Baruch Senior Ministries

08/21/2026

"Do Not Be Afraid" - A Devotional by Chaplain Joan Cornelison

But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” (John 6:20 NIV)

Have you ever been in a storm? Did you feel afraid or terrified? These responses are completely human. In fact, fear can sometimes drive us towards safety. Jesus’ disciples felt terrified when a sudden storm interrupted their idyllic trip to Capernaum. Even though they were close associates of Jesus, their faith faltered in the face of the dangerous waves that threatened them. Their humanity quickly became evident even as ours is evident when we feel threatened. As they focused on the approaching storm, their fear grew and their confidence in Jesus’ ability to protect them, was diminished.

Amid their fear, Jesus responds with the assurance of His presence in the storm. He says to the frightened disciples in the boat, “It is I; don’t be afraid” (John 6:20). My translation for this is, “I am present even in the chaos that surrounds you; don’t be afraid, just trust me.” Often when we encounter challenges in our daily lives, we might assume that God is absent. This is especially true when we pray but our situations grow increasingly worse. The lesson here is that God is always in the details, always near us, and in control, even when we do not see or feel Him. Therefore, we should never be afraid.

However, the call to banish all fear is a tall order. Fear is our instinctive response to the threats we face. Fortunately, Jesus understands our frailty and He continuously calls on us to trust Him in the various ‘storms’ that interrupt our lives reminding us, constantly, “It is I; don’t be afraid”(Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 55:9; Romans 8:28). As you go about your week, expect some unexpected ‘storms’ and believe that Jesus is right there with you in every ‘storm’, calling you to Himself, and giving you the strength to make it through

08/18/2026

Premiums are generally lower when purchased earlier in life, like in your 50s or early 60s. Waiting until your health declines or changes happen can make your coverage more expensive or even unavailable.

It’s also not something to delay until the last minute when you actually need long-term care.

To find out what this means for you and your family - check out our latest blog:

What is long-term care insurance, and does it cover assisted living? Baruch Senior Ministries is here with the answers.

08/17/2026

Senior living costs can feel like one big question mark.

You don’t have to figure it all out at once. Our free funding guide breaks down some of the questions families often have as they start exploring senior living: https://hubs.li/Q04t87X70

08/17/2026

August is full of sunshine, smiles, and special moments! ☀️💛 From creative activities and games to laughter and time spent together, our residents are making the most of every summer day. We love creating memories and celebrating the joy of community! 🌻🎶

08/14/2026

"Thrive!" - A Devotional by Chaplain Val VandeHaar

The person in right standing before God by trusting him really lives. (Romans 1:17 MSG)

The word thrive means to grow vigorously; to prosper; to progress toward or reach a goal. You know how vigorously babies normally develop. The apostle Peter challenges us with the following, “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2); and in Psalm 122:6 we read,

“They shall prosper that love you."

God wants us to “be like the runners in a race–run with all your might toward the goal!” (1 Corinthians 9:24-25).

The book of Proverbs is filled with sound advice on how to flourish:

•“If you accept my words and store up my commands within you…you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God” (2:1, 5).

•“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” (11:25).

•“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed” (16:3).

•“Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord” (16:20).

•“He who cherishes understanding prospers” (19:8).

As you read through and reflect on these scriptures, may you find yourself THRIVING in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

08/10/2026

You’re not just looking for care. You’re looking for a place where your loved one can feel safe, comfortable, respected, and at home.

Our free guide can help you know what to look for, what to ask, and how to begin. Check it out now: https://hubs.ly/Q04klCrl0

08/07/2026

"Be Filled With Joy" - A Devotional by Marissa Brinks

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. (Psalm 126:3 NIV)

Upon my birth, my parents used Psalm 126:3 on my birth announcement card. This Psalm reminds us about gratitude for what God has done. It says: “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”

Did you wake up this morning? Do you have a place to sleep at night? Is there food in your refrigerator and on your table? Do you have a job to go to each day? Do you have a Savior who has forgiven you of all your sins and who loves you unconditionally? If you can answer “yes!” to these questions, you have a lot to be joyful about, and the Lord has done great things for you. God is our very present help in trouble, our hiding place during the storm, and our strength when we are weak. He protects. He provides. The Lord is good!

Now, does this mean that we are overjoyed every single minute of every single day? Definitely not! There will be times of pain, suffering, and sorrow – we see that, in our personal lives and in the world around us. A lot of people are going through difficult situations and are not filled with joy. But these times of trouble won’t last. Sorrow will be turned to joy and tears to laughter. Psalm 103:2 says:

“Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He does for me.” We ought to marvel at how God has helped us in the past and trust Him to do it again.

What has the Lord done for you that you can be thankful for and JOYFUL about in your personal life? Take a few minutes each day for a moment of gratitude.

08/06/2026

Come visit our booth at Unity Christian Music Festival in Muskegon! We will be here Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night (August 6, 7, & 8) enjoying the music and talking about our passion for serving people as they age!

08/04/2026

Exploring can feel like a big decision, but the assessment process helps make it more personal, clear, and supportive.

is here to walk with families every step of the way.

Read the blog, download a brochure, and connect with our team today.

What is an assisted living assessment, and how do they help with the needed levels of care? Our expert team is here to explain.

07/31/2026

"Children of God" - A Devotional by Chaplain Joan Cornelison

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! (1 John 3:1a NIV)

There is a story about a woman who had two children, one was natural born and the other adopted. One day someone asked her, “Which of your children is adopted?” She stared into the distance for a moment and then said, “I can’t remember.”

This is how it is with God. He lavished His love upon us, “while we were yet sinners” (Romans 5:8). Yes, we may not yet be fully what He wants us to be, but He sees us as we will be when Christ appears. He sees us through eyes of love and bestows upon us the privilege of being called children of God.

In a world where differences are often magnified, who do you see when you go to work, to the mall, or when you walk on the streets? God calls us to be like Him. He calls us to love humanity just as He loves us; without prejudice or favoritism. Will you heed this call? Like the woman in the adoption story, may we experience holy amnesia in our interactions with each other, so that we will be able to see all people through His lens of agape love. As we continue to grow in Him, may He give us the grace and the ability to extend the same unearned dignity and privilege to others, as He has done for us, that the world will know we are truly children of God. My prayer for all of us today is that God will lead each one of us to someone who needs a demonstration of His love. When the opportunity comes, please say, "Yes!” so that many will join this incredible family.