You Don’t Live There Anymore

“Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.”
Romans 6:14 NLT
When you belong to Jesus, you don’t have to keep living like you’re still chained to what He has already set you free from.
As you continually yield your life to Christ, His grace leads you down a new pathway—one filled with peace, love, joy, and freedom. Under His leadership, He continues changing you, strengthening you, and moving you forward. You may still stumble at times. You may have moments when old habits, old thoughts, or old temptations try to pull you backward. But stumbling doesn’t mean you have to stay down.
Sin is no longer your master.
That means the controlling power sin once had over your life has been broken through Jesus. You don’t have to fight for freedom—you can learn to walk in the freedom Christ has already given you.
When we experience the freedom of Christ’s forgiveness, even the way we see our failures begins to change. Our mistakes no longer get to define who we are. Our past no longer gets to determine where we are going. Shame doesn’t get the final word. Fear doesn’t get the final word. Sin doesn’t get the final word.
Jesus does.
You don’t have to return to the same cycles that once kept you trapped in sin, shame, guilt, and fear. God’s grace isn’t permission to remain where you were; it is the power to become who He has called you to be.
So when the enemy reminds you of where you’ve been, remember where you live now.
You live under grace.
You walk in freedom.
You belong to Jesus.
You don’t live there anymore.
Prayer:
Thank You, Lord, that through Jesus we have been set free from the bondage of sin. Thank You that our failures do not define us and our past does not control our future. Help us to stop returning to the things You have already delivered us from and teach us to walk every day in the freedom of Your grace. We are forgiven, we are free, and we are forever covered by Your amazing grace! In the name of Jesus, Amen.

The Mystery of His Will

He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him. (Ephesians 1:9)
The first four pronouns in this sentence referring to He/His are speaking of God the Father. The last pronoun in this sentence, Him, is referring to Jesus. God’s Word makes us aware of the mystery of His will, and He purposed His will to happen through Jesus. And what is the purpose of His will? In the scriptures preceding this one, Paul speaks of how we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing through Christ. He says that we were chosen before the foundation of the world that we would be holy and blameless before Him. It also means that He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ. And finally, Paul says that through Jesus we have redemption through His blood and forgiveness of all of our trespasses according to the riches of His grace.
Yes, another lesson telling you that you have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus, you have been forgiven of all of your sins, and you have become an heir of God, a coheir with Christ. All of this is part of His divine will for you. He loves you. Not mentioned here, but also a part of His will, is that you worship Him and give Him glory by being His witnesses on this earth. You see, when you finally realize how much God loves you, and how much power He has given you, then boldness can rise up and you can become the warrior God called you to be. Condemnation has no place in your mind or body. Do not
let Satan rent space in your mind. Cast him out and as you go about your daily routines, be comforted knowing that God has chosen you before the beginning of time and has blessed you with every spiritual blessing. I know, sometimes you do not feel like you are blessed, especially when the everyday pressures of the world bare down on you, but you are a world overcomer. It does not matter how you feel. What matters is what God’s Word says, and it says He has made His will known to you and His will is that you be blessed with every spiritual blessing. Be at peace with this and do not be discouraged.
Father God, I continue to thank You that You have chosen me and have blessed me with every spiritual blessing. I thank You that Your Word clearly makes known what Your will is for my life. I know that You have nothing but good plans for me. I know that I am blessed, redeemed, and forgiven by the blood of Jesus. Knowing how much You love me gives me the strength to complete every task that lies before me. I ask for You, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, to remind me each day of my blessings and my redemption to help me remind those around me how much You love them also. I thank You in the name of
Jesus, my Savior, and Lord. Amen.

Stay Grounded in Gods Vision

If you have a calling to do God’s work, stay focused on it, no matter what it takes. Each
of us has unique gifts, talents, and testimonies that have shaped us into who we are
today. God wants to use us.
For some people, this comes naturally, but for others, it may be difficult to get exactly
where God wants us and to do what He has called us to do. It may mean going back to
school, leading a group, stepping out in faith, or doing things that may make you
uncomfortable.
When God calls us to something, He will also give us the strength and direction we
need to follow that calling. If you pray and ask God for direction and strength, He will
guide you. You may not always understand the path He is taking you on, but you can
trust that He has a purpose for your life and that He can use your gifts, talents,
experiences, and testimony for His glory.
Scripture:
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful
stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” — 1 Peter 4:10
Reflection:
Is there something God has been calling you to do that you have been hesitant or afraid
to pursue?
Prayer:
Lord, help me recognize the talents and gifts You have given me and help me use them
for Your glory. When I feel afraid, uncomfortable, or uncertain, remind me that You are
with me. Give me wisdom and direction to follow the path You have called me to. Even
when I do not know what lies ahead, help me stay focused and trust Your plan for me.
Use my experiences, gifts, and my testimony to help others.
In Jesus’ name, Amen

"He's as close as the mention of His Name"

"The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth." ~Psalm 145:18
As I was scrolling Facebook this afternoon I  heard someone mention one of my all time favorite songs from years past. As I listened to those lyrics I was reminded of a time not so long ago when I felt very cold and distant from God. In fact, I felt like God was a million miles away. I knew I was saved but I wasn't living in a covenant relationship with Him. I'm not sure how I allowed myself to drift so far away but I know my heart was not in a good place. I didn't have any desire to pray, I didn't want to read my Bible and I sure did not want to go to church. I can also remember how alone and discouraged I felt during that time. I was miserable and although I would have never admitted it at the time, I knew what or rather Who was missing in my life! I knew exactly what I needed to do but I wasn't ready to surrender my will...I was fighting a battle between good and evil, right and wrong. But God!
Music has always been a huge part of my life. Many times, it has been a song that ministered to my heart and brought conviction. One of the songs that has had that effect on me is the one I heard today, "He's As Close as the Mention of His Name."* That is also one of the songs that God used to draw me back to Him during that dark season of my life. I can't remember exactly where I heard it, or if the lyrics just came to mind, I just know God knew exactly what I needed to hear to soften my hardened heart. 
Still today, every time I hear that song, the tears flow and I'm reminded that whatever situation I'm facing, He is as close as the mention of His Name! I'm so thankful I know without a doubt that He hears me every time I say His name! "Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live." ~Psalm 116:2.
If you are at that place in your life, if you have drifted away from God and you feel cold and lonely remember,  "...the Lord is near!"  ~Philippians 4:5. Jesus can turn whatever situation you are facing around! It doesn't matter how ugly your life may be, or what sin you are walking in today, He loves you!  Remember, you are never too far from God that He won't welcome you back.
If you've never accepted Him as your Lord and Savior, there is no better time than right this minute. He is as close as the mention of His name and He's waiting for you to call on Him! Jesus, Jesus...
 In the very thought of Jesus His presence can be found. He's as close as the mention of His name. There is never any distance between my Lord and me. He's as close as the mention of His name.
He's as close as the mention of His name.
Jesus, Jesus.
He's as close as the mention of His name.
Jesus, Jesus
In my hour of struggle so many times I've found
Just to breathe the name of Jesus can turn everything around. He's as close as the mention of His name.

Christian Love

Christian love is more than just being kind to those who are kind to us. It means choosing
forgiveness, patience, grace, and compassion, even when it is difficult.
God calls us to love others because He first loved us. We may not always agree with someone or
understand their choices, but we can still choose to treat them with the love of Christ. Our love for others should reflect the mercy, love, and grace that God has shown us.
Loving others does not mean we have to agree with everything they do. Sometimes love means setting healthy boundaries while still choosing forgiveness and kindness. Jesus showed us how to love people with compassion, even when they are broken, difficult, or different from us.
When we choose love instead of anger, grace instead of judgment, and forgiveness instead of bitterness, we become a reflection of Christ to those around us. We may never know how much one simple act of kindness can mean to someone who is hurting.
Scripture:
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” — 1 Peter 4:8
Reflection:
Am I showing others the same grace and forgiveness that God has shown me?
Prayer:
Lord, help me love others the way You love me. Give me grace when I am hurt, patience when I am frustrated, and forgiveness when it is difficult. Let my words and actions reflect Your love and show others Your heart.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

"Redeemed by His Grace"

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace. (Ephesians 1:7)
The devil’s most powerful weapon against us is condemnation. He likes to continuously remind us of things we did in the past that we are not proud of, and we all have such things. If we let the past condemn us, we cannot see a successful future. I am going to present several devotions on redemption so you can realize who you are in Christ because once you realize that, the devil cannot condemn you.
We know that the Old Testament is based on law and the New Testament is based on grace. Today’s scripture points out that you have redemption through the blood of Jesus and that redemption grants you forgiveness for ALL of your trespasses you have ever committed and ALL you will commit before going to your heavenly home. All of this is a result of God’s grace. Your forgiveness comes from love. This is the
Father’s love for His only begotten Son and the Father’s love for you; it is also Jesus’s love for you. When Jesus died on the cross, He died for all mankind—not just the Jews—but all mankind. This includes those that brought about every atrocity ever committed. All the evil in the world can be forgiven if the evildoers will submit to God’s grace and receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Jesus’s death covers all the sins that were ever committed and ever will be committed for the rest of this planet’s existence as we know it.
All this is the result of His grace. You are covered with grace even though you have done absolutely nothing to deserve it, and there is nothing you can do to earn it. It is God’s love for you. Receive it and walk in God’s forgiveness.
When the devil puts thoughts in your mind, reminding you of all the horrible things you have done, you can say “yes devil, you are correct. I did do those horrible things, but you know what, Jesus died for me so those things are all totally erased. My slate is clean. I am a child of God. You have no place in my mind or body. Be gone from me in the name of Jesus.” Then move on, holding you head high and give praise to your God.
Thank You, Father, for Your grace that abounds to all mankind even though we have done
absolutely nothing to deserve it, nor can we earn it, nor can we pay You back in any way. It is truly unconditional love that You have for us, a love that we can only think about but cannot fully comprehend. I thank You again for that love, and while I cannot pay You back for all that You have done and will do for me, I resolve to serve You with all my heart and to make every attempt to fulfill the call that You have placed on my life. I am not worthy of that call based on my own merit, but Your righteousness makes me worthy. Continue to guide me in that call by the power of Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen.

"God, the lifter of my head"

"But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head." ~Psalm 3:3

Do you ever have days that you don't want to lift your head...you would rather stay in bed than face the outside world? I'm pretty sure we all have days like that! The cares of life can weigh us down at times. It can be anything from pressure on the job, relationship issues, stress of running a busy household, financial burdens, sickness...so many things can bog us down if we let it! And when we allow those feelings to take control, it's not pretty and it's definitely not a good place to be!

I've noticed in my own life, when I "allow" myself to get to this place, I start thinking about all the negative things that life has tossed my way. And let me tell you, my mind can bring up some past hurts and ugly messes real quick if I let it. Then before long, I'm in a sad, discouraged, poor pitiful me mindset. That's when I do not want to lift my head at all...I just want to wallow in that mud hole...and that's not good!  Do any of you relate?

Now, we can say, it's satan that's causing us to have those negative feelings, however, I kinda think we give him way too much credit for things we bring on ourself. Oh, he's lurking out there alright, but, as a child of God, we have control over our feelings, our desires and our thoughts! "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." ~Romans 12:2. We have a choice everyday between good and evil, joy and sadness, peace or discontent!  We can choose to stay in that negative, downtrodden mindset, or we can get up, crawl out of that muddy pit and say "not today!". “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!"  ~Deuteronomy 30:19.

So how do we change our negative mindset?  "Pray First" as my bracelet I wear everyday says! "Pray first" before you get out of bed, when the morning is new. I promise, when you start your day with God, just a 5 minute prayer will make for a much better day! "You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."  ~Psalm 16:11.

Next,  take the time to get in the Word! You will be surprised what a few minutes in His Word can do for you! "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." ~Hebrews 4:11
 
One more thing...find a scripture that ministers to your situation and memorize it. Then every time those negative thoughts pop in your head, quote that scripture, say it over and over every day until you have victory over those negative thoughts! My go-to scripture is Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you [me] declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". I claimed this scripture many years ago for my son and I will continue to cling to it every day for myself and my family!

Remember, it's a choice...what are you choosing today?  

Father God, thank you for giving me hope and a future. As Your Word declares You are the giver of life and life more abundantly. You are my strength and my source! Today, I choose to lift my head, I choose blessings, I choose joy, I choose life and life more abundantly in You. I give you all the praise, the honor and the glory, in Christ Name I pray, Amen.

God Is So Good

He is good when life is good, and He is good when we go through difficulties. The Lord is merciful. Not only does He give us what we deserve, but He gives us what we don’t deserve. He doesn’t treat us according to our mistakes but shows compassion. Even when our circumstances change, He remains faithful. We can trust that His promises will be fulfilled. We never have to walk through challenging seasons alone. God is with us through our grief, uncertainty, and joy. When we stop and look around, we can see evidence of God’s goodness in more ways than we realize. His goodness is found in both amazing blessings and the simple gifts we sometimes take for granted.
The Bible tells us about Job, a man who loved God and lived faithfully, yet his life suddenly became filled with challenges. He lost his possessions, his health, and his children. Job experienced deep grief and did not understand what God was doing. Yet he continued to turn to God. Even when he could not see the purpose behind his suffering, he acknowledged God’s greatness and remained connected to Him.
Many people experience suffering because of disobedience, but others suffer while walking closely with God. God allowed Job to go through great struggles, yet Job never blamed God. In the end, God blessed him abundantly.
Job’s story reminds us that God’s goodness remains constant regardless of what we are going through. Job 42:5 reads, “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.”
Reflection
How has God shown His goodness to you when life has not gone the way you expected?
Scripture
Psalm 34:8
“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we have so many reasons to praise You. Thank You for Your unfailing love and for the blessings we see and those we may never realize You have given us. Thank You for being faithful when we are uncertain and for reminding us that we never have to walk through life alone.
Lord, help us recognize Your goodness even when our circumstances are difficult. Open our eyes daily to the blessings You give us and help us focus on the simple things. You are worthy of all our praise.
In Jesus’ precious name,
Amen.

When Your Heart Is Troubled

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.” — John 14:1 NASB
When the disciples realized Jesus would be leaving them, they were distressed. They didn’t know what was coming next or understand how God’s plan was going to unfold. But Jesus did.
Jesus knew what was ahead—the cross, the resurrection, and everything the disciples would soon face. Yet He didn’t dismiss their fear or tell them that their feelings didn’t matter. Instead, He met their troubled hearts with compassion. His words were gentle, encouraging, and filled with hope: “Believe in God, believe also in Me.”
Jesus was reminding them that even when they couldn’t understand the plan, they could still trust the One who held the plan. He will do the same for you.
There will be seasons when you don’t know what comes next. You may feel anxious about your family, your finances, your health, your job, or simply what tomorrow holds. When those thoughts begin to overwhelm you, remember the faithfulness of God. Think about the times He has carried you before. Remind yourself that His character has not changed and His promises are still true. Worry asks, “What if?” Faith says, “Even if, God is still faithful.”
You don’t have to know every detail of tomorrow to trust the God who is already there. Instead of allowing your thoughts to drown in worry, turn them toward Him. Pray. Remember His promises. Recall His faithfulness. Let what you know about God become louder than what you fear about the future. The disciples couldn’t see what Jesus could see. They didn’t understand everything that was happening, but Jesus was still in control. And the same is true today. When your heart is troubled, remember this: God already holds the future you’re worried about. You may not understand His plan yet, but you can trust His heart. He will comfort you, show you compassion, and faithfully lead you through whatever comes next.
Prayer:
Lord, I trust You with my future even when I don’t understand what You are doing. When my heart becomes troubled, help me turn my thoughts toward You instead of toward my fears. Remind me of Your faithfulness and help me believe Your promises. I know You are with me, You are good, and my future is safe in Your hands. Amen.

The Holy Spirit Is Your Teacher

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!” (Isaiah 43:1b) In this Old Testament scripture, God is talking to His people Israel, and He is telling them not to fear for He has redeemed them and He calls them by name. He declares they are His. Yes, this is before Jesus came to the earth, but if this was true in the Old Testament, how much more is it true today after Jesus came, suffered, and died for your sins? His blood redeems you and you are now a child of God and a coheir with Jesus. You are a world overcomer (1 John 5:4-5), more than conquerors (Romans 8:37), you are the head and not the tail, above only and not beneath (Deuteronomy 28:13). You have not been
given a spirit of fear, but one of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Considering all of this you should be more resistant to fear than the people of the Old Testament. Walk through this day with your head held high knowing that you are redeemed, and God calls you by name—He knows every hair on your head. You are His child, therefore walk without fear in whatever you do today. Be bold and courageous ! Be blessed and be thankful this day. Thank You, Father God that You have redeemed me by the blood of Jesus. Thank You, Father, that I am Yours and that You have not given me a spirit of fear but a redeemed spirit that is full of Your power. As I walk through my busy day, I know that You walk with me but remind me of these facts when the cares of a the world close in on me and my concerns for my health, family, and work try to get the best of me. I will not fear, for You are with me. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen.

Even When We Are Tired

Each of us has times when we may be too tired to pray. Our minds are overwhelmed,
our bodies are exhausted, and we just can’t find the right words. Sometimes all we can
say is, “I need You, Lord,” or “God, help me.” And that is okay. He knows our hearts. He
knows we are tired. He knows the burdens we carry, even when we can’t find the words.
He does not measure our prayers by the length of our prayers or how we say them. He
is right by our side when we call out to Him. God knows exactly where we are in life. We
can come exactly as we are—hurting, tired, overwhelmed, and in need of Him. He is our
refuge and our strength.
He knows you. He hears you. And even when you are too tired to say much, you can
find rest in Him.
Scripture
Psalm 61:2 reminds us, “When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is
higher than I.”
Reflection
When you are struggling to find the right words, what keeps you from simply saying,
“God, I need You?”
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I come to You tired and overwhelmed. Sometimes I do not have the strength to pray.
Thank You for reminding me that You know my struggles and my needs before I even
speak them. I do not have to find the perfect words. I can simply say, “God, I need You,”
and trust that You hear me and You are by my side. Thank You for never leaving me,
especially in the moments when I am too tired to do anything but call Your name.
In Your precious name,
Amen

"I Will Sing For Joy"

"And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, 'Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed and enlarge my borders, and that Thine hand might be with me and that Thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!' And God granted him that which he requested." ~1 Chronicles 4:10

I'm sure most of us have read the "Prayer of Jabez" many times. It's a powerful prayer and one I've prayed for myself many times. In the prayer Jabez asks for four specific things: to be blessed, to have his borders enlarged, that God's hand would be with him and for God to keep him from evil. He then adds, "that it may not grieve me". What did he mean by those six words?

"Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, 'Because I bore him in pain'.” ~1 Chronicles 4:9 . According to research, "The Hebrew name Jabez means 'sorrowful', 'borne in pain', or 'he makes sorrowful'." In Biblical times a person's name carried a lot of weight. Is Jabez' name the reason he prayed those six words? I wonder if the stigma of his name caused him to feel grieved? Did his mother remind him often of the pain he caused her in childbirth? The Bible doesn't give us an answer. I do believe when he said, "that it may not grieve me", he was asking for deliverance from pain and sorrow. What type of pain/sorrow, again, we don't know.

There are two things that resonate with me in these scriptures. First, God said he was "more honorable than his brothers" which is huge in my opinion. That in itself is a good reason for Jabez to feel significant and blessed by God! Second and more importantly, God heard his prayer and granted his request. God knew his prayer was sincere and from a humble heart.
Two verses, a powerful "answered" prayer and Jabez was never mentioned again. The story ends ... or does it?

These scriptures and the prayer took on new meaning for me this morning.  Now this is strictly my thoughts, my interpretation and what God spoke to my heart. It may be just for me but I felt like sharing it with you.

We don't put a lot of emphasis on names in our culture today but if we did my name would read like this: "Martha the feminine form marta translates to 'mistress of the house' or 'lady' and Carol is a joyful, festive song or hymn, most commonly associated with Christmas." Martha Carol-- "a lady with a joyful song". Is that really me?

As I read those two verses this morning I believe I heard God saying, "Carol you need to be more joyful! You have allowed life, negativity and hurt to almost destroy you. You need to remember I called you many years ago to shine your light, your joy and your song for Me. You are my child and I love you!" Wow, ok God I hear You, I'm listening. "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." ~ Proverbs 17:22

"Father God, forgive me for my weakness. I pray that you will bless me and my family. I ask that You enlarge my territory so that I can tell others about You. Keep Your hand on me and lead me in the path that You would have me go and keep me from all negativity and evil. Take the hurt away, keep me humble and let my life be a joyful reflection of You! Amen

"For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me."~ Psalm 63:7-8

Shaken Before Being Used

“We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” — Romans 8:28
Just because you are in the middle of a storm does not mean you have stepped outside of God’s will. In fact, throughout Scripture, God often used storms, trials, and uncertain seasons to strengthen His people, refine their faith, and prepare them for what was ahead.
Sometimes we find ourselves asking, “Lord, why me? Why this? Why now?” And sometimes, we never receive the answer we were hoping for. But Romans 8:28 reminds us that even when we cannot understand what God is doing, we can trust that He is still working.
Many medicine bottles come with the instruction, “Shake well before using.” Maybe there is a spiritual picture in that.
From time to time, we can become settled into the routine of everyday life. We get comfortable, focused on ourselves, distracted by what is happening around us, and sometimes unaware of the Lord’s presence and His desire to work through us. And it may be in those seasons that God allows life to shake us before He uses us.
The shaking may feel uncomfortable, but it does not mean God has abandoned you. Sometimes the shaking is actually preparation. Maybe God is realigning your priorities. Maybe He is strengthening your faith. Maybe He is removing something you have depended on more than Him. Or maybe He is preparing you to be used in a way you never expected.
So if life feels a little shaken right now, don’t assume God is absent. The storm you are asking God to remove may be the very place where He is preparing you for what comes next.
Trust Him in the shaking. Trust Him in the waiting. Trust Him when you cannot see the purpose yet. Because God promised that all things work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
Even when “all things” includes a little shaking.
Prayer:
Lord, help me keep my eyes focused on You and remember that You have called me for a purpose. When life feels shaken, help me trust that You are still working, still shaping me, and still preparing me. Realign my heart and make me ready to be used by You. And Lord, help me stay close enough that maybe so much shaking won’t be necessary! Amen.

"Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these." ~Luke 12:27-28

I think of all the flowers that grow, wildflowers are my favorite! I especially love the ones that bloom in the fall. The Swamp Sunflowers, Asters and even the Goldenrods are so beautiful and they remind me that my favorite season is just around the corner. Another reason I like them is, they require no maintenance! They just grow and bloom wherever the seeds fall. 
 
Let me just tell you from experience, it takes work to plant and maintain a garden!  Whether it be flowers or vegetables, there is a process that must take place or they will not grow!  First, the ground must be plowed and broken up in order for the seeds/plants to take root in soft dirt. Next, the soil must be cultivated and given nourishment with some sort of fertilization. Now it's time to plant those seeds and once planted, don't forget to give them a good soaking of water!  Only then, after all this preparation, can we "hopefully" reap the benefits of our labor with beautiful flowers and veggies. But wait, the work is not finished yet. We still need to water the plants often, we have to keep all the weeds pulled up and we better make sure there are no bugs and worms eating on them! Yes, a garden requires lots of work!!!!

Wildflowers, on the other hand, can thrive almost anywhere, no maintenance required! 
Most often wildflowers are found in hard, untended soil on the side of roadways and in open pastures. Occasionally you will even see them growing between the cracks in cement. They don't need fertilize, they don't require much water and since they are basically weeds, nothing has to be pulled up. However, there is one thing I have noticed with wildflowers--they are usually always in direct sunlight!

Just maybe God gave us wildflowers to show us that no matter what life throws our way; no matter how hard the battle is; with  determination and His help we too can flourish and be beautiful. Even though we may feel like we are just a weed pushing up through the hard cement, others may see us as beautiful wildflowers! But remember, we do need that direct SONLIGHT in order to thrive!

Let me encourage you: whatever situation you find yourself in today, be a wildflower! The battle may be hard but if you will keep pushing forward, looking up, and cultivating your heart by praying and reading God's Word, He will give you the nourishment you need. He will shine His light on you, rain spiritual blessings on you, and make something beautiful out of your life. Just as those wildflowers need the sun, we too need THE SON!!! "Sow with a view to righteousness, reap in accordance with kindness; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord until He comes to rain righteousness on you." ~Hosea 10:12

"What You Allow In"

Each day, we make choices about what we allow into our lives. Sometimes, we reach for things that temporarily fill an emptiness inside us. It might be food, social media, shopping, alcohol, or unhealthy relationships. These things might make us feel good, but they can become substitutes for what our soul truly needs.
What we surround ourselves with can influence our hearts and our relationship with God. Scripture reminds us to guard our hearts because what we allow in eventually affects what comes out of us.
Something can make us feel good without making us whole. Temporary relief is not the same as true fulfillment.
Don’t settle for something that only temporarily fills you when God offers something that will truly satisfy your soul.
Philippians 4:8 encourages us to focus our minds on things that are true, noble, pure, lovely, and of good report.
Scripture:
“I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger.”
— John 6:35
Reflection Question:
Is what I'm allowing in bringing me closer to God or simply helping me escape?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Today, I ask You to help me recognize anything I have been using to fill a place that belongs to You. Help me replace it with things that nourish my soul. Help me stay focused on true fulfillment, which only comes from You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen

"Speak to your Mountain"

Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’ ” ~Zechariah 4:6-7

I'm sure most of us have faced some "mountains" or situations that seemed impossible to bear at some point in our life. I know I sure have. There is one thing in particular I have been praying about for many years. It seems no matter how much I want to see that mountain move, it hasn't budged...not one inch!I've asked God so many times God why, why won't You move my mountain but yet, it's still there. I believe God gave me my answer today!

In all honesty, I probably have not prayed as hard or as sincerely as I should have. And, although I say I have faith, I also have doubts! Yes I know God can move mountains but I'm not sure I've truly believed He would move my mountain. I think my answer to why I've not seen results is found in Matthew 17:20,  "So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." 

God told Zerubbabel that it's "not by might, not by power, but by God's Spirit" that the obstacles in his way would move! He said not only would He move the mountain, He would completely level it...absolutely NOTHING would be left!!! As I read that verse I thought about how I've prayed and begged God to intervene on my seemingly "impossible situation". I also thought about how often I've been negative because my prayer hasn't been answered, I would then give up and quit praying. I've been guilty of mumbling and complaining and I've even said maybe God is punishing me and is not going to answer my prayer. Could all my negativity be the reason God hasn't answered?  Have I been standing in the way of God's Spirit? 

Oh I say I believe, I have faith but yet I speak words of doubt! You see, I've been so adamant that God should answer my prayer simply because I wanted it done in my time but have I truly given it to God? Have I laid it at His feet and trusted Him? Have I allowed His Spirit to work? Have I truly believed that I could "speak" to that mountain and it would move? And finally, have I shouted "Grace" or given God the praise and thanked Him for moving that mountain?  Nope, I don't think I have...

"God forgive me for my weakness and my unbelief! Thank you for opening my eyes. I surrender my will to You. Even though I can't see it, I know You are working. I will shout praises and give You all the glory! 'Grace, grace to it!'. Amen."

My friend, if you are facing a mountain, an unbearable situation and you've almost lost all hope, don't give up and don't give in. Doubt never wins!  Don't stop praying, don't stop believing, His promises are Yes and Amen! And don't just ask God to move that mountain, ask Him to level it completely! Then stand on His Word and tell that mountain to go, "For nothing will be impossible with God.” ~Luke 1:37

"Citizens of Heaven, Ambassadors on Earth"

“They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” — John 17:16
“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” — 2 Corinthians 5:20
To be a United States ambassador, you must first be a citizen of America. A noncitizen cannot represent the nation in a distant country. In the same way, a true ambassador for Christ is one whose “citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20).
Christ’s ambassadors are those who have passed from darkness into light by placing their faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. We have been given a new identity, a new citizenship, and a new purpose. We may live here on earth, but this world is no longer our home. We belong to another Kingdom.
And because we belong to His Kingdom, we have been called to represent our King.
The apostle John understood this well. Even when he was banished to the island of Patmos, John knew that his location could not change his identity. It didn’t matter where he was—it mattered whose he was. Even in isolation, John could still worship, hear from God, and be in the Spirit. His circumstances could not prevent him from representing his Lord.
The same is true for us. We don’t have to stand behind a pulpit, travel to another country, or hold a ministry title to be an ambassador for Christ. Wherever God has placed us—at home, at work, at school, in our community, or even in a difficult season—we have an opportunity to represent Jesus.
People should be able to see something different in the way we love, speak, forgive, serve, and respond to adversity. As ambassadors, our lives should point people toward the King we represent.
Yes, Christ’s ambassadors reside in this world, but we are not of this world. We belong to another Kingdom, represent another King, and have been entrusted with His message. Wherever we go, may we represent Him well.
Prayer:
Lord, I want to be a faithful ambassador for You. No matter where I am or what circumstances I face, help me remember that I belong to You. May my words, actions, attitudes, and decisions represent You and Your Kingdom with honor and integrity. Let Your light shine through my life, and give me opportunities to share Your love and the hope of Jesus with those around me. Amen.

"God will give you a New Heart"

"And I will give you a new heart—I will give you new and right desires—and put a new spirit within you. I will take out your stony hearts of sin and give you new hearts of love." ~Ezekiel 36:26

The Hebrew word for heart in the above scripture is "lev". This verse, in Biblical Hebrew, is not referring to the heart as an organ but rather as the very core of our being.  The word "lev" represents our thoughts, our choices, our morals, our ability to reason, our will and our emotions. In essence, the "lev" [heart] controls our life! 

In this passage God is telling the House of Israel that He is going to restore them, change their hardened hearts and give them complete spiritual renewal. Even though the Israelites certainly did not deserve it, God still loved them and was going to bless them. 

This same verse applies to us today. When we accept Christ as our Savior, God does a complete work in our heart. He removes the old desires and carnal ways of our hardened heart  and replaces them with a softened heart full of love. "And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules." 
[v 27]. Notice in both Ezekiel 36:26 and 27, God says 'I will'--not I might, not I can, not I want to--He says 'I will.' That's an absolute promise, folks.

I'm so thankful God changed my hardened heart many years ago. Yes, I've made some ugly mistakes since then but I know He has forgiven me and He loves me. I certainly don't deserve His goodness and grace but yet He blesses me over and over again. I'm also thankful He has put a desire in my heart to be better and do better. My prayer is to grow in Christ and for my heart be filled with His love and grace overflowing. I also pray that the Holy Spirit will guard my mind and my mouth in everything I say and do! "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." ~Romans 12:2. 

If your life is in a mess tonight, God will restore you!  He will take that old hardened heart and wash it white as snow. He will give you more joy, more hope and more peace than this old world can ever offer and fill your heart with His unfailing love. What an absolute promise God has given you and me; He Will fulfill it--all we have to do is accept Him.

I Am Sealed by the Holy Spirit

In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also
believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our
inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians
1:13–14)
When you were saved, your spirit was sealed with an indelible mark (one that will never go away)
by the Holy Spirit. Note that this scripture also says that this was given as a pledge of your inheritance.
The part of the scripture that says with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, may not be
understood by everyone. Note how this is stated in the New International Version: “who is a deposit
guaranteeing our inheritance until the full redemption of those who are God’s possession.” This is
perhaps a little easier to understand, but what is the “full redemption”? Upon salvation your spirit, the real
you, was redeemed – and it was redeemed forever. Your body and your mind need to be redeemed and
will receive full redemption upon Jesus’s return. Whatever version you read, this scripture means that,
upon salvation, your spirit was sealed with the Holy Spirit with a forever-mark as a promise of your
inheritance and you will receive complete redemption, that is body and mind included- your full
inheritance, when you enter heaven.
Then you will understand the full meaning of your redemption that Jesus obtained for you on the
cross. When you get discouraged and think that you can no longer make it, or if you feel like you cannot
accomplish your purpose, you can encourage yourself with God’s Word that says you have been marked
with a seal until the day of redemption and you WILL receive your full inheritance. It is a promise that God
cannot break. Be encouraged in your daily walk knowing that your time on earth is only temporary. Do not
be discouraged. Claim this scripture and walk through the day with your head held high knowing that you
have a tremendous reward coming with your complete redemption.
Dear Father God, I know that my spirit has been sealed by the power of the Holy Spirit and that I
have a glorious total redemption waiting for me. I know that in the meantime You will not leave me nor
forsake me. I ask for You to continually remind me, by the power of the Holy Spirit, of Your love and Your
redemptive power. I thank You in the name of Jesus. Amen.

The Law Points Us to Jesus

“The law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”
Galatians 3:24
When God was about to deliver the Ten Commandments to the children of Israel, the Almighty declared that He is “the Lord your God” (Exodus 20:2). In the original Hebrew, “your” is singular. Even while speaking to an entire nation, God was revealing something deeply personal: the God of the universe desires a relationship with each one of us.
At its heart, the Christian life is about relationship—a dynamic, life-giving, and personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. Christianity is not simply a list of rules to follow or requirements to fulfill. It is knowing Jesus, trusting Him, walking with Him, and allowing His grace to transform our lives.
God gave the Ten Commandments fully knowing that none of us could perfectly keep them or all the other laws found in the Old Testament. Scripture tells us, “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10).
That can sound discouraging until we understand the purpose of the law.
The law was never meant to convince us that we could become righteous enough to save ourselves. Instead, it reveals just how much we need a Savior. It exposes the gap between God’s perfect holiness and our own human ability. Like a mirror reveals something on our face that we could not see before, the law reveals our sin—but the mirror cannot wash us clean.
That is why the law points us to Jesus.
We don’t come to Christ because we finally became good enough. We come to Christ because we finally realize we never could be.
Jesus did for us what we could never do for ourselves. He lived the perfect life we could not live, took upon Himself the punishment our sin deserved, and through His death and resurrection made a way for us to be made right with God. Our righteousness is not something we achieve; it is something we receive through faith in Him.
That changes the way we live. We no longer obey God in an attempt to earn His love, acceptance, or salvation. We obey Him because we have already received His love. Grace does not give us permission to live however we want; grace gives us a new heart that desires to live for the One who saved us.
So when you recognize an area where you have fallen short, don't run away from God in shame. Let it remind you of why Jesus came. The law shows us our need, but grace shows us our Savior.
It has always been about God’s grace and mercy.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for showing me that I cannot earn righteousness or salvation through my own efforts. Thank You for sending Jesus to accomplish what I could never accomplish on my own. Help me to stop trusting in my goodness and fully rely on Jesus, my Savior, and His mercy and grace. May my obedience flow from a heart that knows I am loved and saved by You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

"God's Way is The Best Way"

"Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain." ~Psalm 127:1

Over the years I have realized how important it is to be in God's will. I have learned to pray before making any decision whether big or small, and then to listen for His direction. As the scripture above says, if God is not in it, it will not prosper. God will never bless what goes against His Word! 

I've made many mistakes in my life, some real ugly ones and I will quickly admit, I definitely was not in God's will, I was in my will. I was doing exactly what I wanted to do and as a result, I fell flat on my face and made some BIG messes! Those mistakes caused a lot of pain for me, my family and others. Those hurts could have been avoided if I had prayed first, listened to some wise people (my sweet mom!) and most of all, "that still small voice". ~1 Kings 19:12

No matter what decision we have to make, we should ask God to direct our steps. God wants us to be happy and to succeed in all aspects of our life but He also wants us to seek His will and His guidance! "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." ~Matthew 6:33.

If you are at a crossroad and you don't know which way to go...go to Jesus! He will make a way where there seems to be no way and I promise you, His way is always the best way! 
Yes, He has a purpose for each of us and that purpose will come to fruition when we seek Him first. We can praise Him for He is working all things for our good! Trust Him, Wait on Him, Believe in Him...He will never let you down!

"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". ~Jeremiah 29:11

"True, Righteous, and Holy"

"Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy." ~Ephesians 4:24

"Truly righteous and holy"...Have you ever thought about what happens to us when we are saved? The Bible says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17. When we accept God as our Savior we become a new person.

The Bible refers to our sins being red like crimson but because of Jesus' precious blood on that old rugged cross, they are washed white as snow. "Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool."~Isaiah 1:18.
When a piece of cloth is dyed red it's permanent, it may fade a little but it won't ever be white again, not even when bleached. Within ourselves it is impossible to change but when we apply the blood of Jesus to those crimson stains we are washed clean, red becomes white immediately! In that very moment no matter how dirty and ugly our life has been, we become pure and clean...a blank white canvas.

When an artist begins a new painting, he begins with a clean white canvas but each day, as he adds more paint the canvas begins to reflect the artist ability and soon a beautiful picture emerges. That my friends is  exactly what God does for us when we give our life to Him.

Once we are saved we are to pursue righteousness. We are to strive to be more like Christ. Why is that important? You see, when we gives our hearts to God people start watching us... they want to see if what we have is the real deal. They are searching for hope, for peace, for joy, so when our life is truly changed, they in turn, want what we have! When they see our countenance (Joy), our actions (Peace), our words (Kindness) are different from our old self, it gives them Hope that they too can be different. You know that old saying "your life may be the only Bible someone reads", it's true!!! Every where we go, every word we say, every deed we do, someone is watching and listening. Within ourselves will never be perfect, we will always be a work in progress but with God, we can be "truly righteous and holy".

I want my life to be a reflection of God's artisty! I want people to see Jesus in me. Oh yes, I know I'm going to mess up but each time I fall, I'm going to get up and work harder to be better.  I don't ever want to be a stumbling block to anyone.

"Heavenly Father, let my light shine for You every where I go. Let my words be kind so that others can see You through me. Hide me behind the Cross so the world sees only You! Amen. "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” ~Matthew 5:16
 

Guarding Your Heart from Negativity


Negativity has a way of finding its way into our hearts. It can be one hurtful comment, one
disappointment, or a thought we replay in our mind. Before we know it, we may begin looking at everything that is wrong rather than what is good.
God tells us to guard our hearts because what we allow in there eventually affects our thoughts, attitudes, our words, and the way we view the world.
There will be disappointments, difficult people, difficult days, bad news, and situations we
cannot control. We can acknowledge those things without allowing them to change our view of the world.
Negativity is all around us, but when you notice it taking over, bring your thoughts back to God.
Instead of allowing someone else’s negativity to become your own, protect the peace God has placed within you.
Philippians 4:8 reminds us to think about whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely,
admirable, excellent, and worthy of praise. We may not always control the thoughts that first
enter our minds, but we can decide which thoughts we continue to entertain.
Pay attention to what you allow into your heart. If it is negativity, give it to God. Ask God to
replace worry with trust, bitterness with grace, discouragement with hope, and complaining with gratitude.
Scripture:
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
— Proverbs 4:23
Reflection Questions
What is something good in my life that I may have overlooked because I was focused on what was wrong?
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Help me guard my heart from negativity. Help remind me of what is good. When the attitudes or
words of others begin to affect my spirit, help me respond with grace and wisdom instead of
allowing their negativity to become mine. Lord, help me focus on what is good, true, and
pleasing to You. Help me spread peace to others not negativity.
In Jesus' name, Amen.

"What must I do to be saved?" — Acts 16:30

Salvation is not based on a list of "dos" and "don'ts." Many people believe that good works are the pathway to eternal life. They try to earn salvation by doing enough good or avoiding enough bad.
But Scripture tells us otherwise.
When the Philippian jailer asked Paul, "What must I do to be saved?" Paul answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved." (Acts 16:31)
Believing is more than simply knowing who Jesus is. It is trusting Him with your whole heart. It means placing your faith in Christ alone for your salvation, believing that His death on the cross and His resurrection are completely sufficient to save you.
Jesus has already paid the price through His blood. Salvation is not something we achieve—it is a gift we receive by faith. Trust Him with your life, your future, and your eternity.
As Romans 10:10 reminds us, "For with the heart one believes unto righteousness."
Prayer
Jesus, I believe in You and trust You alone for my salvation. I believe that Your blood is completely sufficient to cleanse me from my sin. Today, I surrender my life to You. Thank You for the gift of salvation through Your death and resurrection. Amen.

"You Can Control Your Peace"

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be
thankful.
(Colossians 3:15)
Don’t just read a scripture like this and move on, meditate on it. For example, note that the first
thing it says is you should let (allow, authorize, give permission) for the peace of Christ to rule in your
heart. So, what is the peace of Christ? You can start listing things in your mind that should be included
here. Maybe you are not good at listing such things and need a boost; if that is the case, ask your
computer or Google. I know that sounds silly, but I did it to see what came up. Here are some of the
things it listed as the peace of Christ: a deep inner calm, a restored relationship with God, harmony with
others, not depending on outward circumstances, the removal of guilt and sin through faith, a quite spirit
and a guarded mind that replaces worry, fear, and anxiety with trust in God – and much more. Then the
scripture says that you were called to this and should be thankful. If a lack of cash flow may have been
giving you anxiety, that lack may still be there but the anxiety can go. If you were anxious over a
diagnosis, the diagnosis may still be there, but the anxiousness can leave. If you were being mistreated at
work, maybe that didn’t change but you can have peace in the middle of it. See how this works?
You were called by our God to be part of His Body, and as a part of that Body, it is certainly His
desire that you have all of the gifts and blessings that He intended for you to have. Among those
blessings is His peace. You certainly know that God intends the Body of Christ to be in peace and you
were called to be a part of that Body. It, therefore, makes perfect sense that you are called into peace. A
key to the scripture is that you also need to be thankful. Receive God’s calling for you as a member of His
Body and with that receive His peace, let it rule in your heart no matter what may come your way. Rest in
His love today knowing that to be at peace is a calling on your life, and not just any calling, but a high
calling. There is nothing greater than knowing that you are God’s child and that His lovingkindness is on
you wherever you go.
Father, I know that I am not just another person but that I am called to be a part of Your Body and
as such I am also called to be at peace. I choose this day to let the peace of Christ reign in every shadow
of my heart no matter where I go or what I do. I am a part of Your Body, and I thank You for Your
lovingkindness that will always be with me no matter how much the devil, the world, or my flesh will try to
upset my peace. I thank You for the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7), in the name
of Jesus. Amen.