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SOT Ranch, PO Box 52, Wortham, TX (2026)

10/10/2026

The Good Life

Everyone on earth is searching for "the good life." We all want our lives to matter—to be filled with purpose and significance. But often, we're searching for fulfillment and meaning through things, people, or efforts that simply cannot satisfy us.

Many people try to find significance from the admiration and acceptance of those around them. Others look for fulfillment through material possessions and worldly success—by working hard and building wealth. Still others chase what they think is "the good life" through the allure of power and influence.

Though none of these things are necessarily wrong on their own, they cannot bring true peace and fulfillment in life. There will come a time when fame and accolades fade, when material possessions lose their charm, and when our reputations can only take us so far. Even the good relationships in our lives cannot bring us ultimate peace and fulfillment.

Jesus lets us know how the enemy tries to keep us from the actual good life He has for us. The thief tries to steal our attention away from what truly matters by distracting us with earthly things that have the allure of satisfaction, but this way only ends in death and destruction. However, Jesus says there is another way to find abundant life.

In John 10, Jesus compares Himself to a good shepherd who cares for and feeds the sheep in His pasture. Jesus says that He is the gate for the sheep to enter into the courtyard. While speaking in metaphors, Jesus is saying that anyone who wants to gain true access to salvation must come through Him.

Jesus also says that it is through Him that we will find true life. It is only through trusting in Jesus and following Him that we can experience life to the fullest. Real fulfillment and meaning come through following Jesus as our Shepherd, rather than following the world around us.

Take some time to think about the way you’re searching for fulfillment and meaning in your life. Are you trying to find "the good life" through possessions, status, relationships, or success? Or are you following Jesus and trusting Him to produce meaning and purpose in your life?

Jesus is the Good Shepherd, so continue to trust in and follow Him. He is the way to abundant life.

10/08/2026

Healing is Possible

Imagine a sick person who won’t tell anyone about their symptoms. Without help, getting through their illness would be challenging. Whether they need help from a doctor or just someone checking to see how they’re doing—it’s much easier to heal with the help of others.

Similarly, when we don’t tell anyone about the challenges we’re facing, it can be hard to work through them. Sometimes we do things we know are wrong, but we don’t tell anyone about it because it feels easier to hide. This is because we’re all affected by sin—our wrongdoing and brokenness that separate us from God.

It can be hard to share our wrongdoings with others, but when we keep our sin to ourselves, we’re like the sick person who won’t ask for help—we suffer in isolation rather than allowing others to help us heal.

James 5:16 tells us to share our wrongdoings with other believers so that we can heal together and pray for one another. When we share our past mistakes with someone, we are released from isolation. And when we pray together, we give God the opportunity to heal our hearts.

God is our healer—He saved us from the eternal consequences of sin through His Son Jesus. And because of Jesus, we have access to a relationship with God, and we can bring our requests to Him and trust that He will hear us.

This doesn’t mean God will always answer our prayers in the way we think they should be answered. Instead, when we share our brokenness with Him, He invites us on a journey that will help us grow closer to Him.

If you’re struggling with something today, take some time to share it with a trusted believer. Allow them to pray with you and ask God to guide you as you heal.

10/07/2026

The Best Plans

Jeremiah 29:11 is a popular verse that’s often slapped onto journals, etched into coffee mugs, and printed on t-shirts.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

And God does have a plan for you.
God does want to bless you.
God does want to give you hope and a future.

But—we should also pay attention to the original context …

In this case, God was speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to the people of Judah—people who’d recently been exiled to Babylon for 70 years.

The Jewish people were banished to a foreign land because of their insatiable appetite for sin. In fact, for 23 years Jeremiah had been warning them to stop rebelling against God or prepare to face the consequences.

God is patient, but He is also just.

In other words, the Jews were sent to timeout. And as you can read in the preceding chapters, God made a case against His beloved people …

They’d exploited foreigners, orphans, and widows. They’d denied the rights of the poor. They’d refused to stand up for truth or obey God’s instructions. They’d murdered the innocent and committed adultery. They’d rejoiced in doing evil and their lives were ruled by greed. They’d even built pagan shrines, sacrificing their sons and daughters in the fires. It was a dark time. And yet, somehow, God’s mercy always extends to the darkest places on earth.

That’s why, just a few verses later, God said they could seek Him and find Him, and He’d bring them back from captivity (Jeremiah‬ ‭29:13‬-14).

That’s why he encouraged them—while in exile—to build houses, plant gardens, get married, have babies, and work for the peace and prosperity of their temporary home (Jeremiah 29:5-7).

He wanted them to know: He hadn’t forgotten them. He still wanted good for them. He still had plans to restore them.

God is serious about sin, but He’s just as passionate about redemption.

Though Jeremiah 29:11 was meant for a specific people at a specific time, God’s heart for the restoration of broken people is generationally timeless.

Even when we feel stuck in the process, God still has a plan.
We can put our trust in the God whose goal is always redemption.

10/02/2026

Love One Another

Jesus said two important things about our love for each other. First, that all people will know we are His disciples if we love one another (John 13:34). Second, our unity in Him will let the world know that God had sent Him into the world (John 17:23).

Jesus said the world will know He has come by how His followers love each other. We should love one another in such a way that those who do not believe in Jesus would be astounded and curious to learn more about Him.

Jesus knew this world would be full of anger, strife, and conflict. This is all the more reason it should be a priority to love other people with the same love God has for us. Loving others unveils to the world the great and loving God who loved us first.

Years after Jesus’ resurrection, the apostle John wrote three short letters to followers of Jesus. And in his first letter, he takes the time to talk to them about how to love, and why it matters. John wrote: “...love is from God … if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another … we love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:7, 11, 19)

He even goes as far as to say, “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar, for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.” (1 John 4:20, ESV)

There’s no way around this. John makes it clear that our love for one another is proof that God’s love is in us. So if we say that we love God, then we should be committed to showing love to each other.

As you reflect on today’s verse, ask yourself: Is there anyone in my life that I need to show love to today? Is there anyone I need to forgive? In what ways can I love my brothers and sisters in Jesus?

09/30/2026

Limitless Riches

Writing from prison to the believers in Philippi, the apostle Paul divulged that he’d learned the secret to being content no matter the situation.

Because of the faithfulness of God and the generosity of the Philippians, Paul’s needs had been met—even while in jail. He went on to say:

“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:19‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬

What an incredible perspective from captivity—where Paul was placed for spreading the truth about Jesus.

God had given Paul peace, his friends had sent supplies, and Paul’s joy was unapologetically obvious—despite his imperfect circumstances.

Paul knew that the same God who was taking care of Him would also take care of his friends. He knew that—because Jesus had already made a way—they could access the storehouses of heaven. He knew that—because of God’s generous character—they were covered in His grace.

Have you ever considered what a treasure trove of riches God has? And it’s not just what He has, but also who He is. God’s glorious riches, never-ending resources, and both visible and invisible qualities are limitless, bottomless, boundless, and inexhaustible.

Think about that for a moment.
The amazing thing is: He’s granted us access.

In His kindness, God fashioned raspberries and puppies. In His brilliance, He crafted the human eye and hung the earth on nothing. By His creativity, He made hammerhead sharks and sparkling fireflies. By His power, He designed galaxies that even the smartest of scientists are just now discovering.

The same God who cares for His creation will also provide for you.

When we become His children, we are given the key to eternal riches, to incorruptible goods, and to traits of His Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Do you need peace? You have a God who brings peace. Do you need provision? You have a God who offers provision. Do you need rest? You have a God who extends rest.

The ways in which God shows up are literally countless, and it’s all because of His gloriously limitless riches.

09/28/2026

The Truth About Death

No matter what part of this planet you live on, how well you take care of your body, or how much money is in your bank account, there is no escaping death.

Sound a little depressing? Sure. But there’s still good news! Really, really good news.

For those who belong to Christ, we have a hope that’s beyond this world…

“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Death is the greatest tool of our enemy, which is why Jesus came to defeat it. That’s why He became human, took the ultimate punishment, and put death in its rightful place—under the authority and dominion of God.

For the believer, death is only temporary. And the Spirit of God can do what no human can—give life to the lifeless and redeem what has been lost.

The truth about death is that it’s not the end of the story.

Soon, God will wipe away every tear and make all things new. Just as a baby is given the miraculous and mysterious breath of life, His Spirit will revive the seemingly perished and bring the dead back to life.

And that is the really, really good news.

09/22/2026

Who Are You Living For?

Saul had it all. He knew the right people, had the right job, and came from the right place. Only one problem—He was a violent opponent to the followers of Jesus. He would specifically seek them out to imprison them, or have them killed.

One day, Saul was traveling to the city of Damascus to arrest followers of Jesus and bring them to Jerusalem. Suddenly, a bright light appeared before Saul. Falling to the ground, he heard Jesus ask, “Why do you persecute me?” After this encounter, Saul was blind for three days. God instructed Ananias to restore Saul’s sight.

Saul’s encounter with Jesus began a radical transformation in His life. No longer was he interested in making life difficult for ‌followers of Jesus, but he was eager to join them! Eventually, Saul became known as the Apostle Paul—who traveled great distances to share the Gospel. He also wrote a large portion of the New Testament.

Paul’s new life was very different from the one he left behind. Instead of holding an important religious position, he became a wandering street preacher. Instead of being highly regarded by important people, he was often falsely accused and sent to prison.

God’s transforming power took a strong opponent of Jesus and made him a strong advocate for the Gospel! Paul no longer cared about gaining the approval of important people or being highly regarded. In fact, he wrote, “I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done” (Philippians 3:7 NLT).

Do you ever feel like you struggle to change? Today, remember that the same God who transformed Saul into Paul is alive and active! And, He wants to help you. Bring the areas where you’re seeking others' approval before Him in prayer—and watch God work!

09/22/2026

From Promises to Fulfilled Covenants

God made promises to Abraham in Genesis about his lineage, and He gave the Ten Commandments to Moses in Exodus. He made a covenant to David in 2 Samuel, and declared a New Covenant to come in the book of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31:31-34).

All of those stories point to the arrival of Jesus Christ—where all God's covenant promises are fulfilled (2 Corinthians 1:20).

These stories remind us of God’s faithfulness (Romans 15:4). We don't have to look very far to see:

"That the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments."
Deuteronomy 7:9

God's love is faithful; it's constant. It endures through the generations. In a world where love is often conditional and transactional, given and withdrawn based on our actions, God's love stands apart. It's not tethered to the ups and downs of our circumstances. It doesn't waver with our feelings. And it certainly doesn't hinge on our performance.

God's love is firmly rooted in His unchanging character.

So even if you're on the highest mountaintop of success or in the deepest valley of despair, His love remains constant—an ever-present source of strength for those who love Him.

Today, let the words of Deuteronomy 7:9 sink deep into your soul and remember: Our God is not distant or indifferent. He is near, and His love is faithful—enduring through a thousand generations.

09/20/2026

The Spiritual Habit of Remembering

Throughout the Old Testament, God delivers the people of Israel from many different situations. He acts miraculously in bringing them out of foreign nations. He even provides water and bread for them in the wilderness.

However, the nation of Israel grew disobedient and distant from God and His law. They ended up turning away from God, and part of the reason was because they failed to remember.

They failed to remember the great acts of deliverance God did for them. They failed to remember the miracles that He performed in their midst. They failed to remember that He was good and present and loving towards them.

But thankfully, there were also people throughout Scripture who developed a spiritual habit of remembering God’s work from the past. When times became difficult, or when things seemed dark, they took the time to remember how God had previously acted toward them.

The writer of Psalm 9 was one of them. The Psalmist begins this song by doing two things. First, the writer gives thanks to God, and expresses gratefulness for God.

Second, the writer recounts God’s wonderful deeds. Recounting these deeds from the past helped the Israelites remember His faithfulness and goodness toward them even in difficult times.

And the same is true for us.

We are commanded many times in God’s Word to remember what God has done, because remembering what God has done fuels our hope for what He will do.

So take some time today to remember what God has done for you. Think about a season of your life where you knew God’s goodness and love. Tell Him how grateful you are for His goodness and love in your life. Begin to let those memories of God’s love shape your hope for the future.

09/19/2026

How to Cultivate Healthy Relationships

Imagine planting a seed. If you want the seed to grow into a flower, you have to care for it properly by giving it enough of what it needs to live.

Now think of the people who are there for you during hard times. The ones who listen and encourage you, and the people you enjoy experiencing life with. These relationships are much like seeds—we need to care for them properly if we want them to not only grow, but thrive.

"I thank my God every time I remember you."
Philippians 1:3 NIV

In the Bible, we learn that Paul started a church in Philippi. While he lived with the church, the people were generous and kind to him, partnering with Paul to share the Gospel. But even when Paul eventually continued on with his travels, the Philippian church continued to support him.

And so, after he was put in prison, Paul wrote them a letter. He could have chosen to write about his troubles, but instead, Paul prayed for his friends, and encouraged them to continue to live God-honoring lives in the face of hardships and persecution. Paul recognized the sacrifices they were making, and chose to appreciate and encourage them.

In a similar way, we can help our relationships grow by expressing gratitude and appreciation for the people who impact us.

This could look like praying for them, giving them a word of encouragement, or going out of our way to serve them. It could mean slowing down to truly listen to them, or expressing thanks for something that might otherwise go unnoticed.

God gave us the desire to pursue relationships with people around us. This means that, like Paul and the Philippians, we have an opportunity to encourage one another and pursue God together. But in order to do this, we have to be willing to care for our relationships and be intentional about helping them grow and remain healthy.

One of the best ways we can do this is by pausing to appreciate the people who support and encourage us. So today, take some time to thank God for the people who’ve poured into you. Then, consider how you can encourage someone else.

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