Some Things Are Out of Our Control — But Not Everything.

Sometimes it feels like news updates are coming every few minutes. When we give so much of our attention to events beyond our control, we can lose sight of the power that we do still have. We can choose how we respond to our circumstances. And perhaps even more important, even in the midst of those circumstances, we can choose how we treat others.


Recently we reminded you about the time that Jesus’ disciples were afraid their boat might sink, but then He calmed the storm. Just like Jesus’ disciples, we’re all in the same boat with Jesus — but we’re also in it with each other. And we can choose to encourage one another, to support each other, to love each other, and to point each other back to Jesus.

Love each other, just as I have loved you. If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.

JOHN 13:34-35

Here Are 4 Ways We Can Choose Love

1. Encourage one another.

We live in such an incredible time! Even when we can’t be physically present with one another, we can still call, text, email, connect on social media, attend church online, and more.

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.

PROVERBS 3:27

2. Support each other.

Some of the most meaningful things we can do are simple and practical. Check in with your neighbors and ask how they’re doing. Share whatever you have. Drop off a meal for someone who can’t get out. Pay for the person behind you in a drive-through. Send an email gift card to a friend.

…our love should not be only words and talk. No, our love must be real. We must show our love by the things we do.

1 JOHN 3:18

3. Love each other.

Jesus said that loving your neighbor was the second most important commandment. And in the parable of the Good Samaritan, He explained what He meant by that word, “neighbor.” Paul even suggested we turn loving each other into a competition!

Try to outdo yourselves in respect and honor of one another.

ROMANS 12:10

4. Point each other to Jesus.

It’s Jesus who calms our storms. But it’s up to us to remind each other of God’s promises. And to pray for one another. You can do both these things — and more — in the same ways we mentioned in #1 (and of course in the Bible App).

Just remember: No matter what we may be going through, we’re all in it together. We all live on the same planet. We all breathe the same air. Jesus said we would have troubles in this life. But He gave us His Spirit. And he gave us each other.

And those two things are
more than enough.

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Now Your Children Can Experience the Bible App for Kids in Czech!

Bible App for Kids

Today, together with our partner OneHope, we are pleased to announce the launch of the Bible App for Kids in Czech. Now, more children than ever have the opportunity to enjoy a Bible experience all their own.

Switching between languages is easy, right in the app’s Settings:

  1. Make sure you’ve updated your app to the most current release.
  2. Open the app and tap the gear icon (Gear icon) to open Settings.
  3. Tap Language and select the one you want.

The audio will now play in that language, and any text will appear in that language, too!

Please help us celebrate this great news!

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Bible App for Kids Jesus

About the Bible App for Kids

Developed in partnership with OneHope, the Bible App for Kids is from YouVersion, makers of the Bible App. Designed to give children a delight-filled Bible experience all their own, the Bible App for Kids has already been installed on over 38 million Apple, Android, and Kindle devices, and it’s always completely free. Kids from all over the world are now enjoying the Bible App for Kids, in 53 languages — now including Czech!

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play Available at Amazon

Find Encouragement Through a Bible Plan on Hope.


There is
Good News

Be joyful in hope…

Romans 12:12

If you find yourself discouraged by the ever-changing news on the Coronavirus, disheartened by social media, or overwhelmed by financial difficulty, you’re not alone.

At times, it can seem like our world is falling apart, and we’re not sure where to turn.

Here’s some good news:

If you’re looking for hope and longing for joy,
it’s closer than you think.

Through Jesus’ resurrection, we’ve been given a living hope that anchors our souls even in the most difficult seasons.

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

Looking for encouragement? Find hope through one of these Bible Plans, and invite a Friend to join you.

More Plans on Hope

3 Encouraging Truths to Remember When Life Gets Hard…

Think about the disciples hanging out with Jesus on a boat when a life-threatening storm erupts on the water. They’re unprepared to face it and, panicking, realize they might die. The entire time this is happening, Jesus is sleeping peacefully.

Instead of looking at Jesus’ reaction to their situation, the disciples allowed their situation to dictate their reactions.

After begging Jesus to do something, He calms the storm… But not before asking them, “Why are you afraid?”

His gentle rebuke over their lack of faith wasn’t because they didn’t believe Jesus could save them from the storm, but because they struggled to believe He would see them through it.

When we find ourselves in storms we can’t control, how do we respond with faith? Here are three encouraging truths to remember:

1. God has power over every storm.

If the wind and waves don’t concern Him, then they shouldn’t frighten you. You might not be able to change your situation, but you can choose to faithfully trust God in the middle of it.

2. Fixing your eyes on Jesus leads to peace.

Are you looking at the size of the storm, or turning towards the One who can calm it? It’s only by focusing on God, who knows every outcome, that you can navigate any situation with His wisdom and peace.

3. Jesus is always in your boat.

It’s easy to focus on your fears when you can’t control your future. But thankfully, Jesus knows your future, and He’s always by your side. And, He calls you to live by faith, not by sight.

Whenever you find yourself overwhelmed by life, you always have two choices: you can focus on your circumstances, or fix your eyes on Jesus.

If you choose to look to Jesus above everything else, you will begin to see that the storms you face are not nearly as powerful as the Savior choosing to walk through the storm alongside you.

Reflect on God’s Word

Psalm 91 – Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty

1  
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2  
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

3  
Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.

4  
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5  
You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day

6  
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.

7  
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.

8  
You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.

9  
If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling

10  
no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.

11  
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways

12  
they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

13  
You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14  
“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15  
He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

16  
With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

Psalm 91 NKJV

Psalm 91 NIV

Psalm 91 KJV

Psalm 91 NLT