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Connect with God — on Abide, a Christian meditation app that provides a biblically grounded place to experience peace and progress in your relationship with Christ. Use this biblical meditation, narrated by Lonein Lara, to center yourself on the truth in God's word. How do you make an impact on others? Meditate on Acts 11:23-24. Allow the music & nature sounds, deep breathing, prayer, and scripture help you connect with God in a new way. 

For a 30 day free trial of our premium ad-free content, your trusted friend for meditation is right here: https://abide.com/peace

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How comfortable are you with being still—sitting in silence and waiting for God to speak? For many of us, stillness feels uncomfortable because our world runs on constant noise and motion. And if you struggle with anxiety, slowing down can feel even harder. Fear whispers that you can’t afford to pause, that silence is unsafe, and that you must stay busy to stay in control.

But Psalm 46:10 offers a better invitation: be still, because God is God. When we remember that He’s in control, we can loosen our grip on striving. We don’t have to fear being alone with our thoughts, because we are never alone. In Christ, God meets us in the quiet—and He is enough for what lies ahead.

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE:

“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Dear God,
Learning to be still in a noisy world can feel scary and uncomfortable. When I’m tempted to fill every moment with noise and busyness, remind me that I have permission to pause, breathe, and rest in You. Quiet the fears that creep in when I slow down, and help me trust that You are in control—even when I’m not doing anything. Teach me to practice stillness in Your presence and to listen attentively for Your voice.

I love You, praise You, and thank You, Jesus.
Amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

1. Practice daily stillness. Set a timer for 5–10 minutes and sit quietly before the Lord. Pray honestly, then listen. Ask God to help you be okay with silence and attentive to His voice.

2. Schedule space for quiet. Add a “Silence Minute” (or longer) to your calendar each week. Treat it like an appointment with God—time to slow down, breathe, and rest in His presence.

3. Notice what feeds your noise. Take one week to reduce input—social media, radio, or news—and journal what changes in your heart and mind. Does silence feel easier? What do you learn about what your soul truly needs?

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Proverbios 16: 9 dice: “El corazón del hombre piensa su camino; mas Jehová endereza sus pasos”. Eso significa que puedes escribir tu lista de propósitos, pero la mayor certeza la tendrás cuando entregues el año a Dios. Él convierte temporadas de prueba en testimonios, convierte tropiezos en escalones, y convierte lo incierto en dirección clara. Este año nuevo no lo empieces confiando en tus fuerzas… sino en Su gracia. ¡Porque cuando tus planes fallan, los de Dios siempre permanecen!

Escrito por Mercy Cosme 

Telegram: https://t.me/TheSalvationArmySoundcast

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A new year offers a God-given invitation to renewal, hope, and spiritual refreshment rooted in His design for seasons and fresh starts. Anchored in Romans 15:13, this devotional reminds us that God weaves renewal into creation itself—daily, weekly, and yearly—so we can release the past, trust His mercy, and move forward with joy, peace, and confident hope through the Holy Spirit.

Highlights

• God designed rhythms of renewal through days, weeks, and seasons for our good.

• Fresh starts are woven into creation, pointing us toward spiritual restoration.

• The cross of Christ stands as the ultimate picture of death giving way to new life.

• God removes our sin completely, offering freedom from past failures.

• His mercies are new every morning, inviting renewed hope each day and year.

• The turning of the calendar is an opportunity to trust God with what’s ahead.

• God is still writing your story—renewal is not behind you, it’s ongoing.

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Full Transcript Below:

Seizing the Opportunity to Refresh This New Year
By Megan J. Conner

Bible Reading:
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” - Romans 15:13 (NIV)

All of the hustle and bustle of the holidays has come to a close.  Decorations have been stored away, regular schedules have resumed, and the inevitable and likely necessary (at least for me) annual recommitment to diet and exercise has been enacted.  Another new year is upon us. 

For some, the reset of the calendar feels like a fresh start, a blank slate. For others, it might draw out feelings of uncertainty about the unknown ahead. How do you view the renewal of another twelve months? Do you greet a new year with apprehension or anticipation? 

If we look closely, the framework of refreshing and renewal through time and seasons is evident throughout the Word of God. From the very beginning, we learn that God made day and night. Within each 24-hour period, there is a time for work and time to rest before the cycle begins again. The Lord also established weekly sequences with days assigned to toil and a call to reset on the Sabbath. Monthly and yearly periods are connected to new moons and seasons of sowing and harvesting. The list goes on and on…

We can also observe the ultimate example of death and rebirth, exemplified th

This week, we welcome Ben Higgins back to the show—entrepreneur, author, and former star of The Bachelor who has turned public fame into a platform for authentic connection. Ben shares why true connection can’t be found through screens or status, but through honest conversation and shared life with others. 

Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Nashville singer-songwriter Jamie MacDonald. From growing up in a home where singing wasn’t allowed to standing on stages sharing songs of hope, Jamie’s story is a powerful reminder that some voices are too full of light to stay silent. 

Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

Jesus Calling Podcast

Jesus Calling

Jesus Always

Jesus Listens

Past interview: Ali Gilkeson

Upcoming interview: Jordan Smith

Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season 

Ben Higgins 

Generous Coffee

Alone in Plain Sight

www.thebenhiggins.com

www.generouscoffee.com

Jamie MacDonald

Michael W. Smith 

Stephen Curtis Chapman

www.jamiemacdonaldmusic.com

Interview Quotes:

“There’s still this piece of our heart that screams out to sit beside somebody else, to look somebody else in the eye, to ask them the questions that actually matter. I think we’re seeing that even when everything’s handed to us, there’s still something missing, which is the connection to humans face-to-face.” - Ben Higgins

“I think if you want to really get to know somebody, if you really want for somebody to get to know you, you have to let them see the stop moments of your life. You have to be able to sit with them in their roughest seasons and their most joyous seasons and celebrate when joy is at the table and also mourn with them when maybe mourning is necessary.” - Ben Higgins 

“Life doesn’t give us the gift of hiding out when pain is at the forefront of our experience. I think we’ve all learned that when pain is a part of our life, sitting alone in that is not the most healing. It is getting with people who can relate. It is speaking to professionals who can process. It is getting around friendships who can love on you and getting around family who can give you a hug.” - Ben Higgins

“When divisiveness is no longer the common thread amongst us as humans, I think we’re going to really look back on a time where we maybe burnt too many bridges and be embarrassed by that. I want to hopefully give people the warning to not jump too quickly into cutting everybody out that they don’t ag

As we step into a new year, we’re reminded that in Christ, every day is a fresh start. In this devotional, we explore 2 Corinthians 5:17 — “If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.”

Whether you’re setting goals, facing uncertainty, or seeking renewal, this episode encourages you to trade resolutions for restoration. God’s grace isn’t limited to a single day on the calendar—it’s available daily.

Takeaways:

• True renewal begins in Christ, not in our own strength.

• God offers daily grace, not just yearly resets.

• Surrender your plans, dreams, and struggles to Him for Spirit-led transformation.

• Let 2026 be about walking closer with God, not just improving yourself.

Don’t forget: You can also download our free devotional, “Mind, Body & Soul,” designed to help strengthen your walk with God through Scripture, prayer, and practical habits.

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Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith.  You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast on the website.

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If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange

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A new year often feels like a fresh start, but our relationship with God isn’t seasonal—it’s ongoing and steadfast. As uncertainty, trials, and world events compete for our attention, our hearts can easily drift into worry and anxiety. Yet Scripture promises that peace is available, even in the middle of storms. Isaiah 26:3 reminds us that God keeps those who remain steadfast and trust Him in perfect peace. As the new year begins, we’re invited to fix our focus on the Lord, quiet our minds, and trust His promises. Peace isn’t the absence of hardship—it is the calm assurance that God is in control and already ahead of us.

Main Takeaways

• You’ll learn how fixing your mind on God produces peace even when life feels uncertain.

• Discover why God’s peace is available in trials, grief, and fear-filled seasons.

• Understand how trusting God’s promises steadies your heart when storms come.

• Reflect on practical ways to quiet your mind and resist worry through prayer and Scripture.

• Be encouraged that perfect peace comes from knowing God’s character and trusting His control.

Today’s Bible Verse:

Isaiah 26:3 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/26-3.html
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

Bible Verse References

• Isaiah 26:3 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/26-3.html

• John 20:29 (Referenced: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”) – https://www.biblestudytools.com/john/20-29.html

Your Daily Prayer

Almighty God and Father, thank You for the peace You give that surpasses all understanding. As this new year begins, help me keep my mind fixed on You and trust You even when I can’t see the outcome. Quiet my anxious thoughts and draw me back to prayer when worry rises. Remind me that You are in control and already ahead of me. Strengthen my faith and help me rest in Your promises, knowing that true peace comes from You alone.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Want More?

• Subscribe to Your Daily Prayer

Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith.  You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast on the website.

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If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange

.

The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh

.

To email John Stange directly, please send your message to [email protected].

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

John finally gets into reading fiction, but hates it when the movie ends different than the book. Meanwhile, Jonnie gets a random Venmo from a listener who is trying to keep him out of jail and tells the story of the time left-handed polo players got banned.

Plus, a conversation about vices, neighbors, and the advantages of failing in private.

Today’s episode is NOT sponsored by New Year’s Resolutions: “Start off the year the right way- with empty promises.”

FOLLOW Jonnie W: https://jonniew.com

FOLLOW John Driver: https://johndriver.com

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