The men in my life group baptized three people in the lake this weekend. It was an incredible experience. Would you join me in celebrating their new lives in Christ? 

I love how Paul writes in Romans 6:4, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

If you have never been baptized, I highly recommend you study the topic and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into understanding the importance of taking this step of faith. Here are a few Bible passages on the topic to get you started:

• Matthew 28:19–20
• Acts 2:38
• Mark 1:9–11

These are just a few places we see baptism talked about, but there are many more! I encourage you to dive in deeper into this topic!

The post What Is Baptism? appeared first on Katie Hauck Ministries.

When He broke the bread and gave it to his disciples said, “Do this in remembrance of me”. This is why the church takes communion. All churches do it at different times and on different schedules, but I once heard a pastor ask, “How often do you need to be reminded of what Jesus did for you?” Truthfully, the answer for me was EVERY SINGLE DAY.

As much as I attempt to allow the Holy Spirit to guide my days, I still fail regularly. I forget how Great our God is. I forget that Jesus calls me holy and redeemed. I forget that He gives me power in His name. I forget that He has freed me from the law of the covenant and grants me unrelenting grace. Communion isn’t a religious service that a minister must lead you in. It is a time of worship and thanks that you can partake in alone, with a group of friends, at your home in your closet, or at your kitchen table—it doesn’t matter.

Communion As A Reminder

Communion is an opportunity to remind yourself of how much Jesus loves you and remind yourself to give him thanks for that undeserved love. When you partake of the bread and the wine, you are partaking in everything Jesus’ sacrifice provided: salvation, peace, healing, prosperity, forgiveness, grace, love, power, strength, patience, faithfulness, and more.

Many believe this should be a somber moment. While what was accomplished on the cross is something incredibly deep, it is also something we should celebrate! He has restored our lives! He has taken away the bondage of sin and death! Our God sent His son to die for us because He loves us so much and wants us to have life in abundance. We have been set free! That is something to be joyous about!

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God sees beauty from the inside. He sees potential, and He sees what we can’t see in ourselves.

Rahab was a prostitute. She’d made a mess out of her life…but God loved her. He knew her worth. It didn’t matter what she looked like on the outside. God cleaned her up and showed her that He had a plan for her life.

Do you know that she went on to become the mother of Boaz, who was the father of Obed, who was the father of Jesse, who was the father of David? King David. Not only that, but King David’s lineage went all the way to Jesus. God took a prostitute, a woman whose body had been used. A woman who was abused. A woman who was called dirty and through her body came the bloodline getting us to Jesus!

God did not see Rahab the way we would have seen her. He wiped her clean and called her beautiful. In the same way, He wants to wipe away your past. He made you, He loves you, and He has a plan for your life. You’re beautiful.

Read Rahab’s story.

Keep shifting your perspective to align more with God’s Word with a Bible Reading plan!

The post You’re Beautiful appeared first on Katie Hauck Ministries.

Do you ever feel like no one cares, like no one is listening? These three simple words are for you: Don’t Give Up. In God’s perfect timing, if you remain obedient to His Word, you will reach exactly who He intends for you to reach, and God will change lives. God does not judge success the same way the world does. God desires your obedience, even when it looks like you’re not making an impact on anyone. Keep listening to the Lord and, in His perfect timing, you will reap a harvest. Until then, remember 1 Peter 5:6-7 which says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

Learn more about our Bible reading Plans and devotionals.

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Because He wouldn’t have needed to.

If Pharaoh had just let the people go the first time, there would be no need for a miracle.
Moses had to fail, according to the world’s description of failure, for God’s true glory to be displayed.
Sometimes the Lord calls you to something but that doesn’t mean it is going to be successful – at least in your own eyes. He has a plan, and it is good. What He’s going to do in the end will be worth all these failures.

Don’t Give Up.

Have you ever felt like someone was coming against you? Those three simple words are for you. Don’t give up. The Lord has a plan and a purpose for your life. He is working all things together for the good of those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose. You might not understand. It might be difficult. People might come against you. It might feel like everyone is blaming you. It might feel like you have failed. Keep trusting God and wait because God is using your trial for something amazing.

The post Don’t Give Up When You Fail appeared first on Katie Hauck Ministries.

Simon Peter was one of Jesus’ disciples. Even though he walked daily with the Lord, he messed up a lot. He misinterpreted the parables, tried to keep children away from Jesus, argued about which disciple was the greatest, tried to walk on water but started to sink because of fear, failed to stay awake and pray with Jesus in the garden, cut off a man’s ear, and denied even knowing Jesus after His arrest. You would think Jesus would have completely rejected him, especially because he was supposed to be one of His very best friends. I don’t know about you, but if it were me, at some point I would get tired of showing him grace. I am so incredibly thankful that Jesus is not me! He never gets tired of forgiving us and his mercy is everlasting.

Simon Peter was shown grace, even though he did not deserve it. He was the first of the twelve disciples that Jesus appeared to, and he was lovingly restored to his position as a disciple during a meeting with Jesus on the Sea of Galilee. He went on to become the leader of the disciples, he preached the first evangelical message where 3,000 people were saved, and he played a vital role in the formation of the early church. It is amazing what God can do through broken, messed-up people.

Don’t Give Up.

Have you ever messed up? Do you feel like God can’t use you because of the wrong you’ve done? Those three simple words are for you. Don’t give up. There is nothing you have done that is greater than the sacrifice Jesus made for you. His death on the cross provided forgiveness for all your sins. Go to Him, repent, and believe. Then just wait because He is going to use you in mighty ways. Just like Simon Peter, He has a plan and a purpose for your life…and it is good!

Want to learn more about how to not give up? Read the full YouVersion devotional plan today!

The post Don’t Give Up When You Mess Up appeared first on Katie Hauck Ministries.

After discovering the truth, he gave his life to spread the gospel. I would love to tell you everything becomes easy when you give your life to the Lord but that is just not the case. During his life, Paul was whipped five times by the Jews, beaten with rods three times, stoned once, shipwrecked three times, was in danger from bandits, went hungry, was in the cold with no clothing, was bitten by a snake, was arrested multiple times and was chained to a guard around the clock. He wrote in one of his letters to the Corinthians that he worked harder, had been in prison more often, been flogged more severely, and was exposed to death more times than anyone there. Regardless of the tremendous pain and misery he went through, Paul never gave up. He depended on Christ’s power to get him through his trials.

Don’t Give Up.

Are you in the middle of a trial and it just seems too difficult to continue? Those three simple words are for you. Don’t give up. There are going to be days in life where the storm seems too powerful. There are going to be days when you do not know if you can take one more step. Lean on God in these moments. You might think God will not give you more than you can handle but that is not true. What He will give you is the strength to keep going, the power to overcome, and the grace to bring you to everlasting glory. God does not promise there will be no storms, but He does promise to walk through those storms with His arms wrapped tightly around you.

The post Don’t Give Up In The Middle of Trials: Paul’s Story appeared first on Katie Hauck Ministries.

The Lord blessed him abundantly and not only allowed him to eventually get out of prison but also to become one of the top leaders in Egypt. Joseph ended up forgiving his family and helping them survive during a terrible famine – giving them food, land, and a second chance. This is such a great story of trust, mercy, and grace. I encourage you to read the whole story, which is in Genesis 37-50.

Your Turn

Is there conflict in your family? Those three simple words are for you: Don’t give up. People are going to hurt you. They are going to disappoint you, dislike you, and accuse you.

I have three pieces of advice as you go through these difficult trials.

• First, do not become too defensive. Allow the Lord to fight the battles for you.
• Second, do not go to others with your problems. Hear me, I’m not saying don’t get help when you need it. Instead, I’m saying that the first place you go when things get hard shouldn’t be your gossip circle! Ranting about family matters can damage trust and communication inside the family. Go to the Lord first and foremost.
• Third, pray for the people who hurt you. Scripture tells us all battles are spiritual and you do not know what demons those people might be dealing with. Just like Joseph, do not become bitter, angry, or unforgiving. View these challenges as opportunities to grow spiritually and trust the Lord to deliver you.

Joseph is one of many incredible lives in the Bible that can still encourage us today to NOT GIVE UP! I have a whole, free Bible reading plan on the YouVersion Bible app where you can dive deeper into this!

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But God’s Word tells a better story. A true one.

The truth is that you are not your past. You are not your mistakes. You are not what shame says about you. That said, in the middle of a battle with shame, it can be very difficult to remember that truth. Thankfully, God’s Word has a lot to say about this, and dwelling on these verses can help push back the heavy feelings of guilt and regret.

Here are 8 Bible verses that speak directly into the places where shame tries to settle. Let these verses break the silence and remind you who you really are in Christ.

1. Romans 8:1

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
→ Read that again, “no condemnation.” Shame may accuse, but Jesus has already cleared your name. Praise the Lord today for paying your debt!

2. Isaiah 54:4

“You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach…”
→ God’s redemption covers even your earliest wounds.

3. Psalm 34:5

“Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”
→ When your eyes are on Jesus, shame has no place. A beautiful thing happens when we move the focus off your past regrets and instead focusing more on the Lord to help shift your perspective.

4. 1 John 1:9

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful…and will cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
→ You are not just forgiven—you are cleansed. Have you ever heard the old, classic hymn “There is a Fountain?” As it says, all the spots and blemishes from your past are indeed washed away.

5. Psalm 103:12

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
→ When God forgives you, He separates you from your shame—completely.

6. Isaiah 61:7

“Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance…”
→ God doesn’t just remove your shame—He replaces it with honor.

7. Micah 7:19

“You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.”
→ God buries your sin. Don’t go fishing. It is wonderful to realize that God isn’t holding on to your shame either.

8. 2 Corinthians 5:17

“If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
→ You are made new. Full stop. What does it mean to be a new creation in Christ? I go in to more detail about that here.

Ready to Carry These Verses With You?

We created a free printable card pack with all 8 verses—designed to remind you daily that shame doesn’t define you. Print them, pin them, or pass them to a friend who needs to know they’re still loved. Shame ends where grace begins. You are covered, known, and deeply loved.

8 Bible Verses to Break Free from Shame

Here are 8 Bible verses that speak directly into the places where shame tries to settle. Let these verses break the silence and remind you who you really are in Christ.

Print Now

The post 8 Verses to Break Free from Shame appeared first on Katie Hauck Ministries.

1. Remember, They Made Their Own Choices

It’s easy to feel responsible for someone else’s choices. But the truth is, we can’t carry their burden. Galatians 6:5 says, “For each one should carry their own load.” You can love, encourage, and pray—but you can’t control their journey. Psalm 55:22 reminds us, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you.”

2. Remember the Future Can Look Different

We often replay the past in our minds—the mistakes, the missed chances, the hurts. But God calls us to look ahead. Philippians 3:13–14 encourages us to “forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead.” Focus on the present and the hope that’s still possible. Jeremiah 29:11 promises, “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.”

3. Pray, Don’t Push

It’s natural to want to push someone to change, but real transformation comes from God. James 5:16 tells us, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Instead of pushing, pray—for protection, clarity, courage, and God’s timing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 reminds us, “Pray without ceasing.” Your prayers can move mountains where your words can’t.

A topic that is often brought up in regards to earnestly praying is fasting. If you are interested in learning more about how and why to fast, we have resources for that as well.

4. Set Healthy Boundaries

Stepping back doesn’t mean giving up. Jesus often withdrew to pray and refresh Himself (Luke 5:16). Taking space allows you to maintain your peace, stay strong, and continue loving without burning out. Psalm 46:10 reminds us, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Trust that God is working, even when you can’t see it.

Boundaries aren’t walls—they’re loving protections for your heart and your family. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Healthy boundaries prevent enabling behaviors, give space for your loved one to take responsibility, and allow you to love without losing yourself.

Remember, you are not responsible for their choices—only for your faithfulness to God. Love, pray, and trust Him. Romans 8:28 reminds us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” When it’s not you, it’s them—but God is always with you, guiding, comforting, and strengthening your heart.

5. Don’t Carry It Alone

Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Family members often carry a heavy load, but that doesn’t mean it has to be carried alone. Connecting with a supportive community like a Bible-based local church and/or Celebrate Recovery can help you to not feel as alone on your journey.

There are also so many resources that can help. We have books, podcasts, videos, and more to help get you started. There are also so many other organizations that offer support. Don’t feel ashamed to spend time researching the options best for your family and situation. One thing to think about is whether the loved one who is struggling is at a point of accepting help yet. That will determine if the resources you need are for you to help navigate it better or for your loved one.

6. Stay Encouraged

As I mentioned at the beginning, you are not alone in this. The pain of watching someone you love struggle is much more common than you think. It is helpful to remember that it is worth it to persevere in hope, support, and prayer. Romans 1:12 reminds us to be “mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” Hearing and reading true testimonies of how families impacted by addiction can really help you stay encouraged. That means the You Are Loved YouTube Series and the book From These Broken Pieces.

7. Continue Growing Your Own Faith

Whether you’ve never heard about Jesus before or are already a Christian, growing in your own faith will help build perspective in any situation, including in this specific one. Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” The desire of our creator is for you to live an abundant life with peace and hope, no matter your circumstances.

Additional Practical Tips

• Pray Daily – Set aside intentional prayer time for your loved one. (James 5:16)
• Keep a Journal – Write down your prayers, thoughts, and reflections to release worry and see God’s work over time. (Psalm 37:5)
• Maintain Healthy Boundaries – Decide what you can and cannot do for them, and stick to it. (Proverbs 4:23)
• Take Care of yourself – Prioritize rest, nutrition, and spiritual health so you can stay strong for them. (1 Corinthians 6:19–20)
• Seek Support – Join a recovery ministry group, counseling, or prayer circle to share your journey. (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10)
• Celebrate Small Wins – Notice and rejoice in any positive step your loved one takes, no matter how small. (Philippians 4:4)

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