Devotional
It is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.
Thoughts on Today's Verse...What does the world most need to see and hear from you and me today? I believe the world needs to see our lives tuned to the melody of grace we claim comes from God in Jesus. Doing good and being like Christ is Peter's answer to opposition, cynicism, and even persecution (1 Peter 3:15-19). We are free in Jesus, but freedom doesn't mean we have to flaunt it pretentiously. Instead, we can live for Jesus, who died to conquer death and renounced the evil one's power over us, to give us heavenly freedom so we could find life in him (Philippians 2:6-11). Like Jesus, we can live as servants to bless others, and we can serve God as we seek to lead others to discover Jesus!
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My Prayer...Holy Father, our great Emancipator, you have freed us from sin, law, and death at the cost of your precious Son. Jesus, we recognize that you gave up your rights and your freedom to serve us and save us. We open our hearts to your grace, forgiveness, and freedom. Thank you for your gift of redemption and the freedom it brings from fear, sin, death, hell, and purposelessness. Please accept the actions of our lives, the words of our mouths, the thoughts of our minds, and the emotions of our hearts today as our offering of thanks as we serve others in the name of Jesus. 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.
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Christian Today
SIMPLE COOKING IDEAS
Cozy, bright, and bursting with holiday flavor — these Cranberry Orange Bliss Bites are the perfect little treat when holiday baking season is in full swing and you’re out of time and energy. Inspired by Starbucks’ Bliss Bars, they pack the tart-sweet magic of cranberries and fresh orange zest into tender, no-bake bites you can whip up in minutes!
Even better? They’re vegan, gluten-free, and require zero baking — making them a lifesaver during the busy holiday season.
No-Bake Cranberry Orange Bliss Bites from Minimalist Baker →
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!
RECIPES IDEAS
These homemade dinner rolls are a perfect addition to almost any meal. Fluffy, soft, and buttery, they’re delicious alongside a humble bowl of soup or a full spread of Thanksgiving recipes. We even love them on their own with honey butter or jam! My husband Jack started making these dinner rolls several years ago, and they’ve been a fixture in our rotation ever since, especially for holidays. We keep coming back to them because they’re so simple. You only need 7 basic ingredients to make this easy dinner roll recipe! Even if you’re new to baking, you can pull this one […]
These Thanksgiving breakfast ideas are perfect for feeding a crowd on Thanksgiving morning! You’ll find sweet dishes that celebrate cozy fall flavors like pumpkin pancakes and cranberry orange muffins. But there are plenty of savory brunch ideas here as well, including a make-ahead breakfast casserole and my go-to frittata. If you have a house full of guests, they’ll love starting the day with one of these recipes. Thanksgiving side dishes can steal the spotlight on the holiday, but I think a good Thanksgiving breakfast is worth planning too. It fuels everyone up for a day of cooking (or watching football…) […]
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This sweet potato casserole recipe has a crunchy, flavorful pecan topping with a creamy layer of sweet potatoes underneath. It’s easy to make with 8 simple ingredients, and you can prep it ahead—the ultimate mark of a great Thanksgiving or holiday side dish, if you ask me! My family always has sweet potato casserole at Thanksgiving. When I was growing up, we had sweet potato casserole with marshmallows on top, but since I started making this pecan version a few years ago, we haven’t looked back. The contrast between the creamy filling and crunchy topping is absolutely delicious, and the toasty […]
This first time I made this au gratin potatoes recipe, Jack and I polished off half the pan ourselves. The thinly sliced potatoes are baked in a rich, garlicky cream sauce with onion and plenty of cheese (cheddar, Gruyère, AND Parmesan for a tangy, nutty punch). I developed the recipe with the holidays in mind. These creamy au gratin potatoes would be an absolutely perfect side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas. They taste decadent and flavorful, yet they’re simple to put together (and you can even make them ahead). If you’re looking for a show-stopping recipe for your table this […]
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 […]
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.
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The post The “Throwback Kid” Gift Guide: 12 Classic Toys & Retro Games Modern Kids Actually Want appeared first on Simply Well Balanced.
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The post Get Kids to Do Chores Without Yelling (A Discipline Coach’s Guide) appeared first on Simply Well Balanced.
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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,...
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"I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Gives Me Strength"