The Resting Place

Persevering

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” James1:12 NIV

“By perseverance, a snail made it to the ark.” Charles Spurgeon

Persevering is not something we enjoy thinking about or having to go through. That’s because it always involves hardship of some kind. None of us ever welcome that. But in this imperfect world, we will experience trials and tribulations if we live long enough. There’s just no way around it.

When faced with hardship, we have two choices: trust in God and keep our vision on Him or quit and abandon hope. I cannot imagine doing the latter. There would be no place to turn, no one to turn to.

When my daughter Shelly began her battle with pancreatic cancer, she had two choices: to trust God, batten down the hatches, and persevere through it, or give up and lose hope. Praise the Lord, Shelly did not give up! She persevered until the Lord took her home. Her faith and witness to her Lord and Savior only became stronger the sicker she became. Even in the valley of the shadow of death, her testimony was richer. It was heartbreaking, yet amazing. And as Shelly persevered, so did her family. While the outcome wasn’t what we would have chosen, God knew better, and we trusted Him during our own time of having to persevere.

If you are going through a hard season, please remember that God has much more in store for you. His plan has always been for our struggles and hardships to become blessings and rewards if we persevere!

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, amid life’s struggles and hard times, You hold the keys to our comfort and peace. Through Your great power, we can persevere through times we would rather not face. We have learned from Your Word that these times come to strengthen our faith. Thank You for being with us through all seasons of our life. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Measles, Memories, and Jesus

“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

For the past few days, I have been spending time with my family in East Texas. As is often the case when I return to my roots, countless memories flood my mind and heart. These memories seem to pass like a movie before my mind’s eye, and I am thankful for the opportunity to weave many of my childhood experiences into my writing journey. Today, I will share one of those memories and give it a little spiritual twist while I’m at it.

Recently, measles cases have been resurgent in Texas and other parts of the United States. I had been reading about it, but it was not until my time here in East Texas that I began putting together the vivid memories of my own battle with measles and how my precious mother did all she could to comfort me.

I was around 7-8 years old when I came down with measles. I remember hearing my parents discuss the differences between Red Measles and German Measles, and I found out all too soon which one I had; mine was the more serious of the two. Consequently, having measles left me with an experience I would remember for the rest of my life.

As I lay in bed, miserable with a high fever, my mother would often come into my room, put a wet cloth on my forehead, and turn my pillow because the underside was always cooler. Since my fever heated the pillow rather quickly, it would only be a short time before Mother returned, continuously repeating this act of love as she tried to comfort her sick child.

During my illness with measles, my mother would also scrape the meat from an apple with a spoon and feed it to me. The apple was cold, and each spoonful was refreshing to this sick little girl. In those days, store-bought applesauce didn’t exist as it does today, so Mother improvised. I marvel that she did her best with what was available at the time. Even as I write this many years later, I find it strange, yet heartwarming, how an apple and a spoon could bring such everlasting memories. But that’s the impact of deep love from a mother to her child.

The love of a mother is truly a remarkable gift straight out of Heaven above. Undoubtedly, my mother served as the hands and feet of Jesus. She had a personal relationship with Him, and His love was deep inside her heart. Consequently, it came natural for her to love and serve others, especially her seven children. Mother was such a fine role model for her children; I have been highly cognizant of that all my life. I could not have asked for anyone better, and I am thankful that God chose me to be her daughter.

Just as my mother loved and nurtured her children, Jesus wants to do the same for all who seek Him. His love and help are always available to us, regardless of our stage of life. We may be young, or we may be in the last quarter of our lives, or anywhere in between. He wants to meet us right where we are. Whatever our situation, we are never too far from His reach. It is amazing how having a personal relationship with Jesus will soothe our spirits, calm our fears, and help us get through the hard places in life. He ALWAYS wants His best for us. Things will change dramatically when we relinquish what we want for what He wants. Our steps become lighter because we are fully aware that Someone is leading us along the path to everlasting life. That Someone will consistently bring peace and assurance to our lives.

If you are struggling today, why not let Jesus turn the “pillow” of your life over to the other side, where you will feel the cool, refreshing stream of His Living Water. Let Him feed you from His Word and give you nourishment that points you away from the things of this world that will soon fade away. Let Him give you a life of deep-down peace and satisfaction. He never changes, and you can be assured that He cares about every large and small part of your life. Why not trust Him today?

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus, our Lord and Savior. You paid a heavy price to send Your only Son to die for the sins of mankind. Father, in no way, shape, or form do we deserve such love. But we are humbly grateful to You for loving us that much. I pray that you will help us turn every part of our lives over to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, trusting that His plan for our lives is perfect. I pray this in the name above all names, Jesus Christ. Amen.

With Hope, Things Change

“Then He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.” Revelation 21:6-7 NIV

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV

I have always loved the above verses of Scripture. God describes Himself as the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, assuring us that He holds this world together from start to finish. Better still, He has planned an eternal home in Heaven for all who receive Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord before they leave this earth.

Presently, we live in an imperfect and sinful world. Consequently, pain, sorrow, and suffering will sometimes affect each of us. We often grow disheartened when we become tired and weary from life’s challenges—a normal human response familiar to us all. Rarely do we understand why bad things happen as they do, but through it all, God’s Word assures us that He has a plan. We may not understand it, but He does. He is always on duty, tending to every small or extensive detail of our lives. How wonderful to know that His love for us will never fail, nor will He ever let us down. He will be with us through every burden and sorrow we face now or in the future. We have every reason to trust Him because He is who He says He is, and His promises are sure and intrinsically sound.

A committed relationship with Jesus will always be the catalyst that holds us together in tough times. Without it, our hearts cannot have lasting hope or peace. But, when we have the eternal hope found only in Jesus, our perspective of life here on Earth and our future life in eternity will be transformed in amazing ways. We will begin to look at our life differently, knowing that the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, is always there, giving us strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. With eternal hope, things change in our present life as we are empowered to face our most significant challenges with courage, trust, and deep faith.

Today and every day, I am grateful for the peace and joy that Jesus brings to us as we allow Him to continue doing the needed soul work in our lives. His wonder-working power brings healing, restoration, joy, and eternal hope. His miraculous and transformative power filling our lives is a priceless gift. May we never let go of the gratefulness for such hope.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we honor You as the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, and praise Your Holy name. We don’t have enough words to tell You how much we love and appreciate all You have done for us. Thank You for Jesus, who paid our sin debt so we might one day live in Heaven forever. Help us in times of weariness to hold fast to the promises You so freely give throughout Your Word. Your Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path, and we are so grateful that we are helped by the One who laid down His life for us. We ask You to help us be fervent torch-bearers for Jesus in all we think, say, and do. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

I Will Trust in You

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

I’m so thankful that God gives us a way to communicate with Him through prayer. Prayer allows us to believe God for the impossible, and faith will enable us to be at peace with the answer. Our trust that He has us in His care is vital to living a life filled with hope and joy. It’s not always easy, but it’s undoubtedly worth allowing Him to take control of every aspect of our lives. It’s where we will always find much-needed peace and rest.

I love the message and truth of the song below. I hope it will also encourage many of you today.

Trust in You
Lauren Daigle

Letting go of every single dream
I lay each one down at Your feet
Every moment of my wandering
Never changes what You see

I’ve tried to win this war, I confess
My hands are weary, I need Your rest
Mighty Warrior, King of the fight
No matter what I face, You’re by my side

When You don’t move the mountains I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers as I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You

Truth is, You know what tomorrow brings There’s not a day ahead You have not seen
So, in all things be my life and breath
I want what You want, Lord, and nothing less

When You don’t move the mountains I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers as I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You!
I will trust in You!

You are my strength and comfort
You are my steady hand
You are my firm foundation; the rock on which I stand
Your ways are always higher
Your plans are always good
There’s not a place where I’ll go, You’ve not already stood

When You don’t move the mountains I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers as I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You
I will trust in You
I will trust in You
I will trust in You

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, without You, we would surely fail. Thank You for Jesus, whom we have trusted to save us and continue to trust daily. We are thankful beyond words that You have given us life, breath, and joy, even amid the challenges we sometimes face. Jesus is the Rock on which we stand, and we pray that others will find the peace and joy that a life of trusting Him will bring. I pray this in His name. Amen.

Rerouted

You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.” Psalm 119:114

Over the years, my husband and I have been avid fans of Southern Gospel music. We have attended many concerts and are always impressed by the down-to-earth and approachable spirit of the Southern Gospel community of singers. Their music is always uplifting, encouraging, and spiritually inspiring. We have felt a strong connection to these groups and the music they bring to the stage, much of which includes the old hymns. Because of the connection we have to Southern Gospel music, our hearts were broken over the tragic loss of some of our favorite gospel singers a few months ago.

On July 26, 2024, a small plane carrying the Southern Gospel singing group, The Nelons, crashed near Gillette, Wyoming. Jason Clark, his wife, Kelly Nelon Clark, their daughter, Amber Nelon Kistler, Amber’s husband, Nathan Kistler, their assistant, Melodi Hodges, and the plane’s pilot, Larry Haynie, and his wife, Lisa Haynie all perished. The group’s destination was Seattle, WA, where The Nelons were scheduled to join the annual Gaither Alaskan Homecoming Cruise for a week of ministering in song to all guests aboard the ship. The others on board the plane, all friends, planned to have a fun, relaxing, and spiritually uplifting cruise.

The lone surviving member of The Nelons singing group, Autumn Nelon Streetman, was not on the plane but was scheduled to meet her family in Seattle that same day. Instead, when Autumn and her husband arrived, they were given the devastating news of the crash. Autumn, who was pregnant with her first child, learned that she had lost her entire family in the plane crash.

Knowing how the Southern Gospel singers are like one big family, it was apparent that the news of this tragedy devastated everyone who knew and loved The Nelons. While the grief is unimaginable, we know that Autumn and her family have always ministered through their strong faith in Christ. We pray for His peace and comfort to envelop Autumn in the days, months, and years ahead.

A week before the fatal plane crash, The Nelons released a new single, “There’s A Hole In The Heart of America,” written by Bill Gaither and Larry Gatlin. It’s a timely song that speaks to the need for Jesus in this country. It didn’t take long for this song to fly to the top of the Gospel music charts.

With all of The Nelons successes and deep commitment to reaching others for the Lord Jesus, and at the height of their careers, for reasons we will never understand, their destination was rerouted to Heaven. They planned to fly to Seattle and join the cruise, but God had another plan. Even though they are gone from this earth, their music and ministry have left an indelible mark on the Southern Gospel community, and their absence is deeply felt. Almost six months later, there is still a hole in the hearts of those who loved and admired Jason, Kelly, Amber, Nathan, Melodi, Larry, and Lisa. As in the song’s message, we trust that God will continue to fill the hole in many hearts due to this tragedy.

In the weeks following the plane crash, I listened to many of The Nelons songs. I also watched reels and videos, interviews, and podcasts. I found comfort in knowing that according to their faith in Jesus Christ and how they proclaimed Him to others on and off stage, those who perished are now in His presence. I learned that six of the seven killed in the crash were members of Roopville Road Baptist Church in Roopville, GA. I watched the most God-honoring homegoing services via livestream for six of the seven who perished. Since then, I have regularly tuned in to the Sunday morning worship service from RRBC via recorded livestream sometime during my week. Through these services, I have been blessed beyond measure. RRBC would definitely be my home church if I lived near Roopville, GA. But, since I live several states to the west, I am thankful that modern technology allows me to watch at my convenience. In addition to my home church here in Texas, I am grateful to receive added spiritual nourishment from this faraway church. Through the sadness of this tragedy, no doubt many have been blessed as I have by these ongoing services.

As I write this blog post, I remember the words from Babbie Mason’s song “Trust His Heart,” which says, “God is too wise to be mistaken; God is too good to be unkind. So when you don’t understand–when you don’t see his plan–when you can’t trace his hand, trust his heart.” We never know what is around the bend for us. But because we have access to the God of hope, we can rest in His promises to always be with us. He is available to help us through anything we may face because there is never a disruption in the communication lines to His heart.

In Memory: Jason Clark, Kelly Nelon Clark, Amber Nelon Kistler, Nathan Kistler, Melodi Hodges, Larry Haynie, and Lisa Haynie – July 26, 2024

Prayer: Dear God, sometimes it is tough to put into words what we are feeling. I want to thank You for being our comfort and song in the night. Sometimes life is difficult, but how thankful we are that we never have to go through it alone. Thank You for the Nelons’ music and the godly legacy they left. We believe You will do great and mighty things through this tragedy. We don’t know what they are, but we wait expectantly, trusting that Your plan is always for our good and Your glory. Please bring healing to all family members and friends of these seven individuals who are now in Your presence. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

It’s All Good

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Roman’s 8:28 NIV

Recently, my husband and I attended the memorial service of a longtime friend and dear brother in Christ. Paul was a man to be admired. He was a Marine Corps veteran from the Vietnam era, a wonderful husband to Debbie (my dear friend), a deeply loved father to Donny and Jill, and a treasured grandfather to Sophia and Olivia. He was a man who loved God and his family deeply–a great provider who lived a life of positivity, even though life was not always easy. Paul was an encourager to military vets who suffered from PTSD and was instrumental in helping them assimilate back into a stable lifestyle. He made lasting friendships and served them as long as he was physically able. He is now missed by so many who knew and loved him.

One of Paul’s hobbies was jewelry making. I will always cherish the sterling silver cross necklace with a turquoise stone in the middle of the cross that Paul made and gifted me many years ago. He was a kind man who was also a master at building large model ships.

During Paul’s Homegoing service, his son, Donny, spoke with deep love and unashamed affection for his dad. Those in attendance were touched as Donny relayed how Paul taught him and his sister many life lessons. Donny said his dad never spanked him or his sister, but he used other teaching methods, all of which were done with great kindness. One example was conflict resolution. I won’t go into details, but according to Donny, Paul had a clever way of getting him and his sister to mend their differences. In their everyday life, Donny shared that Paul repeatedly used a key phrase with three powerful words when dealing with any issue that might arise: “It’s all good!” No matter the family circumstances, pain, suffering, or challenges, Paul looked at life through a spiritual lens, trusting God and believing that He was in control. “It’s all good.” Paul lived life in this manner while teaching his family these qualities.

In his message to those attending Paul’s memorial service, Pastor Ross Hartsfield spoke of Paul and his faith. At the end of his heartfelt and on-point message, he said: “If Paul were here today and could tell you what he is presently experiencing, I know he would say the following: “It’s all true!” Here on earth, Paul adopted the mindset, “It’s all good!” He was the son of a Baptist preacher in Pittsburgh, PA. He was taught about Jesus at an early age and invited Him to be Lord of His life. Paul had been heavenly-minded on earth, knowing that whatever he was experiencing paled in comparison to the promise of what was to come when he left this earth. But when Paul stepped into eternity, his faith became sight. All that he had ever hoped for and believed was before him, even more beautiful than he could have imagined.

I pray that we will all be so heavenly-minded that we don’t let the troubles and trials that come our way here on earth block the assurance that one sweet day, when we are past the trials and heartaches of this life, we will see first-hand that it has been worth it all. Then we can say with great excitement, “It’s all good because it’s all true!”

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, You are the Giver of Life, and we are in Your hands. I thank You for fellow believers like Paul and Debbie. Thank You for the meaningful lessons that touched our hearts at Paul’s memorial service. I will forever remember these two phrases, “It’s all good,” and “It’s all true.” Help us to live in such a way that others will be able to see Jesus in us as we did in Paul. We thank You for being our constant source of strength and faith. Forgive us when we fail You or slack off from serving You. That is not our desire. We love and thank You for Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. I pray this in His name. Amen.

Shaping The Moments

photo of child reading holy bible

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 NIV

“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 NIV

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 NIV

A few months ago, we had a valued guest pastor at church. Dr. Richard Ross previously served as a student pastor for over 30 years, still volunteers with youth and their parents in his home church, and is a seminary professor who is teaching the next generation of pastors. His powerful message shed light on the truth of God’s Word regarding the importance of godly parenting. Dr. Ross said: “You can’t outsource your children’s spiritual development to the church; it is pointless. Parents must shape spiritual moments in the home, with the church coming alongside to help. Your child’s most important purpose for being on the earth is to live for the glory of God. Wanting them to have an education, play sports, stay busy with activities, become successful adults, be kind to others, etc., is great. There’s nothing wrong with those things. But, again, your child’s most important purpose for being on the earth is to live for the glory of God. All else is secondary.”

By the time the message was over, I was shedding tears for family members who are currently not living for the glory of God. I thought about what we, as parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents, can do to help shape our moments with these precious ones God has given us. More than anything else, I believe our most significant responsibility is to pray unceasingly for them. This responsibility is not to be taken lightly, but it is a commitment we must uphold with all our hearts. Prayer is powerful! We can always have confidence in God’s Word and know He hears and answers each one we lay at His feet.

Every Saturday morning, I meet with some sisters in Christ who are faithful prayer warriors. One of the prayer points we have is for our grandchildren. From preschool to college, these young ones are in our hearts and minds daily as they head off to school. Today, as I reflect on these prayer points, I continue to pray that their mind, body, and spirit will always be protected under the umbrella of God’s love and guidance. The very BEST we can do is to cover them in our daily prayers, continue showing them unconditional love, and always strive to be good examples and spiritual role models for them.

Following is what my sisters in Christ and I have been praying together for over a year:

  1. Pray for their physical, spiritual, and emotional health
  2. Pray that they will be successful in all academics at school
  3. Pray that God will put good people in their paths and they will choose godly friends
  4. Pray that they will have successful interactions with all teachers and students
  5. Pray against the schemes of the enemy, such as bullying and unhealthy relationships
  6. Pray that by their actions, they will shine for Jesus in their classrooms
  7. Pray that their parents will teach biblical principles in their home, that faith in Christ will result, that they will understand they are here on earth to live for the glory of God, and that they will ALWAYS look at life’s decisions through the spiritual lens of God’s Holy Word

Based on the thoughts from Dr. Ross’s message, I have added #7 to the prayer points above. Perhaps many of you will want to begin praying fervently for your children and grandchildren. Maybe you’ll develop your own prayer points for those special ones in your life. If you have already been doing this, please do not give up or stop! One thing I know for sure is that we will never go wrong by praying. We serve a Heavenly Father who loves us more than we can imagine. His is a BIG kind of love, and He has a good plan for us and our family.

I pray that each of you will shape the moments you spend with your family for the glory of God. We all need a loving relationship with Jesus. Some have found it sooner than others, but by no means will we ever give up on their salvation. Nothing is impossible with God. Until our prayers are answered on their behalf, we will keep knocking on Heaven’s door.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, there is none like You! You are big enough to rule this mighty universe yet small enough to live within our hearts. We continue to hear about miracles of salvation through Christ, and our hearts are overjoyed. Nothing is impossible for You! We petition You on behalf of our family members who do not know You. Please help them lay aside the things of this world that blind them to the truth of Your Word. If only they could understand what love and peace You bring. Today, we humbly ask that You save them before it is too late. We know You can do it, but they must make the choice. Stir their hearts to seek Your truth. Thank You for loving us and allowing us to come before You anytime, day or night. We have full assurance that You hear us and are answering in Your timing and for Your glory. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

God is Bigger Than Our Pain

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 ESV

“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” I Peter 5:7 ESV

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 ESV 

After what is often a long and hot summer here in Texas, we always look forward to the cooler weather that Fall brings and the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. For most of us, it’s an exciting time of year. Yet, many are left lonely, with only memories of their long-ago family gatherings and the sights and sounds of years gone by. That realization alone weighs heavy on my heart each year. 

Honestly, October and November have been extra challenging months for me this year. I won’t list all the reasons, but some of the biggies are that my husband and I have lost people near and dear to us. We have also had family members and friends who were, and still are, facing some type of grief and uncertainty in their lives. A couple of nights ago, our neighbor and friend passed away suddenly. Steve was only 61 years of age. This unforeseen event has brought a time of sadness and of doing what we can to help his wife, Vino. Since we have suffered great loss, our hearts are extra sensitive to those who are going through such traumatic times.

Even though these unwanted life events seem to have encircled us these past few weeks, we continue to experience God-given and beautiful, heartwarming moments with family and friends. Seeing the joys and innocence of the little ones who grace our lives is like a good dose of medicine for whatever ails us. We are surrounded by a lot of deep love, much thankfulness and joy, and we never fail to give God credit for how He works. I don’t know how He does it, but He specializes in bringing joy in the midst of pain as He shows us a new way forward through faith in Christ. 

We all face challenging days or seasons, for we cannot avoid them. But, of all the things I may or may not know about our Heavenly Father, the one thing that I do know is that He is always with us, and He will never, ever leave us. His Word is full of this very promise. His love and care are exquisite, and He walks every path we take. He is with us in the good times and those times of trials, sorrow, grief, and pain. He overwhelmingly loves you and me! As believers in Christ, we must unequivocally hold on to the hem of His garment, for it is there where we find the strength to go on. 

If you are going through a difficult time, please reach for the nail-scarred hand of the Savior, Jesus Christ. He will meet you right where you are and give you the strength to carry on in His name. There’s no better place to be. His arms are strong, and His love is deep. He is and will always be so much bigger than our pain.

PRAYER:  Father God, we love You and are so thankful for the opportunity to be still before You. You alone are worthy of our praise. During these challenging times in which we live, please reach the world with Your Son, Your Spirit, and Your Christlike love, which can only be exhibited by those of us who profess Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. Be with those far and near whose hearts are breaking from loss and uncertainty. We know that You can give comfort and peace like no other. Place Your representatives in the path of those burdened and downtrodden with a load of care. Please use them to encourage and lift high the name of Jesus Christ. I pray this in His name, the name above all names. Amen.

“Yes, I Do!”

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” I Corinthians 15:58 ESV

These days, there are untold numbers of reels and short videos available to watch online on just about any subject a person might be interested in. Some of these short videos/reels are funny, some are frightening, and others are pretty far-fetched. But some can be worthwhile to watch. I try to focus on those with uplifting messages and Christian values, i.e., Christian music, favorite Christian preachers, speakers, church services, etc. It isn’t because I’m perfect; perhaps I have learned through what little wisdom I have that what I watch, read, or listen to feeds into my mind. These days, my heart longs for positive and uplifting messages that benefit my spiritual walk with the Lord Jesus, and I often gain encouragement and inspiration from this type of “soul food.”

Today, I was watching a short video that troubled me greatly. A man stood in a mall area, then a grocery store, asking passersby a straightforward question: “Do you believe in Jesus Christ?” Over and over, he asked the question. While some folks did answer in the affirmative, many more answered, “No!” Seeing so many people rejecting Jesus was heartbreaking. Their responses tell us that millions of lost people live in this world, and there is still much work to be done in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. As I watched the video, one striking observation stood out: those who expressed no belief in Jesus were rude to the man, while those who professed faith in Jesus appeared noticeably happier. Some even hugged the man, a perfect stranger. This stark contrast was a powerful reminder that a life dedicated to Jesus is worth living, both in the present and for the promise of eternity in Heaven. The joy found in the heart of a Christ follower is a testament to the transformative power of faith in Him, and it should ignite a sense of hope and inspiration in our own spiritual journey.

I often think about how those who don’t know Jesus live. They are caught up in culturalism, materialism, and other areas of life that distract them from things of a spiritual nature. They have no regard for the things of faith, and many despise those of us who do. But I am reminded of two things: First, I shouldn’t place spiritual expectations on those who have no idea what it is like to walk with Jesus. They only know the things of this world that do not feed their soul. Second, except for the grace of God, there go I. All who have been redeemed by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ have been where they are. Lost. Knowing this should motivate us all the more to share His love and our faith with others. It is up to us to be ready and available for the task God has for us to do on His behalf. Time grows shorter and shorter as each day passes.

Even today, I stand amazed that God loved me enough to send Jesus to die a substitutionary death on the cross for my sins and the sins of all mankind. That He would love us that much is hard to comprehend, but we trust the truth of His Word, believing that it will bring life, hope, and joy now and always. My prayer remains for those who do not yet know Jesus, that their hearts will be turned toward a kind and loving God who has a perfect plan for their life, and if they are ever again asked, “Do you believe in Jesus Christ?” they will reply with a resounding, “YES, I DO!”

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, only You could have changed our “No” into a “Yes!” Yes, because we acknowledge that we are firm believers in Jesus Christ. We have asked Him to be the Lord of our lives and want to serve Him with all that is within us. May we ask ourselves: “If we don’t share the love of Jesus Christ with the lost, then who will?” Father, we do not serve You, thinking that we will gain brownie points on Your check-off list for entrance into Heaven; we do not serve You to bring glory to ourselves or to have bragging rights for some great work we feel that we’ve done in Your name. Instead, help us to realize that our righteous deeds are as filthy rags compared to who You are. May we never forget that we were once lost, just like those who have not yet found the hope and peace of knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Help us to reach out to others with love, sincerity, and humility. We are thankful that the peace and joy found in knowing Jesus makes a home in the depths of our hearts, and we desire that others will discover this gift from You, too. I pray all these things in the name above all names, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Crossroads of Life

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“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 NIV

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Roman’s 8:28 NIV

Recently, I heard a lady share her story of God’s love, grace, protection, redemption, and restoration. One only needed to hear about the changes that have taken place in the heart of this dear sister to see and believe first-hand that God had a good plan for her life. Despite the harm others had caused, out of the ashes of her hopeless situation, a beautiful child of God has arisen—one who seeks His perfect will and guidance, and leans solely on the everlasting arms of Jesus. What amazing, transformative work our Lord has done in the life of someone who now serves Him with such deep passion!

Life can sometimes be full of pain and sorrow, twists and turns that we don’t see coming. Even now, there is no doubt that some of you reading this devotional have been scarred by trauma from your past. Or, you could be going through some rugged places at this moment, such as financial difficulties, health issues, or relationship problems. You may not understand why God has allowed you to endure such a hard thing, like the loss of a loved one or a personal crisis. I wish I had all the answers, but I don’t. However, I do know Someone who does. Please allow me to share from personal experience what faith in God, through Jesus Christ, has done for me. Rest assured that He wants to do the same for you.

Long ago, I stood at a crossroads—a “Crisis of Belief,” a moment of decision where I had to choose whether to continue living with the pain of my past or to forgive and move forward. I had a choice to leave the hurts from my past behind or allow them to continue eating away at me until I was of no use to my Lord or anyone else. I’m so thankful for the wisdom God gave me to choose the path of forgiveness —for since that time, He has been my constant source of strength, comfort, and peace. He has given me a good life of loving and serving Him. Over the years, I’ve gone through hard places, failed Him miserably at times, suffered unimaginable heart pain, and not always given Him my best. The Good News is that through it all, Jesus has never left me or let my hand slip out of His firm grip of grace and mercy. I stand amazed that His heart was always for me. He has been there to correct and redirect me, and I am eternally thankful. What a comfort it is to know that He is always watching out for me and will never let me go. I can never thank Him enough for caring so much for me.

Today, if you are experiencing a season of uncertainty, pain, sorrow, or anxiety about your future, please remember that God holds your future in His hands and wants to use your experiences to bring you closer to Himself. He does not waste any of the good or bad things that happen in our lives but will use every aspect for His good purposes. He will restore your heart in ways you could never dream of. You will never again want to rely on anyone or anything else above Him but on the sure certainty of His love and protection. He does not change; therefore, you can always depend on Him. God’s plan for your life is so much bigger than what you can see. His Word promises that you will never be alone, regardless of your circumstances. He will always help you maneuver whatever you are going through. He is only a whisper away and is always as close as the mention of His name.

During those times when we don’t understand which way to go, let us remember that we are never alone. God’s promises, found in His Holy Word, are steadfast, reliable, and a testament to His faithfulness. They provide a secure foundation for our lives, instilling us with confidence and hope. As He did for the young lady whose testimony I spoke of above, He also has a good plan for each of us and will help us choose the path that is best for us, and most pleasing to Him.

I’m so thankful that we have a constant source of strength and hope in our lives. Jesus stands ready to meet us at our crossroads of life and change us from the inside out if only we allow Him to.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Your faithfulness and care for Your children will forever amaze me. Your transformative power is beyond our comprehension, but we thank You for being willing to love us that much. Forgive us when we don’t give You our best. Help us not to be caught up in the things of this world; rather, may we depend on You for everything we think, say, and do. Thank You for loving us as You do, enough to send Jesus to die in our place. We deserved death, but in LOVE, You made a way for us to get to You through our faith in Jesus Christ. Help us strive daily to live a life that is pleasing to You, guiding and directing us in all things. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

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