More Stuff, Less Soul? (Let’s Not Do That.)

Read The Daily:
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” — Proverbs 4:23

Black Friday is basically America’s Hunger Games — shopping edition. Long lines, doorbusters, carts full of things we definitely don’t need but somehow believe will make life better. And honestly? It’s easy to get swept into the idea that happiness is one purchase away. But yesterday’s message reminds us: “there” — the next thing, next fix, next upgrade — never delivers what it promises.

The guy in Jesus’ story wasn’t wrecked by evil — he was wrecked chasing a road he thought would take him somewhere better. We’ve all done that. We’ve all believed the next thing will finally fill the quiet ache inside. But Jesus doesn’t heal us by giving us more stuff — He heals us by giving us Himself.

So while the world sprints for discounts today, protect your soul. Pay attention to the people around you — the stressed-out cashier, the tired parent, the friend who feels alone after a holiday. Sometimes the most countercultural thing you can do on Black Friday is slow down, breathe, smile, and act like a human who knows where real value comes from.

Today, enjoy the deals if you want — but don’t miss the deeper invitation: happiness isn’t in the cart. It’s in becoming the kind of person who brings healing into someone else’s day.

Prayer for the Day

God what are you  showing me?  What am I going to do about it?
God help me to see one person that I can serve through a kind word, random act of kindness, or simple gift today?
Make sure you complete the reading or comment today.

Read The New Testament In A Year

Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently arrived from Italy with his wife, Priscilla. They had left Italy when Claudius Caesar deported all Jews from Rome. Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was. Each Sabbath found Paul at the synagogue, trying to convince the Jews and Greeks alike. And after Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul spent all his time preaching the word. He testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. But when they opposed and insulted him, Paul shook the dust from his clothes and said, “Your blood is upon your own heads—I am innocent. From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles.” Then he left and went to the home of Titius Justus, a Gentile who worshiped God and lived next door to the synagogue. Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and everyone in his household believed in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized. One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God. But when Gallio became governor of Achaia, some Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him before the governor for judgment. They accused Paul of “persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to our law.” But just as Paul started to make his defense, Gallio turned to Paul’s accusers and said, “Listen, you Jews, if this were a case involving some wrongdoing or a serious crime, I would have a reason to accept your case. But since it is merely a question of words and names and your Jewish law, take care of it yourselves. I refuse to judge such matters.” And he threw them out of the courtroom. The crowd then grabbed Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and beat him right there in the courtroom. But Gallio paid no attention. Acts 18:1-17

Then the seven angels with the seven trumpets prepared to blow their mighty blasts. The first angel blew his trumpet, and hail and fire mixed with blood were thrown down on the earth. One-third of the earth was set on fire, one-third of the trees were burned, and all the green grass was burned. Then the second angel blew his trumpet, and a great mountain of fire was thrown into the sea. One-third of the water in the sea became blood, one-third of all things living in the sea died, and one-third of all the ships on the sea were destroyed. Then the third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from the sky, burning like a torch. It fell on one-third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The name of the star was Bitterness. It made one-third of the water bitter, and many people died from drinking the bitter water. Then the fourth angel blew his trumpet, and one-third of the sun was struck, and one-third of the moon, and one-third of the stars, and they became dark. And one-third of the day was dark, and also one-third of the night. Then I looked, and I heard a single eagle crying loudly as it flew through the air, “Terror, terror, terror to all who belong to this world because of what will happen when the last three angels blow their trumpets.” Revelation 8:6-13

Read More – Bible Project Overviews: Acts, Revelation