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Bible Gleanings, devotions

When the Way is Unclear | Bible Gleanings | August 29-30, 2026

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Only thirty miles from freedom, four runaway slaves stopped in their tracks beneath the starlit darkness. Behind them was a life of slavery, but before them was a frigid creek that appeared impassable—one they were instructed to wade through by the woman who promised to lead them to liberty. They had no lamps, no map, and no clear path ahead—just faith in Harriet Tubman and confidence that she knew the path to freedom. On the other side of the bitter stream was an abolitionist-friendly safehouse that would send them toward independence, but they didn’t know that. They didn’t know what Tubman knew, and they couldn’t see what she saw—so, not knowing the way to go, they trusted in the one who did.

And this is what the Scripture instructs believers to do when the way in life is unclear: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Prov. 3:5-6, KJV). Life sometimes brings you to a creek you don’t want to cross—a tumultuous tribulation, a season of unanswered prayer, or a consequential decision that is nearly impossible to make. But remember, only the Lord sees what is on the other side. You do not know what He knows, nor can you see what He sees. Therefore, when you do not know the way to go, trust in the One who does. 

King Jehoshaphat once stood where the water looked deep. Advancing upon him were the mighty Moabites and the aggressive Ammonites, and he was severely outnumbered—or so he thought. With nowhere else to look, he looked up, and prayed, “O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chron. 20:12). This is what faith says in times of uncertainty: “I don’t know what to do, but I know where to look. I don’t know where to go, but I know who to follow. I don’t know how this will work out, but I know the God who works all things together for good.”

The guiding Shepherd is also the way-making Lord, and He will either lead you the right way or make a way when there isn’t one. When the Israelites fled from Egypt, they came to a standstill at the Red Sea with no way forward, and the Egyptians were hot on their heels. And although Moses did not know how they would escape, he trusted in God and said with bold faith, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD” (Ex. 14:13a). And the Creator parted the sea. The God who knows the way and makes the way is worthy of your trust when the way is unclear.

Brandon is the pastor of Bandana Baptist Church in Bandana, Kentucky, where he lives with his wife, Dakota, their much-prayed for son, Oliver, and their three dogs. Brandon and Dakota previously served as foster parents through Sunrise Children’s Services of Kentucky. Brandon is also a published author and his Bible Gleanings columns are featured in over sixteen publications throughout Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, and Indiana. He is also a devotional contributor for Kentucky Today, a news publication of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, and an editor at Reforming the Heart.

Bible Gleanings, devotions

Finding Faithful Friends | Bible Gleanings | August 22-23, 2026

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Straight lines look crooked with enough pressure from a crowd. Psychologist Solomon Asch demonstrated this during a landmark experiment in the 1950s. He seated one unsuspecting test subject in a room with numerous actors, and displayed two cards to everyone—one featuring a solitary straight line, the other displaying three lines of obviously varying lengths with only one matching the line on the first card. The assignment was straightforward: match the lines. So easy, a monkey could do it blindfolded.

Shockingly, over 75% of participants got the answer wrong. How did they fudge such a simple task? Because the actors were instructed to lie and swear that the shorter lines matched the one on the first card although anyone with eyes could see that they absolutely didn’t. Many of the respondents initially matched the lines correctly, but changed their minds due to peer pressure. Dr. Solomon concluded that human beings will do what is wrong even though they know what is right—all it takes is enough influence from others.

Solomon the Preacher reached a similar conclusion from the experiment of life: spend enough time walking with someone and you will eventually start walking like them—for better or worse. “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise,” he wrote, “but a companion of fools shall be destroyed” (Prov. 13:20, KJV). Who you befriend influences what you believe and how you behave. Friendship is formative, which is why you must stick close with companions of character and commitment who draw you closer to Christ and avoid “friends” who lead you astray by making sin easier and obedience harder. You cannot live righteously while walking with the wicked, nor can you live righteously without walking with the righteous—so choose your friends carefully.

When you hang around a fire for a while, smoke will cling to your clothes—when you hang around people who are playing with fire by living disobediently, their sin will cling to your life (Prov. 22:24-25). But when you fellowship with believers who are “on fire” for the Lord with white-hot zeal for His glory, the flame of your own zeal will burn hotter. The best kind of friend is one who improves your sanctification and holiness, not one who hinders it: “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” (Prov. 27:17). Faithful friends also tell you what you need to hear rather than what you want to hear: “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy” (Prov. 27:6; cf. 27:9-10). Christlike companions, furthermore, love you at your worst—not at your best (Prov. 10:12; 17:9, 17; 19:4, 6-7).

Still, even the best of earthly friends will fail and disappoint—there is only One who will never leave you nor forsake you—the Friend of sinners: “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Prov. 18:24; cf. John 15:13-15; Rom. 5:8). Take an honest inventory right now of your closest friends—where are they taking you and how are they “making” you?

Brandon is the pastor of Bandana Baptist Church in Bandana, Kentucky, where he lives with his wife, Dakota, their much-prayed for son, Oliver, and their three dogs. Brandon and Dakota previously served as foster parents through Sunrise Children’s Services of Kentucky. Brandon is also a published author and his Bible Gleanings columns are featured in over sixteen publications throughout Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, and Indiana. He is also a devotional contributor for Kentucky Today, a news publication of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, and an editor at Reforming the Heart.

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Our Guide Forever | Bible Gleanings | August 8-9, 2026

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We never saw him again. Even when we did, we barely caught a glimpse of him. But before we parted ways, he smiled and said, “And that concludes our tour of Marvel Cave, ladies and gentlemen.” Our tour guide was off to lead another party of curious cavers after escorting us through the winding passages, spears of stalactite, and dripping cavernous chambers within this historic cave which lies 500 feet beneath Silver Dollar City. His only job was to direct us through a cave—not back to our cars, hotels, or other attractions in Branson, Missouri. While our guide knew everything about caves, he wasn’t an expert in everything—he could only take us as far as his knowledge would take him. 

There is, however, a Guide whose knowledge is limitless—and therefore, whose guidance is limitless. “For this God is our God for ever and ever,” wrote the psalmist, “he will be our guide even unto death” (Psalm 48:14, KJV). The Lord leads His people through every season of life and His guidance does not end until He brings them to their heavenly home. The great Shepherd steers His saints through life and toward life everlasting: “Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory” (Ps. 73:23-24).

He can straighten the most winding paths with His wisdom, brighten the darkest valleys by His illuminating light, and carry His people through the most tempestuous of life’s storms. No matter how heavy the burden, how confusing the decision, or how uncertain tomorrow may be, the God who knows the end from the beginning promises, “the LORD will guide you continually” (Isa. 58:11a). Even if you rode to the edge of the galaxy on the rays of the sun or descended to the floor of the ocean, the Lord would be there to lead the way: “If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me” (Ps. 139:9-10). And while every tour guide eventually says goodbye, the Lord says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). Moreover, He doesn’t merely tell believers where to go—He goes with them: “It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you” (Deut. 31:8a).

It is no wonder why generations of believers have prayed and found comfort in singing the words of He Leadeth Me by J. H. Gilmore (1834—1918), which says,

“He leadeth me: O blessed thought!

O words with heavenly comfort fraught!

Whate’er I do, where’er I be,

still ‘tis God’s hand that leadeth me.

He leadeth me, he leadeth me;

by his own hand he leadeth me:

his faithful follower I would be,

for by his hand he leadeth me.

Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,

sometimes where Eden’s flowers bloom,

by waters calm, o’er troubled sea,

still ‘tis God’s hand that leadeth me.”

Brandon is the pastor of Bandana Baptist Church in Bandana, Kentucky, where he lives with his wife, Dakota, their much-prayed for son, Oliver, and their three dogs. Brandon and Dakota previously served as foster parents through Sunrise Children’s Services of Kentucky. Brandon is also a published author and his Bible Gleanings columns are featured in over sixteen publications throughout Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, and Indiana. He is also a devotional contributor for Kentucky Today, a news publication of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, and an editor at Reforming the Heart.

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Little Providences | Bible Gleanings | July 25-26, 2026

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One might say it was an extraordinarily lucky shot when an archer randomly fired his bow into the air and somehow struck and severely injured the armor-covered King Ahab precisely where he was exposed (1 Kings 22:34). Some would conclude that the stars aligned when the midnight insomnia of King Ahasuerus could only be cured from reading an old book—one that just so happened to record the forgotten loyalty of Mordecai, compelling the king to honor him rather than hang him (Esther 6:1-11). Some would suppose that the widow Ruth carried around a rabbit’s foot and a four-leaf clover when she went to work in a field that serendipitously belonged to Boaz, her future husband and redeemer (Ruth 2:3). Some might believe it was a fluke of good fortune when the little boy with a sack lunch “coincidentally” stood near Jesus exactly when the multitudes needed to eat (John 6:9). Some may argue that fate smiled upon the apostle Paul, whose life was repeatedly spared simply because he was a Roman citizen (Acts 16:35-40; 22:22-29). 

But according to Scripture, nothing is random—everything is ruled by the Lord (Prov. 16:33). Nothing is a happy accident—everything is a divine appointment (Psalm 139:16). Nothing is a coincidence—everything is a providence. “[God] works all things,” wrote Paul, “according to the counsel of his will” (Eph. 1:11b). And small things are part of all things. 

They say that the biggest doors still swing on the smallest hinges and that every avalanche begins with a single snowflake. And the Bible teaches something even greater: the Lord often accomplishes His grandest purposes through the smallest details of everyday life. He doesn’t merely move mountains—He moves molecules. The God who governs the galaxies also intricately directs detours, delays, disappointments, and even daily decisions. As the Puritans used to say, the Lord’s greatest works are often His quietest works.

It is tempting to associate the Lord’s power with mighty miracles only, but miracles are frequently hiding in plain sight. Perhaps this is why Scripture says not to despise the day of “small things” (Zech. 4:10). He may use a minor inconvenience to completely redirect the course of your life or place you beside the right person at the right time to hear the right words to counsel or encourage you. He may use one sentence from one sermon to change your mind, one verse in Scripture to comfort your soul, one unexpected phone call that answers a prayer, or even one different route home to spare you from unforeseen harm. God tends to the little things like counting hairs (Matt. 10:30), ensuring that every star has a name (Ps. 147:4), feeding the sparrows (Matt. 6:26), giving the lions their prey (Ps. 104:21), and making the grass grow (Ps. 104:14). And He will never fail to superintend the little things in the lives of His people.

Brandon is the pastor of Bandana Baptist Church in Bandana, Kentucky, where he lives with his wife, Dakota, their much-prayed for son, Oliver, and their three dogs. Brandon and Dakota previously served as foster parents through Sunrise Children’s Services of Kentucky. Brandon is also a published author and his Bible Gleanings columns are featured in over sixteen publications throughout Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, and Indiana. He is also a devotional contributor for Kentucky Today, a news publication of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, and an editor at Reforming the Heart.

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He Knows His Own | Bible Gleanings | July 4-5, 2026

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Her life was a lie. Twenty-eight years passed before she discovered the life-shattering truth. In a quest to uncover her family lineage, Raylane Amaral submitted her DNA to a trustworthy ancestry firm. The first result hit her like a freight train: the woman she called “mom” was not her biological mother at all. Then came another revelation which left her questioning everything—she had a brother she never knew about.

The New York Post reported that Raylane contacted her newly discovered brother, who claimed his sister was born the very same day. Surely, she was that baby and reuniting with her real mother was finally on the horizon. Not even close. Raylane and her newfound brother learned that his “sister” had also been mistakenly sent home with the wrong woman, meaning that there had not been one mix-up in the hospital, but two. At last, the web of confusion untwined when the women tracked down their real mothers, while the hospital became trapped in a web of its own when all the families joined together in a lawsuit.

Stories like these are rare nowadays because of safeguards in maternity wards, but it serves as a reminder that human beings with the best intentions sometimes mix up who is who. The postal service occasionally delivers your neighbor’s mail to you. Waitresses sometimes bring the wrong meal to your table. Airports erroneously assign your luggage to someone else. But this is something the Lord will never do, which is why the Scripture says, “But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are his’” (2 Tim. 2:19a).

The all-knowing Christ similarly promised, “I know my own and my own know me” (John 10:14b). Paul likewise guaranteed, “But if anyone loves God, he is known by God” (1 Cor. 8:3). The Lord knows every believer by name and has recorded their names with indissoluble ink in the Book of Life (Phil. 4:3; Rev. 3:5). He will never forget His children—the only thing He forgets are their sins (Heb. 8:12). This is why God tenderly swore, “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands” (Isa. 49:15-16a). 

You are known by God if you know Christ and there is no possibility of any mix-up. The Lord never questions whether or not you are His. You can never slip from His memory or be accidentally mistaken for an unbeliever. The hymn-writer Norman J. Clayton (1903–1992) said it best:

“Jesus, my Lord will love me forever,

from Him no pow’r of evil can sever,

He gave His life to ransom my soul;

Now I belong to Him;

Now I belong to Jesus,

Jesus belongs to me,

not for the years of time alone,

but for eternity.”

Brandon is the pastor of Bandana Baptist Church in Bandana, Kentucky, where he lives with his wife, Dakota, their much-prayed for son, Oliver, and their three dogs. Brandon and Dakota previously served as foster parents through Sunrise Children’s Services of Kentucky. Brandon is also a published author and his Bible Gleanings columns are featured in over sixteen publications throughout Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, and Indiana. He is also a devotional contributor for Kentucky Today, a news publication of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, and an editor at Reforming the Heart.

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Wherever He Leads | Bible Gleanings | June 13-14, 2026

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The boy was abruptly abducted. Convinced he would make a good slave, his kidnappers forced him to tend sheep in the extreme conditions of a remote land beyond the sea. Although not particularly religious, the excruciating ordeal compelled the young lad to pray. Finally, after five arduous years, he escaped from captivity by boarding a vessel that carried him home to the embrace of grateful parents who implored him never to leave again. But the runaway slave would eventually undertake the unthinkable: return to the land of his captors with the gospel of Christ—Saint Patrick of Ireland was his name.

The Lord constrained him to return to his nightmare of a life when an Irishman appeared in his dreams, pleading, “We beg you to come and walk among us once more.” Go back to the land that stole his freedom? Relive the past he fought so hard to forget? Saint Patrick said yes. He traded his own safety for service to his Savior and convenience for compliance with Christ’s calling on his life.

The results were miraculous. His evangelistic efforts contributed to the conversion of practically the entire population. An ancient painting of Patrick says it all. It depicts him driving out snakes—the “snakes” of idolatry and dark superstition, which he expelled by proclaiming the Man who crushed the head of the serpent (cf. Gen. 3:15). Even the Celtic slave trade that had once ensnared him diminished because of the transforming power of the message he preached.

A willing believer saying “yes” to a difficult task plus a wonder-working God is a powerful combination. As a matter of fact, the Lord’s greatest works are rarely accomplished the easy way. Moses had to repeatedly stand before an intimidating Pharaoh before Israel was delivered. Gideon had to defeat the Midianites with a significantly decreased fighting force (Judges 7:1-3). The first church had to endure severe persecution in order to multiply (Acts 8:1-4). Even Christ had to suffer and die upon the cross before being raised on the third day (1 Cor. 15:1-4).

God is most active in the hard places: the difficult conversation you don’t want to have, the uncomfortable sacrifice you don’t want to make, and the frightening step of faith you hesitate to take. This is why the Lord delights in servants who answer His sometimes-challenging calls and commands like Isaiah: “Here am I; send me” (Isa. 6:8). Indeed, the path of obedience might bring you face-to-face with your fears, but it will also lead directly to the breathtaking purposes of God. Therefore, the anthem on every believer’s lips ought to be that which is found in B. B. McKinney’s well-known hymn which says,

“It may be through the shadows dim,

or o’er the stormy sea,

I take my cross and follow Him;

wherever He leadeth me.

Wherever He leads I’ll go,

wherever He leads I’ll go,

I’ll follow my Christ who loves me so,

wherever He leads I’ll go.”

Brandon is the pastor of Bandana Baptist Church in Bandana, Kentucky, where he lives with his wife, Dakota, their much-prayed for son, Oliver, and their three dogs. Brandon and Dakota previously served as foster parents through Sunrise Children’s Services of Kentucky. Brandon is also a published author and his Bible Gleanings columns are featured in over sixteen publications throughout Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, and Indiana. He is also a devotional contributor for Kentucky Today, a news publication of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, and an editor at Reforming the Heart.

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Climbing Too High | Bible Gleanings | May 16-17, 2026

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“No matter what, I must reach the top,” he swore to himself, as salty sweat stung his eyes. Although dozens of climbers had died trying, the man was determined to breathe the air of victory at the peak of the ocean-encircled seamount. Halfway to the summit, the ledges began to crumble beneath his feet and the rocks he grasped disintegrated in his hands—but he daringly scrambled upward. Abruptly, his foot slipped, causing him to fall forcefully until his survival backpack became ensnared on a protruding limb. The “Do Not Climb” sign he brushed off at ground level resurfaced in his mind, but he regained his footing, cut his backpack loose with a knife, and watched it plummet to a watery grave hundreds of feet below.

At long last, he arrived at the top, where he exhaled in relief and became absorbed in the stunning sights of the golden horizon and the vast ocean. But after ten minutes of celebration, panic set in: he could not get down. His climbing and survival supplies were in his long-gone backpack. He would die if he jumped, and only the birds would hear him if he screamed for help. Days and nights elapsed as he paced the peak, failing to devise an escape plan—until he succumbed to dehydration and starvation.

Sometimes, climbing too high is a bad idea—it may even kill you. Climbing too high in our hearts through pride is a bad idea, too. Pride manifests itself when we climb over the warnings in God’s word about sin—treating His commands like obstacles in our way rather than safeguards for our good. When we disobey His prohibitions, we pridefully believe that sin’s danger doesn’t apply to us and that we know better than God Himself. Pride also shows up when we think too highly of ourselves and climb over others in pursuit of selfish ambitions—pushing our way to the top to relish in applause and recognition (Rom. 12:3).

But higher is not better. Those who soar as high as an eagle in pride will be brought down in shame (Jer. 49:16), and the greatly exalted will be gravely humbled (Luke 14:11). Did the builders of the Tower of Babel succeed in climbing above God? Did not Nebuchadnezzar crawl like a beast on the ground after exalting himself too highly? Was not Satan cast down from the heights of heaven for his boastful arrogance?

The way up is not up—the way up is down. This is why Peter assured, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you” (1 Pet. 5:6). We must humbly obey God’s warnings about sin, trusting that He knows what is best for us. We must climb down from our pride-pedestals to become lowly servants of others—esteeming them higher than ourselves (Phil. 2:3-5). And when we walk low in humility, we need not fear a great fall (cf. Prov. 16:18).

Brandon is the pastor of Bandana Baptist Church in Bandana, Kentucky, where he lives with his wife, Dakota, their much-prayed for son, Oliver, and their three dogs. Brandon and Dakota previously served as foster parents through Sunrise Children’s Services of Kentucky. Brandon is also a published author and his Bible Gleanings columns are featured in over sixteen publications throughout Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, and Indiana. He is also a devotional contributor for Kentucky Today, a news publication of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, and an editor at Reforming the Heart.

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The Christian’s War Room | Bible Gleanings | March 21-22, 2026

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The fields of battle have frequently been filled with formidable fighters who fell for failure to familiarize themselves with the fiercest weapon of all: prayer. King Saul succumbed in his last battle with the Philistines because he “did not seek guidance from the LORD” in prayer (1 Chron. 10:14). King Amaziah was annihilated—although equipped with 400,000 mighty men and mercenaries—because he did not pray and trust the Lord (2 Chron. 25:5-25). Even the faithful king Josiah was fatally wounded in his last fight because he did not first pray for God’s counsel (2 Chron. 35:20-27). On the other hand, when the Israelites surrounded king David with prayer in Psalm 20, he emerged with a crown of victory on his head, as he later celebrated in Psalm 21.

Failure to pray sets us up for failure, especially in the battles we fight as believers. If we do not fall on our knees in prayer, we will fall in defeat. All conflicts we meet head-on should be faced with our heads down in prayer. Prayer is the armory and arsenal where God equips His people with heaven’s weapons for spiritual combat on earth. Prayer is the believer’s war room.

Prayer is where we don the spiritual armor of God which protects us against Satan. Our God-provided belt, breastplate, shoes, shield, helmet, and sword can only be utilized when we are “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication” (Eph. 6:18a). Facing Satan’s schemes prayerlessly is like waving a white flag before the battle even starts. This is why the Puritan George Swinnock (1627—1673) once counseled, “Prayer is one of the great ordinances that batters down the strongholds of the devil; hence he sets his wiles at work to divert men from it. It is the soul’s armor and Satan’s terror.” There is nothing the devil despises more than a praying Christian, and not much he can do to thwart a believer on their knees.

Prayer is also the key to being victorious over fleshly temptations. No wonder Jesus instructed us to pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matt. 6:13). Similarly, Christ taught that either temptation will overpower the believer, or the believer will overpower temptation through prayer. As He told His exhausted disciples, “Watch and pray lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matt. 26:41). 

Neither should we expect victory in our tribulations without prayer. This is why James gave us the simple exhortation: “Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray” (James 5:13a). Prayer is how we give our burdens to the Lord and receive divine strength to endure trouble. Through prayer, we are given the grace necessary to press forward until the battle is over. Christian, do not enter the battlefield of life unguarded, unarmed, and unready—suit up every day in the war room of prayer.

Brandon is the pastor of Bandana Baptist Church in Bandana, Kentucky, where he lives with his wife, Dakota, their much-prayed for son, Oliver, and their three dogs. Brandon and Dakota previously served as foster parents through Sunrise Children’s Services of Kentucky. Brandon is also a published author and his Bible Gleanings columns are featured in over sixteen publications throughout Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, and Indiana. He is also a devotional contributor for Kentucky Today, a news publication of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, and an editor at Reforming the Heart.

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When Heaven Quakes | Bible Gleanings | February 14-15, 2026

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A traumatic earthquake in San Francisco deeply devastated the little boy, although he was oblivious to it. But he showed subtle signs of how shaken he was on the school’s swingset. The lad’s teachers observed that he would run for the swings during recess, and sway back and forth until it was time for school to resume. And when a teacher finally asked him why he bypassed the slides and merry-go-round to swing alone, he sadly answered, “On the swing, I move like the earth. So, if there’s another earthquake, I won’t feel it.” 

Without realizing it, he diagnosed the knee-jerk reaction we often have when we endure troubles in our lives. When we go through a life-shaking storm—an earthquake-level tribulation that rattles our world—we tend to brace ourselves for the next one. We live anxiously and guarded, worried that if things start to get better, that can only mean they are about to get worse. We often find ourselves quaking before the ground does.  

But the heartening truth of Scripture is that a much greater “quaking” takes place in heaven when we pray during times of trouble. As David said in Psalm 18,

“In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help . . . Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations also of the mountains trembled and quaked, because he was angry. The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Most High uttered his voice, hailstones and coals of fire. He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters” (Ps. 18:6a, 7, 13, 16; cf. Acts 4:31; James 5:16b). 

When we send up a prayer for help during trials, the Lord treats it like a call for backup. At the sound of our requests, God rises like a mighty warrior from His throne, rattling the floor of heaven with His swift steps, and heaven’s gates fling open wide just so the Lord can get to our side. When we pray in peril, God shouts across the heavens as though to say, “Out of My way, My child is in trouble!” When our prayers reach His ears, He leaves the throne-room of glory and enters the battlefield with us. He conducts a search-and-rescue mission when we petition Him for mercy in misery, and will even mobilize creation itself to provide us with reinforcements so we can survive the battle.

Every good father—upon hearing his child crying in danger—would drop everything, rush to his location, and push aside anything that stands in his way. Likewise, our heavenly Father rushes to our position, pushing aside all the glories of heaven and all the starry hosts of the heavens to come to our aid when we need Him. As James Rowe (1865-1933) wrote in the great hymn Love Lifted Me,

“But the Master of the sea

heard my despairing cry,

from the waters lifted me

now safe am I.”

Brandon is the pastor of Bandana Baptist Church in Bandana, Kentucky, where he lives with his wife, Dakota, their much-prayed for son, Oliver, and their three dogs. Brandon and Dakota previously served as foster parents through Sunrise Children’s Services of Kentucky. Brandon is also a published author and his Bible Gleanings columns are featured in over sixteen publications throughout Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, and Indiana. He is also a devotional contributor for Kentucky Today, a news publication of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, and an editor at Reforming the Heart.

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Stewarding Your Spiritual Gifts | Bible Gleanings | February 7-8, 2026

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Being blind, uneducated, and seventy years-old, there was not much she could do—but she wanted to do something. The African woman had been led to Jesus by a gospel-preaching missionary, but her newfound zeal hit a brick wall because of her limitations. She wanted to serve the needy, but felt too old. She yearned to teach, but she couldn’t read. But after seeking God’s wisdom, she conceived an unconventional idea. 

She gave her Bible to the missionary and asked him to underline John 3:16 in red ink. She then passed around her Bible to younger villagers, asking, “Can you read the passage underlined in red?” Then came a follow-up question: “Do you know what this means?” When the youth would respond, “No,” she would then tell them “the old, old story of Jesus and His love.” Although she wasn’t a missionary or a Bible teacher, she understood that the Lord gave her a job to do—and she made it all about Jesus. 

Likewise, if you believe in the Man whose voice inspired the red letters, you also have a calling to fulfill, a ministry to steward, spiritual gifts to use, and divinely-tailored tasks assigned by God exclusively for you. As Paul explained, “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone” (1 Cor. 12:4-6).

And the not-so-secret secret for faithfully fulfilling your God-given calling is centering your service and spiritual gifts around the “words in red,” and the Man who spoke them. When Jesus is not the focus, service swiftly degenerates into self-serving. If the glory of Christ is not the goal of your Spirit-supplied abilities, then recognition, results, and reputation will take its place. Thus, whether you are pastoring a church, teaching Sunday school, changing diapers in the nursery, evangelizing a lost neighbor, singing in the choir, leading family worship, caring for the sick, or counseling the broken—the cross must be the axis. This is why Peter said, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 4:10-11a).

Jesus illustrated this truth in His parable of the talents (Matt. 25:14-30). A master entrusted great fortunes to his servants while he was gone. Two servants invested what they were given, but the “wicked and slothful servant” buried his money in the ground for safekeeping. When the master returned, he blessed the servants who used what he gave them, but cursed the servant who did nothing with what he was given. And the lesson is clear: use what God has given you (Rom. 12:6). Don’t bury your abilities and spiritual gifts—steward them faithfully.

Brandon is the pastor of Bandana Baptist Church in Bandana, Kentucky, where he lives with his wife, Dakota, their much-prayed for son, Oliver, and their three dogs. Brandon and Dakota previously served as foster parents through Sunrise Children’s Services of Kentucky. Brandon is also a published author and his Bible Gleanings columns are featured in over sixteen publications throughout Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, and Indiana. He is also a devotional contributor for Kentucky Today, a news publication of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, and an editor at Reforming the Heart.