Granada Gardens

10/16/2026

10/16/2026

Needy by Default

Jesus healed people who were sick and fed people who were hungry. Because of that, great crowds were following Him.

But He wanted them to know that who He was was greater than what He had to offer…

“Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
‭‭John‬ ‭6‬:‭35‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God could have hardwired us to need nothing, but instead, He made us dependent on things like food, water, oxygen, sleep, sunlight—and Him. He designed this world intentionally, with specific needs and certain limitations.

We are needy by default.

Just as food and water are essential for human life, everyday realities point us to spiritual truths…

We need Jesus even more than we need the essentials of life.

We can search for fulfillment in our work and relationships, as well as in money, fame, power, s*x, achievement, and adventure. But it all results in emptiness. It’s all like chasing after the wind.

So let’s not just follow Jesus merely for what He has to offer, but for who He is. Let’s realize that this world will never satisfy, but we already have access to true nourishment.

We can come to Him to be filled because He is the bread of life.

10/15/2026

Forgiveness Matters

One of the most profound Biblical examples of forgiveness is found in a story Jesus told about a king who wanted to settle his debts. One man owed the king a lot of money that he couldn’t repay, but the king had mercy on him and forgave the debt.

Afterward, the forgiven man encountered someone who owed him a small debt. But instead of showing mercy and forgiveness, he sends the man to prison until the debt is repaid. When the king hears about this, he is outraged at the hypocrisy, and has the forgiven man arrested.

If we’re being honest with ourselves, we probably fit into this story somewhere. How often have we chosen not to forgive someone while happily receiving the forgiveness that God offers us?

We’ve all made mistakes. We’ve all rebelled against God. And all wrongdoing is contrary to God’s ways. Some sins have bigger consequences—but every mistake causes us to fall short of God’s perfection.

Forgiveness doesn’t necessarily erase the hurt caused, but it does help us heal and move forward. We will never know someone else’s entire life story. We won’t always understand what experiences impact the decisions someone makes. That’s why empathy matters.

Showing empathy requires placing ourselves in the position of the person who’s offended us, and choosing to understand their burdens. This is what Jesus did when He came to earth, experienced what it was like to be human, and then took our sins on Himself when He died for us. Although we have all wronged Him, He gave up His life to forgive and rescue us.

Scripture isn’t asking us to do something that Jesus hasn’t already done for us. And, Scripture also says that to the extent we forgive, we will be forgiven (Matthew 6:14-15). So if we truly want to experience God’s forgiveness, then we need to extend forgiveness to others—even when we can’t forget what they’ve done.

So is there someone you’re withholding forgiveness from? Ask God to show you who you need to forgive. Then, allow God to shift your perspective and soften your heart toward that person. Let Him give you the strength and empathy you need to forgive.

10/14/2026

The Power of Stillness

We’re busy people.

Between work and home, family and friends, full schedules and unending tasks, it’s tempting to hurry through our days without even stopping to look up.

But, speaking through the psalmist, God said:

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

When was the last time you were intentionally still (and not just when you were sleeping)? When was your body and mind quiet enough to acknowledge that God is God?

Regardless of the past, what will you choose today? You can close this app, check “time with God” off your to-do list, and continue on with business as usual. Or, you can allow the knowledge and truth of God to bring peace to your restless heart.

There’s something about stillness that compels us beyond ourselves. There’s something about stillness that heightens our awareness of and need for God.

It’s one thing to acknowledge God with our words, but another to put Him above every other good, bad, and distracting thing in our lives—to live in a way that honors and magnifies Him.

There will come a day when, ready or not, God will reveal Himself fully. There will come a day when, willing or not, every secret will come to light. There will come a day when, like it or not, He will be exalted above the nations and honored throughout the world.

But you don’t have to wait to worship Him. You don’t have to wait to call Him your God. You don’t have to wait to make Him the Lord and King of your life.

You can be still, right now, and know that He is God.

10/13/2026

Blessed in Trust

Jeremiah 17 begins with a rebuke. God is calling out the Israelites for their idolatry—for trusting in other gods and forsaking Him and His teachings.

Like a parent with a child who's made a terrible choice, God makes it very clear that these choices have led and will lead to consequences. And yet, rather than only focusing on all that's been lost and will be lost because of Israel’s terrible choices, Jeremiah takes a moment to bring a refreshing reminder:

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.”
Jeremiah 17:7 NIV

He calls those who trust Him “blessed,” even as chaos, sin, and idolatry reign around them. He says that people who trust in God “will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:8 NIV)

We get to choose who and what we worship.

Who is your confidence in? Who do you trust? If you're trusting in the Lord, take heart knowing that in this you are blessed. An abundant life in God, full of fruit even when sin is all around, is the mark of having chosen to trust Him. What an incredible thing it is to be able to make this choice!

10/12/2026

Passing Along God’s Wisdom

What if the choices you make today could shape someone else’s life for years to come?

Proverbs 22:6 says, “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.”

It reminds us that our actions don’t just affect us—they also act as an example, guiding and directing others, whether we realize it or not. And which direction we guide others… matters.

When you trust Him, God can use your consistent acts of faithfulness over time to plant His wisdom deep in a person’s heart.

The book of Proverbs is a powerful collection of wisdom meant to teach people how to live well and thrive according to God's values. Throughout Proverbs, parents are encouraged to pass that wisdom on to their children. It’s one of the clearest examples of the Bible telling us exactly what Scripture is for. The goal is not simply to pass on rules to follow, but to train others to see clearly so they can recognize the difference between the path of wisdom and the path of foolishness.

Proverbs 22:6 isn’t saying that parents can control the choices their children make. Instead, it points to the lasting influence of faithful, consistent guidance.

This kind of influence takes time and genuine care. It happens through repeated conversations, everyday choices, Scripture, prayer, correction, encouragement, and setting an example. If you’re not sure where to start, consider inviting a child, friend, or family member to begin a simple practice with you: reading one chapter of the book of Proverbs each day. It is full of God’s powerful wisdom for a thriving life.

Whether you’re guiding a child, mentoring someone younger, or simply trying to live faithfully before others, remember this: you may not see the results of your faithfulness today. That doesn’t mean you aren’t making an impact. Keep going. Trust God with what you cannot see. Trust that when you plant God’s wisdom, over time, it will take root and grow.