"It's Okay to Accept Help" - Tuesday February 17, 2026

“It’s Okay to Accept Help”

You’ve either heard or said, “We really do need each other.” In reading the Bible it’s discovered we are created for relationships. Genesis 2:18 says, “It is not good that man (woman) should live alone.” There are many more verses indicating the need and purpose of having personal relationships with others. Here is a small sampling:

 

“Two are better than one …” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10); “As iron sharpens iron …” Proverbs 27:17); “A friend loves at all times …” (Proverbs 17:17); and “Be devoted to one another …” (Romans 12:10). The Bible is the textbook or manual not just for building strong marriages, but friendships and the need for friendships.

 

One of the most challenging spiritual disciplines for many people is not giving help but receiving it. We admire strength and self-reliance, and we often feel that asking for or accepting help is a sign of weakness. However, God’s design for community paints a very different picture. He created us not just to give help, but also to receive it graciously.

 

The Apostle Paul instructs us to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). Most of us are familiar with this verse but some fail to understand it’s a two-way street. For someone to bear a burden, someone else must be willing to share it. When help is refused, you’re exercising your independence and denying the service of another.

 

Allowing someone to help is an act of humility – it’s admitting you aren’t superhuman and you can’t navigate life’s heaviest seasons alone. It’s okay to let someone bring you a meal after surgery or take your kids to school when you’re sick. If you have a friend that you can confide in, they are a gift. If they can trust you with their struggles, you are a gift to them. It’s a basic truth of life, “We do need each other!”

 

Loving and caring for one another is fulfilling God’s plan for our lives. Of course, the most important relationship for each of us is developing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Through Him we find the true meaning and purpose of life. A big part of God’s plan and purpose for us is not only in helping (serving) others but accepting their acts of kindness (and service) when we need it.

 

Pastor Carnes

"Living Under Pressure" - Monday February 16, 2026

“Living Under Pressure”

Some of the most painful moments in life are the ones you never planned for. You didn’t ask for the conflict. You didn’t expect the criticism, and you had no idea a major disappointment was about to take place. One day you are living obediently to God and serving faithfully, and the next day you’re wondering how things got so complicated.

 

There are times in life when we begin asking hard questions like, “What did I do wrong,” or more explicitly, “Why is this happening to me?” The biggest problem with a big problem is thinking things are going to get worse and there’s no way out! But maybe there is an even bigger problem and that’s “THINKING about the problem, rather than BELIEVING God is with you IN the PROBLEM.”

 

Whatever you are going through right now is not random. It hasn’t slipped past God’s attention. Nor has it arrived without a purpose. At this moment life may feel heavy, confusing, or unfair – but it is not meaningless. God is with you during this difficult time. He’s not wasting a single moment of your faithfulness.

 

When life hurts, it’s natural to assume God must be behind what you’re experiencing. But there’s something you must remember – God is sovereign. While He is in control of everything, he is not the author of sin, injustice, or cruelty. He does not delight in your pain, and he never asks you pretend that you don’t hurt.

 

If you belong to Jesus, nothing enters your life without your Father’s permission. Even during times of crisis when you’re confused and afraid, God is paying attention to every detail. The Bible tells us, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

 

The most painful experiences can be used by God for a greater purpose, even though what we might be going through at the present time makes no sense to us at all. God often does his deepest work in us before he does his most visible work through us. He shapes the heart long before he changes the situation. What feels like delay is often preparation. You may feel like you’re stuck – but today isn’t the end of the story.

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

"Who Will You Choose?" - Friday February 13, 2026

“Who Will You Choose?”

Joshua challenges the Israelites to decide whom they will serve – the Lord or other gods. This is a powerful call for a daily commitment to faith. This call was to Israel centuries ago, but God’s call upon our lives is just as real today. Each day, we choose between serving God or worldly alternatives.

 

When reading the Israelites journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, we’re amazed at how easily they turned away from God. He was leading, protecting, and providing for them daily. Why would they do this? They did it because Satan is a liar, deceiver, and distractor. Satan’s trap is making something really bad look better than good. What he doesn’t show is the end results of following him – shame, guilt, and complete destruction.

 

Jeremiah acted as God’s faithful messenger in spite of many attempts on his life. He was so deeply sorrowful for the fallen condition of Judah that he earned the title “weeping prophet.” The united nation of Israel included the “house of Israel” and the “house of Jacob” (Judah).

 

Jeremiah tried to remind Israel of God’s faithfulness; making sure they wouldn’t forget, since they didn’t have Bibles to read. He emphasized God’s love and reminded them that there was a time when they were close to God. When we read the Bible, we need to learn from history so we can avoid repeating the same failures they did.

 

In Jeremiah chapter two, we read, “My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water” (v 13). Who would set aside a sparkling spring of water for a cistern, a pit that collected rainwater?

 

God told the Israelites they were doing that very thing when they turned from him, the spring of living water, to the worship of idols. Not only that, but the cisterns they chose were empty and broken. Before criticizing the terrible decisions of the Israelites, look in the mirror. You have the gift of another day - will you follow God and the path He sets before you, or listen to Satan’s lies and follow him? It’s your choice!

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

"If Satan's Talking - He's Lying!" - Thursday February 12, 2026

“If Satan’s Talking – He’s Lying!”

We all know this phrase: God is Good – All the Time! All the Time – God is Good! Here’s something to be aware of;  Satan lies – all the time! All the time – Satan lies!  Satan’s target is basically everyone, but especially every follower of Christ. Satan hurts God by hurting God’s people. (See Jeremiah chapter one).

 

The Lord tells Jeremiah, “I knew you before you were born and set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” The enemy quickly brings negative thoughts to Jeremiah, “I can’t speak for you, I’m too young!” (1:6).

 

Satan is a master at not only saying, but in convincing us of what we can’t do, or become. The Lord’s response to Jeremiah is the same advice he gives us. “Don’t say, “I’m too young, for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you” (1:7-8).

 

Does this sound familiar … “You can never live a Christian life!” Or “You aren’t good enough; smart enough, you don’t have a winsome personality, you have bad habits you’ll never break, or an addict without the ability to ever be transformed”. Folks, that isn’t God talking – those are the words and thoughts Satan places in your head to keep you from turning to Christ. The Lord speaks truth because He is Truth. Satan speaks lies because he’s a liar!

 

The Lord said, “Look, Jeremiah! What do you see?” He replied, “I see a branch from an almond tree.” Then the Lord said, “That’s right, and it means that I am watching and I will certainly carry out all my plans” (vs 11-12 NLT). The almond tree is among the first to blossom in the spring. God saw the sins of Judah and would carry out swift and certain judgement. But He would protect Jeremiah. We will face trials, but God always protects His children.

 

A person living in sin is lost. Jesus came to “seek and to save that which is lost” (Luke 19:10). The Bible describes Satan as a murderer, liar, and father of lies because there is no truth in him (John 8:44) and John 10:10 says he’s a “thief who comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy.” Who do you want to align your life with?  Truth or a liar?

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

"The Weeping Prophet" - Wednesday February 11, 2026

“The Weeping Prophet”

Jeremiah is an Old Testament prophet whose teachings are valuable to us today. Here are four examples: 1) The majority’s opinion is not necessarily God’s will. 2) Although punishment for sin is severe, there is hope in God’s mercy. 3) God will not accept empty or insincere worship, and 4) Serving God does not guarantee earthly security.

 

Over the next few days, I want to share some things from the writings of Jeremiah. Before doing so, reading his profile taken from the NIV Life Application Bible may help you become better acquainted with him.

 

Endurance is not a common quality. Many people lack the long-term commitment, caring, and willingness that are vital to sticking with a task against all odds. But Jeremiah was a prophet who endured. His very call by God teaches how intimately God knows us. He valued us before anyone else knew we would exist. God cared for us while we were in our mother’s womb. He planned our lives while our bodies were still being formed. He values us more highly than we value ourselves.

 

Jeremiah had to depend on God’s love as he developed endurance. His audiences were usually antagonistic or apathetic to his messages. He was ignored; his life was often threatened. He saw both the excitement of a spiritual awakening and the sorrow of a national return to idolatry. With the exception of King Josiah, Jeremiah watched king after king ignore his warnings and lead people away from God. He saw fellow prophets murdered and was severely persecuted himself.

 

Jeremiah responded to all this with God’s message and human tears. He felt firsthand God’s love for his people and the people’s rejection of that love. But even when he was angry with God and tempted to give up, Jeremiah knew he had to keep going. God had called him to endure.

 

Jeremiah’s life and culture of his day sound very similar to the culture of our day. We can identify with his frustrations and discouragement, but he encourages us to stay strong and faithful to God during dark times.

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

"Ignorant - Confused - Denial" - Tuesday February 10, 2026

“Ignorant – Confused – Denial”

There’s a lot of confusion and concern about the direction our culture is taking. What was once considered good is now considered evil, and what was evil is now deemed as good. Are people ignorant, confused, or in denial because they prefer to reject truth and righteousness to satisfy their own desires? One may wonder, what’s the benchmark? What’s the dividing line between right and wrong?

 

If you were to ask me, I’d point you to God’s Word. The Bible is God’s Word and explains the differences between right and wrong. It teaches there is a difference between good and evil. Isaiah gives a solemn warning, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (5:20).

 

When people do not carefully observe the distinction between right and wrong or good and evil, destruction will follow. It’s easy for a person to say, “No one can decide for anyone else what is really right or wrong.” They may think getting drunk, using unprescribed drugs, extramarital sex, and a number of other things isn’t really wrong, or that money doesn’t control them. Plus, all of these things lead to lying. This does not lead to a happy life.

 

But if and when we make excuses for our actions, in reality we are breaking down the distinction between right and wrong. If we do not take God’s Word, the Bible as our standard, soon our moral choices will appear fuzzy. Being influenced by another that doing a wrong is okay or won’t hurt you creates confusion leading to the denial of truth. By whose standards are you living – your own? Others? Or God’s?

 

God’s Word teaches you how to live a life that’s pleasing to Him. Living that kind of life keeps us honest, trustworthy, healthy, and reliable. To deny Jesus as truth is at the very least, compromising his teachings.

 

Here’s some good scriptures for you to look up, read and think about: John 14:6, 17:17, 8:32. Second Corinthians 5:10, Hebrews 9:27, and Romans 1:16-32.

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

 

 

 

"Standing Firm" - Monday February 9, 2026

Standing Firm”

After being picked up at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix last March, our friends asked if we’d ever eaten at an N-Out Burger restaurant. We never had so now there’s an opportunity. Stepping inside the restaurant I immediately sensed something different.

 

Standing in line to order our food, it was evident we were in a Christian owned establishment. When the food was delivered to our table Bible verses were noticed on the cups and wrappers. 

 

The closest N-Out Burger restaurant to Georgia is in Nashville, Tennessee. I’m mentioning this burger place because a Devotional Family Member sent me some information on the owner. As you read her story ask yourself what you can do to stand firm to your spiritual beliefs and convictions.

 

Lynsi Snyder, president of the N-Out Burger, has made it clear that the company will continue printing Bible verses on its cups and wrappers, even in the face of criticism. For her, this is not marketing, politics, or provocation – it is a quiet and consistent expression of the Christian faith that has guided the Snyder family for generations.

 

Although she leads one of the most successful private owned restaurant chains in the world, valued at nearly $ billion, Lynsi has never portrayed herself as self-made. In interviews and testimonies, she has spoken honestly about seasons of deep pain: personal loss, addiction, broken relationships, and failed marriages. Success did not spare her from suffering - and money did not heal her wounds.

 

According to Lynsi, it was Jesus Christ who restored her life. Not overnight, not magically, but through surrender, repentance, and a renewed identity rooted in faith. She has often emphasized that Christ did not simply improve her circumstances, He transformed her heart.

 

Out of that transformation, Lynsi founded a discipleship ministry called the Army of Love, focused on spiritual growth, service, and walking humbly with God. Her leadership philosophy reflects the Gospel itself: servant leadership, humility over ego, and dependance upon God rather than self-reliance. In a culture that increasingly pressures people of faith to stay silent, Lynsi’s stance is simple and steady. The verses will remain – not as a statement against anyone, but as a testimony for Christ.

 

As the scripture says, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). Faith, for Lynsi Snyder, is not a brand strategy. It is the foundation. By the way, the 2025 net value for the N-Out Burger is estimated at $7.3 billion.

 

Pastor Carnes