Take David.

David was anointed king as a teenager. He didn’t sit on the throne until he was thirty.

That’s a long stretch of waiting. A long stretch of running, hiding, learning, failing, growing.

A long stretch of living a life he never expected — a life that didn’t look anything like the promise God had spoken over him.

But here’s the part that speaks to us today:

God wasn’t just giving David a crown — He was shaping David into the kind of man who could carry it.

Waiting shapes character. Waiting strengthens humility. Waiting teaches us to trust God’s timing instead of forcing our own.

Waiting prepares us for responsibilities we’re not ready for yet.

Maybe that’s where you are right now. Maybe you’re in a season where the promise feels far away… where the path feels uneven… where the timeline feels slow… where your life doesn’t look anything like what you thought God had planned.

David’s story reminds us: Waiting isn’t wasted. Waiting isn’t delay. Waiting is formation.

God uses the waiting years to shape your heart, deepen your character, and prepare you for the weight of what’s coming next.

So as we continue through Acts — a book that begins with waiting — remember David. Remember that God is shaping you in the waiting too.

Take Abraham.

God gave him a promise: “You will be the father of many nations.”

But Abraham didn’t step into that promise the next day… or the next year… or even the next decade.

He waited 25 years before Isaac was born. Twenty‑five years of wondering… Twenty‑five years of hoping…

Twenty‑five years of trusting God even when the timeline didn’t make sense.

And here’s the part that speaks to us today:

God wasn’t just building a nation — He was building Abraham.

Waiting taught him trust. Waiting taught him surrender. Waiting taught him to walk with God even when he couldn’t see the finish line.

Maybe that’s where you are right now. Maybe you’re in a season where the promise feels far away…

where the timeline feels slow… where the next step isn’t clear.

Abraham’s story reminds us: Waiting isn’t wasted. Waiting isn’t delay. Waiting is preparation.

God uses the waiting years to strengthen your faith, deepen your trust, and shape your heart for what’s coming next.

So as we continue through Acts — a book that begins with waiting — remember Abraham.Remember that God is working in your waiting too.

And that’s a pattern we see all through Scripture.

Abraham waited years before the promise became reality.

David waited years before the crown fit his head. Noah waited years while building something nobody understood. Joseph waited years before stepping into the role God had shaped him for.

Waiting isn’t punishment. Waiting isn’t delay. Waiting is preparation.

And maybe that’s where you are today. Maybe you’re in a season where things feel slow… quiet… unfinished… unclear. Acts reminds us that God does some of His best work in the waiting — aligning, shaping, strengthening, preparing.

So as we step into this new series in Acts, let this be your reminder: You’re not stuck. You’re not forgotten. You’re being prepared.

God is working in the waiting, and He’s already shaping what comes next.

Weekly Memory Verse: Acts 2:42

And He said it to ordinary people — fishermen, workers, folks with long days and real responsibilities. People who didn’t feel qualified or spiritual enough. People who were just trying to make a living.

Following Jesus wasn’t dramatic for them, and it usually isn’t dramatic for us. It’s quiet. It’s simple. It’s choosing patience when frustration rises. Choosing kindness when it’s easier not to. Choosing honesty when it costs something. Choosing love when the moment gives you every reason not to.

So here’s the reflection for today: What does “follow Me” look like for you… in the next hour? Not the whole week. Not the whole story. Just the next step.

As we close the Gospels and prepare to begin the Book of Acts tomorrow, remember this: The entire story of Acts begins with ordinary people who simply said yes to “Follow Me.”

Let’s keep Choosing Love Today.

You know, Saturdays can be funny days. Sometimes they’re restful, sometimes they’re busy, sometimes they’re a mix of both. But no matter what kind of Saturday you’re stepping into, this verse gives us something solid to stand on. Jesus doesn’t just offer direction — He is the direction. He doesn’t just teach truth — He is the truth. And He doesn’t just give life — He is life itself.

And maybe that’s exactly what we need today. Not more noise. Not more pressure. Not more things to figure out. Just the reminder that the Jesus we meet is steady, present, and clear. He’s not hard to find. He’s not hiding. He’s not distant. He’s right here, inviting us to walk with Him in a way that’s simple, honest, and life‑giving. 

So whatever your Saturday looks like — whether you’re running errands, spending time with family, or just trying to catch your breath — let this truth settle your heart a little bit. Jesus is the way. Jesus is the truth. Jesus is the life.

Have a great Saturday, and keep Choosing Love Today.

And I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately — how easy it is to look for direction in a hundred different places. We look for answers in our routines, in our plans, in our worries, in our own

strength. But Jesus doesn’t just point us toward the way… He is the way. He doesn’t just teach truth… He is the truth. And He doesn’t just offer life… He is the life.

So whatever you’re carrying into today — whatever decisions, frustrations, or uncertainties you’re facing — I want to encourage you to meet Jesus right there in the middle of it. Not the Jesus we imagine, not the Jesus we try to shape into our own expectations, but the Jesus who actually stands in front of us and says, ‘Come with Me. I’ll show you the way.’

Let that truth steady you today. Let it simplify your steps. Let it quiet the noise a little bit.

Have a great Friday, and as always… keep Choosing Love Today.

This first part of our series looks at the cultural, political, and religious landscape of Jesus’ day and shows how deeply it connects to the world we live in now. The pressures, the confusion, the expectations — they’re not new. And the way Jesus responded then is the same way He meets us today: with clarity, compassion, and presence.

If your world feels messy, complicated, or heavy, this episode will remind you of something powerful:

Jesus doesn’t wait for perfect conditions. He steps into real life — right where you are.

Take a breath, open your heart, and let’s walk into the world Jesus entered… together.

Choosing love today starts with choosing to be the person God already made you to be.

When you read the Scriptures closely, you discover Jesus wasn’t a surprise. He was the thread running underneath the entire story.

Now we step onto the bridge.

A bridge from promise to Person. From foreshadowing to fulfillment. From dreams to reality.

Galatians 4:4 tells us, “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son…” Not early. Not late. Right on time.

In Episode 6, we cross that bridge together and begin to see Jesus in the New Testament with fresh eyes — the Jesus we’ve been tracing in the shadows now stepping fully into the light.

Memory Verse: Galatians 4:4 Title: Jesus in the New Testament: From Person to Promise

Until then… Keep Choosing Love Today.

Acts 2:42 shows us people who didn’t just believe… they practiced. They built habits that shaped their hearts and their lives.

Today’s challenge is simple: Pick one habit that brings you closer to God and closer to people, and practice it intentionally. Not perfectly — just faithfully and intentionally.

What’s the one thing you need to lean into today… and while you’re leaning, always remember to Keep Choosing Love Today.

If you’ve ever wrestled with doubt or wanted to understand why the Bible is trustworthy, this conversation will help you breathe a little easier.

Listen on your favorite platform: Podbean: Apple Podcasts: Spotify: Amazon/Audible: iHeart:

Thank you for being part of this journey. One step at a time… one choice at a time… we’re Choosing Love Today.