Secure in His Love - Encouragement for Today - January 30, 2026

Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Carbonatix

Proverbs 31 Ministries banner

Luisel LawlerJanuary 30, 2026

Secure in His Love
LUISEL LAWLER, COMPEL Pro Member

Lee en español

“And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’” Matthew 18:3 (NIV)

Have you ever struggled with wanting a deeper faith? You want to please God, but you wonder: Am I doing enough? You read your Bible, attend church, pray, and try to be a good example, but sometimes it feels like going through the motions. You long to experience His peace, His presence, His joy, yet instead you feel weary from striving. Is this what faith is supposed to look like?

As a mom of five, I've often wrestled with my shortcomings not only as a parent and wife but as a child of God. I grew up believing love and acceptance were based on performance, and I carried that mindset into my faith. Even though I knew salvation is by grace through faith and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9), I still lived as if my spiritual disciplines earned God’s approval. I quietly feared that when bad things happened, it was God’s punishment.

In His mercy, God gently revealed these lies and brought me to one simple verse that shifted everything: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3).

What does it mean to become like little children?

I now have the gift of 14 grandchildren, and they have taught me more about this verse than any book ever could. One day I took my twin 3-year-old grandsons and my 18-month-old granddaughter to the park. What could have been a 15-minute walk became an hour-long adventure as we stopped for rocks, sticks, and “treasures.” They crouched to study a line of ants. They lit up when a fire truck honked, cheering with delight. They peppered me with questions, trusting I knew every answer. My granddaughter sang her own little song.

They weren’t worried about how long it would take to get to the park. With carefree trust, they went along, believing I would lead them safely, delighting in every moment of the journey. In that moment, I saw childlike faith displayed.

Children live with trust, dependence, humility, openness, and wonder. They are free from striving, secure in love, and confident in the one who leads them. They find joy in being together, learning, and growing along the way.

This is the faith God calls us to — a faith not rooted in performance but in relationship, not in our striving but in His sufficiency. In childlike faith, we discover the treasure of simply being with Him, and our actions become about serving others for His glory.

It is then we experience what our souls long for: rest in His presence, confidence in His leading, and security in His love … enjoying the journey as well as the destination.

Lord, quiet my striving, and teach me to trust You like a child. Help me rest in Your love, joyfully follow Your lead, and depend on Your strength, not my own. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

If you’re looking for a meaningful way to stay rooted in God’s Word this season, the First 5 app makes it simple to grow — even with a busy schedule. Every day, you’ll receive scripture verses, thoughtful teaching, and guided questions to help you reflect and pray. And when you’re ready to go deeper, our 40 Days Through the New Testament study is a powerful way to walk through the life and teachings of Jesus with a supportive community. Download the First 5 app today, create your account, and we’ll send you an exclusive bonus resource to help you take your Bible study even deeper.

width

ENGAGE

This devotion was written by Luisel Lawler, a COMPEL Pro member and one of our Encouragement for Today writing challenge winners. We celebrate her heart, her words, and her faithfulness to grow in her calling. To join COMPEL Pro, click here.

FOR DEEPER STUDY

Matthew 11:28-30, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (MSG).

Where in your life is God inviting you to release striving and choose childlike trust in His love and leadership? We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.

© 2026 by Luisel Lawler. All rights reserved.

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/AaronAmat

Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org

 

Salem News Channel Today

Sponsored Links


September 26 - Phoenix, AZ
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts


November 2 - Detroit, MI
Zion Christian Church in Troy


October 6 - Los Angeles, CA
Pasadena Convention Center


November 5 - San Antonio, TX
Norris Centers – The Grand Red Oak Ballroom


October 8 - Sacramento, CA
William Jessup University


November 7 - Tampa, FL
The Palladium at St. Pete College


October 22 - Minneapolis, MN
Crowne Plaza AiRE


November 15 - San Francisco, CA
Fremont Marriott Silicon Valley


October 23 - Philadelphia, PA
Green Valley Country Club


November 16 - Denver, CO
CU South Denver - Formerly Wildlife Experience


November 2 - Chicago, IL
Chicago Westin Northwest in Itasca


November 21 - Cleveland, OH
Holiday Inn Rockside in Independence



Salem Radio Network Speakers

Larry Elder is an American lawyer, writer, and radio and television personality who calls himself the "Sage of South Central" a district of Los Angeles, Larry says his philosophy is to entertain, inform, provoke and to hopefully uplift. His calling card is "we have a country to save" and to him this means returning to the bedrock Constitutional principles of limited government and maximum personal responsibility. Elder's iconoclastic wit and intellectual agility makes him a particularly attractive voice in a nation that seems weary of traditional racial dialogue.” – Los Angeles Times.

Mike Gallagher Mike Gallagher began his broadcasting career in 1978 in Dayton, Ohio. Today, he is one of the most listened-to talk radio show hosts in America, recently having been ranked in the Talkers Magazine “Heavy Hundred” list – the 100 most important talk radio hosts in America. Prior to being launched into national syndication in 1998, Mike hosted the morning show on WABC-AM in New York City. Today, Talkers Magazine reports that his show is heard by over 3.75 million weekly listeners. Besides his radio work, Mike is seen on Fox News Channel as an on-air contributor, frequently appearing on the cable news giant.

Hugh Hewitt is one of the nation’s leading bloggers and a genuine media revolutionary. He brings that expertise, his wit and what The New Yorker magazine calls his “amiable but relentless manner” to his nationally syndicated show each day.

When Dr. Sebastian Gorka was growing up, he listened to talk radio under his pillow with a transistor radio, dreaming that one day he would be behind the microphone. Beginning New Year’s Day 2019, he got his wish. Gorka now hosts America First every weekday afternoon 3 to 6pm ET. Gorka’s unique story works well on the radio. He is national security analyst for the Fox News Channel and author of two books: "Why We Fight" and "Defeating Jihad." His latest book releasing this fall is “War For America’s Soul.” He is uniquely qualified to fight the culture war and stand up for what is great about America, his adopted home country.

Broadcasting from his home station of KRLA in Los Angeles, the Dennis Prager Show is heard across the country. Everything in life – from politics to religion to relationships – is grist for Dennis’ mill. If it’s interesting, if it affects your life, then Dennis will be talking about it – with passion, humor, insight and wisdom.

Sean Hannity is a conservative radio and television host, and one of the original primetime hosts on the Fox News Channel, where he has appeared since 1996. Sean Hannity began his radio career at a college station in California, before moving on to markets in the Southeast and New York. Today, he’s one of the most listened to on-air voices. Hannity’s radio program went into national syndication on September 10, 2001, and airs on more than 500 stations. Talkers Magazine estimates Hannity’s weekly radio audience at 13.5 million. In 1996 he was hired as one of the original hosts on Fox News Channel. As host of several popular Fox programs, Hannity has become the highest-paid news anchor on television.

Michelle Malkin is a mother, wife, blogger, conservative syndicated columnist, longtime cable TV news commentator, and best-selling author of six books. She started her newspaper journalism career at the Los Angeles Daily News in 1992, moved to the Seattle Times in 1995, and has been penning nationally syndicated newspaper columns for Creators Syndicate since 1999. She is founder of conservative Internet start-ups Hot Air and Twitchy.com. Malkin has received numerous awards for her investigative journalism, including the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL) national award for outstanding service for the cause of governmental ethics and leadership (1998), the Reed Irvine Accuracy in Media Award for Investigative Journalism (2006), the Heritage Foundation and Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity's Breitbart Award for Excellence in Journalism (2013), the Center for Immigration Studies' Eugene Katz Award for Excellence in the Coverage of Immigration Award (2016), and the Manhattan Film Festival's Film Heals Award (2018). Married for 26 years and the mother of two teenage children, she lives with her family in Colorado. Follow her at michellemalkin.com. (Photo reprinted with kind permission from Peter Duke Photography.)

Sponsored by:

Secure in His Love - Encouragement for Today - January 30, 2026

Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Carbonatix

Proverbs 31 Ministries banner

Luisel LawlerJanuary 30, 2026

Secure in His Love
LUISEL LAWLER, COMPEL Pro Member

Lee en español

“And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’” Matthew 18:3 (NIV)

Have you ever struggled with wanting a deeper faith? You want to please God, but you wonder: Am I doing enough? You read your Bible, attend church, pray, and try to be a good example, but sometimes it feels like going through the motions. You long to experience His peace, His presence, His joy, yet instead you feel weary from striving. Is this what faith is supposed to look like?

As a mom of five, I've often wrestled with my shortcomings not only as a parent and wife but as a child of God. I grew up believing love and acceptance were based on performance, and I carried that mindset into my faith. Even though I knew salvation is by grace through faith and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9), I still lived as if my spiritual disciplines earned God’s approval. I quietly feared that when bad things happened, it was God’s punishment.

In His mercy, God gently revealed these lies and brought me to one simple verse that shifted everything: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3).

What does it mean to become like little children?

I now have the gift of 14 grandchildren, and they have taught me more about this verse than any book ever could. One day I took my twin 3-year-old grandsons and my 18-month-old granddaughter to the park. What could have been a 15-minute walk became an hour-long adventure as we stopped for rocks, sticks, and “treasures.” They crouched to study a line of ants. They lit up when a fire truck honked, cheering with delight. They peppered me with questions, trusting I knew every answer. My granddaughter sang her own little song.

They weren’t worried about how long it would take to get to the park. With carefree trust, they went along, believing I would lead them safely, delighting in every moment of the journey. In that moment, I saw childlike faith displayed.

Children live with trust, dependence, humility, openness, and wonder. They are free from striving, secure in love, and confident in the one who leads them. They find joy in being together, learning, and growing along the way.

This is the faith God calls us to — a faith not rooted in performance but in relationship, not in our striving but in His sufficiency. In childlike faith, we discover the treasure of simply being with Him, and our actions become about serving others for His glory.

It is then we experience what our souls long for: rest in His presence, confidence in His leading, and security in His love … enjoying the journey as well as the destination.

Lord, quiet my striving, and teach me to trust You like a child. Help me rest in Your love, joyfully follow Your lead, and depend on Your strength, not my own. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

If you’re looking for a meaningful way to stay rooted in God’s Word this season, the First 5 app makes it simple to grow — even with a busy schedule. Every day, you’ll receive scripture verses, thoughtful teaching, and guided questions to help you reflect and pray. And when you’re ready to go deeper, our 40 Days Through the New Testament study is a powerful way to walk through the life and teachings of Jesus with a supportive community. Download the First 5 app today, create your account, and we’ll send you an exclusive bonus resource to help you take your Bible study even deeper.

width

ENGAGE

This devotion was written by Luisel Lawler, a COMPEL Pro member and one of our Encouragement for Today writing challenge winners. We celebrate her heart, her words, and her faithfulness to grow in her calling. To join COMPEL Pro, click here.

FOR DEEPER STUDY

Matthew 11:28-30, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (MSG).

Where in your life is God inviting you to release striving and choose childlike trust in His love and leadership? We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.

© 2026 by Luisel Lawler. All rights reserved.

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/AaronAmat

Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org

 

Salem News Channel Today

Sponsored Links

On Air & Up Next

See the Full Program Guide