jon vallier

Recommendations

• Title: Seeing the Season with New Eyes: Reflections on “Christmas: The Things We May Have Missed”

  The story of Christmas is so familiar that we often treat it like a well-worn path. We know the characters, the songs, and the scenery so well that we sometimes breeze right past the radical details that make the story truly miraculous.

  I just wrapped up a 9-day journey through the Bible App devotional “Christmas: The Things We May Have Missed,” and it was the perfect way to peel back the layers of the holiday and rediscover the wonder of the Incarnation.

  Slowing Down the Nativity

  We usually see the Nativity as a static, peaceful scene on a mantle. This plan challenged me to look closer at the “messy” and “missed” parts of the narrative. Over nine days, the study highlights the overlooked perspectives—the social scandal surrounding Mary, the quiet obedience of Joseph, and the profound significance of God choosing a humble stable over a palace.

  The Power of the Details

  One of the most impactful takeaways from this study was how intentional God was in every minor detail. From the timing of the census to the specific prophecies fulfilled, nothing was an accident. The devotional pointed out things I had read dozens of times but never truly noticed. It reminded me that if God is that attentive to the details of the first Christmas, He is just as attentive to the details of our lives today.

  Finding Jesus in the Noise

  In the middle of the shopping, the parties, and the stress, it’s easy to “miss” the point of the season even while celebrating it. This study served as a daily pause button. It shifted my focus from the commercialized version of Christmas to the world-altering reality that God became flesh to dwell among us. It wasn’t just a “nice story”; it was a rescue mission.

  A New Way to Celebrate

  Completing these nine days has left me with a deeper sense of gratitude. I’m walking away with a heart that is a little more expectant and eyes that are looking for God’s hand in the quiet, unexpected places.

  If you’ve ever felt like Christmas has become a bit “routine,” I highly recommend this plan. It will help you find the extraordinary hidden in the familiar.

  You can find the plan here: Christmas: The Things We May Have Missed

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  We would like to thank Our Daily Bread Ministries for providing this plan. Their devotionals continue to be a source of daily strength and insight for millions around the world. For more resources, visit: https://www.odb.org/

  Seeing the Season with New Eyes: Reflections on “Christmas: The Things We May Have Missed”

• Title: Who Is God? Reflections on the “Great I AM” Devotional

  We often try to fit God into our own boxes, defining Him by our circumstances or our limited understanding. But who does God say He is? I just finished a short but incredibly powerful 4-day devotional on the Bible App called “Great I AM,” and it was a profound reset for my perspective on the character of God.

  Beyond a Name

  The title “I AM” is more than just a name; it is a declaration of God’s self-existence, His presence, and His sovereignty. Over these four days, the plan dives into the weight of this statement, tracing it from the burning bush with Moses to the life of Jesus. It reminds us that God isn’t a “was” or a “will be”—He is the eternal “is.” He is present in our right-now moments.

  Stability in a Changing World

  One of the biggest takeaways for me was the sense of peace that comes from God’s unchanging nature. We live in a world where everything is shifting—our jobs, our health, our relationships—but the “Great I AM” remains constant. The devotional walks through how this name provides a foundation for our trust. When we feel inadequate, we can lean on the One who is more than enough.

  The Greatness of Jesus

  The plan also beautifully connects the Old Testament revelation of God to the “I AM” statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John. Seeing Jesus as the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, and the Good Shepherd makes the vastness of God feel deeply personal. It reminds us that the Creator of the universe is also the One who deeply loves and provides for us.

  A Call to Worship

  Though it’s only four days long, this study is a call to move away from self-centered faith and toward God-centered worship. It’s a reminder that our problems shrink when we truly begin to grasp the magnitude of the God we serve.

  If you need to be reminded of the power, majesty, and presence of the God who holds your life in His hands, I highly recommend this plan.

  You can find the plan here: Great I AM on Bible.com

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  We would like to thank The Good Book Company for providing this plan. Their resources are consistently excellent for helping believers dig deeper into the character of God. For more information, visit: https://www.thegoodbook.com/

  Who Is God? Reflections on the “Great I AM” Devotional

• Title: Faith That Works: Reflections on 24 Days in the Book of James

  If you’re looking for a book of the Bible that doesn’t pull any punches, look no further than James. I just wrapped up a 24-day deep dive into the Book of James via the YouVersion Bible App, and it was a powerful, convicting, and ultimately life-changing journey.

  Religion That Gets Its Hands Dirty

  The Book of James is often called the “Proverbs of the New Testament.” It is gritty, practical, and intensely focused on one thing: how we live out our faith. Over the last 24 days, this plan walked me through the reality that faith isn’t just a set of ideas we agree with—it’s something that should be visible in our actions.

  As James famously writes, “Faith without works is dead.”

  More Action, Less Talk

  One of the most convicting parts of this study was the realization of how much we talk about our beliefs versus how much we actually demonstrate them. To be honest, I often wish there were more Christians who would show their faith rather than just talk about it. It is easy to post a verse or say the right words on Sunday, but James challenges us to let our lives do the talking.

  Whether it’s how we treat the “least of these,” how we handle our money, or how we control our tongues, the world is looking for a faith that is tangible. This study was a personal wake-up call to stop simply discussing the Gospel and start being a living breathing reflection of it.

  Key Takeaways from the Journey

  Spending nearly a month in these five short chapters allowed me to sit with the big themes James presents:

  • Joy in Trials: Learning that testing isn’t meant to break us, but to produce perseverance and maturity.
  • Taming the Tongue: A sobering reminder of the power our words have to either build up or burn down.
  • True Wisdom: Distinguishing between the world’s “wisdom” (which is often selfish) and God’s wisdom (which is pure, peace-loving, and full of mercy).
  • The Power of Prayer: Ending the study with the reminder that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

  Practical and Proactive

  What I loved most about this 24-day plan was the pace. It didn’t rush. It gave me space to pray through the difficult verses—the ones about not showing favoritism, about being “doers of the word,” and about humbling ourselves before God.

  If you feel like your spiritual life has become a bit too “theoretical” lately, this is the perfect study to get you moving again. It’s a call to action, a call to holiness, and a call to a deeper, more authentic walk with Christ.

  You can find the plan here: James on Bible.com

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  We would like to thank Life.Church for providing this plan. Their commitment to making the Word of God accessible and practical is a gift to the global church. For more resources, visit: https://www.life.church

  Faith That Works: Reflections on 24 Days in the Book of James