Do you want healing?

Who designed the earth, heaven, and stars? Who created each of us? Who is the only One who can heal our hurts, care for our burdens and bring us hope? It is the Creator of Heaven and Earth, the Lord.

Do you want to be healed? This was a question to a man who was unable to walk due to paralysis.

In scripture, Jesus asked the man if he wanted to be healed? It is the same question for us. Do You want to be healed?

John 5: 1- 15

Afterward, Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. ²Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. ³Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches. ⁵One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. ⁶When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?”

⁷“I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.”

⁸Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!”

⁹Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath, ¹⁰so the Jewish leaders objected. They said to the man who was cured, “You can’t work on the Sabbath! The law doesn’t allow you to carry that sleeping mat!”

¹¹But he replied, “The man who healed me told me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’”

¹²“Who said such a thing as that?” they demanded.

¹³The man didn’t know, for Jesus had disappeared into the crowd. ¹⁴But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, “Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.” ¹⁵Then the man went and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had healed him.

There may be those around you that do not want you to heal of physical, emotional, psychological, or spiritual brokenness because when you do you will be a force to be reckoned with. We are stronger when our faith will be in Christ alone and not in our own strength.

Greater is the Lord in you than He who is in the world. Jesus will give you strength, peace, and healing. You must believe He is Lord and Savior, repent of sins in the past and take your healing. He is the triune God: Father, Son ( Jesus), and Holy Spirit. When you let Him into your life He will bring good, including hope and a future ( Jeremiah 29:11). Take your brokenness to Him!!

I really loved this song, The Healing, by Blanca and Dante Bowe. We are all broken, some cracks can be seen on the outside, and some inside hurts are not as visible. He can heal you. As you praise and dance to this worship song, step into your healing!!

Father God, You never change. You love Your children and You have plans to bless their lives. Lord, sometimes we feel alone and unworthy of healing due to our sins. Help us to turn to You before it’s too late. Help us to believe in Your unfailing love. We need healing from our brokenness. You are Jehovah Rapha, our Healer. Help whoever reaches out to You feel Your Presence. Draw them to Yourself. In the Name above all names, Jesus!

Mother’s Day hard?

Psalm 145:3-4 MSG
[3] GOD is magnificent; he can never be praised enough. There are no boundaries to his greatness. [4] Generation after generation stands in awe of your work; each one tells stories of your mighty acts.

As a women of infertility, I understand the challenges of observing Mother’s Day. I have learned that God’s family is formed in many ways. Before I became a mom of adoption, He allowed me to feed into the lives of thousands of kids to teens as a nurse and public speaker for injury prevention. He also, gave me places to mentor foster kids as a big sister. There are other places the Lord can use your love and care beyond a biological child. You can make a difference to generations.

You are loved by Jesus Photo by Picjumbo.com (Pexels.com)

Mother’s Day is a day of multiple emotions; joy, peace, love, grief, loss, and regret. As a mom blessed through adoption, I think of the sacrifice of our birth families along with my love for our children. I think of their loss and willingness to place ( not abandon) their children to my husband and my arms. I know they each ponder, as Mary did in the Bible regarding Jesus, the life of their biological child. Yet their love for their child, according to their own hearts expressed to me and my husband, even in grief and loss, lead them to choose their forever parents. I have a tender heart that grieves with them even in my blessing every year at Mother’s Day.

I extend greetings on Mother’s Day and I receive communication that affirms, a mom never forgets their child and they have communicated appreciation for our loving care. We are the family of extended adoption. We are blessed. It is not easy. It can be emotionally hard for all in the adoption triad (child, birth and adoptive parents). However, spiritually we all must lean on Jesus for closing the holes in our hearts that only He can fill. I share with our children the same message, no mom or dad can fill the space in our hearts meant for Jesus!

It takes trust in God above all (even though in our human emotion it seems impossible). It is hope for our children’s future holding the hand of Jesus for wisdom. It is unfailing love for our children who are created in the image of God.

Psalm 145:8-21 MSG
[8] GOD is all mercy and grace- not quick to anger, is rich in love. [9] GOD is good to one and all; everything he does is suffused with grace. [10-11] Creation and creatures applaud you, GOD; your holy people bless you. They talk about the glories of your rule, they exclaim over your splendor, [12] Letting the world know of your power for good, the lavish splendor of your kingdom. [13] Your kingdom is a kingdom eternal; you never get voted out of office. GOD always does what he says, and is gracious in everything he does. [14] GOD gives a hand to those down on their luck, gives a fresh start to those ready to quit. [15] All eyes are on you, expectant; you give them their meals on time. [16] Generous to a fault, you lavish your favor on all creatures. [17] Everything GOD does is right- the trademark on all his works is love. [18] GOD’s there, listening for all who pray, for all who pray and mean it. [19] He does what’s best for those who fear him- hears them call out, and saves them. [20] GOD sticks by all who love him, but it’s all over for those who don’t. [21] My mouth is filled with GOD’s praise. Let everything living bless him, bless his holy name from now to eternity!

I love this Message version of scripture, Psalm 145. No matter who you are, a single person, a single mom or dad, married, divorced, God sticks by all who love Him, those who fear Him in respect, seek Him, repent from sins and believe He is Lord. Call to Him and feel His love extend to all, moms or not!

Wind

The wind has been blowing at hurricane forces with red flag warnings covering my state for over a week. Wind escalades consuming fires; causes dust storms, and blows the tumbling weed you may have seen in Wild West movies. Those weeds can grow into the size of house doors. I have a friend who shared seeing an entire front of a house covered by them, with a senior citizen needing help.

I have been meditating on the wind, the Hebrew word for wind is Ruach. Strongs Concordance definition: Ruach means breath, wind, spirit with its’ phonetic spelling is (roo’-akh). Johnathan Cahn, a Messianic Jewish author shares his interpretation in his “Book of Mysteries”. The Holy Spirit, the breath of life along the wind are synonymous with the power of the Lord. Have you ever thought of this concept?

The Bible supports this premise, as I did research I found the wind described in Genesis through Revelations. It was an amazing read I will share some scriptures.

Genesis, the first book of the Bible, describes God’s action to blow across the earth and dry land after the flood.

Genesis 8:1    But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and livestock with him in the boat. He sent a wind to blow across the earth, and the floodwaters began to recede.

The Lord used the wind to bring a holy fear to enemies in war just by its sound in Leviticus, wind cleared locusts and brought quail to the hungry Israelites in Numbers 11.

2 Samuel 22 describes how the Lord heard the cries of David and David saw Him in the storm clouds. What a visual? I choose to believe the same is true today. We may have other noises or busy lists drowning out this revelation.

2 Samuel 22:11
Mounted on a mighty angelic being, he flew,
  soaring on the wings of the wind.

Elijah described being worn out and feeling alone as He continued to serve the Lord even though many peers thought he was crazy and stupid. In 1 Kings 19, we are reminded that despite the noise around us the Lord speaks in whispers. Are we spending time with our Lord? It is hard to hear His whispers when we aren’t listening for them. I am guilty as charged at times.

1 Kings 19: 11-12   11 “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire, there was the sound of a gentle whisper.

At one point, Job was rebuked by the Lord for his rantings. The Lord reminded Job where all things began, with Him. Job 38:24 Where is the path to the source of light? Where is the home of the east wind?

In Psalm 28, the Lord is increasingly frustrated as His children are not walking with Him, the Lord says in verse 26: He released the east wind in the heavens, and guided the south wind by his mighty power.

My time hearing the winds, seeing the trees sway, watching the tumbleweeds, not being able to walk a straight line outside, eating dust, and sneezing from the wind, made me consider the Lord made the wind and it holds the majesty of His power.

Matthew 8:26-27 is one of my favorite stories of Jesus calming the storm at sea while his buddies freaked out. Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” The winds were out of control and Jesus rebuked the winds. It was a defining moment because they were in awe that even the winds obeyed Jesus. Sadly, I can be like the disciples! But I don’t have to stay in that place.

Psalm 104 describes the majesty of the Lord and his creation of sky, heavens, clouds, and wind.

Psalm 104: 1- 4   
1 Let all that I am praise the Lord. O Lord my God, how great you are! You are robed 
with honor and majesty. 
2 You are dressed in a robe of light. You stretch out the starry curtain of the heavens; 
3  you lay out the rafters of your home in the rain clouds. You make the clouds your 
chariot; you ride upon the wings of the wind. 
4  The winds are your messengers; flames of fire are your servants.

Ah, another windy day, red flag warning in case of fires, the earth is so dry, just a spark of flame will light up the pastures. Isn’t that a metaphor for life, my friends?

Action steps: Meditate on these: Am I walking with the wind, in a sense my Holy Spirit, my Lord? Or am I walking against His instructions with worry, defiance, pride, grumbling, basically, in sin? If I choose the fleshy sin ways, I am dried up, worn out, depressed, anxious and lonely. If I walk with the Lord I allow Him to carry me or at the very least, I let my burdens be directed by His wisdom and the negative mindset to be blown away as I trust Him.

James 1: 5-7       5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

I want to be in control, do you? However, with each passing year, I am learning my need to control is not helpful. I can’t control the future and world events any more than I can control the wind. I am choosing loyalty and a walk with Him.

Walk with the wind not against it! Hold onto your hat, life will be more interesting and less parched.

Walking through Fires

What a time to be alive? So much going on in the lives of Christian friends and those who haven’t found Jesus yet. We can face anything with Jesus.

He tells us to trust Him. In my own human mind, it seems like weakness to need anyone, let alone Jesus, who I can’t see. Yet, faith comes without seeing, it is believing in Jesus even when we do not know the future. Current times make us feel fear yet Jesus calls us to faith in Him.

Faith comes when we choose to trust Jesus over fear. Thomas was the disciple who expressed doubt to Jesus; when Jesus appeared to his disciples after he died on the cross. Jesus reminded Thomas that he knew Jesus before and after His resurrection. Jesus understood Thomas’ doubt as natural for a human. Amazing, He understands our doubt too!!!

I do not know what fires are erupting in your life personally. Globally, we can see increased hopelessness and depravity along with more mental health issues. It breaks my heart to hear of the depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts at epidemic levels in young adults and teens.

John 20: 26-31 is a beautiful reminder of the heart of Jesus. Jesus understood the emotional, spiritual, and physical needs of his friends; the disciples. He didn’t judge, He loved them and spoke peace to them.

John 20: 26 - 31
26 Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas
was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them,
and said, “Peace to you.”
27 Then he focused his attention on Thomas. “Take your finger and examine my
hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don’t be unbelieving. Believe.”
28 Thomas said, “My Master! My God!”
29 Jesus said, “So, you believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes. Even
better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.”
30-31 Jesus provided far more God-revealing signs than are written down
in this book. These are written down so you will believe that Jesus is the
Messiah, the Son of God, and in the act of believing, have real and eternal
life in the way he personally revealed it.

Jordan St. Cyr, sings a meaningful song about ” Fires”, Jesus wants to walk us through fires and be renewed to His grace, mercy, and love. There is no other place to go, no idol, no addiction no other person can provide. This video reminds me that our instruction to our family, children, even our friends shares timeless wisdom to endure. He wants to walk with you.

Squirrel?

What comes to mind when you hear the word, “Squirrel”? Is it a cute, red-furred animal that frustrates your dog by taunting from a tree? Does the word, squirrel, bring up visions of Doug, the awkward, friendly dog from the Disney movie, “UP”?

Perhaps, it’s my recent trip to Disney World? I feel like Doug the distracted dog with multiple voices calling in my head. The voices say, “conflict in relationships, it’s your fault… you are unreasonable, just a judgemental Christian. is that true Lord? If so, I repent. Family is joy and trial but must I be quiet, keep the peace? My thoughts detour to wars waged across the world, sadness, and despair for the family of God in harm’s way. Frustrations for decisions by those you love may cause health issues or even death, do I speak up as a nurse?”

These are just a few thoughts swirling in my mind. Distractions of news, social media, and just plain life make me feel poked to limit time with God, or drop a quick prayer and walk along my way. Do my prayers matter or are they useless? However, prayers do matter.

James 5: 16
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

Prayer is a way to battle in the heavenly spaces. It matters when I take time to praise the Lord, putting the praise music loud in my home and singing along are action steps of faith even when I feel spent and weary. Can you relate?

Psalm 103 : 1- 5
1 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!

Squirrel!!! There it goes again, the voice in my head, I feel the distraction coming again. Hey, wait a minute, God created that amazing animal, he is shy, yet motivated, he is free to run, and climb trees and fences. He may taunt my pets but He brings joy as he chatters loudly.

God listens to me as I chatter, ah there now I feel better, the same God that made me has made the squirrel. He has a purpose as do I. Let me sing a new song to the Creator God, and let me spend time climbing (in my mind) onto the lap of my Father. Let me imagine the joy of time spent with Him as He renews my strength as a youth.

Breathing deep, I feel calmer and I hope you do too. Blessed when I seek more connection with the Lord. Peace is coming even if temporary.

So the next time you feel the call of the Squirrel, pause, and chatter with the Creator. Find the joy again even in the midst of a chaotic time.

Galatians 6:9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

Broken?

Are you hurting? Are you broken by the trials of life? I know who can change your life, transform your mind, and love you beyond all human understanding. He calls you by name. His name is Jesus.

Psalm 139:1 - 6
1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
    behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,
    and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    it is high; I cannot attain it.

Let your heart believe again or for the first time, He wants to pour out His Love. He is your Savior, He knew you before you were born. He sees the whole painting of your life, not just the broken pieces. He can be the gold thread that ties all things together. Trust Him, Believe He is who He says He is.

I am broken, we are all broken and need a Savior, Jesus. This song by Stars Go Dim is so amazing, “Yes He does”. He can turn all things for good. Let Him heal all the broken places.

Ephesians 2: 8 - 10  
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Yes, He loves you. Yes, He has plans. Yes, He wants to change the hard places into amazing purposes. He uses everything. Let Him!!

Happiest place on earth

I am in a drought. It may sound crazy but my family just returned from Disney World. Originally, two years ago before Covid, we were supposed to travel to Florida then Covid hit and everything was shut down.

We finally went as a family of four last week. My son watched our house and all of our animals. You would think that I would come back feeling refreshed but, instead, honestly, I felt depleted because it was such a world of materialism and really I missed my Jesus time.

Being still with Jesus is what refreshes me. I realize I’m probably more an introvert but can be an extrovert, especially on thrill rides. Filling up my internal reservoir actually comes from the Word of God and my time spent with my Savior Jesus.

Yes, I went on a bunch of rides and screamed with hysteria. Yes, I was one of many in the crowds, yet I am set apart as a daughter of the King. Yes, Disney World is touted as the happiest place on earth.

When I saw sweet families having a blast and sharing memories, it brought back past memories when our kids were young. I had a great time sharing rides and funny moments with our family of four, however, something was lacking.

I saw stressed-out parents, kids asking for more souvenirs, and mega meltdowns. I pondered if perhaps the parents were using their last dime to provide “a happy experience” for the kids and yet looked stressed because of the bills when they get back home.

I realize my eternal joy cannot be filled at Disney World. My peace and the feeling of the presence of the Holy Spirit cannot be completed at Disney World. But the peace and the love of God can be found when I spend time with my Jesus. And that’s what I missed. Oh yes, I did my devotions in the morning and I didn’t check it off the list. Even if it was two in the morning when I couldn’t sleep, I felt the peace of God.

I feel I was given a window into observing people and at times saw frustration and people cutting off people and an unsettledness in that particular place. I felt drawn to act the same way. It is supposed to be the happiest on earth, is it?

I’m not sure if I’m ranting‘s are making any sense. My point, the happiest place on earth is when we spend time with our Jesus who is not superficial but eternal. That’s where joy and a peace that passes all understanding are found.

Ephesians 3:19 NLT
[19] May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Psalm 34:8 NLT
[8] Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

Psalm 16:9-11 NLT
[9] No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. [10] For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. [11] You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.

No matter where you travel, seeking the peace of Jesus is just a step away. Seeking Jesus and focused time with His Word is the happiest place to be. As my teen texted, ” Mom, the happiest place is not a place or earth, it’s with God”, from the mouth of Babes.

How He Loves

No matter who we are, or what our life circumstances are, we need oxygen, we need food and drink but more than anything we need love. We need the love of others but more importantly, we need the love of our Savior Jesus.

We need to know that our God will always love us! we don’t need religion we need a relationship with Jesus. We are human and we will make mistakes. We can go to our Jesus and have our minds blown, our hearts filled with the One who loves us most.

We can call on Him, we need only accept His love, believe He is our Savior Jesus, seek His forgiveness for our stupidity and He is faithful to give grace and mercy, even when we feel we don’t deserve it.

Grace and mercy are used interchangeably. It is the unmerited divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration or sanctification. We are blessed when we turn from our sin and reach to Him. Reach to Him, He awaits your hand.

Enjoy this beautiful song, “How You Love Me” by Patrick Mayberry. I was so moved by its lyrics. What amazing love! Throw off the obstacles of the past instead accept his love and grace. It is worth the steps to His peace and, as times get shorter, steps to a new life.

John 3:16   “For this is how God loved the world: He gave[a] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

Love Like This

Do you know Jesus loves you? I mean really Loves you. He wants to know you in a relationship. Do you want to know a love like this? It is a step of faith with Him. It is a life-changing experience. He wants to know You!!

In John 4, there’s a story of a woman who had a hard life, had many lovers, Jesus met her at a well. She was seen as less than, yet Jesus loved her. Jesus wanted her to know He came to save her from her sins of the past and He would be water for her thirst. Unquenchable thirst refreshed by the amazing Jesus, the Water of Life.

John 4: 10 – 15

¹⁰Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”

¹¹“But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? ¹²And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?”

¹³Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. ¹⁴But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

¹⁵“Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.”

These are not just words, they are life-giving. It does not matter where you have been women or men. Jesus waits for you to call out to Him, He loves you!!!

Love Like this, a beautiful song by Lauren Daigle came onto my playlist yesterday. It has been a while since I heard this song, powerful lyrics bring hope and a reminder that the love of Jesus! He is the living water in a wasteland. Jesus is a warm morning sunrise after a dark, lonely night.

We may not feel we deserve a love like this but Jesus says we are His! Seek to know Him! Let the whisper of His voice fill your mind with hope. Enjoy basking in Him.

We cannot earn a love like Jesus gives, it is a free gift. Isn’t that amazing?

In the Bible, Chapter 14 of John tells us about a conversation between Jesus and doubting Thomas along with the disciples. I share this chapter to show you Jesus understands our human doubt. He loves us anyway!

John 14: 1 – 14 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. ²There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? ³When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. ⁴And you know the way to where I am going.”

⁵“No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

⁶Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. ⁷If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is.^[c] From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”

⁸Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”

⁹Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? ¹⁰Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. ¹¹Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.

¹²“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. ¹³You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. ¹⁴Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!

Jesus told his disciples after he briefly returned from death on the cross, He would send an advocate (the Holy Spirit) to guide them.

Matthew 14: 15 – 21 shares what Jesus said to his best friends, the disciples. We are not alone after we accept Jesus as our Savior, we also have an Advocate (the Holy Spirit) along with Jesus who intercedes for us before God the Father.

Jesus said ¹⁵“If you love me, obey my commandments. ¹⁶And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. ¹⁷He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. ¹⁸No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. ¹⁹Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. ²⁰When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. ²¹Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

The Living Water of Jesus is for everyone. We are all sinners who fall short of perfection. Yet Jesus died a sinner’s death on the cross. He rose from the dead and shared the news of the Holy Spirit with his disciples. who in turn shared the story in the Bible.

Did you know Bible Gateway ( BibleGateway.com ) has a website that you can access online for the Bible? I use the New Living translation or the Message versions because I feel they are easier to understand.

The Bible is the most read book of all time according to Business insider, and the best selling book of all time according to Guiness Book of World records. Consider a new year as an opportunity to access the Bible for yourselves.

We can start a new year with a new life in Jesus. We can accept this free gift of love. He gives us a beautiful love like this, reach for it today!

John 3:16-17 NLT
[16] “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. [17] God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

Footprints and Music

Our footprints are a metaphor for a step of faith, life, and grief as we journey. We are born for a purpose. As the new year comes, step into the footprints of a God who is merciful and kind. It will transform your life.

Grief and loss can bring our steps in line with our Creator.

Ephesians 2: 4-10    4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Ephesians 2: 8 – 10 tells us we are God’s workmanship, created to do amazing things.

We are called to share what we learn as we walk on this planet. Jesus believes in our impact as we walk the path He leads.

You may have lost someone this year: a sudden death, a prolonged illness, a trauma, whatever the cause. We have all lost at least one person we loved. We may have had grief as a result of lost dreams for ourselves or family. Grief is tough, every journey is different, but we can’t sit too long.

We have to be “The Commission”, as the band Cain shares in this song. We must tell others about the hope of eternity found in Jesus. Death, the goodbye is not the end.

May this song, “The Commission” and the coming 2022, be a journey of stepping into faith with Jesus or renewing your walk. You are a Masterpiece.

As you grieve, Jesus grieves with you. Did you know the shortest scripture, John 11:35, in the Bible is, Jesus wept? He grieved for a friend lost too soon. He came to this world to gain knowledge of being human. He knows all our emotions.

Your life story has a purpose and can help others. Go tell someone about Him.