Devotional
He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant — not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Thoughts on Today's Verse...God "has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant." God has willingly entered into a new covenant of love, grace, and purpose with us, his adopted children. He sealed that covenant with the blood of his Son Jesus and LORD. Jesus poured out the Holy Spirit to give us the power to live the life of this new covenant.* God has made a covenant of love and grace with us. The Almighty has then turned around and made us worthy and "competent" to share that covenant with others. God's covenant with us is life-giving because it brings life to us and life to others, through us!
* The thoughts and prayer today are rooted in Paul's teaching in Romans 7 and Romans 8, Titus 3:3-7, and 2 Corinthians 3, which ends with these words: And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate and reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
O holy and majestic God, thank you for your grace that has saved me from sin and has redeemed me from the law of sin and death. Thank you for sending the gift of your Son and for the Son giving me the gift of your Spirit so that I can live with you in a covenant of life, grace, and love. While I confess my weaknesses, I also commit to live to honor your sacrifice, love, and covenant with me. I pursue Jesus, knowing that he is at work through the Spirit to transform me to live under this new covenant. I trust that you will empower me to be what you are calling me to be as I live in covenant with you. In Jesus' name, I pray and give thanks. Amen.
The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware. Questions or comments can be sent to help@verseoftheday.com.© 1998-2026, Heartlight, Inc. Verseoftheday.com is part of the Heartlight Network and is maintained by Infinite Publishing. | Privacy PolicyAll scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Disclaimer: Content provided by Heartlight, Inc. is for informational and inspirational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for church, pastoral guidance, or professional counseling. Readers are solely responsible for their use of this material.
The ELIJAH LIST
Christian Headlines
A live election-night broadcast is bringing hundreds of people together to watch returns, analysis, and prayer through an explicitly Christian lens. But does a biblical worldview require more than showing [...]
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye recently shared the powerful Bible verse that guides his life, revealing how he navigates the demanding world of professional football by trusting in a higher plan. [...]
A controversial new clip from "The Chosen" Season 6, depicting warrior-like angels preparing to defend Jesus, has ignited a fervent online debate among fans and critics alike. [...]
Millions are turning to ChatGPT for answers to their deepest religious questions each week, but a new report reveals the surprising motivations behind these inquiries challenge conventional assumptions about faith [...]
What began as a routine flight over Florida quickly devolved into a catastrophic emergency, as a private jet experienced rapid descent and a pilot's increasingly frantic final radio calls. [...]
Christian Today
SIMPLE COOKING IDEAS

Everything you love about enchiladas, minus the fuss! This super flavorful, cheesy vegan enchilada skillet comes together in about 30 minutes with simple methods, minimal dishes, and no need to fill or roll tortillas.
This easy, nourishing dish features tender cubed sweet potato or winter squash, fiber- & protein-rich black beans, and a rich red enchilada sauce. Everything gets simmered in 1 pan and topped with a melty cashew “cheese” that makes it SUPER satisfying and delicious!
Cheesy Vegan Enchilada Skillet (30 Minutes!) from Minimalist Baker →

Honey almond snack cake!? You know you want to jump in on the fun! This GORGEOUS loaf is perfectly moist with a lightly floral flavor and beautiful sponge texture. Bonus? It’s made without gluten or dairy, but no one will know.
It’s the perfect cake for afternoon tea, brunch gatherings, and beyond! Just 10 ingredients, 1 bowl, and simple methods (no mixer) required. Let’s bake!
1-Bowl Honey Almond Snack Cake (Gluten-Free) from Minimalist Baker →

When we add another bolognese to the blog (Yes, we already have versions 1, 2, 3, and 4), you know it’s something special! This newest version is made with EGGPLANT, meaning it’s the perfect bolognese for late summer. It’s light yet satisfying, creamy yet bright, and full of bold Italian-inspired flavor — everyone will be asking for seconds!
Even better? It’s a breeze to make — just 1 pot required!

Just when we thought summer’s most perfect veggie couldn’t get any more delicious, corn FRITTERS graced our palettes. These crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside, lightly spiced fritters are a must-try appetizer or side!
Not only are they incredibly delicious, but these fritters are vegan, optionally gluten-free, and SO easy to make! Grab your mixing bowl and 10 basic ingredients, and you’ll be enjoying fritters in 30 minutes or less.
RECIPES IDEAS

This homemade mac and cheese recipe is the ultimate comfort food. It stars a creamy homemade cheese sauce, tender macaroni noodles, and a breadcrumb topping that becomes crisp and golden in the oven. My kids (and husband) love this baked mac and cheese for dinner, and it’s also a crowd-pleasing holiday side dish. Made with 3 types of cheese, it’s rich, flavorful, and guaranteed to be a hit! Homemade Mac and Cheese Ingredients Here’s what you’ll need to make this homemade baked mac and cheese: Macaroni, of course! This cute elbow pasta is perfect for cradling the cheesy sauce. Feel free […]

In this green bean casserole recipe, tender green beans are tossed in a creamy homemade mushroom sauce, then baked with french-fried onions on top. It has the same basic components as the Campbell’s casserole I ate at Thanksgiving growing up—green beans, creamy sauce, crispy onions—but it’s fresher and more flavorful by far. My whole family went back for seconds the first time I served it to them. I hope yours does too! Green Bean Casserole Ingredients Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe: Green beans, of course! I like this recipe best with fresh green beans, especially haricots verts, […]

This corn muffins recipe is one of my favorite side dishes for soups, chili, and stews. Easy to make with 10 basic ingredients, the muffins have a lightly sweet corn flavor and a tender, crumbly texture with delicious crisp edges. I’m happy eating one plain, but these cornbread muffins are also fantastic with a drizzle of hot honey or a slather of honey butter, if you’d like to kick them up a notch. I adapted this recipe from my go-to cornbread. The ingredients are nearly identical, but when I was testing the recipe, I found that I needed a little extra […]

This hot honey recipe has earned a permanent spot in my pantry. Quick and easy to make with 3 ingredients, it’s sweet and spicy, with a subtle tangy flavor. I love whisking it into salad dressings to give them a little kick, drizzling it over pizzas, and slathering it on baked goods like cornbread and biscuits. In case you’re not familiar, hot honey is honey infused with fresh or dried chile peppers, often with some vinegar mixed in too. I started cooking with it about 10 years ago, when the brand Mike’s Hot Honey turned me (and a lot of other […]

These pumpkin pancakes are my favorite breakfast to make on a cool fall weekend morning. They’re packed with cozy fall flavor—from pumpkin puree, of course, but also from warm spices like ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon. They have a delicious fluffy texture, and they’re easy to make with simple ingredients that you probably have in your pantry already. This pumpkin pancakes recipe works with fresh pumpkin puree, but most often, I make it with canned. I call for just 1/2 cup—enough to make the pancakes moist and flavorful without making them dense—so you’ll have a little more than a cup left […]

This apple cider margarita recipe is a fun fall twist on the classic cocktail! It comes together with just four ingredients: apple cider, tequila, orange liqueur, and fresh lime juice. I love the sweet, bright flavor of the cider alongside the tangy lime and citrusy liqueur. Garnishes like star anise, cinnamon sticks, and a cinnamon sugar rim round out the cozy autumn flavors. Where I live in Austin, Texas, a classic margarita never feels out of season. But once October arrived this year, I started craving a festive fall drink. It’s still too hot here to make a hot toddy or […]
LIFE BALANCE
As a parent and educator with over 20 years of experience in child development, I’ve seen the exact same post-holiday scene play out time and time again: It’s December 26th. The floor is covered in shredded wrapping paper, plastic packaging, and dozens of tiny toy parts that are already missing their matching pieces. By mid-January,...
The post 35 Best Non-Toy Christmas Gifts for Kids (That Aren’t Experiences) appeared first on Simply Well Balanced.
Looking for fun and unique Christmas gift theme ideas for family fun? This list is full of the perfect holiday gift exchange categories. Whether you’re on a budget or looking for the perfect gift, these holiday themes are sure to be a huge help. Once the Christmas season rolls around, shopping and gift-giving seem to...
The post 50 Family Christmas Gift Exchange Theme Ideas appeared first on Simply Well Balanced.
If you’ve shopped for toys lately, you already know the drill: almost everything blinks, makes loud electronic noises, requires a Wi-Fi connection, or comes attached to an app. As parents, it can feel like a losing battle to find retro gifts that hold a child’s attention without handing them another digital device. Over my 20+...
The post The “Throwback Kid” Gift Guide: 12 Classic Toys & Retro Games Modern Kids Actually Want appeared first on Simply Well Balanced.
Wondering how to get kids to do chores without yelling, bribing, or repeating yourself five times? If every day feels like a negotiation meeting, you’re not alone. Most parents describe the exact same loop when explaining the struggles they face when it comes to chores: the request, the ignore, the repeat, the snap. What’s Inside:The...
The post Get Kids to Do Chores Without Yelling (A Discipline Coach’s Guide) appeared first on Simply Well Balanced.
You’re loading the dishwasher one Tuesday evening when it hits you: your 6-year-old is halfway to twelve. And suddenly, it feels like time is slipping through your hands. It’s not panic, exactly. More like a quiet nudge. A reminder that this season (the one with messy craft projects and requests for “one more story” and...
The post 25 Core Memory Family Activities to Do Before Age 12 appeared first on Simply Well Balanced.
If you’re looking for toys your kids will actually want to put down their tablets for, you’ve come to the right place. These 25 open-ended picks are the real deal: screen-free, imagination-fueling, and genuinely fun for kids ages 3 to 8. What’s Inside: You’ll find 25 toys organized into four fun categories (building, pretend play,...
The post 25 Teacher-Approved Open-Ended Toys That Replace Screen Time (Ages 3 to 8) appeared first on Simply Well Balanced.

"I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Gives Me Strength"


