Just as the tides ebb and flow, our lives have fluidity. God is with us! We will never know the future, however, He holds the future in His hands.
One of my favorite songs as a child was, “He’s got the whole world in his hands”! With child-like wonder, I would watch the ocean waves come in to shore and recede, searching for shells I would look at the grains of sand on a beach.
His Love is constant
“God, your plans are incomprehensible to me! Their total number is countless! If I tried to count them—they outnumber grains of sand! If I came to the very end—I’d still be with you.” Psalms 139:17-18 CEB
Or on a mountain hike, I would listen to the wind blowing through the Aspen trees and smell the crisp evergreens. I would watch my favorite bird of all; the majestic bald eagle fly effortlessly. And I would ponder that God has the whole world in his hands.
God sees the potential in us even when we don’t. He sees our detours from the plans, and yet He calls to us, perhaps in the whisper of wind. He believes in our future, He wants our destiny to show the purpose for our creation.
This photograph was taken by one of my children, and I thought it represented well, the scripture that identifies the grains of sand. My heart feels the amazing love of our father God.!
We can have moments we feel like a toddler who just placed our feet in the sand, uncertain as our toes flex and feel the warm sun baked top layer and the find coolness beneath as we wiggle our toes. We really do have the promises of God to finish the work he starts in us.
I decided to add this amazing song by Mitch Wong, Fear of the Lord! Listen to the lyrics, delight in the Lord! Praise Him no matter the circumstance.
Take one step at a time as your foot leaves an imprint in the sand or the path where you are walking.Feel the love of Jesus!
Are you parched? Are you thirsty and weary? God has a scripture to encourage you and remind you that His promises are true!
Psalm 63:1-3 NLT O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. [2] I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. [3] Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you!
Are you tired? God is with you, our prayers even wordless sighs are understood by our God!
Romans 8:26-28 MSG Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
Are you overwhelmed? You are in great company; Moses was overwhelmed as was David! Jeremiah and Isaiah felt stressed out.
Isaiah 61:10-11 NLT I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels. [11] The Sovereign LORD will show his justice to the nations of the world. Everyone will praise him! His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring, with plants springing up everywhere.
God met each of these men of faith where they needed His wisdom, strength and courage.
God filled their weaknesses with His strength when they humbled themselves into service for His Kingdom.
1 Corinthians 15:42-43 NLT It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. [43] Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength.
Do you feel weak and exhausted by life circumstances? He wants you to call out to Him; He is Jehovah Jireh (our Provider).
Romans 8:26-28 NLT And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. [27] And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. [28] And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Did you know you are a child of God? When you ask Jesus to be your Savior and accept Him as the authority of your life, you are given His inheritance, because of His grace and mercy and His love on the cross! The resurrection of Jesus Christ made a way for each of us to have His inheritance. Jesus is the bridge between God and His children, us!!!
Romans 8:30- 39 [30] And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. [35] Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? [36] (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) [37] No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. [38] And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. [39] No power in the sky above or in the earth below-indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Nothing can separate us from Jesus, our victory is in Christ alone. Amazing revelation from our amazing unconditionally loving Jesus!
This morning, as I was taking care of our livestock; a horse and a goat, I noticed our sweet 10 year old quarter horse staring intently at me and then standing near the water trough.
My teen had left the hose in the water trough after she filled it last night. As a result of gravity, a great proportion of the water was sucked back into the well.
As I peered over the black edge of the trough, a set of eyes was staring back, a baby robin was clinging to the green lawn hose.
What I originally thought was irresponsible care actually reminded me of how God cares for even the birds.
Worry doesn’t add anything to our day it just drains us. It doesn’t matter who we are. There’s always going to be challenges, but we have to give all of our concerns to the Lord.
Matthew 6:25-27 NLT Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”
We may have relationship challenges, financial difficulties, health issues, perhaps our belief in God feels more doubt than faith. All those concerns, bring us to a heavy bucket of worry.
I love when God shows me in nature what I need: Relying on God instead of my own need to control things.
In Luke 12, the similar story is documented by the disciple named Luke. We get a wonderful reminder that our Father already knows our needs and that our best action plan is to seek the kingdom of God above all things.
Luke 12:29-32 NLT “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.”
I think it’s so precious that Jesus ends his conversation with the phrase. “Don’t be afraid little Flock”. We are His little flock and God wants to give us what we need so we have to trust Him.
I pray you will pause in your day today and ask the Lord to show you a sign or maybe even a miracle that reminds you that He is present in your life. He is with us, seek Him.
I felt His Presence strongly as I helped this baby robin from the water trough using a green manure rake, I saw the fear in its eyes. I slowly dropped the rake below the water surface and lifted the Robin off the hose. The bird didn’t move. It just kept watching me warily. Once I cleared my horse and the inside of the trough with the bird and rake, I lightly placed the bird on the ground. The sweet baby robin looked back and then slowly hopped away.
If we are a follower of Christ Jesus, perhaps we are the person holding the manure rake to help other people away from danger or to the knowledge of Jesus. He cares for us so we can care for His people.
God will give you an opportunity to help another person who is created in Gods’ image. Don’t let the moment pass, pick up your manure rake and help when you see someone in need. You may see fear in their eyes, but God will give you the words to bring hope and you may be just what they need at just the right time.
Photo credits by M Mesikapp
“He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” 2 Corinthians 1:4 NLT
Keep yourself from the trap of social media. The fear of missing out it is an obstacle to our peace! Jesus wants us to have peace and it happens when we trust Him with our entire lives, especially our thought lives.
The eyes are the window to the soul, we’re told that our ears and eyes are a gateway to the deepest part of who we are, this is the place the enemy pokes us repeatedly and it brings a sense of discontentment.
When our eye balls are focused on a tiny little rectangular box called a cell phone, and a FOMO mindset, it blocks our vision from the most important things.
Gratitude of the goodness of God is blotted out by a shiny screen. And if we’re not careful, we’ll leave the most important Light of the world behind, Jesus.
Marketing banks on the fact that we will be distracted by world culture, and the fear of missing out. However, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the wisdom of God found in the word of God can break through the distractions of the world.
It’s interesting because thousands of years ago, wisdom was placed in the word of God about this condition, the fear of missing out.
Meditate and read slowly Matthew 6, I am sharing the message version because I think it really encompasses the wisdom of God over the consumerism of the world.
Matthew 6:19-26 MSG “Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being. [22-23] “Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a musty cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have! [24] “You can’t worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you’ll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can’t worship God and Money both. [25-26] “If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.
The beauty of scripture is how it articulates and gives us a vision for how God loves us and how He loves creation. Wouldn’t you so much rather be as free as an eagle instead of bound by what cultural norms say should be acquired, materialism at its’ core brings more chains than the freedom of a bird that trusts God will give us what we need.
Pause for a moment here and reread aloud Matthew 6: 19-26. Is there a message you feel in the stillness with God? You can use the notes app in your phone as a journal. I have heard this message! “Do you hear trust in Me, my child, I am your God and there is no one else?”
Now read Matthew 6: 30-34 it shares even deeper nuggets of gold wisdom. Meditate and read slowly aloud and take notes.
Matthew 6:30-34 MSG “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. [34] “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
Perhaps today reset your mind, and bring your thoughts captive to the Lord, as it says in Romans 12.
Romans 12:1-2 MSG So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
Let God be your provision, give all your concerns to him. He wants to help you deal with whatever hard things come up he wants you to worship him over all things in this world.
1 Peter 5:4-7 MSG When God, who is the best shepherd of all, comes out in the open with his rule, he’ll see that you’ve done it right and commend you lavishly. And you who are younger must follow your leaders. But all of you, leaders and followers alike, are to be down to earth with each other, for—God has had it with the proud, But takes delight in just plain people. [6-7] So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.
Wisdom of God can come from horse/human relationships. God teaches us His Presence in daily life.
The Hebrew word for wind or breath is Ruach. God gives us the breath of life. It also means He is in the wind. Not sure about you, but where I live the winds have been blowing at an astronomical level.
A week and a half ago there was a wind storm as I was driving our horse to an inside arena. While we tacked up the horse, gale force winds had increased so much as my horse was antsy and trying to hide behind myself and my daughter. The wind was so strong that it left gravel pieces in our hair and our scalp.
When we were done with our arena time, I sensed even greater winds, the metal passage door swung out of my hand as we were getting ready to exit the arena. I remembered the peace of God as I was safely, talking to both our horse and guiding my daughter to remove the saddle and get him into the trailer to return home. At the same time, I felt like the Lord was speaking to me, that He is in the wind.
I thought about the times I was scared around horses. They are beautiful, powerful, massive animals with their own minds. I knew I needed to be Boomer, our horses’, place to reflect calm and rest. Even as I spoke softly to him, I was thinking how God is the place of rest, and being able to know that calm is the answer.
His Presence is peace. He’s in the times of chaos and he’s in the times of joy. You see in His presence is rest. The Hebrew word in NUACH.
Isaiah 40:28-31, I paraphrase “He lifts us up on eagles wings”, being present with Him is stillness. It is not stillness in an inactive way, but stillness in an active way with our Creator God.
Isaiah 40:28-31 NLT Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. [29] He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. [30] Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. [31] But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Three separate times this past week, the Hebrew word “Nuach” has come across my eyes or my ears. The first time was in a Christian fiction book, the second time was as our pastor was explaining the importance of resting in the presence of God. And the third time the Lord brought it to my mind as I was encouraging a friend. The “Nuach” is a Hebrew word for rest. There’s many places in scripture that remind us to be in His rest, it means to be in His Presence. But how many times as humans do we allow ourselves to remember the presence of God?
Psalm 103:1-5 NLT Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. [2] Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me. [3] He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. [4] He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. [5] He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
As I led him into the horse trailer, Boomer was very anxious, but as I spoke calmly to him, He snorted at the wind, took a few deep breaths loudly, nuzzled me and then whinnied loudly in my ear as I attached his lead line to the inside of the trailer. I patted his face and neck. He was antsy but calm.
God is the Ruach and the Nuach! He is in the wind. He is in the rest. He is our breath of life. He’s the Ruach, it is a Hebrew word for breath of life, wind. He is the Nuach means “He is in the rest”. He is the Alpha and the Omega. He is eternity.
If we consider the sign for eternity, it’s a continuous loop. Just as our creator, God is the Alpha and Omega. So no matter how you’re struggling, God is in the wind and breath of your life, and God is present in your rest (NUACH). Take time to rest today .
It’s only just begun the year 2026, and it has brought many highs and lows. But God never changes despite many revealings of sad situations. We must pray for the persecuted, those in chains, mental struggles, addiction and deep challenges of life.
We may feel as if we are out of control, or that we should stay in a hopeless state . Then God says to come to Him if you’re weary or heavy laden, and He will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28-30 AMP “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. [29] Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST (renewal, blessed quiet) FOR YOUR SOULS. [30] For My yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light.”
Our God will have the last word. He wants our trust to be in Him alone, HE is a loving, jealous God, who is just in His ways!
Who would’ve thought the Super Bowl halftime could highlight the stark realities of spiritual warfare. However, we have to remember when ignorance and world culture tell us scroll in the highlight reels it will bring more feelings of darkness and isolation. That is where the devil wants us to stay bound. However God says to seek Him because He is the Light that can extinguish the darkness.
I don’t know your life story, but I know many in circumstances that are overwhelming. But God is the Waymaker. We must trust in Him and nothing else. We must pray for those that are struggling. We must love like Jesus.
Gods Word has an answer for every circumstance.
Philippians 4:6-9 NLT
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. [7] Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. [8] And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. [9] Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me-everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
We must pray for our children, teens, family and friends to seek Jesus, and walk in relationship with Jesus. We must praise God in the midst of our heartbreaking circumstances and the constant bombardment of dark stories. Fix your thoughts on God as love, provider, healer, and restorer.
Matthew 19:13-14 AMPC Then little children were brought to Jesus, that He might put His hands on them and pray; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. [14] But He said, Leave the children alone! Allow the little ones to come to Me, and do not forbid or restrain or hinder them, for of such [as these] is the kingdom of heaven composed.
Being still and seeking time with Jesus is never wasted time. It is abiding in Him, and being rewarded with peace and His wisdom. There is no better place for staying clear of temptations, gaining purpose and becoming who God made each of them to be: chosen, loved, and forgiven. We must thank those who walk with us in Christ united for being in our children’s life.
For all the Mom’s and Dads’, sisters, brothers out there, being a part of a community that’s united in Christ is a safety net of love, grace, mercy, hope and abundant connection in the wisdom of God. Doing life and isolation is never the answer.
Highs and Lows it is a meaningful song from Abbie Gamboa and Aodhán King. I was unable to attach a link, you will have to look up this song on YouTube. Listen to the lyrics that are reflective of Psalm 139.
God will never let you go, when life brings highs and lows, He is with us!!! Lean into Him!!! Call out to Him!!
Slowly read aloud Psalm 139. Reminded how much He loves you! God bless your time bring still with the One who created you precious and with purpose!
Psalm 139:1-18,23-24 NLT O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. [2] You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. [3] You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. [4] You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD. [5] You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. [6] Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! [7] I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! [8] If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. [9] If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, [10] even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. [11] I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night- [12] but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you. [13] You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. [14] Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it. [15] You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. [16] You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. [17] How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! [18] I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! [23] Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. [24] Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Though our feelings come and go, [God’s] love for us does not. —C. S. Lewis
The Lord does not give up on you. He loves you, He has plans for you. He will use the storms and the challenges of your life to bring you to your knees so that you will lean into Him as He answers all questions.
I am learning to lean into Him and let go of my need to control! May my steps of faith in Him bring His glory to others. Our stories have purpose.
Your story shared as the Lord guides, can bring hope to another person! We cannot do life without God. Even if you have stepped away from God since your youth, you can turn around and run back to the Savior Jesus.
Every single one of us tends to want to direct our own path, we speak before thinking, we act without asking for the wisdom of God. And yet He still loves us and waits for us to seek wisdom; to be held in His pasture. He wants to be our gatekeeper and the Good Shepherd.
John 10:1-5 TPT Jesus said to the Pharisees, “Listen to this eternal truth: The person who sneaks over the wall to enter into the sheep pen, rather than coming through the gate, reveals himself as a thief coming to steal. [2] But the true Shepherd walks right up to the gate, [3] and because the gatekeeper knows who he is, he opens the gate to let him in. And the sheep recognize the voice of the true Shepherd, for he calls his own by name and leads them out, for they belong to him. [4] And when he has brought out all his sheep, he walks ahead of them and they will follow him, for they are familiar with his voice. [5] But they will run away from strangers and never follow them because they know it’s the voice of a stranger.”
Follow the voice of God; our Shepherd!!! Close your eyes and visualize the sweetness of being in His Presence, His hair blowing in the breeze, His warm gaze that can see you completely, His nail scarred hands reaching out to you bringing a touch of unconditional love that penetrates even the hardest heart and most broken places. Feel the warmth in your soul of releasing control for today, surrendering into His plan.
The Good Shepherd wipes your tears, He helps and guides and loves you through the trials and joys, so it will bring glory back to God.
Your story will make a difference to other people when you share it. Your story of deliverance, your healing because of your reliance on God, can draw other people to the Creator God who knew you from the beginning of life.
He is the Gate for His Flock! Don’t let the thief, the devil steal and destroy your destiny.
John 10:7-11 TPT So Jesus went over it again, “I speak to you eternal truth: I am the Gate for the flock. [8] All those who broke in before me are thieves who came to steal, but the sheep never listened to them. [9] I am the Gateway. To enter through me is to experience life, freedom, and satisfaction. [10] A thief has only one thing in mind—he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy. But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect—life in its fullness until you overflow! [11] I am the Good Shepherd who lays down my life as a sacrifice for the sheep.
Jesus laid down His life for us even knowing we would sin. He came to bring life not death; depression and fear. What an amazing sacrifice, His gift; free love from our Savior Jesus!
John 10:14-18 TPT “I alone am the Good Shepherd, and I know those whose hearts are mine, for they recognize me and know me, [15] just as my Father knows my heart and I know my Father’s heart. I am ready to give my life for the sheep. [16] “And I have other sheep that I will gather which are not of this Jewish flock. And I, their shepherd, must lead them too, and they will follow me and listen to my voice. And I will join them all into one flock with one shepherd. [17] “The Father has an intense love for me because I freely give my own life—to raise it up again. [18] I surrender my own life, and no one has the power to take my life from me. I have the authority to lay it down and the power to take it back again. This is the destiny my Father has set before me.”
So please know God does not give up on you. Kneel before the throne room of Grace. Call out to God. Share your sorrows he hears you, and let Him bring peace.
Don’t give up, a powerful song by “The King will come”, inspired me today. Bask in the unconditional love of the Good Shepherd.
God is not done with you yet, as the lyrics expressed! God does not give up on you !!
Speak aloud:
Father God, thank you, Lord for being the good Shepherd, thank you for being the gate for your flock. Thank you, Lord for never leaving us. Thank you, Lord, for dying for us. Thank you, Lord, that you only await our surrender in faith to your plan for our lives. Thank you, Lord, that you wipe our tears. Thank you, Lord that you’re the comforter so that we can comfort other people as you heal our wounds. Thank you, Lord that your nail scarred hands reach out to us, your sheep. We ask now for your peace, and your presence. Help us to achieve the destiny that you have for us. In Jesus name amen!!
I had a God moment this morning, as I was reading from the Life Bible devotion app, this scripture and image just attracted my attention.
With our new year 2026, we get an opportunity to consider whose plan we want to follow. Will our steps be directed by our own thoughts, opinions, world, culture? Will our future be decided in the blink of an eye by impulsive decisions? Or will we let our Father God who created us orchestrate the steps?
In 2 Corinthians 1, Paul was traveling back-and-forth from Macedonia. He returned to the place of Corinthia. He reestablished a visit with the followers of Jesus there. Paul asked the Corinthians as he reflected on his own future plans. This is a letter to those people, and it’s a reminder also to us to answer yes and amen to the directions of God.
2 Corinthians 1:17-18,20-22 TPTWhen I revised my itinerary, was I vacillating? Or do I make my plans with unprincipled motives, ready to flip-flop with a “yes” and a “no” in the same breath? Of course not! [18] For as God is true to his word, my promise to you was not a fickle “yes” when I meant “no.”
2 Corinthians 1:19 TPT Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and he is the one whom Timothy, Silas, and I have preached to you—and he has never been both a “yes” and a “no.” He has always been and always will be for us a resounding “YES!”
[20] For all of God’s promises find their “yes” of fulfillment in him. And as his “yes” and our “amen” ascend to God, we bring him glory! [21] Now, it is God himself who has anointed us. And he is constantly strengthening both you and us in union with Christ. [22] He knows we are his since he has also stamped his seal of love over our hearts and has given us the Holy Spirit like an engagement ring is given to a bride—a down payment of the blessings to come!
We must choose God to direct our plans in life for His blessings to be our gift. 2026 He wants our surrender to His best.
So my question for myself as the new year begins and you is: are you ready to surrender your life for God‘s best? It may not be your first choice, but it will always be the best choice.
May the seal of love by the Holy Spirit bring a down payment of blessings to you.
Current culture would say that truth is whatever we want it to be. I saw a recent movie clip that showed Jack Nicholson raging at Tom Cruise with a statement.”you can’t handle the truth!!!” We can all relate to that statement, right?
In the world, your truth and my truth can be dependent on our opinion more than absolute truth. God’s truth never changes because God is the same yesterday, today and into the future.
God’s word is truth that stands a test at time. His truth is a foundation to stand on when the fog of false statements and cloudiness of the weather makes us feel lost.
Psalm 25:5 TPT Escort me into your truth; take me by the hand and teach me. For you are the God of my salvation; I have wrapped my heart into yours all day long!
In Strongs concordance, a Bible study resource, #371 ( emet), the Hebrew word for truth, is found in numerous scriptures. Paul said in Romans 3:2 ( MSG) Godkeeps his word even when the world is lying.
According to the New Spirit filled Bible, “the Hebrew word for truth (emet) is spelled with the first, middle and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Rabbis concluded truth upholds the first and last of all creation.” Isn’t that amazing?
We need the direction of our Creator God that never changes. He is like that steady, trusty compass when you’re on a hiking trail and you’re not sure to go to the left or the right. He is true North.
Being the God of truth, He sees all things so we can’t hide anything from Him. Our immaturity may want to have the last word. Trying to be the king of our own lives gets in the way of real truth, yet this amazing God of truth gives grace when we have humility, and surrender to Him.
Psalm 25:6-7 TPT
Forgive my failures as a young man, and overlook the sins of my immaturity. Give me grace, YAHWEH! Always look at me through your eyes of love—your forgiving eyes of mercy and compassion. When you think of me, see me as one you love and care for.
His goal for our lives, when we are disappointed with people or feel betrayed is to trim away those who don’t belong in our community. It may feel as if it’s punishment, but in the pain of loss, God can work on our hearts and minds to bring clarity and that amazing compass of direction for the next steps.
Sometimes God trims people out of our life! He is a loving Father, He has a better plan. Could it be that person would be a distraction to our relationship to God? Luke 15:1-11, we read: we need to be trimmed like a branch on a vine. But the trimming isn’t punishment it is so we can bear fruit. An example of bearing fruit would be stepping into our calling and purpose for being here.
Our Father God is a Master gardener. He wants us to bear fruit. He wants us to remain in Him. Listening for His truth. Taking steps to our destiny and loving His people through our God-given gifts.
John 15:1-11 NIrV “I am the true vine. My Father is the gardener. [2] He cuts off every branch joined to me that does not bear fruit. He trims every branch that does bear fruit. Then it will bear even more fruit. [3] You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. [4] Remain joined to me, just as I also remain joined to you. No branch can bear fruit by itself. It must remain joined to the vine. In the same way, you can’t bear fruit unless you remain joined to me. [5] “I am the vine. You are the branches. If you remain joined to me, and I to you, you will bear a lot of fruit. You can’t do anything without me. [6] If you don’t remain joined to me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and dries up. Branches like those are picked up. They are thrown into the fire and burned. [7] If you remain joined to me and my words remain in you, ask for anything you wish. And it will be done for you. [8] When you bear a lot of fruit, it brings glory to my Father. It shows that you are my disciples. [9] “Just as the Father has loved me, I have loved you. Now remain in my love. [10] If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love. In the same way, I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. [11] I have told you this so that you will have the same joy that I have. I also want your joy to be complete.
We never know why people filter in and out of our lives, but we must trust the truth of God. We must turn to Him for comfort. The more I am learning to ask , “ God is there something you’re trying to teach me here? Help me to trust you?”
The more I realize the detours or disappointments are likely protection, and the love of God than they are a punishment . There is purpose when we were being trimmed by God and we may not know the full picture. Nothing in this world will ever satisfy. No person can take the place in the God shaped hole of our hearts except Yahweh (Jesus)!
Psalm 25:8-12 TPT How good you are to me! When people turn to you, YAHWEH, they discover how easy you are to please—so faithful and true! Joyfully you teach them the proper path, even when they go astray. [9] Keep showing the humble your path, and lead them into the best decision. Bring revelation-light that trains them in the truth. [10] Loving are all the ways of YAHWEH, loving and faithful for those who keep his covenant. [11] For the honor of your name, YAHWEH, never count my many sins, and forgive them all—lift their burden off of my life! [12] Who are they that live in the holy fear of YAHWEH? You will show them the right path to take.
So the next time you question, why somebody’s been removed from your life, ask God for the answer. And be patient and develop into who God calls you to be. He really does love you unconditionally.
Yahweh, our amazing God is loving, faithful, and true always.
Grace is defined as kindness, a few synonyms of grace include majesty, elegance, blessing and favor.
A few days ago, our sweet tabby cat Nemo was playing with ornaments on our Christmas tree. I felt like it was Providence that he chose the shining silverornament he fixated on with the word, Grace. As Nemo was spinning it around I was thinking about the message of Christmas and the gift of Jesus.
Christmas, gives us an opportunity to realize the love of our Father God, and the grace and mercy that He showed by sending His Son, Jesus, to the earth as a baby to provide a bridge between His children; you and I.
From the beginning of time, God always wanted a relationship with his children, including Adam and Eve. Sadly, however, sin entered the garden with a bite of an apple from the forbidden tree of knowledge. The relationship between Father God and humans, His children, was forever changed.
Thankfully, God made a way to restore our relationship by sending His Son Jesus to earth.
His mother, Mary was a teenager, and Jesus’ adoptive father, a carpenter were given visitations by angels for a God given destiny to unfold. They both chose to obey God. The conception was supernatural something our human minds may not understand. God was the Father.
Luke 1:27-33,35,38 NIrV He was sent to a virgin. The girl was engaged to a man named Joseph. He came from the family line of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. [28] The angel greeted her and said, “The Lord has blessed you in a special way. He is with you.” [29] Mary was very upset because of his words. She wondered what kind of greeting this could be. [30] But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary. God is very pleased with you. [31] You will become pregnant and give birth to a son. You must call him Jesus. [32] He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God. The Lord God will make him a king like his father David of long ago. [33] The Son of the Most High God will rule forever over his people. They are from the family line of Jacob. That kingdom will never end.” [35] The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come to you. The power of the Most High God will cover you. So the holy one that is born will be called the Son of God. [38] “I serve the Lord,” Mary answered. “May it happen to me just as you said it would.” Then the angel left her.
Matthew 1:20-23 AMPC But as he was thinking this over, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary [as] your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of (from, out of) the Holy Spirit. [21] She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus [the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua, which means Savior], for He will save His people from their sins [that is, prevent them from failing and missing the true end and scope of life, which is God]. [22] All this took place that it might be fulfilled which the Lord had spoken through the prophet, [23] Behold, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel-which, when translated, means, God with us.
Jesus came in a manger, wrapped in swaddling cloth, and He walked this earth experiencing what it is to be both human and our Savior died for our sins on a cross at 33 years old. Jesus obeyed His Father in unconditional love.
Just as Jesus had a destiny so do each of His children. There is a purpose for your life, our life journey was conceived before we were born. We have to trust and obey the Lord has the best plan.
Step by step, moment to moment with our mind fixed on seeking Jesus and His plan, we will achieve our destiny when we allow Jesus to be the authority in our life.
Jesus made the loving decision to take upon Himself all of our sin, He was beaten and bruised for our sin. Pause for a minute and think about that pain and amazing gift for us.
What an unconditional love our Father God in heaven, had for us in sending His Son to the Earth. God has always wanted a relationship with His child. He gives us free will to choose Him.
Emmanuel is the Hebrew word for God with us! The life of Jesus started in a manger to bring hope for each day, a connection from heaven to earth and it’s the eternal circle of eternal life.
This Christmas breathe in the breath of God, it’s already in your lungs, so breathe deeply of the unconditional love of the Savior Jesus, and breathe in the grace, mercy, and hope for your destiny.
Prayer: We thank you, Lord for your Majesty and your favor over our lives. We thank you, Lord for coming as a baby in a manger to bring Hope to the world we thank you, Lord for choosing to obey your Father in heaven so we could be blessed. We thank you, Lord for what an amazing love You have shown to each of us in Jesus mighty name amen.
Grace, Peace and love to you and your families! Merry Christmas! Emmanuel He is with us!
Inspiring Light Through the Cracks 