On:
How many Bible verses do you know by heart? (No pressure—just curious!)
When could you fit in some God-time—morning coffee, lunch break, before bed?
What’s one small change to make that happen?
Take Action:
Switch up your routine—sit with someone new at church, lunch, or a group. Share a little about your day and listen to theirs.

Joy of Hearing God

Life’s noisy, isn’t it? Work, family, news, social media—all shouting for your attention. But God’s voice? It’s often quieter than the chaos. Take Elijah’s story: he was running for his life, hiding in a cave, desperate for God to speak. A wild wind tore through, then an earthquake, then a fire—but God wasn’t in any of that. Instead, He spoke in a gentle whisper, reminding Elijah he wasn’t alone.
God still speaks today, but we’ve got to slow down to hear Him. It might not be in the big moments—winning the lottery or a loud sermon (though He can use those!). More often, it’s in the quiet—when you’re praying, reading His Word, or just sitting still. That whisper says, “I’m here. I love you. I’ve got you.”
Let’s Pray:
“Jesus, quiet my heart so I can hear Your whisper. I want the joy of knowing You’re speaking to me. Amen.”