There are places where a jersey is much more than a jersey. It can become a smile, the opportunity to feel part of a team, or simply the evidence that, somewhere, someone thought of you. The Word reminds us in Hebrews 13:16: "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." Sometimes we think that to make a difference we need to do something extraordinary. But the Kingdom of God is also manifested in small gestures: a piece of clothing we share, a pair of shoes we give away, a few hours of our time, or hands willing to serve. What may seem little to us, placed in the right hands, can become a huge blessing. This November, Encestando Sonrisas will return to Barrio Granizal in Medellín, Colombia, alongside Gaby, Boffil, and Medellín Basketball. It will be a day to share basketball, music, hope, community help, and above all, love with children and youth. And you can be part of it too. We are collecting clothing in good condition, preferably sportswear for children and youth. Soccer cleats and soccer clothing will also be accepted. Perhaps you have something at home that you no longer use. For you it may simply be a jersey sitting in a closet; for someone else it can become a smile and a reminder that they are not alone. Jesus said: "Freely you have received, freely give." Matthew 10:8. Not all of us can travel to Medellín. Not all of us will be on the court when a child receives a piece of clothing or shoots a ball into the hoop. But we can all be part of what God will do there. Some will go. Others will give. Others will pray. But when each one contributes what they have, love reaches much further. Every piece of clothing, every gesture, adds up. Today we want to invite you to look around and ask yourself: What do I have in my hands that could become a blessing for someone else? Because serving doesn't always start with something big. Sometimes it starts by opening a closet, picking a piece of clothing, and saying: "This can bless someone." To coordinate your donation you can contact Gaby at +1 (321) 367-0054 or Boffil at +1 (787) 813-9431. Let us pray: Lord, thank You for everything You have placed in our hands. Teach us to look beyond our own needs and to recognize the opportunities You give us to bless others. Bless every child and youth who will be reached in Barrio Granizal. Bless Encestando Sonrisas, its volunteers, collaborators, and every person who decides to contribute. May behind every piece of clothing delivered they feel something even greater: Your love. Make us hands that give, arms that lift, and hearts willing to serve. In the name of Jesus, Amen. Together we can make more children and youth smile. Because when we give together... everyone wins.

¿Te edificó esto? Síguenos para más palabra diaria 🙏

Quick Actions

Pray for Me

Receive a Song for You

God Has a Word for You

Download for Blessing

Recent Devotionals

Family

While the House Is Still Full

There are movies we simply watched and others that stayed with us. Home Alone is one of those stories that for many became tied to Christmas, childhood, and family. But after so many years, we see it differently. We grew up. Our parents aged. Our children grew. Some people who once sat at our table are no longer here, and some of the actors we remember from that movie have also passed away. Then we understand something that perhaps we didn't grasp when we were children: time does not stop. Psalm 90 is a prayer of Moses that contrasts the eternity of God with the brevity of our lives. That's why Moses doesn't simply ask for more days; he asks for wisdom to live the days he has rightly. Sometimes we are so worried about tomorrow that we let pass what God placed before us today. We wait for a special occasion to call. We wait for the other to apologize first. We wait to have more time to visit. We wait for work to slow down to enjoy our children. But life keeps moving forward while we wait. Perhaps today your house is still full. You can still hear that voice. You can still give that hug. You can still sit at the table. You can still say: "I love you." Don't let what today seems ordinary become tomorrow the memory you wish you could live once more. Perhaps the true tragedy of being "Home Alone" isn't finding yourself alone in the house one day. Perhaps it's looking back and discovering that once your house was full, but you were too busy to enjoy it. Count your days. Not to live in fear of losing those you love, but to gain the wisdom to love them while you have them. Forgive today. Call today. Hug today. Sit at the table today. Tell God how grateful you are for them today. Because the ordinary moments you are living right now could one day become your most extraordinary memories. **Prayer:** Lord, teach me to count my days. Forgive me for the times I've been so worried about what's coming that I haven't valued what you've already given me. Help me to look again at my house, my family, and the people you've placed beside me, and recognize that they too are part of your blessings. Give me wisdom to forgive more quickly, hug more tightly, listen with patience, and say "I love you" while I still have the opportunity. And when my house is full of noise, conversations, and even disagreements, remind me that a day will come when I'll miss some of those sounds. May I never have to lose something to learn how much it was worth. Teach me to live grateful today. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Obedience

Obedience When It Costs

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Jesus is our greatest example of obedience. In Gethsemane He faced the weight of what was about to happen. The cross meant pain, rejection, and suffering, but Jesus decided to submit His will to the will of the Father. His obedience did not depend on the path being easy. He was obedient even when obedience had a price. It is easy to say "yes, Lord" when His will aligns with our desires. True obedience is revealed when God asks us for something that confronts our comfort, our pride, or our plans. Jesus taught us that surrendering is not a sign of spiritual weakness; it is one of the deepest expressions of trust in God. Some of the greatest victories begin with a simple prayer: "Not my will, but Yours be done." Identify what costs you the most to surrender. It may be a decision, a relationship, an opportunity, a wound, a plan, or simply your need to be in control. Place it before God and say sincerely: "Even though it costs me, I want Your will." Obedience may hurt for a moment, but walking outside the will of God can cost us much more. Lord Jesus, I want to learn from Your obedience. When Your will is different from mine, give me humility to surrender. When obedience costs me, give me strength to remain faithful. May my prayer not only be that You bless my plans, but that my life fulfills Yours. Today I say to You again: may Your will be done in me. Amen.

Obedience

Obedience Is Worth More

So Samuel said: "Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. God gave King Saul specific instructions, but Saul decided to obey only partially. Then he tried to justify his decision by saying he had reserved the best to offer it as a sacrifice to God. It seemed like a good intention, but God had not asked for that. Saul discovered a difficult truth: a good intention never replaces an instruction from God. We can sing, serve, preach, give offerings, and be busy doing things for God while avoiding what God is really asking of us. Partial obedience is still disobedience. God is not only looking for our activities; He seeks a surrendered heart. We cannot compensate with sacrifices what we refuse to surrender through obedience. Examine your life and ask yourself if there is an area where you are negotiating with God. Don't just ask: "What am I doing for God?" but also: "Am I doing what God asked me to do?" Today is a good day to drop the excuses and respond: "Lord, if You said it, I will do it." Father, forgive me for the times I have tried to substitute obedience with good intentions. Give me a heart sensitive to Your voice and willing to obey You completely. May my actions not come from what I consider best, but from what You have established. I want to please You with a life surrendered to You. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Ministerio Enero 25Faith, Family and Hope

Devotional of the Day

Encestando Sonrisas