"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.

                                             "The Joy of Being Still in His Presence"


Life often feels like it is moving at full speed. We have responsibilities, decisions to make, and
people that count on us every day. In the middle of these responsibilities, God gives us an
invitation: “Be Still.”
Being still doesn’t mean doing nothing. Being still means quieting our hearts before God. Being
still means resting in the truth that He is at work during every moment.
In stillness, we can hear God’s voice more clearly. It is choosing to trust His timing instead of
rushing ahead. The constant noise of life often drowns out His voice, but when we pause, we
become more aware of His peace, His direction, and His presence. Stillness reminds us that we
do not have to carry our burdens alone because He is faithfully carrying us.
The world encourages us to stay busy, believing that our worth is measured by our productivity.
God reminds us that our worth and identity is found in Him, not how much we accomplish.
Some of our greatest moments of spiritual growth happen while we are quietly sitting in His
presence.
Psalm 46:10 reminds us, "Be still, and know that I am God." When we slow down and focus
on Him, our worries begin to fade. Fear is replaced with faith; anxiety is replaced with peace.
Take time to set aside any distractions. Sit quietly with the Lord. Listen. During these moments,
you may discover the greatest joy and peace isn’t found in how much you accomplish but simply
being still with the One who loves you most.
Reflection Question:
What does "being still" personally look like in your relationship with God?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me. In the middle of my responsibilities and busy days,
help me slow down and rest in You. Calm my heart, and my anxious thoughts. Teach me to trust
Your perfect timing instead of my own. May I spend time with You each day, listening for your
voice and drawing strength that only You can give. Renew my spirit and help me know You are
with me in every moment.
In Jesus' name, Amen.

"Victory In Jesus"

Shout triumphantly to the Lord, all the earth!
    Be happy!
    Rejoice out loud!
    Sing your praises!
                ~ Psalm 98:4
Triumphantly is "an outward, explosive declaration of God's victory, universal worship, and active faith. It functions as a joyful war cry acknowledging that God has already conquered."* Wow, God just gave me another one of those eye-opening Scriptures...He is so good to me!
Let me elaborate...God just showed me that when I shout Triumphantly in praise and worship to Him, I am explosively declaring that He has ALREADY conquered and won the war and I should be joyful!  Did you get that? God has ALREADY won the war for whatever battle you and I are facing today...we should be rejoicing!  So why are we worried, why are we allowing fear and anxiety to engulf our life...why?
The next part of that verse says "Be Happy". I don't know about you, but it's hard for me to be happy when I'm scared and worried. So how can I/we be happy? I believe when we praise and worship God we overcome those negative feelings. Also, we can rest assured that, "God disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities, putting them to an open shame by triumphing over them through the cross." ~Colossians 2:15. When Jesus died on the cross He took ALL the power away from the evil forces...we are more than conquerors though Him! "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.~ Romans 8:37. Folks, that right there should be reason enough for us to Be Happy, everyday!!!
Now let's "Rejoice out Loud"! The dev-l doesn't like it when we pray openly and proclaim God's Word because it reminds Him that he has already been defeated! God says He will give us mercy and grace for all our needs when we come boldly to Him. "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need". ~Hebrews 4:16. So again, when we shout praises to the Lord, we can boldly declare that we are victorious because He has ALREADY conquered and won the war! Hallelujah!

"You Are an Overcomer"

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life
which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”
(Galatians 2:20)
When you became a born-again Christian, Christ took up residence in you. He took your place on
the cross and took all of your sins upon Himself, past and future, and He is always with you to guide you
and be your Lord. You can reject His guidance at times and do things your way, but it does not chase Him
away from you. If you receive His help, ask and depend on His guidance, then the life you live in your
flesh (that is in your body), you live by faith that He is indeed with you. As you realize and receive all of
this as truth, you accept it on faith and you acknowledge that, because of His love for you, He gave His
life for you. It may take some meditation on this scripture, but once you get it down in your spirit, you will
realize how remarkable this fact is. You can walk through your day today knowing that your God is
walking with you and in you and there is nothing that can come your way that can separate you from Him.
It is important for you to understand that when Jesus was crucified, ALL of your sins were
crucified with Him. When He went into the grave, He took ALL your sins with Him. When He came out of
the grave, He still had the holes in His hands and feet to show who He was, but the rest of Him was
perfect. He left all the other wounds, pain and suffering in the grave. He brought you out with Him and left
all your pain and sins in the grave too. You received a new spirit, every sin you ever committed, thought
about committing, or things you did not do that you should have done– were forgiven and left in the
grave. Past, present and future. You are one with Christ (1 Corinthians 6:17, Galatians 3:28, John 17:21).
You will sin again, but you will sin with your body or your mind or both, but not with your spirit. It retains
the robe of righteousness Jesus gives you at salvation. He separates your sins from you as far as the
east is from the west (Psalm 103:12) and chooses to remember them no more (Jeremiah 31:34).
REJOICE!!!
Lord Jesus, I am so glad that I asked You to be my Savior and my Lord. Thank You, Jesus, for
accepting me and dying for my sins. I do not have to walk around wondering what is going to happen to
me in the next life. Instead, I can walk in confidence that my future is bright, literally very bright in
heaven. I do not need to worry or have any concern whatsoever about my future with You or my walk
on this earth. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for what You have done for me. Amen.

"Love Without Favoritism"

"You have dishonored the poor man." — James 2:6
As God's people, we are called to love others and guard against dishonoring anyone. Jesus never showed favoritism based on wealth, status, or appearance. He spent time with the invalid at the Pool of Bethesda, met with Nicodemus, a respected ruler of the Jews, called Zacchaeus down from a tree, healed blind Bartimaeus as he begged by the roadside, spoke with the woman at the well, and shared meals with sinners.
God offers every person a place of dignity at Christ's table because of His great love for them. As Scripture reminds us, "God is love" (1 John 4:16). At the foot of the cross, all ground is level.
May our love never be limited to those who live where we live, look like we look, or act like we act. In John 13:34–35, Jesus gave His followers a new command: to love one another just as He has loved us. That love is selfless, kind, and without partiality. It is one of the clearest ways the world recognizes those who truly belong to Him.
Prayer:
Father, help me to see others as You see them, regardless of who they are or where they come from. Remove any favoritism from my heart, and teach me to love with the same grace, compassion, and humility that You have shown me. May my life reflect Your love to everyone I meet. In Jesus' name, amen.

"Speak, for Your Servant Hears"

And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”

God had to call Samuel three times before he responded. Samuel wasn't ignoring God, he just didn't recognize God's voice. I can't help but wonder how many times God has called my name and I didn't recognize His voice? I  wonder how often God called my name and I ignored it. I wonder if He called my name today, would I recognize it, would I be listening...

There have been many times in my life that I felt God was calling me to do something but because I thought I wasn't good enough, I ignored His call. I will even admit, there have been times I said no to what He was asking of me because of my fear of failure. Lord forgive me!  I recently heard a minister say, "God doesn't want your ability, He wants your availability". Wow, what an eye-opener! The truth is, God knew exactly what I was capable of when He called my name. He wasn't looking for perfection, He was asking for my willingness and my obedience! He didn't need my ability...I just needed to be available! I'm pretty sure I've failed the test many times!!! Again, Lord forgive me!

Let me tell you what I'm learning...if God calls us, He will equip us! He will give us words to speak and wisdom to know when to be silent. He will give us the ability to do whatever He is calling us to do!!! Within ourselves we are nothing, but with Him, we can do whatever He ask...we just have to be a willing vessel! 
"Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, that is Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever, Amen." ~Hebrews 13:20-21.

I believe God has given each of us a specific calling that is uniquely ours to help build His Kingdom. Our calling may not be in the spotlight of preaching, singing or playing an instrument. It may be cleaning the church, cutting the grass, telling a stranger about Jesus or just being available for whatever need may arise. In fact, our calling may never be seen by anyone other than God, but it's important and it's needed!

So today, let me encourage you to listen to His voice, don't ignore it and please don't run from it! I wasted so many years and so many opportunities, I would love to have the chance to go back, to have the opportunity to fulfill the calls I missed...

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me. Forgive me for all the times I failed to hear Your voice. Speak to me now Father, I'm listening, use me for Your purpose. As I strive to do Your will, hide me behind the Cross so the world sees only You!  In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.

"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.