Elevate Your Day with Andi and Brian Hale

God Choosing The Unlikely

God Choosing the Unlikely
From Rehab, How God Uses the Unlikely on YouVersion
Then Joshua secretly sent out two spies from the Israelite camp at Acacia Grove. He instructed them, “Scout out the land on the other side of the Jordan River, especially around Jericho.” So the two men set out and came to the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there that night. But someone told the king of Jericho, “Some Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.” So the king of Jericho sent orders to Rahab: “Bring out the men who have come into your house, for they have come here to spy out the whole land.” Rahab had hidden the two men, but she replied, “Yes, the men were here earlier, but I didn’t know where they were from. They left the town at dusk, as the gates were about to close. I don’t know where they went. If you hurry, you can probably catch up with them.” (Actually, she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them beneath bundles of flax she had laid out.) So the king’s men went looking for the spies along the road leading to the shallow crossings of the Jordan River. And as soon as the king’s men had left, the gate of Jericho was shut. – Joshua 2:1-7 NLT
I often wondered if God could ever use someone like me. My past felt like a heavy chain, a constant reminder of my failures. Shame and regret weighed me down, and every mistake seemed to echo the same lie:
You’re unworthy.
You’re disqualified.
You’re beyond redemption.
I couldn’t imagine how a life like mine could ever have a place in God’s plan. Then one day, I came across the story of Rahab in Scripture. Her life may have been different from mine, but her story showed me a truth I desperately needed to hear: God’s grace is not limited by our past. Through Rahab, I began to understand that God doesn’t call the qualified. He redeems and uses those who are willing to trust Him.
Rahab lived in the city of Jericho, a place marked for destruction. She was known as a harlot, someone society would have considered unworthy and disposable. By every worldly measure, Rahab was the last person anyone would expect God to use. Yet, God’s plan for her life far exceeded her reputation or her past.
When the Israelite spies entered Jericho, Rahab made a choice that altered her destiny. She hid the spies and protected them from the king’s men, risking her life to do so. Why would she take such a bold risk? Rahab had heard the stories of the God of Israel: His power, His miracles, and His victories. These accounts stirred something in her heart, awakening a faith in the one true God she had never known.
When the moment came, Rahab made a life-changing decision: she chose to align herself with the God of Israel and His people rather than the gods of her city. In doing so, she demonstrated a faith that went beyond words and into action. This faith not only set her apart but also positioned her for God to work through her in a remarkable way.
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. – Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT
Rahab’s story reminds us of a profound truth: God doesn’t see us the way the world does. He doesn’t define us by our mistakes or label us by our failures. Instead, He looks at us through the lens of His grace, seeing our potential and calling us into His purpose.
Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. – 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 NLT
Rahab’s life is proof that God delights in using the unlikely to accomplish His plans. He didn’t choose Rahab because she was perfect. He chose her because she was willing. Her faith marked the beginning of her transformation, not just in her own life but in her role in God’s greater story. Through her faith and obedience, Rahab became part of the lineage of Jesus Christ, a testament to the redemptive power of God’s grace.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. – Psalms 34:18 NLT
No matter what labels you carry, no matter how heavy your baggage feels, Rahab’s story offers hope. God’s grace is bigger than your past, and His purpose is greater than your failures. Like Rahab, your faith can mark the beginning of a new chapter. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about trusting the God who takes broken lives and turns them into something beautiful for His glory.

Growing A Legacy

GROWING A LEGACY
From Lead Me by Matt Hammitt
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. – Galatians 6:9 NLT
Few things bring me more joy in life than when my marriage and family are healthy and thriving. Conversely, few things have brought me more pain than when my marriage and family have felt broken.
Meeting the needs of the ones you care for isn’t a one and done deal. You have to tend to their needs daily, with persistence, love, and devotion. When needs and feelings aren’t properly addressed, and therefore go unmet, it’s fertile ground for resentment, contempt, and bitterness. That ugly mess of relational weeds can choke out the beauty in your garden of love.
Have you ever seen a garden that was once lush with healthy plants and flowers become overgrown by weeds? As you passed the struggling trees, overgrown bushes, and wilted flowers, you might have asked, “Where is the gardener?” Well, in the garden of love and marriage, the gardener is you.
As a gardener, you have choice. You can be mindful of the weeds in your garden. Or, you can let the weeds grow, only to later spend countless amounts of time and energy fighting to pull their roots from the ground, hoping to restore the beauty of what was overtaken while you turned your head away from the problem.
Remember, in the face of neglect, what’s beautiful dies and what’s ugly thrives. It’s your call to pull, plant, and water. Trust God with the rest. Even though he calls us to work with him, only he can make the best things grow.Consider:
What do you want the garden of your marriage and family to look like in a year, ten years, fifty years from now? Take a look at your garden now.
What needs to go?
What needs to grow?

Fight Yourself First

FIGHT YOURSELF FIRST
From Lead Me by Matt Hammitt
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. – Philippians 2:3-4 NLT
Learning how to tend to Sarah’s emotional needs has been one of the most difficult marital lessons for me. I’m still learning how to be patient with her feelings in those little, day-to-day confrontations, especially when I can’t relate to where she’s coming from. There is little I’ve worked harder at, and failed more at, than putting her need to be heard before my desire to move on.
Recently, Sarah addressed this weakness in front of our friends. It stung me, because it’s something I take seriously. I’ve strived to improve on it with God’s help. That night, I couldn’t sleep. I stewed over what Sarah had said. I started to feel angry and I laid awake wondering if I should address my feelings with her. I worried about whether or not she would understand my feelings. Would she be able to empathize even after I struggled to do the same for her?
That’s when I went inward with a simple question, “Is it true?” I mean, was it true what she said about me, that I had a hard time responding appropriately when she was hurt? Do the times I’ve gotten it right void the pain of when I’ve gotten it wrong? Does the fact that I’m changing mean that her struggle is no longer real?
I started to see some things more clearly, and my anger began to fade into humility. Sarah had simply spoken truth about our relationship during a vulnerable conversation with trusted friends. I know Sarah’s heart, and I know her intent wasn’t malicious. She just wanted to move closer to me through honest communication. I started to realize that maybe it wasn’t Sarah, but the truth that had bothered me. Maybe I wanted to shoot the messenger because I couldn’t face the message. I had to put aside my own interests, embrace her desire to be heard, and receive what she needed me to hear.
I had to fight my impulses and inner dialogue first, so love could win the war.
Consider:
What is a message your spouse has tried to communicate to you? Can you see beyond the messenger to find the heart of the message?
That message, is it true? If so, how will you receive it?

Plans

PLANS
From Lead Me by Matt Hammitt
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. – Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives. Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. – Proverbs 16:2-3 NLT
It takes a plan to make it through school, to get a job, to keep your job, to start a business, to get married, to buy a home, to take a vacation, to save for your future, to win a game and to win a war. (Big breath) It even takes to plan to be buried after you die. Some plans are as simple as keeping your calendar and showing up where you need to be. While other plans involve intricate details with heart and soul behind them. Some plans fail and some succeed.
Years ago, I sat with my friend, Todd, at the beginning of a very difficult divorce. My heart hurt for him as he expressed the pain he felt over his wife choosing to leave. On top of it all, he was battling health issues, coping with the sorrow of his children, and trying to manage a major crisis at work.
As we talked, Todd described the daily responsibilities of his job. It became clear how much of his time was consumed by crisis management away from home, and as he continued to pour out his heart, something hit me. My friend had a plan for everything, except for the most important things, like his marriage and family. As I listened, I saw my own reflection in his story. I had failed to give my family the same intentionality as I had given my work.
God has good plans for us, for our marriage, and our family. He’s calling us to walk in harmony with these plans. Often times, our own design and desires blind us to where God is leading us. When we fail to commit our work to the Lord and commit to seeking his voice, we’re at risk of losing that which is most important in our lives.

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.