"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.

"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.