When I was a teenager, I played on our church basketball team. Doyle was our center. Our arch-rival was an inner-city church. During the game, the center for the opposing team fouled out and blamed Doyle. When he walked to the bench, he pointed a finger at Doyle and said, “I’ll be waiting for you in the parking lot.” He was a lot bigger than Doyle and the threat had Doyle shook up.

After the game ended, our team decided we weren’t going to let Doyle face the other guy alone. So, as we left the gym and walked out to the parking lot, we were one big group huddled up together with Doyle in the middle.

Every believer engages in some level of spiritual warfare against Satan and his schemes. Thankfully, we don’t stand alone. God Himself stands with us whenever we face opposition.”

As believers, the opposition we face isn’t always as apparent as in this story, but it is real nonetheless. Every believer engages in some level of spiritual warfare against Satan and his schemes. Thankfully, we don’t stand alone. God Himself stands with us whenever we face opposition.

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Contestant number 43,212 walked onto the stage to audition for Britain’s Got Talent. She stood in sharp contrast to previous performers. Unkempt curly hair and a less than flattering dress suggested a frumpy housewife. Simon Cowell interviewed her briefly and her admission that she was 47 years old caused raised eyebrows and scattered laughter from the audience. Her awkward verbal responses added to the anticipation that her performance would be cut short quickly. Expectations hit rock bottom when she revealed the ambitious choice to sing “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Misérables.

But when contestant number 43,212 finished singing just the first phrase, “I dreamed a dream in time gone by” the audience had begun to cheer and applaud while each judge wore a look of amazement and disbelief. Her voice was beautiful and strong. She finished the song to a standing ovation, and Susan Boyle was on her way. Simon Cowell said later she was the textbook example of “never judge a book by its cover.”

Sometimes God surprises us in the same way, working in ways and through people we might not expect.”

Sometimes God surprises us in the same way, working in ways and through people we might not expect.

The post ELISHA-SEEING THE HAND OF GOD AT WORK: God’s Hand in Restoring Lives (YOU-Spr’25, Study 2, Session 4) appeared first on YOU.

My call to the ministry came later in life. At 32 years of age, I was attending seminary full-time, working two part-time jobs, and my wife worked full-time. We were doing our best to take care of three small children and ourselves. Money was tight. A man from my home church knew of our financial stress and handed me a check for a large amount of money. Immediately my pride took over and I said, “Thanks but we’ll get by.” After his insistence that I take the money, I refused again. In response, this man said something I’ve never forgotten. He said, “If you don’t take this money, you’ll take away the joy and blessing I have from giving it.” Initially I thought his statement was simply trying to convince me to take the money, but as I’ve grown in my walk with the Lord, I understand now what he meant.

For believers there’s a joy and blessing that comes as we let God work through us for the sake of others.”

For believers there’s a joy and blessing that comes as we let God work through us for the sake of others. Meeting the needs of others can reveal God’s hand at work.

The post ELISHA-SEEING THE HAND OF GOD AT WORK: God’s Hand in Meeting Others’ Needs (YOU-Spr’25, Study 2, Session 3) appeared first on YOU.

Floyd told our small group he had been sensing God was calling him into full-time Christian ministry. The next step would be going to a theological seminary for training. There was just one problem. Six months earlier he had made a commitment to his parents to take a leading role in the family business. Going to seminary would leave his parents in a bind. We asked what he planned to do. He said he had prayed about it and then said, “I just found out my older sister and her husband are moving back home to start working in the family business.” I said, “Great! When do you start seminary?” He replied, “Well, I’m still not sure if God is calling me into ministry.”

We need God’s help, especially in times of uncertainty or distress. The question isn’t, “Will God respond?” More often the question is, “Will we respond to God’s help in faith and obedience?”

Floyd had a real need in his life and God provided a solution, but Floyd was having trouble seeing it. We need God’s help, especially in times of uncertainty or distress. The question isn’t, “Will God respond?” More often the question is, “Will we respond to God’s help in faith and obedience?” Today’s session will encourage us to do just that.

The post ELISHA-SEEING THE HAND OF GOD AT WORK: God’s Hand in Meeting Our Needs (YOU-Spr’25, Study 2, Session 2) appeared first on YOU.

I receive invitations on a regular basis. Not the big invitations such as, “The President and First Lady invite you to spend Christmas at the White House.” The invitations I receive are more mundane. This past week I received a number of invitations in the mail. The local car dealer invited me to look at their new inventory and maybe even spend thousands of dollars on a vehicle. I’ll pass. I also received an invitation from the county to pay my property taxes in a timely fashion and avoid jail time. I might take them up on that one.

God invites us to join Him in His work, and the primary way He delivers the invitation is to reveal what He’s doing.”

One is God’s invitation to join Him in His work, and the primary way He delivers the invitation is to reveal what He’s doing. Elisha sets the example for how we should respond to God’s call to join Him and serve.

The post ELISHA-SEEING THE HAND OF GOD AT WORK: God’s Hand in Calling us to Serve (YOU-Spr’25, Study 2, Session 1) appeared first on YOU.

Celebrated African American writer, poet, and civil rights activist, Maya Angelou, found profound purpose and meaning in her life’s journey. Born in 1928, Angelou faced a tumultuous childhood marked by trauma and segregation, but she transformed these experiences into a source of strength and inspiration. Her autobiographical work, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” vividly chronicles her struggle and resilience, and has touched the hearts of readers worldwide. Angelou’s powerful narrative voice became a beacon for those fighting for equality and justice. Through her multifaceted career, Maya Angelou discovered and imparted a powerful sense of meaning and purpose, leaving an enduring legacy that continues to inspire and empower people around the world.

Explore the signs of who Jesus is and proclaimed to be. Each piece is a nugget of truth that helps us further understand the power, humanity, and divinity of Jesus, all wrapped up in who He is. However, it’s when we come to the resurrection that we get the punchline, meaning the ultimate purpose and sign for why Jesus came. The resurrection of Jesus inspires and empowers us to live on purpose.”

For the last several weeks, we’ve explored the signs of who Jesus is and proclaimed to be. Each piece is a nugget of truth that helps us further understand the power, humanity, and divinity of Jesus, all wrapped up in who He is. However, it’s when we come to the resurrection that we get the punchline, meaning the ultimate purpose and sign for why Jesus came. The resurrection of Jesus inspires and empowers us to live on purpose.

The post ALL SIGNS POINT TO JESUS: The Ultimate Sign (YOU-Spr’25, Study 1, Session 8) appeared first on YOU.

Charles Richard Drew, MD, known as the “father of blood banking,” revolutionized blood preservation techniques, saving countless lives. His doctoral research on blood banking and transfusions laid the groundwork for creating the first large-scale blood banks. During World War II, Drew spearheaded the Blood for Britain project, delivering crucial plasma to England. He also organized the first American Red Cross Blood Bank and introduced mobile donation units, known today as bloodmobiles.

Despite his groundbreaking work, Drew faced challenges and resigned from the Red Cross, protesting their policy of segregating blood by race. But his work continues to save lives.

When Lazarus, a friend of Jesus, was gravely ill, the family wanted Jesus to be there for them. When his death occurred, the family wrestled with what Jesus could have done if only He had been present in those moments. Yet, there was a far greater truth to be demonstrated in the death and resuscitation of Lazarus.”

In today’s passage, we’re going to read about a time when a friend of Jesus was gravely ill, and the family wanted Jesus to be there for them. When his death occurred, the family wrestled with what Jesus could have done if only He had been present in those moments. Yet, we will soon see there was a far greater truth to be demonstrated in the death and resuscitation of Lazarus.

The post ALL SIGNS POINT TO JESUS: The Sign of His Power Over Death (YOU-Spr’25, Study 1, Session 7) appeared first on YOU.

Thomas Wiggins was a talented Black American pianist and composer from the 19th century, known for his extraordinary skill on the piano. Born blind and into slavery in Georgia, Thomas, also possibly autistic, was bought by the wealthy Bethune family. He wasn’t made to do typical slave labor due to his disability, and it wasn’t long before General James Neil Bethune noticed Thomas’s innate talent for music.

Due to his young age, status as a slave, and his emotional vulnerability, Thomas was particularly at risk. Despite these challenges, he grew to become one of the most sought-after musicians in America. Renowned writers like Mark Twain and John Steinbeck attended his performances and documented his life and work. His talent was so impressive that by the age of 11, he was invited to play at the White House by President Buchanan. During the Civil War, he even created a piece called “The Battle of Manassas,” capturing the sounds of a battle through music. Thomas Wiggins passed away in 1908 in Hoboken, New Jersey. His musical brilliance and significant contributions remain undeniable.

There are some who look at disabilities as being a hindrance. Then there are some who see it as just experiencing the world differently.”

There are some who look at disabilities as being a hindrance. Then there are some who see it as just experiencing the world differently. In today’s session, we’re going to see a blind man who was hindered not by himself but by the society in which he lived. Yet, Jesus was going to use this man’s disability to show a more profound condition, not of the man, but of the society surrounding him. Of course, true blindness occurs when we miss seeing who Jesus truly is!

The post ALL SIGNS POINT TO JESUS: The Sign of His Light (YOU-Spr’25, Study 1, Session 6) appeared first on YOU.

When you’re a kid, having a parent around can change everything. Parents figure this out quick when teaching their kid to ride a bike. At first, the kids want Mom or Dad holding on and running alongside them. They keep saying stuff like, “Don’t let go!” or “Stay with me.” They just feel safer knowing you’re there. Same thing goes for us in life. We all hit those moments when having Jesus around takes the edge off our fear, and we don’t want Him to leave.

The incredible truth? No matter what goes down, Jesus is always by our side, walking with us through it all.

Many today try to focus only on the human side of Jesus to the point that they reduce Him to being just another good teacher who lived and died. However, in the Bible, we read about the power and authority of Jesus as the Son of God. We see that even in the worst of our storms, Jesus’s promises and His compassion don’t waver. Jesus truly sees us through our doubts and fears.”

In today’s passage, we’re going to see another powerful and unique sign of the divinity of Jesus Christ. Many today try to focus only on the human side of Jesus to the point that they reduce Him to being just another good teacher who lived and died. However, in the passage we read today, we read the power and authority of Jesus as the Son of God. We see that even in the worst of our storms, Jesus’s promises and His compassion don’t waver. Jesus truly sees us through our doubts and fears.

The post ALL SIGNS POINT TO JESUS: The Sign of His Presence (YOU-Spr’25, Study 1, Session 5) appeared first on YOU.

Craig Randall was just doing his thing, driving a garbage truck in Peabody, Massachusetts. While on his route, he spotted a Wendy’s drink cup with a contest sticker in the trash. Earlier, he’d won a free chicken sandwich, so he thought he’d try his luck again, hoping for maybe some fries or a drink. But this time, he hit the jackpot – the sticker was worth $200,000 for a new home. Craig wasn’t expecting to get much, but he ended up with way more than he could’ve imagined. The same is true for us when it comes to bringing our needs to Jesus. He may not give us what we think we want, but we can be sure He will provide us with exactly what we need when we seek Him in our lives.

Jesus may not give us what we think we want, but we can be sure He will provide us with exactly what we need when we seek Him in our lives.”

In this session, we’ll see yet another miracle recorded in the gospel accounts. The significance of this miracle became a formative moment for those who followed Jesus, especially those closest to Him. It’s a significant lesson for understanding how Jesus meets our needs. Let’s sit down on the hillside with Jesus to see what we can learn.

The post ALL SIGNS POINT TO JESUS: The Sign of His Provision (YOU-Spr’25, Study 1, Session 4) appeared first on YOU.