"Grace Is Enough"


"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
Little by little, I realize the freedom that comes when I stop trying to make it on my own.
Sometimes I still find myself believing I have to earn God's grace or somehow deserve it because of my actions. But everything I have is a gift from Him. As I learn to be a faithful steward of what He has entrusted to me, I understand more and more how precious His grace truly is.
I want to be strong. I want to conquer every fear and win every battle. But the truth is, I am only victorious when I depend on the Lord. His grace is always enough.
He calls me to love others—even my enemies. He calls me to forgive those who have wronged me or hurt the people I love. I cannot do those things in my own strength. Thank You, Lord, for Your grace—the grace that is made perfect in my weakness.
Buddy wrote these words on Facebook exactly two months before the Lord called him home. As I was scrolling through his page tonight, remembering the many wonderful moments we shared, I came across this post.
This was Buddy.
He didn't just write these words—he lived them with his whole heart.
More than once, Buddy told me, "When we discover that apart from God we can do nothing, then and only then are we truly free to do what God has called us to do."
One of Buddy's favorite names for God was El Shaddai—the All-Sufficient One.
So when you walk through those moments in life when you feel like you're not enough... when you feel overwhelmed... when you wonder how you'll make it through... remember this:
Let it go.
Trust the All-Sufficient One to do what only He can do.
His grace is enough.
And He will perfect His strength in your weakness.

“God is my Portion”

“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I HOPE in Him!” Lamentations 3:24

Sometimes I randomly open my Bible and read. I believe God can give us exactly what we need when we earnestly search His Word...as is the case this morning. 

As I read Lamentations chapter 3, I could almost feel the despair and defeat in Jeremiah's words as he poured out his soul in verses 1-2O. Let me say right here, although my faith is strong, the battle is real!!! I've had a couple of meltdowns and fear has tried to sneak in...but not today!!! I'm pretty sure, if we are honest, we have all felt a little like Jeremiah did in this passage...BUT GOD!

When we read further we see that Jeremiah doesn't remain in that same negative, downtrodden mindset! In verse 21 his words and his whole attitude changes. Why? Because he remembers Who is in control "Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this."  He remembers he has a HOPE. He remembers in every situation, no matter what obstacle he has faced, God has always been in the midst! "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in Him'.” Lamentations 3:22-24. Yes, Jeremiah knew where his help came from and SO DO I!!

I know without a doubt, God alone is my "portion" and I know exactly where and Who my help comes from! God's love, His grace, His very presence is all I need regardless of what curve ball life may throw my way! "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26. Until we truly know God is our "portion" we can't have that unwavering hope! Do you know Him?

So today, I am boldly proclaiming GOD IS MY PORTION!  He has never failed me and He is not about to fail me now. "The LORD is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him." Lamentations 3:25.

"Feel the Joy of the Lord"

Joy does not have to be dependent on good health, perfect circumstances, financial
security, or an easy life. The joy God offers is deeper than happiness because it comes
from His presence rather than our situations.
There will be days when prayers seem unanswered, or when life feels overwhelming. Yet in
those moments, God invites us to experience His joy. His joy reminds us that He is still
faithful, still in control, and always working for our good.
Our perspective begins to change when we spend time with the Lord through worship,
prayer, reading His Word, and resting in His presence. His promises strengthen our faith,
His peace settles our hearts, and His joy becomes the strength we need in each day.
The joy of the Lord is not the absence of difficulties; it is the assurance that we never face
these difficulties alone. His joy gives us courage, we are afraid, strength when we feel
weak, and hope when we are discouraged.
Today, choose to remain in His presence. Let gratitude replace worry and let faith replace
doubt. As you do, you’ll discover that God’s joy is more than an emotion-it sustains us
though every season of life.
John 15:11
"I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."
Reflection
Where have I been looking for joy instead of looking to God?
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for being my source of true joy. When life becomes difficult, remind me that my
strength comes from You and not my circumstances. Renew my hope, fill my heart with Your
presence, and help me focus on Your faithfulness. Teach me to trust You are working all things
together for good. May Your joy overflow in my life so others will see Your love through me.
In Jesus name,
Amen.

"Spirit, Soul, Body"

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and
soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord
Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23) NASB 95
I believe this is one of the most important scriptures in the Bible. Many Christians
do not realize we are a three-part being. We are a spirit, we live in a body, and we have
a mind or soul (the seat of our emotions, intellect, and will). We know that when we die
our bodies go into the grave and return to dust, but our spirits go on to heaven or hell,
according to the decision we made about salvation. Our minds move on with our spirits.
When we were saved, our bodies and our minds did not change. Yet, the Bible tells us
that when we are saved, we are new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17). So, what is new?
What changes is our spirit (John 3:1-6). Our spirits are covered with the robe of
righteousness, and when God our Father looks down, He sees the righteousness of
Jesus. Ephesians 1:14 says our spirits are marked with a seal by the Holy Spirit, and
that seal will forever be there. If we could see into the spirit world, we would be able to
determine who is saved and who is not by the seal that would be on our spirits. This
changes everything. Our spirits look just like Adam and Eve’s spirits before they sinned.
Sin blocked their relationship with our Father God, but Jesus’ blood removed our sin,
thus removing that block. You must know this so that you can go directly into God’s
throne room and praise Him, fellowship with Him, and make your requests known. All
your sin baggage was removed (Psalm 103:12) and forgotten (Jeremiah 31:34). Hence
the splitting of the temple veil when Jesus died (Matthew 27:51).
This seal by the Holy Spirit is part of who we are in Christ—a marked spirit set
apart for eternal glory. This should be a great deal of encouragement for each of us and
is something we can remind ourselves of each day as part of who we are in Christ. We
have been claimed by the Holy Spirit, and Jesus is in our heart. He promises guidance
and wisdom. Oh, there will be days when you fall back to your old ways, but our spirit
does not change when that happens. God does not fall off the throne or love us any
less. Anything we do that is not pleasing in His sight has already been forgiven at the
cross. If we fail in our daily walk, our biggest enemy is ourselves. Forgive yourself and
move on. Set your mind to the fact that tomorrow will be better. Being knocked down is
not being defeated. Being knocked down and staying down is being defeated. GET UP!
Move on knowing that when your Father God looks down, He does not see your flesh;
He sees your righteous spirit sealed by the Holy Spirit—not righteousness based on
what you have done, but righteousness based on what Jesus did for you.
Lord Jesus, thank You for saving me. Thank You that You love me no matter how
many times I disappoint You. Thank You that You will always be with me even when I
fail. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, continue to remind me who I am in Your Son

Jesus Christ. I know that with Your strength I can be successful. I am successful. I am
a child of God. I want to love You more each day and to be a witness
for you. Strengthen me and help me in my daily walk. In Jesus’s mighty name, I
pray. Amen.

"With Every Breath"


"Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!"
Psalm 150:6 (NCB)
With every breath we breathe, we have an opportunity to praise the Lord. It doesn't always have to be with shouts or songs. Sometimes, it is expressed through quiet thanksgiving and a heart full of gratitude. It can be as simple as remembering that you are seen and loved by the Creator of all things.
Acknowledge His mighty presence with you and within you. Praise and worship are both a soothing balm and a powerful weapon for us. As we praise Him because He is worthy, He fills us with peace, strength, and healing. When we praise Him, our hearts become aligned with His.
Praise the Lord today. Tell Him how much you love Him, and thank Him for all He has done for you. Rejoice in His goodness and delight in His presence. Thank Him for the breath He has given you today, and use it to glorify Him.
Prayer:
Lord, soften my heart and speak to my spirit as I praise You with every breath. I am grateful for Your love, joy, and peace—for Your protection, safety, and comfort. You alone are worthy of all my praise. As long as You give me breath, I will praise You. Amen.

"The Anchor Holds"

"The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon."
~Psalm 92:12

Most of us in South Mississippi know a LOT about Hurricanes. I am fascinated with them and I am glued to the TV when they are coming ashore. For all of us who lived through "Katrina", we know first hand the damage they can do...even 100+ miles inland (21 days without power at my house!).

According to research, Mississippi lost approximately 54 million trees that were entirely killed, while an estimated 521 million trees were damaged statewide due to Hurricane Katrina.   Just a little reminder, it took us over 5 hours to go less than a mile to check the water tanks and that was with a dozen people cutting trees out of the road...hundreds of trees. It took us over a year to clean up all the timber on just our land.
However, while millions of pine and hardwood trees were destroyed it seems very few palm and cedar trees were lost because of their ability to bend and their deep taproots that keep them grounded.

Isn't it amazing that God compares the righteous to palms and cedars. When we become rooted and grounded in His Word, there is no storm strong enough to destroy us. Now, we may lose some leaves and a few limbs but if our faith and trust is firmly rooted in God we have nothing to fear...NOTHING! "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose trust is the Lord. For he will be like a tree planted by the water that extends its roots by a stream, and does not fear..." ~Jeremiah 17: 7-8.

So today if you are facing a storm and the winds are howling around you make sure you are rooted and grounded in God's Word. Put your faith and trust in Him and don't allow the enemy to deceive you! Remember The Anchor Holds...in spite of the storms! God still wins!!!

“Are You and God on the Same Page?”

Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

(1 Corinthians 3:16)

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom
you have from God, and that you are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19)
These scriptures tell us our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and He lives in us
if we are saved. This opens up a whole new set of ideas and is another remarkable fact
about our God. You may not always feel like a temple. You may not always act like
someone that has the Holy Spirit residing within you. However, the Bible is not based on
feelings. It is based on facts—every Word of it is true. If you are a born-again Christian,
then you must believe the Bible to be true. Therefore, you indeed house the Holy Spirit
in your body whether you understand it, or believe it, or not. Here is something to
seriously spend time meditating. No matter how you see yourself, no matter what you
have done right or wrong this day, no matter how wrongly you treated your co-workers,
family, neighbors, etc., God sees you as worthy enough to make you His temple. Let
that soak in! Your God loves you so much that He chooses to abide in your body with
His Holy Spirit no matter how many times you mess up. You do not have to beg or plead
with God to send you His Spirit; He is already with you. Because you have received
what Jesus did for, you have received His righteousness. You are one of His chosen
people, a child of God, more than a conqueror. This is how God sees you, as the
righteousness of Jesus. This does not mean you can do anything you want, but that
when you mess up, you are already forgiven. When you realize how much God loves
you, you will want to serve Him. Meditate on this and decide to walk out His Word, not
by your feelings or your image of yourself, but by His image of you.
Dear Father God, You are indeed an awesome God. Help me to see myself as
You see me, as a vessel that is worthy of housing the Holy Spirit. I am not worthy
on my account, but I am worthy because of what Jesus did for me on the cross.
Help me to be ever mindful of that fact and help me to be a living, walking
example of Your love. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen.

"Leaving Worry at His Feet"

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
Sometimes we worry and feel that if we worry long enough, we can control the outcome. Worrying steals our peace and keeps our minds racing. It often causes us to carry burdens that God never intended us to carry.
God does not ask us to carry our worries alone. He invites us to bring every uncertainty, every fear, and every unanswered question to Him. He already knows what is heavy on our minds and hearts, yet He wants us to give it to Him.
Leaving our worries at His feet doesn’t mean the worries don’t exist or that we ignore our challenges. It means we choose to trust that God is greater than our circumstances. It means that even when we can not see what lies ahead, He already knows the path. His peace is not about everything going our way-it is rooted in His presence and faithful promises.
Whatever burden you are carrying today, don’t carry it alone. Lay every concern, fear, and uncertainty at His feet. Trust that the God who created all creation is faithful to care for your tomorrow just as He is caring for you today.
Reflection Question
What worry have you been carrying that God is inviting you to leave at His feet today?
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for loving me so deeply that You invite me to bring every worry to You. Forgive me for trying to carry what You were meant to hold. Today, I choose to lay my uncertainties, fears, and concerns at Your feet. Replace my anxiety with Your peace and help me know You are in control even on days that feel uncertain. Help me trust You and remember that You are working even when I cannot see it. Calm my heart, strengthen my faith, and teach me to rest in Your promises instead of my fears.
In Jesus’ name, Amen

“Faithful Through It All”


"Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are my praise."
Jeremiah 17:14. NASB
When we take time to think of all the ways God has met us in our life, our hearts will open up to acknowledge His goodness. He has transformed and built us up in His love. He is always worthy of our praise. He will never fail to follow through on His promises. He is faithful, He is just, He is true, and He works all things together for our good. And, whatever we need for each day, He can and will provide. We can find peace in His forgiveness and His unconditional love for us. I lay before you today all of my praise, Jesus, Savior of the world, Almighty God.  Prayer. Lord, I am in awe of You and Your care for me. Your unconditional love overwhelms me and in Your presence is where I want to be. Amen!

"Where Are Your Treasures?"

"Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be."
~Matthew 6:20-21. 

Growing up, we didn't have much money. I'm sure we lived paycheck to paycheck and there certainly wasn't anything left to "store up"!  Yes, we were poor but one thing that stands out in my mind is...I don't ever remember being hungry or having to do without. To be honest, I had no idea we were different from my other friends because back in those days money wasn't a big deal! In fact, I don't ever remember anyone talking about money, bills, finances...life was really good! 

Life has certainly changed over the years! Nowadays it seems like everything is about money! We are encouraged to have a financial planner, to save for the future, to have a rainy-day fund yet still live life to the fullest. However, in many cases that is not possible!  Let me tell you about reality...people are suffering, they want that good life but the money is not there. Life is hard and so many are doing without...food is expensive, cars are expensive, gas is expensive, clothes are expensive, life is expensive but yet, we want more and more! Sadly, earthly wealth has become the driving force for so many people in today's society! That's why the Bible warns us, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." ~1 Timothy 6:10. 

Friends, it's great to have earthly treasures and I know God will bless us when our priorities are right. Let me say, I am so thankful God has blessed me with what I have, however, there is nothing as important as my Heavenly treasures. As I said earlier, my family didn't have earthly wealth to leave me but what they did have is a rich Christian heritage. Their character, their values, their prayers, their faith in God and their love for Him is what has instilled in me a desire to walk in their footprints and be a Christ follower. My friends, that inheritance is far greater than anything money can buy and I wouldn't trade it for all the riches in the world!!! 

The older I get the more I realize how important a "spiritual" inheritance really is! I pray I can leave that legacy for my family! I pray my words, my actions and my life is a reflection of Christ in all I say and do!  My greatest desire is to see my loved ones following in those same footprints  and leaving a Christian legacy for their loved ones.  That is the desire of my heart!!!
"The most important gift you can leave your family is spiritual inheritance and the closer you get to Jesus the greater that inheritance is!" ~~Jentzen Franklin.

"Spirit to Spirit"

“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.””
‭‭John‬ ‭4‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬
When my precious Buddy was alive, his favorite time to spend with the Lord was early morning. I can’t count the number of times I would get up to find him sitting in his recliner with his Bible in his lap and tears rolling down his face because God had shown him something he had never seen before. It was during that time that Buddy spent with God that he gained wisdom and understanding. This was one of Buddy‘s favorite scripture and he talked about it so many times in his Bible class. He would say all the time, “You have to understand. God is spirit. So you have to communicate with God spirit to spirit. I can tell you without reservation that Buddy was one of the true worshipers. I’m a little ashamed to say that it took me a little while to truly understand this concept. As a matter of fact, it wasn’t until after Buddy died that the Lord really began to deal with me. I think I had this crazy notion that because Buddy loved the Lord so much and he knew God’s Word, that I could kind of ride along on his coat tail so to speak. The hardest thing for me after Buddy died was trying to figure out who I was without him and how to do ministry without him. I knew I had a call on my life. And now I was having to go alone. But here’s the thing, I was never alone. God was always with me. I was the one that was relying more on my husband‘s knowledge than I was on God himself. I miss Buddy like crazy. But I can tell you that in the last few months since Buddy died I have grown so much in the Lord. He has given me a hunger that I’ve never had before. He has given me a desire to be in His presence that I have never had before. I can’t wait to get up in the morning and turn on some worship music and just spend some time with my papa God. I’m so thankful to tell you today that I completely understand how Buddy felt when he was sitting there with tears rolling down his face because he had been in the presence of God.
May I please encourage you today? Get up early enough in the morning to spend time with the Lord before you start your day. It will make all the difference in the world. Remember. “ The hour is coming and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. Will you be a true worshiper? Be blessed today.

"Your Words Carry Weight"

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." ~Phillipians 4:8

I try to be a positive person but the honest truth is I battle negativity! I use the excuse "I'm just being realistic" but apparently, according to my son, I tend to look for the worst case scenario in most every situation.  So why do I do that and how can I change...

Recently I read an article about a man who was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Of course he was distraught and all the negative "what ifs" were flooding his mind and causing him to have a lot of fear and anxiety.  However, the very next day after his diagnosis, a minister friend of his who had no idea about the diagnosis, gave him a prophetic word from God.Those powerful words were "the power of life and death is in the tongue, do not speak any negative words and live life to its fullest, God will carry you through"!  The article went on to say the man took that prophecy to heart, turned his focus on God and completely changed his attitude and his outlook about the diagnosis. "What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words."(GNT) ~ Proverbs 18:21.

Reading that story was eye-opening for me! I admit, I am guilty of allowing negative thoughts to consume my mind. Yes, I struggle with fear, worry and anxiety and often without realizing it I speak those emotions on the people around me. I wonder how many times my words have brought on negative consequences...Carol, do better!

It may not be easy at first but with God's help, I'm determined to change my thought pattern. I'm going to purposely look for good even when things appear bad. "Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles" ~Proverbs 21:23. Dear Heavenly Father, I don't want my soul to be in trouble! Lord help me to speak life, speak health, speak healing, speak restoration, speak joy, speak love and speak Jesus to everyone I meet! Amen "

"Life and death is in the tongue"...today I'm choosing life and I'm meditating on praiseworthy things...what about you?

"You are a Child of God"

"For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him."
Romans 8:14–17
It is extremely important that we understand all the benefits of being born again. When we receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we do not immediately understand everything about the Bible. We must renew our minds, and part of that renewal includes understanding that we are children of God.
When God uses the term "sons," He is referring to all of humanity. It means that we are all children and heirs of His inheritance, whether male or female. Scripture repeatedly tells us that we are sons of God and coheirs with Christ. We often read those words, think, "That's nice," and move on. But let me explain what that really means.
My wife and I have an adopted daughter. Once the adoption was complete, the state sent us a new birth certificate. It reads: Ashley Nicole Billon, born this day to Wayne and Cathy Billon. That's right—it declares her to be our birth child.
That is how adoption worked in ancient Israel. When someone was adopted, they were considered an equal heir alongside all their siblings, with all the same rights and privileges. When the Hebrews read these Scriptures, they knew exactly what they meant.
Stop for a moment and meditate on what this passage says. Think about all of heaven and all of creation—everything that belongs to God—and realize that all of it is part of your inheritance. Jesus is the Son of God, and we are children of God. That makes Jesus our Brother in the eyes of God. It may sound sacrilegious, but that is exactly what the Scriptures teach and what the Hebrews would have understood.
God loves us so much that He calls us His children, and we are entitled to every privilege that comes with being His sons and daughters. You are a coheir with Jesus in the Kingdom of God. How awesome is that?
Your God is an awesome God, and He loves you that much! You should be greatly encouraged by these Scriptures. Go about your day knowing that you have a great inheritance. And here's the amazing part: your inheritance is not based on your perfection. That does not mean you can live however you please without concern for obedience or devotion to your Father. Rather, it means that Christ's finished work is sufficient, and when you stumble, His grace remains available. God loves you deeply. Continue in your commitment to serve Him.
Prayer
Father God, it is amazing that You love me so much that You call me Your child. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, help me understand how real that truth is. As I meditate on what it means to be a child of God, make it clear to me so that I can walk with my head held high and with complete confidence, knowing that I am a coheir with Jesus Christ in Your Kingdom. You are an awesome God, and You love me just as I am while continuing to transform me into who You created me to be. I thank You, in Jesus' name. Amen.

"Running On Empty?"

"He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless." — Isaiah 40:29 (NLT)
God's kindness extends to every part of our lives. His love for us is great, and His generosity reflects how deeply He cares. We don't have to earn His favor or pray a certain prayer to receive His help. He knows us, and He sees the intentions of our hearts.
Even when we feel weak and powerless, God reaches out to us with the power and strength of His love.
Whatever you need today, God is capable of providing it. If He says He will give power to the weak, you can be confident that He will do it. There is no list of prerequisites you must meet. When you ask, He provides.
He may meet a tangible or practical need. He may bless you with endurance for a trial, encourage you with a word from Him, or orchestrate an experience that lifts your spirit. No matter what it looks like, God will provide.
Prayer:
Thank You, Heavenly Father, for meeting my needs, no matter what that looks like. Thank You for giving me strength and power when I feel weak and powerless. I rely on You. Amen. 

"Beauty and the Beast...Beware"

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good." ~Romans 12:9

Do you know what a Bull Thistle is? They are those tall bushy plants that grow wild in fields, on the sides of the road and in some cases, in our yards. That can grow 2-3 feet tall and in their second year of growth they produce beautiful flowers that range in color from a creamy beige to a dark magenta. The flowers produce sweet nectar that attracts hummingbirds, bumblebees, butterflies and other insects. The seeds of the plant are loved by birds, especially goldfinches.* I think  Bull Thistles are so pretty and they serve a good purpose. While doing my research on them, I discovered that the entire plant is edible, who knew! So, after discovering all the good things about this plant you might think you need to put a few of these beauties in your flowerbeds next spring? Wait just a minute, I need to tell you more...

You see, just beneath those gorgeous majestic flowers are long ugly thorns. Those sharp prickly needles cover both the stems and the leaves. In fact, the entire plant is covered with thorns with the exception of those pretty flowers. Let me warn you, do not dare think of touching anything below the flower because you will regret it! One more thing, even as tiny plants when they first put on leaves, those stickers are already developed. Trust me, I have stepped on those little "beast" many times when walking barefoot...yep, I quickly learned to watch where I step. I promise you their beauty does NOT outweigh the pain they can deliver ... OUCH! Oh, and one more thing, they are very invasive!

The Bull Thistle kinda reminds me of worldly pleasures. At first glance we may see something beautiful that tempts us to grab hold of it. However, just below the surface of that beauty, there are long prickly thorns that can cause us much pain and hurt.  Those thorns are usually hard to see because we are so caught up in the "beauty" of the moment...but when we reach for it...oh the pain, the trouble, the sorrow it can bring! Even worse, that hurt and pain can invade your heart and over time completely consume you. That beauty soon turns into a beast!

This is why it is so important to seek God's will first in everything we do, to keep our eyes on Christ and hide His Word in our heart.  "How can a young man cleanse his ways? By taking heed according to Your Word. With my whole heart I have sought You. Oh let me not wander from Your commandments. You Word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You." ~Psalm 119:9-11.

My friends, there is nothing in this world that can compare to the joy, the peace and the beauty that Christ brings to our life!  If you have been hurt by the beauty and the beast of this old world I encourage you today to "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace."   ~~Helen Lemmel

"From Distraction to Devotion"

Our minds naturally wander to unfinished tasks, tomorrow’s responsibilities, distractions
at home, or remembering something you forgot to do. Sometimes finding a quiet place
and a calm mind seems impossible. Before long, our prayer list turns into a to-do list.
God is not surprised by this. Instead of feeling discouraged, continue returning to Him.
Our Heavenly Father welcomes us every time we come back to Him. Whether you have
a set schedule for prayer or if you can only spare 5 minutes, He is always there waiting.
The goal is not to have a perfect prayer life but to have a heart that keeps coming back
to His presence.

Psalm 86:11 “Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an
undivided heart that I may fear your name.”

Heavenly Father,
I want to know You more, but my mind is easily distracted. Worries, thoughts, and
responsibilities that pull my attention away from You. Lord, quiet my mind and calm my
heart. Help me hear Your voice even with distractions. Teach me to focus on You above
all else. Thank you for always welcoming me into your presence.

Is Your Heart After God’s Heart?

“And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of
their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and
do them. Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God.” (Ezekiel 11:19–20 NASB 95)
God was telling His people through the prophet Ezekiel that one day He would put a new spirit
within them and He would take away their heart of stone and give them a new heart. This happened to
you when you received Jesus as your Savior and Lord. Be encouraged that God’s Spirit is in you and you
now have a heart that is after God Himself. However, you can choose to turn away from that fact and live
as if you still have a heart of stone, especially if you do not even realize you have a new heart as a born-
again believer. Be encouraged and know that God’s Spirit lives in you. You may not always feel like you
have the Spirit of the living God in you as you walk through your day facing all sorts of disappointments,
financial difficulties, relationship problems, or illnesses. Be aware that the fulfillment of God’s Word is not
based on feelings. If the Word says it, then it is true. If you are a born-again believer, the Holy Spirit is in
you whether you feel like He is or not and you have a new heart. You can definitely harden your heart if
you keep your eyes on the problem and not on God’s Word. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever
is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is
any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things (Philippians 4:8 NASB 95). Think
on these things and give God thanks and praise continually. If you have your prayer language, use it and
see if you do not experience the promise of Scripture. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your
most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit…(Jude 1:20 NASB 95). I pray in the Spirit all day and I promise
you it gives me peace. Try it and see the Holy Spirit encourage you. Be strong and courageous!
Father God, I thank You for Your Holy Spirit that You gave me upon my salvation and for my new heart.
Continuously remind me of who I am in Christ and that Your Spirit lives in me. I am an overcomer, and I
can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I choose to receive the heart of flesh that You have
given me, and I choose to seek You to get closer to You each day. I thank You, in Jesus’s name. Amen.

"God Doesn't Cut You Off, He Lifts You Up."

John 15:1-4
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine dresser. Every branch in me that does not bare fruit, he takes away. And every branch that does bare fruit, he prunes that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the words I have spoken to you. Abide me and I and you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me.
  I heard Joyce Meyer preach on this one time she read verse two. “Every branch that does not bear fruit, he takes away. And every branch that does bare fruit, he prunes so that it will bear more fruit.” Then she said this, “So it looks to me as if we are pruned if we do and pruned if we don’t.” That was so funny to me. A couple of months ago I was reading this particular scripture and the phrase “he takes away” caught my eye. I did a word study and found out that in the Greek the phrase meant to lift up. What a lightbulb moment that was for me. So I dug a little deeper. And I found out that as  the branches began to grow in the vineyard, those branches would become very heavy, and they would fall down into the dirt, and the sun could not get to them and they would not bare fruit so the vineyard keeper would come and lift up the branch so that it could get sun and bear fruit. Can I just tell you? It gives me great joy that in those times of my life when I am just going through some things, That my papa God does not just take me away or cut me off, but he lifts me up to the Son. Now we all  go through seasons when the heaviness of this life  brings us down, but please be encouraged, God will always lift us up. Here’s the key. Verse 4. As the branch cannot bare fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. So here’s my take. When we’re down and out, God‘s gonna lift us up. When we’re bearing fruit, he’s gonna prune things off of us that need to be pruned off so that we can bear more fruit. So in order to constantly grow in Christ, we need to always abide in him. So Joyce Meyer was right! We’re pruned if we do and we’re pruned if we don’t. Be blessed today in the mighty name of Jesus.

"Seasoned with Salt"


"And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt." ~Leviticus 2:13

When God gave Moses instructions on how to offer sacrifices He said, "all offerings must be seasoned with salt". In the Bible, salt symbolizes preservation, purity, flavor, and covenant,  According to research, "salt prevented decay and acted as a disinfectant, symbolizing spiritual preservation and purity in sacrifices and covenants.
 I never realized that salt was a significant ingredient for burnt offerings. I didn't think anything was used except perfect animals and choice unleavened grains. It's really interesting what you can learn when you "study" the Bible.

Let's talk about salt. Most of us use salt every day in our food because it is pretty bland without it (ask my sweet mama who has to watch her salt intake!). Salt is used to keep foods from spoiling; it is used as a sterile wash [saline] in the medical world and it has healing properties. Our bodies also require salt for nerve and muscle health. Salt might possibly be one of, if not, the most needed nutrient we have. 

Salt... Jesus told His disciples "You are the salt of the earth..." ~Matthew 5:13.  So why salt? 

My thoughts...Jesus was saying we, as Christians should be preservers of the gospel with positive influence in morals and values while standing firm on His Word and truth. Our lives should be pure and holy in Him and we should enhance or "flavor" our surroundings with goodness, love, kindness, peace, wisdom and His grace! "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. " ~Colossians 4:6.

I wonder how seasoned and "flavorable" my life has been? Not so much I'm afraid! 
"Lord help me because I'm not sure I have enough salt in me. I sure don't want my life to be spiritually "bland"!  Thank you for speaking to me through Your Word, I'm listening! Help me be better and do better. Amen".

When Worry Loses It's Weight

Luke 12:32 NIV: "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom."
We easily worry about our necessities, getting caught up in anxiety about what we will eat, drink, or wear. But, if we seek the kingdom of God first, we don't have to worry about the rest. He will care for us, for God is a faithful and good Father. We are His flock, and He has declared that we will inherit His entire kingdom. Our needs are beyond met. When worry creeps into your thoughts, surrender it to the Lord. Lay your anxiety at His feet and let Him minister to your heart. Don't let hardships of this life pile up until you can't step forward under their weight. Pass each burden to your Father as soon as you encounter it and you will find that they lose their power in your life. Prayer. Father, today I give you all my worries and anxiety. I trust you to take care of me and my family. I have confidence in your ability. Fill my heart with peace. Amen.

The Lamp That Never Fails

Psalm 119:105
“Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Life can feel uncertain. We want to know what’s ahead. What will tomorrow bring?
Where is God leading us?
God’s word is like a lamp, which gives us just enough light for our next step. A lamp
doesn’t reveal the whole distance. It gives us just enough light to keep us from
stumbling. God wants us to trust Him each day in each decision, and in each step. His
guidance comes through prayer, Scripture, and remaining in His Word as we seek Him.
As we spend time in His Word, our awareness changes. Fear is replaced with peace.
Confusion is replaced with understanding. We may not receive every answer we want,
but we become confident in the One who knows our path and who will comfort us every
step of the way.
If you are facing challenges today, don’t focus on seeing the whole journey. Ask God to
help you one step at a time. He will faithfully provide light and help you navigate through
each step.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for guiding me. When I feel lost, You are always there to lead me. Give me
wisdom through your Word, courage to take the next step, and faith to follow where You
lead. Let Your Word be the light that fills my heart with peace and directs my decisions.
Thank you for never leaving me and for Your faithful presence.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

EVERYTHING HALLELUJAH!


“Everything Hallelujah” has been popping up on my feed daily.
But do we know what the word actually means?
Hallelujah = Praise Yahweh. Praise the Lord.
Healthy newborn? Hallelujah.
Dream job? Hallelujah.
Award won? Hallelujah.
2026 graduate? Hallelujah.
But what about…
The UNIMAGINABLE tragedy?
The bad health report?
The prodigal child?
The broken marriage?
The grief you never saw coming?
The prayer that still hasn’t been answered?
…Hallelujah then too?
It’s easy to praise God when life feels good.
But faith is revealed when praise still rises in the middle of the storm.
Not because the pain isn’t real.
Not because we understand it.
Not because everything suddenly makes sense.
But because worship was never meant to depend on our circumstances.
“Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines…
yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.”
Habakkuk 3:17–18
Sometimes “Hallelujah” is a celebration.
Sometimes it’s a sacrifice.
Sometimes it’s whispered through tears.
Sometimes it sounds more like survival than victory.
And maybe that’s the most powerful kind of praise of all:
the kind that says…
“God, I do not understand this.
I would not have chosen this.
But I still believe You are good.
I still believe You are near.
And somehow…
I will still praise You here.”
That kind of Hallelujah?
It costs something.
But maybe that’s why Hallelujah means EVERYTHING.

I Am a Believer

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten
Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
NASB 95
My heart’s desire is to make sure everyone is not just saved but also knows
what that means; that is, who they are in Christ. So, I’m starting at the
beginning with this foundational scripture. Hopefully, you have received
Jesus as your Lord and Savior. As born-again Christians, all our daily
activities and efforts should center on Jesus Christ. This is true in our
home, workplace, hobbies, church, and with all extracurricular activities.
Everything we do should be Christ centered. We get so tangled up with our
everyday routines that frequently we forget to submit everything we do to
Jesus. Sometimes we need to stop and remind ourselves not just who we
are as a “Christian,” but what that really means as who we are in Christ.
This sets us apart from the worldly daily, secular routines in which many of
us must participate. Therefore, start your day by reminding yourself that
you are a born-again believer, redeemed (Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14,
1 Peter 1:18-19), a child of God (1 John 3:1, John 1:12, Romans 8:16), and
you are not of this world (John 15:19, 17:16). You are in the world, must
communicate with the world, and participate in worldly activities, but as a
child of God you are not part of the world. I will point out the many ways
this is true as I continue to remind you that as a child of God, which you are
if you are a believer, you have an inner strength and an inner power that
enables you to be successful if you call on Jesus and walk in His light. Do
not get discouraged. Be bold and courageous. Determine with an act of
your will that you really are an overcomer! Remember who you are in Christ
and proceed with confidence.
Dear Father God, thank You for sending Your Son to die for me. I thank
You that You love me that much and, knowing how much You love me, I
know that You want me to succeed in everything that I do in life. I trust in
You for guidance and strength. By an act of my will, I choose to be
successful with Your help. I ask that You give me the strength and wisdom
to be your witness in everything I do today. In your name Jesus I pray.
Amen.

"GO Tell My People!"

"And He said to them, 'GO into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature'."
~Mark 16:15

Have you ever thought about how many times the word GO is used in the Bible?  Let's take a look at just a few instances...there are many!!! God told Noah to "GO into the ark". It was used when God told Abram to "GO to the land He would show him" and again when He told Moses to "GO to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt."
One of my favorite passages is found in Isaiah chaper 6 when God ask "who will I send?". Isaiah quickly responds, "here I am, Lord send me". God then tells Isaiah to, "GO and tell My people...".  
In the great commission, Jesus said, "GO therefore and make disciples of all nations..."~Matthew 28:19. Jesus told the woman at the well to "GO and sin no more",
~ John 8:11. In Luke 10: 3 Jesus says to His disciples, "GO your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves." And another favorite passage of mine is the woman with the affliction who had enough faith that she knew she would be healed if she could just touch His robe. "And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. GO in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” ~Mark 5:34.
In all the above scriptures the word GO is used as a command to move forward. Sadly, for many of us, we have become complacent in our walk with God. However, I believe God is telling His people to GO! GO do something for His Kingdom, GO love on folks, GO shine His light to others, GO tell the world He is their Hope, their Peace, their Joy, their Everything!!!
There are so many people right here in our town who are hurting and searching for answers. Those people need Jesus; but how will they know unless we GO tell them! "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few." ~Matthew 9:37. Are you willing to Go?
Here I am Lord, send me!

Day 21 - "The Finish Line"

I remember training for a triathlon years ago. Now I have always been very competitive, so I thought I could win at everything I did. If you want to be humbled, compete in a triathlon against people 20-30 years older than you who have been doing this their entire lives. I was so worried about being first that I didn’t realize what a feat it was just to finish one of these races.

2 Timothy 4:7 says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

It’s not about being first. It’s about finishing. If you fought the good fight and you finished, that’s what God approves of. Just keep the faith. Don’t lose why you ran in the first place. You know it was hard to fight my way through my race when it came to swimming. I wasn’t the first out of the water but I made it to the next phase - biking. That’s when I thought I would win. I found out that people way older than me who started after me were incredibly faster than I was. The fact that I finished was a huge task. I realized why I was there. And it wasn’t to win that day. It was to finish.

As you have finished these 21 days of daily devotions, remember that you don’t have to be a theologian. You don’t have to be the fastest reader. You don’t have to be the deepest studier. You don’t have to have a ministry degree or be a pastor. This is about you and the Lord. It’s about finishing with Him. Let today be a day where you begin other things that you can finish. Maybe start a Bible reading plan or even a prayer routine. It doesn’t have to be like everyone else. Just focus on the finish in your walk with God. Also, take one day at a time getting there. It can be overwhelming to start new things. Just chip away at it but be challenged to stay consistent. That’s how we grow. That’s how we finish!


Prayer - “God, thank you for the past 21 days of drawing closer to you. I needed that in my life. I need you in my life. Give me the strength to finish what I start - especially when it comes to you. Amen.”