One of the easiest things to do in our walk with God is to become busy doing things for Him while slowly neglecting time with Him. In this DEVOTIONAL VIDEO, Esther walks through the familiar story of Mary and Martha with a perspective that reminds us why Jesus called one choice “the good portion.” Serving has its place. Faithfulness matters. But none of those things can replace sitting at the feet of Jesus. It is in His presence that our hearts are strengthened, our minds are renewed, and our priorities are brought back into alignment. If life has felt busy, noisy, or even spiritually dry, we encourage you to take a few minutes with this teaching. It is a simple but timely reminder that the most important thing we can do is keep our eyes fixed on Him. After you’ve watched it, we’d love to hear what stood out to you or what the Lord has been speaking to your heart.

One of the greatest misconceptions many Christians have is that they spend their lives trying to get God’s attention. We pray harder, strive more, and wonder if He sees us or even cares about what we’re facing. But Scripture paints a completely different picture. God told His people, “For I know the plans I have for you… plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) David went even further when he wrote that God’s thoughts toward us are so vast they cannot be counted—they are more than the sand (Psalm 139:17-18). Think about that for a moment. You are not an afterthought to God. You are not overlooked. You are not forgotten. Long before anyone else noticed David, God saw him. While others looked at outward appearance, God was looking at David’s heart. Before David ever stood before Goliath or sat on Israel’s throne, God already had a purpose for his life. The same is true for you. God isn’t waiting to decide whether He loves you or has a plan for your life. His heart has already been turned toward you. The Holy Spirit was given so we could know the thoughts and heart of God, and as we surrender to Him, our minds are renewed as we begin thinking His thoughts instead of the world’s. This changes the way we pray. We stop praying to get God’s attention and begin praying from the confidence that He already knows us, loves us, and desires to reveal His heart to us. 🎥 Watch the full teaching HERE Reflection Take a few quiet moments today and ask the Holy Spirit: “Lord, what do You want me to know about the way You see me?” Then spend a few minutes in Scripture, allowing His Word—not your circumstances—to shape your thoughts. We’d love to hear what Scripture or truth the Lord highlights to you as you spend time with Him.

Impact Family, there is a question in this week’s devotional that is worth sitting with for a little while: How close do you want to be to God? James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” There were multitudes around Jesus. There were desperate people who pushed through those crowds to receive a miracle. There were disciples who left everything to follow Him. Then there were those who walked so closely with Jesus that He trusted them with moments others never experienced. They were all near Jesus, but they did not all know Him in the same way. That challenges us. It is possible to love God and still become satisfied with the distance we have allowed between us and Him. We can receive from Him, attend church, read His Word, and genuinely believe, while there is still a deeper place of relationship He is inviting us into. The beautiful truth is that God is not withholding Himself from us. He has already given the invitation to come closer. As we grow as a family, we never want our goal to simply be learning more about God. We want everything we study to draw us into actually knowing Him more. THIS WEEK’S DEVOTIONAL walks through the different people who surrounded Jesus and asks us to consider where we are in our own relationship with Him. Take some time today to read the new devotional, but don’t rush past the question at the heart of it. Ask yourself where you have been content to remain with Jesus, and where He may be inviting you to come closer. Then choose one practical way to make room for that deeper relationship this week. There is always more of Him to know. ❤️

Over the next several weeks, we’re going to walk through a study called Are You A Christian? At first glance, that may seem like a strange title for a community of believers. Many of us have followed Jesus for years. Others have only recently begun their walk with Him. Regardless of where you are in your journey, there is great value in regularly examining our hearts in the light of God’s Word. Scripture encourages us to test ourselves, not to produce fear or uncertainty, but to make sure our faith is genuine and our lives are continuing to reflect Christ. The goal isn’t condemnation. The goal is transformation. As we work through this study together, we encourage you to approach each chapter with humility and an open heart. Resist the temptation to think about someone else while you’re reading. Instead, invite the Holy Spirit to search your own life. Allow the Word of God to strengthen what is healthy, correct what is out of alignment, and deepen your relationship with Jesus. Before we begin Chapter 1, take a few quiet moments in prayer. Ask the Lord to reveal anything He wants to teach you through this study, and commit to following wherever His Word leads. We believe He honors hearts that sincerely desire to know Him more deeply.

The next Great Awakening Tent Revival is almost here, and we wanted to invite our Impact family to be praying with us. Beginning August 10, we’ll be under the tent in Van Wert, Ohio with Brad and Carla Custis and the whole of Church on the Horizon, believing God to do what only He can do. Every city is different. Every week has its own story. We never arrive with a formula. We simply come expecting Jesus to save, heal, deliver, and reveal Himself to people who desperately need Him. As many of you know, these meetings are about far more than a schedule on a calendar. Behind every chair is a person. Behind every invitation is a family. Behind every prayer line is someone who has been carrying burdens that only Jesus can lift. Would you stand with us over these next several days? Pray that hearts would be prepared before anyone ever walks under the tent. Pray for salvations. Pray for prodigals to come home. Pray for those who need healing in their bodies, freedom in their minds, restoration in their families, and fresh encounters with the Holy Spirit. Pray that every volunteer, every church involved, and every conversation would point people to Jesus. If you live within driving distance, we would love to see you there. Nothing compares to being under the tent as God begins changing lives. 📅 Great Awakening Tent Revival August 10–15 6:30 PM nightly 📍 Wesley Park 500 Anderson Ave. Van Wert, OH 45891 Thank you for being more than an online community. You are part of this ministry. Many of the testimonies we celebrate together are the fruit of people just like you who faithfully pray, encourage, and believe with us. If you’re planning to join us in Van Wert, let us know below. We’d love to be praying for you as you travel, and after the meetings we’d love to hear what God spoke to your heart.