Inspirational Videos

While sometimes depression hits without any known or perceivable cause, other times it stems from, or is exacerbated by overwhelming circumstances and situations involving those we love. But while we can't always control the things that impact our emotions, there are helpful things we can choose. In this episode, hosts Jennifer Slattery and Carol McCracken talk with therapist Stefanie Rowe about some of depressions roots and why it's important to seek help sooner rather than later. Bible passage discussed: 1 Kings 19

Consider the last time you felt cherished and as if you held infinite value. Sadly, many of us might encounter more criticism than affirmation and acceptance. But that is precisely why it’s so important that we recognize how God views us. Hear Reverend Kyle Norman’s and Chaka Heinze’s insights on how such understanding helps heal our wounds, remove unhealthy defensiveness, elevate our perspectives, and replace our insecurities with godly confidence. Hear all episodes on lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/

A young man discovers he is being adopted in a beautiful surprise. Birthdays are often filled with cake, presents, and joyful celebrations, but for one young man, his special day brought an unexpected and life-changing surprise. Surrounded by the love of his foster parents, he had no idea that this birthday would mark the beginning of a new chapter in his life.

As the candles on his banana glowed warmly, he read the message tucked inside: a surprise awaited him outside. Eagerly, he followed his foster parents, who blindfolded him and handed him a bat. In front of him hung two piñatas—one labeled "Trip to Disney" and the other "Adoption."

With encouragement from both his foster mom and dad, he swung with all his might, the sound of cheers filling the air as he worked to knock them down. When both piñatas finally gave way, his foster mom gently instructed him to remove the blindfold.

As his eyes adjusted, he saw the remnants of the piñatas and the joyous expressions on his foster parents' faces. His foster mom, full of love and emotion, told him how much he meant to them, how deeply they cared for him, and that they wanted him to be a part of their forever home. It was at that moment that he realized—he was being adopted.

This beautiful surprise was more than just an announcement; it was proof of his foster parents' love and commitment to him. It was a moment that embodied Jesus' call to care for the orphaned, to welcome them into our hearts and homes just as God adopts us into His family.

The joy and love in that moment were undeniable, a true reflection of what it means to be cherished and wanted. For this young man, his birthday became more than just a celebration of another year—it became the day he found his forever family.

What a beautiful way to show someone they are loved, valued, and truly home. This story is a powerful reminder of the importance of family, the joy of adoption, and the unconditional love that binds us all together.

James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

A grandfather’s heartbreaking and sweet request was promptly fulfilled by his loving granddaughter.

Unfortunately, aging is a natural process that no one has been or will be able to avoid. Whether we like it or not, it impacts everyone. The ability to stop or rewind time has yet to be discovered. If that had been invented, likely everyone would gladly and quickly take advantage of such a procedure.

We are getting older with every passing second, minute, hour and day. Understanding this fact, watching loved ones advance in age, particularly a grandmother or a grandfather, can be heartbreaking. Time takes its toll on them, and the aging process becomes more apparent. They can become severely diminished, unable to do what they were able to do at one time.

A clip posted on social media documents a sweet but heartbreaking request from a lonely grandfather in his 90s. He desperately wanted human interaction, so he asked his granddaughter if she would like to come and enjoy a sleepover at his house.

“Hi Megan it’s grandpa. Would you like to come over and have a sleepover? I haven’t been feeling well and miss you. We can order food and watch a mystery show. Love, grandpa,” the text reads.

The young woman responded immediately to her grandfather, confirming that she would be over to spend some time with him. She also asked if he needed her to pick anything up on the way. His only request was for applesauce.

The young woman came through, bringing her elderly grandfather KFC mashed potatoes, ice cream and the requested applesauce.

The video text states that they also enjoyed a “mystery show.” They watched a black-and-white one, which was one of his favorites.

Before going to bed, the young woman’s grandfather showed her where she would be sleeping, ensured she had water and gave her a flashlight in case she got scared at night.

What an incredible, moving and tear-jerking act of love. Showing someone you care and love them doesn’t require big grand gestures. Sometimes, you only need applesauce and a good black-and-white murder mystery show.

Psalm 71:9: “Do not give me up when I am old; be my help even when my strength is gone.”

Basketball star Caitlin Clark helped uplift and encourage children and their families during her visit to a hospital.

Athletes are some of society's most looked up to and admired people. Athletes especially captivate children and young people. They can pull off thrilling maneuvers on the field or court. Through years of intense, dedicated and focused practice, athletes can do things that most people can only imagine.

For that reason, children commonly look up to and adore athletes. Athletes excel in games that children play with their friends. Many children want to become a New York Yankee or a Los Angeles Laker when they grow up. So, that's why any attention from a notable athlete always means so much to children. They don't care if it's five minutes or five seconds with their favorite player.

In a clip posted on YouTube, Caitlin Clark, a member of the Indiana Fever and arguably the most well-known athlete on the planet, stopped by a children's hospital in Indianapolis. The basketball star spent time visiting and chatting with children in the NICU and their families.

The short two-minute clip begins with the former Iowa Hawkeye holding a young woman and presenting the child with a stuffed animal. It's the Indiana Fever's mascot, Freddy. The child is taken aback by the gift from Caitlin, unable to take her eyes off the stuffed animal.

Throughout the clip, Caitlin signs and presents a small basketball to some of the hospital's tiniest patients.

A mother of one of the patients appreciated Caitlin stopping by to see and visit with everyone.

"Well, for her to stop her busy schedule and to just check on all the babies here it means a lot," the mother said. "It means a lot."

Near the end of the clip, Caitlin mentions how much she enjoyed visiting with the patients, their families and hospital staff. She said hopes to do it again soon.

Ephesians 4:32 "And be kind to one another, full of pity, having forgiveness for one another, even as God in Christ had forgiveness for you."

A mother read a kindergarten teacher’s moving poem written specifically for parents.

Children are undoubtedly one of the biggest and best blessings in life. There is nothing like being a parent and welcoming a bundle of joy into your home. A child will forever change your life in every way imaginable.

However, all children seem to have a genuinely nasty habit of growing up and not remaining little for long. As every parent understands, childhood does not last long at all. Blink, and that child you brought home from the hospital is walking and talking. Do it again, and they are going off to kindergarten, leaving their parents’ protection and care for the first time.

For parents, a child going off to kindergarten can be an incredibly emotional experience. It’s essentially a sign that one part of a youngster’s childhood has ended. That little boy or girl will now spend a good amount of time at school and not all day at home with mom or dad.

In a clip posted on YouTube, one mother, who had just dropped off her twin girls at kindergarten for the first time, received a poem from her children’s teacher. It’s a sweet piece that perfectly captures what every parent feels and goes through at that moment.

One part of the poem helps to reassure parents worried about their children that they are in good, loving hands and will be treated as their own.

“Just know that as you drive away

And the tears down your cheeks may flow

I’ll love them as I would my own

And help them learn and grow”

The woman in the clip mentions that she and her husband were in tears after dropping her kids off at school and while trying to read the poem.

The teacher who wrote the poem for the parents fully understood what those moms and dads felt. In addition to the poem, she gave each of them a packet of tissues.

Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not be turned away from it.”

Two sisters reunited in a heartfelt moment after a lengthy overseas deployment.

Those who voluntarily decide to join the United States armed forces deserve our respect and admiration. Those individuals willingly step forward, agreeing to put themselves in harm’s way in some of the most dangerous places on Earth. Those men and women do that to protect you and me. If that selfless act of bravery is not heroic and courageous, then nothing is.

While those men and women are rightfully honored and recognized for their service and sacrifice, their families can often be forgotten. Long deployments can be hard on families. No one wants to be away from their father, mother, son or daughter, husband or wife for long periods of time, especially when that person is potentially in harm’s way.

Whenever a military member returns from a long deployment and is reunited with their family, it is always a moving and touching occasion. There is usually a long, loving embrace and many tears are often shed in those moments. That is precisely what happened when two sisters were unexpectedly reunited after one of them who had been deployed overseas for more than a year returned home.

The clip posted on YouTube shows a young woman surprising her sister at work after returning from her deployment overseas. To make the moment even sweeter, the woman’s co-workers made it even more special, telling her they had a “gift” for her and that “it was in a box.”

Tears started immediately flowing as the sisters, two-thirds of a triplet set, saw one another. It’s a sweet moment that shows how much the two siblings care for and love one another.

But that wasn’t the only surprise reunion in the short, one-minute clip. The video also shows the soldier surprising her mother, who sprints across the room to her daughter, giving her a big, warm and loving embrace.

These moments of people reuniting with a loved one who has been away bravely serving their country overseas will never get old!

1 Corinthians 16:14 “Let all you do be done in love.”

Sometimes I just can’t figure things out! I get lost in “my” understanding, and “my” personal experiences which can lead me down the proverbial “rabbit hole.” #toughquestionsforgod #dailydevotion Please Like & Share

Healing, in this context, can be viewed as a journey influenced by both spiritual and practical factors. Whether one is dealing with physical illness, emotional distress, or spiritual turmoil, healing often involves a combination of self-care, professional intervention, and spiritual support. The belief that "God only knows" may be a source of comfort, suggesting that there is a divine plan at work in the healing process, even when outcomes are uncertain. Prayer can play a significant role in this journey, serving as a channel for hope and a source of inner strength, while also fostering a sense of connection to something greater than oneself.

Ever feel like “faith in Jesus” is a scam, a waste of time, foolishness? #toughquestionsforgod #dailydevotion SHARE with others …

A kind man rescues a scared, injured kitten darting across a busy interstate. In the bustling morning traffic of the Wantagh State Parkway, where the hum of engines and the blur of cars create a relentless rhythm, a little black kitten with a touch of orange and white on her face faced a dangerous situation. Her name was Wanda, and her story of survival began with a heart-stopping rescue.

John Debacker from Long Island Cat Kitten Solutions received an urgent call about a feline spotted along the center divider of a freeway. His heart likely raced as he envisioned the danger the tiny kitten was in, navigating the busy highway amidst speeding vehicles. John knew that every second counted.

When arriving on the scene, John’s eyes scanned the chaotic traffic, but Wanda was nowhere to be seen. Determined not to give up, he looped around the freeway, maneuvering through the congestion with urgency and caution. The risk was immense; the highway was a maze of speeding cars, and every moment without the kitten was a moment closer to disaster.

Realizing the situation's gravity, John wisely called the New York State Police. Understanding the urgency, the officers quickly responded, halting traffic to ensure John’s safety and to allow him to work without the constant threat of oncoming vehicles.

With traffic momentarily stopped, John returned to the center divider. His heart skipped a beat as he spotted Wanda, huddled and frightened. Seeing the small kitten was both a relief and a call to action. With fast hands, a large net, and a calming voice, John almost captured her before she ran away, scared. But as he approached the second time, he captured this wild but tiny kitten from her precarious spot.

The rescue was far from over. John carefully cradled Wanda and made his way back to the side of the road, ensuring her safety and avoiding any further close calls.

The New York State Police, having ensured that traffic was safely resumed, offered their congratulations and support. Wanda’s rescue proved the incredible effort and coordination between John and the police, who swiftly protected the tiny life at risk.

Back at the shelter, Wanda was given a warm bed, nutritious food, and the care she needed to recover from her harrowing experience, where she now awaits a loving, forever home. 

John Debacker’s heroic efforts, coupled with the timely intervention of the New York State Police, had turned a close call into a story of bravery and compassion. Wanda’s narrow escape from the Wantagh State Parkway was a reminder of the fragility of life and the immense impact of those who dedicate their efforts to rescuing those in need.

Luke 12:6-7 "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." 

Many people fear death and the process of dying. This can lead to enslaving behaviors like obsessively following health trends, avoiding airplanes, or losing the ability to think of much else when our loved ones travel. But God doesn't want us to live in fear and has provided numerous truths in Scripture to assure us of His presence in our every moment, including when we pass from this present earth, and of the joy that awaits us in paradise. In this episode, hosts Carol McCracken and Jennifer Slattery discuss some of the underlying causes for our fear of death and biblical truths that can help us view our eternal future with anticipation rather than fear. Bible passages referenced: Luke 8:40-45; Acts 7:40-55; Romans 8:31-29; 2 Samuel 12:15-23; Isaiah 7:16 Book referenced: In Light of Eternity: Perspectives on Heaven by Randy Alcorn

All I have to do is just believe in Jesus, right? Hmmm … #toughquestionsforgod #dailydevotion Please SHARE with others!

Actress, author, podcast host and Christian Candace Cameron Bure shared a touching memory of the first time she met Bob Saget.

Most people know “Full House” and its Netflix reboot, “Fuller House,” well. It is a beloved sitcom about Danny Tanner, a father of three young girls whose wife suddenly passed away. To help Danny shoulder the responsibilities of being a single father to three little girls, uncles Jesse and Joey move into the house. The show then follows the lives and hilarious hijinks of the Tanner family and their weird, wacky neighbor, Kimmy Gibbler.

The show introduced audiences to and quickly fell in love with people like John Stamos (Uncle Jesse), Dave Coulier (Uncle Joey), Lori Loughlin (Aunt Becky) and the Olsen twins. Candance, who quickly shot to fame, played D. J. Tanner, the oldest of the three girls on the show. Playing D.J., Stephanie and Michelle’s father was the late comedian Bob Saget.

In a short clip posted on social media, Candace shared the first moment she met the man who would play her father on television for eight seasons and nearly 200 episodes. It’s a sweet moment that will likely make even the most stoic person emotional.

“Bob is or was ‘6’4” or 6’5,” he’s really tall,” Candace said. “I’m 5’2,” and at 10 years old, I was probably 5’. I mean, I’m still not a very tall person. But he got down, like stooped down on his knee and got eye-to-eye with me, and it was like, ‘Hi, I’m Bob, I’m going to be playing your dad. And we’re going to have a great time, and you know, if there’s anything we can do to have fun and just be comfortable saying these lines, and you just let me know.’”

She added that she and Bob became instant friends, which also happened between her and the show’s other cast members.

“And he was my friend from day one, I mean, from the first moment I met him. And then same with Lori Loughlin and John Stamos and Dave Coulier - just beautiful people,” she said.

Ephesians 4:32 “And be kind to one another, full of pity, having forgiveness for one another, even as God in Christ had forgiveness for you.”

Unmet expectations, life’s uncertainties, and the difficulties we face can leave us feeling anxious and afraid. We might fear that God provide what we need or won’t come through in time. Yet, it is in those uncomfortable seasons that we often most experience God’s faithfulness. Join Reverend Jessica VanRoekel and Jennifer Slattery as they discuss week three of the Your Daily Bible Verse podcast episodes in their ongoing season titled Moses: From Fearful to Faithful. Hear all of "Your Daily Bible Verse" Episodes at https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/

An elderly McDonald’s worker received incredible love and support from his community.

For most people, retirement is how they view spending their last years on Earth. No matter how much someone enjoys their job, no one wants to do it until their dying breath. People want to spend their golden years traveling, spending time with their grandchildren or doing several other activities.

Sadly, some people simply do not get the opportunity to retire. For whatever reason, some individuals have to continue working for as long as they are physically able. Working a 9-5 job is by no means the ideal way for someone to spend their 70s, 80s and 90s. But some people do not have a choice and must continue punching the time clock.

Ed Eubanks is one of those people who has had to keep working in his advanced years. According to the clip posted on YouTube, he is 82 years old and has worked at a McDonald’s in Henderson, Nevada, for nearly 20 years.

The clip states that Ed does not have the money to enjoy retirement. However, one person started up a GoFundMe account for Ed. Several community members railed to the cause, donating to Ed and raising $2,000 for the 82-year-old McDonald’s employee.

When he learned about the money, Ed was eternally grateful.

“This, this is surprising,” he said. “I mean, I’m really grateful, ‘cause I can use the money and, and it’s fantastic what you guys are doing.”

The man who started the GoFundMe campaign, Abraham Cruz, mentioned hearing story after story from people about their pleasant interactions with Ed. Abraham called Ed a “good guy” and said, “We need to take care of the good guys in here.”

That $2,000 is likely not the final amount that Ed will receive. The page is still open for anyone who might want to donate to the longtime McDonald’s employee.

What a beautiful show of love and support for an elderly man who obviously appreciates it.

Ephesians 4:32 “And be kind to one another, full of pity, having forgiveness for one another, even as God in Christ had forgiveness for you.”

The late Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones once wrote, "The worst thing that can happen to a man is to succeed before he's ready." We've probably all heard of or read stories of fallen faith leaders to understand the truth in that statement. Considering this, what if our greatest setbacks and disappointments in pursuit of our God-given dreams are actually evidence of His love and grace? When doctors told Bay Turner that, due to his cut vocal cords, that he might never sing again, he felt into a dark and angry place. But God used that season of intense pain to bring about incredible beauty, as He's promised to do for all of us (Rom. 8:28). Song referenced: "Brand New"

In this episode of *The Walk Podcast*, titled "Embracing God's Design: Insights from Jesse Reeves," renowned songwriter Jesse Reeves, known for worship anthems like "How Great Is Our God," shares a transformative devotional based on Joseph's story from Genesis 45. Jesse explores how shifting our focus from past hardships to recognizing God's guiding hand can lead to freedom and forgiveness. He emphasizes the power of changing our narrative to see God's purpose in our struggles, offering personal insights on overcoming adversity. More here: https://worshipleader.com/podcasts/jesse-reeves-i-speak-jesus/ The episode concludes with a performance of "What a Day," highlighting the hope found in God's divine design.

True wisdom is one of the most valuable aspects of growing in faith. We need to know what truth is and what to do with it! #toughquestionsforgod #dailydevotion SHARE this video for Jesus!

A man in his 90s braved the world’s fastest zipline for the sweetest, most heartwarming reason possible.

Whether we’d like to admit it or not, everyone has fears. Some people fear spiders or anything that creeps and crawls around on the ground. Others don’t particularly enjoy flying and would rather get around by car, train or other transportation. Still, different individuals have a paralyzing fear of heights. Some people can only get a few off the ground before they start fearing for their safety.

Sometimes, fears are good and healthy and keep us safe when the threat and possibility of danger are very real. However, fear usually does nothing but hold us back from experiencing and doing new and exciting things. When we build up enough courage and force ourselves to face our fears, it is one of the greatest feelings in the world.

However, a 94-year-old man, David, refused to let fear hold him back from going down the world’s fast zipline. As the video posted on social media points out, David conquered the high-speed zipline in memory of his late wife, June.

The clip shows David putting on the helmet and the other proper gear needed to complete a successful zipline ride. Before taking on the world’s fastest zipline, David does one that has a maximum speed between 30 and 40 mph. After that one is complete, it’s on to the next zipline.

Then, David hops onto a truck that takes him to the top of a mountain, where the world’s fastest zipline is located. The text explains that the zipline reaches speeds near 100 miles per hour, which David easily completes.

The video explains that David’s zipline rides were part of his fundraising initiative for the hospice location that cared for his beloved wife near the end of her life.

What a sweet and emotional clip! It is sure to bring tears to the eyes of many.

1 Corinthians 16:14“Let all you do be done in love.”