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What about marriage?

1 Corinthians 6:20 (AMP) You were bought with a price [you were actually purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and made His own]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body.

Hot topic on the social media pages right now is the people that are ministering in churches coming out with a polygynous marriage. I am just going to stick to the Word of God on this one and stick to what God said about marriage. Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthian church because they had a lot of questions about marriage and sex. What they came out of was wickedness and some tried to bring the that type of living back in to their new lives in Christ. They were so concerned that they were willing to live abstinent lives in marriage and divorce their unsaved spouses to keep from sinning and being drawn back to the old pagan customs. Read the letter in context (1 Corinthians) and you will see what their hearts were.

Matthew 19:11-12 (MSG) But Jesus said, “Not everyone is mature enough to live a married life. It requires a certain aptitude and grace. Marriage isn’t for everyone. Some, from birth seemingly, never give marriage a thought. Others never get asked—or accepted. And some decide not to get married for kingdom reasons. But if you’re capable of growing into the largeness of marriage, do it.”

1 Corinthians 7:7, 32-35 I wish that all the people were as I am; but each person has his own gift from God, one of this kind and one of that. But I want you to be free from concern. The unmarried man is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; but the married man is concerned about worldly things, how he may please his wife, and his interests are divided. The unmarried woman or the virgin is concerned about the matters of the Lord, how to be holy and set apart both in body and in spirit; but a married woman is concerned about worldly things, how she may please her husband. Now I say this for your own benefit; not to restrict you, but to promote what is appropriate and secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.

Marriage should be making our lives bigger in a capacity to serve God greater. I have a wonderful marriage, and we consider each other before all people, but we do not consider each other before God. My husband does not complete me, only Christ can do that. When I was in my adolescent years, I wanted to fall in love and have a boyfriend. Boyfriends are not mature and will often leave you broken hearted. When I was fifteen, I prayed for a husband and promised God that we would serve Him for the rest of our lives. I met my husband on a blind date thirty-one years ago, at the age of fifteen. Did we serve God right away? Nope. We were not even living for God right then. I did not get saved until I was eighteen. Do you know what the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart to draw me in? The love that I sought from John (my husband to be) was not going to be what fulfilled me. I had to take him off that pedestal and allow God to be there. It took me years to grow in the deepness of that love. It took me years before I really understood it. The seed was planted many years ago, it is now rooted strongly in the love of Christ.

Revelations 2:2-5 (AMP) I know your deeds and your toil, and your patient endurance, and that you cannot tolerate those who are evil, and have tested and critically appraised those who call themselves apostles (special messengers, personally chosen representatives, of Christ), and [in fact] are not, and have found them to be liars and impostors; and [I know that] you [who believe] are enduring patiently and are bearing up for My name’s sake, and that you have not grown weary [of being faithful to the truth]. But I have this [charge] against you, that you have left your first love [you have lost the depth of love that you first had for Me]. So remember the heights from which you have fallen, and repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will] and do the works you did at first [when you first knew Me]; otherwise, I will visit you and remove your lampstand (the church, its impact) from its place—unless you repent.

This is the heart check moment that I have to keep within myself. We may point out the evil, and not tolerate it, but what sin have we committed against God? We are quick to judge yet will not submit the Word to judge ourselves in matters that can affect our ability to love like He commanded us to. Let us not forget our first love and who should be the center of our lives. Serving my spouse is a service to the Lord, when the Lord is put first, not my spouse. What we are called to steward was not meant to make the center of our lives. For example, marriages, finances, children, houses and jobs were not meant to be the center of our lives. They were meant to enlarge our capacity to serve God. If I cannot put God first place in my life with those things in my life, then I have made them an idol. When I influence my family to also put them first place above Him, then I have drawn them to idol worship. This is why marriage should not be looked at a way to fulfill ourselves, but to fulfill Him.

I believe marriage is between one man and one woman, joined together to glorify God (Matthew 19:4-5). Man and woman were created in the image of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:27). All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being (John 1:3). This is in reference to Jesus. Jesus is our bridegroom and we (as His church) are His bride. What we should be concerned about right now is being ready for His return. We should be concerned about the effect of the nonsense of the church has on the unsaved. That is what was on the hearts of the people in Corinth. We should be concerned that the world does not influence the church (Romans 12:2). Old customs are done away with, and we accept the new in Christ. Everything must point to Christ, not man.

Abba, Father, Lord of all, You are Marvelous and Wonderful. Your Name is Holy and Worthy of all Praise and Honor. Thank You for Your Son our Bridegroom. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit our Teacher. Our desire is to glorify You in all we say and do. We repent for thinking marriage was only for us, when marriage is about us worshiping You deeper. We want to be counted as faithful stewards to what You have entrusted us with. That includes our marriage, our children, our finances, our homes and even our jobs. We desire to glorify You with whatever we put our hands to. You said you would meet our every need when we put You first place in our lives. We are sorry for taking our eyes off of you and keeping our eyes on our needs. We repent for putting ourselves at the place of judge to the unbeliever, and for not holding up the mirror of the Word to ourselves as we should. Let us hold each other accountable to the standard of Your Word to bring those who have strayed back into the fellowship of Your Way. Let us do this with love and honor. We choose forgiveness today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Running to or from purpose…God still can

Micah 6:8 (AMP) He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion), and to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]?

I am not one who watches the news. I do have somewhat of idea of what is going on with the world, but I do not want to be consumed with it. There are those who have it on quite a bit of their day and to me they do not have that joy, peace and love that God tells us we can have an abundance of. What I have seen lately is the unrest and protests in France. The cause of it and the reason for it I cannot know for certain. I do see some showing it is a protest of students. Some show it is a takeover by immigrants. Whatever it is, we must pray for both sides. Those beautiful building I had hoped to see one day in person are in ruin, but the people there are more important.

God has a heart for people, whether they worship Him or not. There is only one way to the Father (our God) and that is through Jesus (John 14:6). We are to pray for all people. God has a heart for all people.

2 Timothy 2:1-4 (AMP) First of all, then, I urge that petitions (specific requests), prayers, intercessions (prayers for others) and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in [positions of] high authority, so that we may live a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This [kind of praying] is good and acceptable and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who wishes all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge and recognition of the [divine] truth.

What would a good Sunday school be like if no one told the story of Jonah and the whale? I love the Veggie Tales movie they put together about Jonah. The pirates that don’t do anything song is one of my favorites. Jonah is a minor prophet in the Old Testament. The book is only four chapters, so it is a pretty easy read. It starts off, “Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim [judgment] against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me.” But Jonah ran away to Tarshish to escape from the presence of the Lord [and his duty as His prophet].” (Jonah 1:1-3) Jonah ran away from the presence of the Lord. It was not just the message; it was who God is that Jonah ran away from.

Why Jonah? God knew Jonah would run. He knew Jonah’s heart and his contempt for the people of Nineveh. Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, showed nothing but hostility toward Judah and Israel. According to the book of Jonah, it had about 120,000 inhabitants (Jonah 4:11). It was a polytheistic nation, worshipping idols and many gods. Jonah’s flight was no surprise to God—He knew Jonah would end up in the belly of the fish. In fact, God was counting on it.

There is the importance of that fish. One, it was a place for Jonah to contemplate God. Jonah confessed his transgressions against God and vowed to do as God asked. “But [as for me], I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving; I shall pay that which I have vowed. Salvation is from the Lord!” So the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah up onto the dry land. (Jonah 2:9-10) Second, it reveals a type and shadow of Christ, Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three day and three nights. Jesus was in the grave for how long? Third, God knew who they would listen to and how. Jonah was spit out on the shores of Nineveh, who also worshipped a false god called Dagon. This was depicted as half fish and half man. Those shores were not empty, they saw a man coming out of a fish’s mouth. When the word of the Lord came, they listened and took it to heart.

Jonah 4:1-2 (AMP) But it greatly displeased Jonah and he became angry. He prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is this not what I said when I was still in my country? That is why I ran to Tarshish, because I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and great in lovingkindness, and [when sinners turn to You] You revoke the [sentence of] disaster [against them].

It was not according to the heart of Jonah; it was the heart of God that they repented. God is gracious, compassionate and great in lovingkindness. No one is too far gone for God. As long as they have breath in their lungs there is hope. Love always hopes. They can be so far from God that He sends a runner to fulfill His purpose.

Provers 22:6 (AMP) Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents], even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Luke 15:20 (AMP) So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

There is so much we can learn of the heart of our God if we would just get in His Word. People can run from His Presence, but He still calls out to them. The Holy Spirit draws us close. I raised two good boys. They have both ran from God. Both attend church. One I know is not living with God right now. He may live in our home, and we raised him up showing him a life of faith in Jesus. He is friends with the world right now. Do you know what we do? We love him. We do not reject him. We do not exclude him. We might not agree with everything he does or the people he chooses to be around, but we know that the Word has been planted. Running is not a departure. Love always hopes. Who knows what will happen and who he will bring back with him. Who knows the people he will be able to reach because of compassion and mercy. Yes, we serve a just God, but we are not at the judgement seat yet. Love always hopes and looks ahead.

Do not have a heart towards sinners (people) like Jonah. Jonah did not want to see them forgiven. His story ends on a cliff hanger. We know that Ninevah was overtaken by the Babylonians and was never to rise up again. They held off on destruction once, but it did not last because their hearts changed back to their old ways. That is the ways God does. He is a God of second chances. His lovingkindness lasts forever. Love always hopes.

Colossians 3:12-14 (AMP) So, as God’s own chosen people, who are holy [set apart, sanctified for His purpose] and well-beloved [by God Himself], put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience [which has the power to endure whatever injustice or unpleasantness comes, with good temper]; bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive. Beyond all these things put on and wrap yourselves in [unselfish] love, which is the perfect bond of unity [for everything is bound together in agreement when each one seeks the best for others].

These are the qualities I want to maintain, and if I pay attention to outside sources, I might be influenced in how I choose to dress. I want to have a heart of compassion, kindness, humility and gentleness. Patience is like a muscle that needs exercise (cultivating the fruit of the Spirit), and if I let Him, He will shape me to endure whatever comes my way with a positive attitude. Unselfish love does not seek my benefit; it lays it down even when I do not understand. Love prays for those that may not deserve it. It is not up to us who get for the forgiveness of God. Woe is me if I try to play the judge, and woe is me if I don’t want someone to have a second or third chance. Love always hopes.

Abba, Father, our Banner, You are Mighty and Wonderful. Holy is Your Name and Holy are Your Ways. Thank You for Your Son, our Restorer. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, our Counselor. Thank You for being the God of second chances. We repent for standing in the place of judge to decide who You should forgive or not. Our job it to pray, love, have compassion and forgive. Let us grasp a hold of what Your redeeming love really is. Thank You for never giving up on us when we ran. Thank You for having purpose in us even when we did not deserve it. Your ways are better than our ways. Forgive us for trying to explain things we have no way of understanding yet. We put our trust in You. May Your will be done, not ours. We pray for every parodical right now. We are not giving up on the promise. Thank You for growing patience in us as we maintain good attitudes in the waiting. We choose forgiveness today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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All to Jesus Now

Colossians 2:13-14 (AMP) When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh (worldliness, manner of life), God made you alive together with Christ, having [freely] forgiven us all our sins, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of legal demands [which were in force] against us and which were hostile to us. And this certificate He has set aside and completely removed by nailing it to the cross.

Did you know that when we keep track of those who wrong us, fail to match our level of compassion or love, or compare themselves to us, we’re essentially holding a debt against them? I am looking back over my memories, and it was this time fourteen years ago that my husband and I were preparing to take over as the pastors of our church. His parents had started our church in 1993, and we were going to step in January of 2013. We had no idea the amount of stress that was coming our way. It began on the first night when a couple approached us and said they would not be continuing, as they didn’t like the type of people they believed we would attract to the church.

Over the next few years, we would have more leave for different reasons. They either were submitted to his father and did not think we could take them to a new level in ministry, or they tried to use their money to persuade how things went. My husband and I worked at the time, so we did not need money from the church (still do not). What hurt us the most was when family left. We almost quit over that one. We actually had the words come out of our mouths and not a few moments later a great man of God (hundreds of miles away) called and said, “God said, don’t quit.”

It was not just people we had a reason to quit over; it was the money issues of the church as well. The overhead of the property was way too much for our congregation to handle. There is so much involved with the debt the church was in, that I cannot put it into writing. My husband and I took on a good portion of the debt. Even after the sale of the church property, there was nothing. It was by the goodness of other pastors that we have a place to worship today.

What about the debt we took on for the church? It took us ten years to pay it off. It was not our debt, should we demand it back? The answer is no. We talked about whether, once the church is in a better place, we should ask for it back someday. We could not do it. We could not use it against the church either. They owe us nothing. We serve with nothing expected in return. You may say that it depends on the amount of debt owed. Could you walk away from $100? Could you walk away from $5000? How about $100,000? We walked away from the last one. We decided to give it as free will offering. We did not say it was our tithe; it was above our tithe. It was the best decision we made. Prosperity is not about money; there is an abundance of joy and peace that money cannot buy.

Hebrews 12:2-3 (AMP) [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work]. Just consider and meditate on Him who endured from sinners such bitter hostility against Himself [consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

When I hear people say they are owed something or they deserve something I grieve, because they are collecting a debt. This is not about wages, this is about how they are in their homes. I think about the high price Christ paid for me, and it turns me away from my selfish ways. I was pretty selfish at one point in my life, even after I got saved. God allowed something to shake me, giving me the choice to either fall into bitterness or grow closer to Him. It was my choice. I chose Him. That was eight years ago. I look back at that time, and I am so very grateful for the shaking and for burning those bridges (my plow like Elisha), so that I cannot go back. I got to share about the trials and what it brought me to. The lives that I have been able to touch for Christ because of it. The change it brought in me.

Romans 4:4-8 (AMP) Now to a laborer, his wages are not credited as a favor or a gift, but as an obligation [something owed to him]. But to the one who does not work [that is, the one who does not try to earn his salvation by doing good], but believes and completely trusts in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God). And in this same way David speaks of the blessing on the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: “Blessed and happy and favored are those whose lawless acts have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered up and completely buried. “Blessed and happy and favored is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account nor charge against him.”

How can I hold a debt or demand anything from someone when my greatest debt has already been forgiven? Did we have questions and were upset when that debt came upon us? Yes, we are human and had human reactions. Who did we talk with our frustrations with? Each other and God. We kept it between us. We only share it afterward, because it’s a story of victory, not one of self-pity. Self-pity says there is a debt still owed. Why did we choose it this way? All to Jesus now. Jesus paid the ultimate debt; it is because of Jesus that we can live debt free. When we serve in our church and give to others, we expect nothing in return. We do not demand respect due our title in the church. We are who we are because of Christ and so very grateful for it. All to Jesus now. Nothing held back. My chains have fallen; I am free. What debts are you holding onto that you need to surrender to be free?

Abba Father, Creator, Lord of all, You are Marvelous and Wonderful. Your name is worthy of all honor and praise. There is none like You. Thank You for Your Son, our Redeemer. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, our Teacher. Thank You for setting the captives free. We have accepted Your free gift of salvation. We bring our anxious thoughts before You. Let peace guard our hearts and mind. We repent for taking stock of what we think we are owed. We are sorry for keeping debts where you told us to forgive. We accept the responsibility of taking our thoughts captive. We choose to believe the truth and reject the lies of Satan. We confess that when we kept debts, we were listening to the lies of the enemy of what we were owed. We commit to think on what is true, what is lovely, and what is right according to Your Word. We choose to commit a life focused on Jesus, all to Jesus now. We choose forgiveness today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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We are standing

Romans 5:2 (AMP) Through Him we also have access by faith into this [remarkable state of] grace in which we [firmly and safely and securely] stand. Let us rejoice in our hope and the confident assurance of [experiencing and enjoying] the glory of [our great] God [the manifestation of His excellence and power].

While in prayer the other day a song popped into my head. It still comes up randomly and is playing over and over again at this moment. It is just the chorus, but it caused me to ponder of the meaning of this song as I was praying.

We are standing on holy ground
For I know that there are angels all around
Let us praise Jesus now
For we are standing in His presence on holy ground

I do not want to start with the first line, I want to really stress that the presence of God is not earned, and you do not need a formula to get there. If you are in Christ, then where you are now standing in His presence. We as a church do not need to sing the right songs to enter His presence. Is your mind focused on Him? What is your heart aligned with? Our atonement has already been paid for with Christ. You may still believe that it is only the elect that can go into the presence of God. It is not reserved for your Pastor or even an earthly Priest.

Hebrews 4:15-16 (AMP)  For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin. Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].

What did come to thought when I remembered the lyrics about standing in His presence? I thought of Moses and even though they were to be given the promised land, Moses desired His presence to go with them.  And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest,” Exodus 33:14 (MEV). Rest is found in His Presence. Rest is a place of peace. When they entered the promised land, they were physically going to have to work and fight, but they would be at rest. When I step out of who I am in Christ, that is when unrest happens. Worry, anxiety, disappointments and even a feeling of defeat can come over me.

Psalms 16:11 (AMP) You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.

Another benefit of His presence is joy. Not just a little bit of joy, but fullness of joy. Jesus even states in John 15:11 that the abiding and instructions of obedience was for, “I have told you these things so that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy may be made full and complete and overflowing.” An overflowing amount of joy. Does that seem too good to be true? What are you abiding in? What has your mind been focused on lately? Are you still holding on to the worries you said you had given over to Him?

We are standing on holy ground. This is not a literal ground we are standing on. This is the position we have in Christ. Moses was told to remove his sandals in Exodus because of the holy ground. This is not that. Are you good ground? Jesus referred to soil, seeds and roots. What makes it holy? When we consecrate ourselves to the Lord. When we surrender ourselves to His will and His purpose. I am good ground not because of me, but because of Christ in me. In the Old Testament the word used in Hebrew was qadash (קָדַשׁ). Garments, utensils and furniture were qadash-ed for use in the temple. It was because of Christ that we now have a different look at sanctification.

Romans 12:1 (AMP) Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.

In Hebrew, qōdesh (קֹדֶשׁ) means “holiness,” it is only after we consecrate ourselves that we can live in holiness. This is not an outward appearance. Why would He call us to abide in Him? For this very reason. He calls us His royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9).

1 Peter 1: 15-16 (AMP) But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your conduct [be set apart from the world by your godly character and moral courage]; because it is written, “You shall be holy (set apart), for I am holy.”

Character is developed; it does not require us to change anything on the outside until we all the Holy Spirit to work on our inward nature. Too often we get excited of the new life in Christ that we want them to look the part. We want them to act the part. We do not point them to the one who transforms our thinking. We do not encourage them in the identity of Christ. Character is developed from the abiding. Roots cannot grow without the abiding. They will not know the deep love of Christ without the abiding. Looking holy is not being consecrated and does not lead to true holiness. We are holy ground because we have consecrated ourselves to the Lord.

Finally, I want to look at what it means to stand. Standing does not lack movement. Our knees are not locked. Our hearts are. Our minds are. We are focused on Jesus. Jesus said to go. We are to be open to the opportunities given to spread the gospel. We are standing prepared because we are standing in His presence. Angels all around is like with Elisha talking with his servant and prayed for God to open his eyes (2 Kings 6:17). We are never alone. The kingdom of God is not wishful thinking of heaven one day. When we pray “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as in Heaven,” what do that mean to you? Are they religious words or our they what you truly believe? I truly believe that eternity started the moment I received my salvation. I truly believe that I am a tree of righteousness, rooted and grounded in the love of Christ. It took me a long time to realize all of it. I do not want others to have to take the long way that I did. I want to point them to the abiding. I want to tell them that consecration is not hard or complicated. I want to tell them about a choice of surrender leads to a different way of thinking. I want to let them know true character development happens when the Holy Spirit leads. I want them to really know what it means that we are standing in His presence on holy ground.

Abba, Father, Creator and Lord, You are Mighty and Glorious, worthy of all honor and praise. You are Holy. Thank You for Your Son, our Redeemer. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, Your manifested presence here on earth. Help us to keep from over complicating what it means to be consecrated. We repent for not allowing the abiding place to be where relationship happens. It is only here that the ability to walk in real consecration and holiness happens. We want to walk in victory over sin, but we cannot do it apart from You. Today we choose to humbly draw near. We desire to qadash ourselves to You. We desire the power of purity that flows freely from Your presence, it is our heart connection to You. The nature of Christ within is imparted when we keep in step with Your Presence. We declare with our whole hearts that we are standing in Your presence on holy ground. We choose surrender today. We choose joy today. We choose hope today. We choose forgiveness today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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What happens when we leave out bread?

Luke 11:3 (AMP) Give us each day our daily bread.

Today bread is one of the foods we like to take out of our diet to lose weight. There are those with gluten or wheat allergies and have to abstain or their bodies will not feel good. In ancient Israel bread was a essential at every table, as it was what provided the calories for daily life. Bread played a central role in Jewish life, symbolizing nourishment, divine care, togetherness, and spiritual meaning, making it both an everyday staple and a sacred tradition. It was considered a gift from God and a divine blessing.

Deuteronomy 8:3 (AMP) He humbled you and allowed you to be hungry and fed you with manna, [a substance] which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, so that He might make you understand [by personal experience] that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.

Which bread is Jesus referring to in the Lord’s prayer? Was it literal bread or was it figurative bread? How about both. God does care about our physical needs. We cannot be so spiritually minded that we are no earthly good. God does not just care about spiritual matters. He cares about your entire self. Here is the thing, we get so caught up in tomorrow that we cannot focus on today. In Exodus 16, manna was provided with instructions.

Exodus 16:16 (AMP)  This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Let every man gather as much of it as he needs. Take an omer for each person, according to the number of people each of you has in his tent.’”

This was to be done daily, and only the day before the Sabbath were they allowed to collect for two days. What would happen when they did not follow and tried to do it their way? The bread would start to smell sour and have worms in it. God desired for them to come before Him daily. They were still in the habit of seeking Him when they needed something. He does care about our needs. Here are some scriptures that I want you to ponder:

John 3:35 (AMP) Jesus replied to them, “I am the Bread of Life. The one who comes to Me will never be hungry, and the one who believes in Me [as Savior] will never be thirsty [for that one will be sustained spiritually].

John 6:48-51 (AMP) I am the Bread of Life [the Living Bread which gives and sustains life]. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the Bread that comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the Living Bread that came down out of heaven. If anyone eats of this Bread [believes in Me, accepts Me as Savior], he will live forever. And the Bread that I will give for the life of the world is My flesh (body).”

Jeremiah 29:13 (AMP) Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Psalms 27:8 (AMP) When You said, “Seek My face [in prayer, require My presence as your greatest need],” my heart said to You, “Your face, O Lord, I will seek [on the authority of Your word].”

Psalms 105:4 (AMP) Seek and deeply long for the Lord and His strength [His power, His might]; Seek and deeply long for His face and His presence continually.

Matthew 6:33 (AMP) But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.

What happens when our bodies go without food for a long time? I am not talking about a spiritual fast from food. I am talking about a time when you just do not feel like eating. I recently took a trip to Disney World with my husband. I skipped breakfast because I planned to ride a roller coaster first thing, and it usually gives me motion sickness. I am not usually hungry until lunch anyways, so no big deal. Huge mistake! We had water, but I forgot the electrolyte packets, which is a benefit in July heat. It was the hottest day with a heat index of 102 degrees. I had a fan and some snacks for when we got hungry, like granola bars and cheese crackers. The ride was down when we got there and did not come back up until around noon. I felt the hunger pangs but ignored it to try to make it until we could get on (another mistake).

I got the notification that the ride was back up, but we were in line to take a picture with a character. That is one of my joy’s about visiting Disney is all the character meet and greets. I know I am a grown woman; I still like to be a kid sometimes. What was this ride? Rockin Roller Coaster and had just been redone with the Muppets band, Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem. We have watched all the Muppet movies and grew up watching The Muppet Show. I know, we are just big kids! We get in line and it is a ninety-minute wait, which ended up being two hours. We chose to wait it out because this ride has had multiple closures, as I had been following, and this was probably our only chance. Most of the cue for the line is outside, there are fans and shade umbrellas, but it was hot. I was doing pretty good until I was not. Here I am in a crowd of people, and I start to get dizzy. Then the nausea and sweat. What just happened? No electrolytes and no food. I had become weak and needed to sit down. I had a granola bar, could that help? Nope. I needed something with lots of sugar and fast. I called out looking for hard candy. Some sweet people helped me find some and even helped me up when the line started moving. Within minutes, with a cold towel around my neck and some candy, I was back on my feet. I let John (my husband) continue on the ride without me. I did not need the concussion from takeoff to be added to our adventure. We went back to our room and rested a few hours, then went back to the park to finish out our day.

What has this got to do with daily bread? It reminded me that trials and tribulations are going to come in our lives (heart waves). Do we have the sustenance from our daily bread to withstand them. If I had eaten that granola bar in the morning, like I did the next park day, I probably would not have had that sugar crash in line with the heat wave. The bread was not needed after the heat; it was needed before to prepare my body. We often look at our times with God as something we can fit in later. I can read my Bible another time. Then when we have times of trials, we become exhausted and want to fall down in defeat. If we are feeling the exhaustion more than we are feeling the abundance of joy, then we need to look at what we are not feeding on. Read John 15. It is true that Jesus never leaves us nor forsakes us, that does not mean we do not seek His face. I learned a very humbling lesson that day. It did not keep me from enjoying our week though.

Abba, Father, our Banner, You are Marvelous and Wonderful. You are Holy and worthy of all honor and praise. Thank You for Your Son Jesus and His steadfast love. Thank You for the Holy Spirit, our Friend and Teacher. Thank You for Your Word. We repent for not going before You and reading Your Word as if it was the best meal that You ever offered us. We are sorry for taking it for granted as if it does not nourish us more than the lusts of this world, with what we see, taste and smell. Let us come back to You with humble hearts, seeking Your face. You desire to fill us with everything You have and we so often look at Your hands and not Your face. We repent for looking at our circumstances and people as meeting our needs, when we should be seeking after Your righteousness first. You call us the trees of righteousness, on that tree is good fruit. Let us have good fruit, starting with the fullness of Your love, joy and peace. Let us no longer ignore the hunger pangs and turn back to Your face. We choose forgiveness today. We choose love today. We choose surrender today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Look for the God moments

Philippians 4:13 (AMP) I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]

There are a few verses that we see people in general overuse and use in a selfish context. Philippians 4:13, Jeremiah 29:11 and Romans 8:1 to name my top three over used and abused verses. Why do we do this? Have you ever asked yourself if you are looking for what God is doing or are you demanding He be where you are? There is a difference and it has to do with how we see God.

The Bible talks about a dangerous spiritual place of indifference that His body can lay hold in. We call it lukewarm, it can also be called apathy. It is when we have an “I do not care” attitude towards our relationship with God. Especially when it comes to our spiritual growth. Where does this come from? It is because we are consumed with self. Most of the times I see these verses abused is because they are used in the context of self. Do not get me wrong, the Word is for encouragement, but it is also for correction. Most importantly the Word is revealing who God is and who we are to imitate.

Ephesians 5:1-2 (AMP) Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]; and walk continually in love [that is, value one another—practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others], just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God [slain for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.

This is my prayer: God I want to be where I am supposed to be, doing what I am supposed to be doing with the people You have placed with me to do Your will.

Apathy or lukewarmness will cause us to become numb to the love and devotion that God instructs us to have. Love God. Love People. It is a numbness to our emotions and our fervor. How do we overcome? When were your thoughts last on surrender? When was the last time you submitted your heart to a searching and repentance? We are to die to ourselves daily (Matthew 16:24, 1 Corinthians 15:31, Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:6, Colossians 3:5). When you die to self you will not be able to use these verses out of selfish motives.

Isaiah 30:21 (AMP) Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left.

Let our hearts remain moldable by His Word. Out of our passionate love for Christ should flow humility, repentance, faith, obedience and thanksgiving. Fight apathy. Ask God to for you to join in what He is doing. Look for the God moments. Listen for opportunities to share about His mercy, His grace and His love. Let your sufficiency be in Christ.

Matthew 6:33 (AMP) But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.

Abba Father, our Lord, our Creator, You are Marvelous and Wonderful. You are Holy, Merciful and Just. Let us stand in awe of You. Thank You for Your Son. Thank You that You sent Your Son out of Love for Your creation. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, our Teacher and our Comforter. Thank You that You still speak today. Give us ears to hear, hearts to trust and hands to act. We surrender the temptation to carry out our own plans. Help us listen for Your voice. We repent for being self-centered and misusing Your Word. You know us better than we know ourselves. Search within us Lord for any unclean motives. You know the adjustments we should make in order to do Your will and Your way. Holy Spirit, work in our lives. Create in us the image of Christ so that our character is made in Him. We want to obey Your voice and obey Your will. We choose to surrender today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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What to do with this abundance

Galatians 5:13 (AMP) For you, my brothers, were called to freedom; only do not let your freedom become an opportunity for the sinful nature (worldliness, selfishness), but through love serve and seek the best for one another.

Out of the abundance of love, it is that we serve. Some have already tuned out just because I have used the word “serve.” This only can be done through the abundance of love that we receive. Why? It is hard to give what you are already lacking in. Did I just call it what it is? Yes, I did.

Romans 12:9-13 (AMP) Love is to be sincere and active [the real thing—without guile and hypocrisy]. Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good. Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], give preference to one another in honor; never lagging behind in diligence; aglow in the Spirit, enthusiastically serving the Lord; constantly rejoicing in hope [because of our confidence in Christ], steadfast and patient in distress, devoted to prayer [continually seeking wisdom, guidance, and strength], contributing to the needs of God’s people, pursuing [the practice of] hospitality.

The Modern English Version starts off with verse thirteen as, “Let love be without hypocrisy.” Who are we called to serve? This right here says I am to serve the Lord. How can I do that if I omit His people? Does it say it is permitted to only serve your family? This right here says that in the body of Christ we are all members of one family. Can we pose the same question that Jesus was asked when they inquired about who is their neighbor? Who is my family?

Ephesians 2:19-22 (AMP)  So then you are no longer strangers and aliens [outsiders without rights of citizenship], but you are fellow citizens with the saints (God’s people), and are [members] of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the [chief] Cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together, and it continues [to increase] growing into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, set apart, and sacred to the presence of the Lord]. In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Here is what I tell our church, and I personally watch out for, if it is of the flesh (me trying to live) then I am going to have to keep defending it. A defensive person is usually refusing to let go of something that God does not think is beneficial any longer. That is not living in the abundance of His love.

John 12:25-26 (AMP) The one who loves his life [eventually] loses it [through death], but the one who hates his life in this world [and is concerned with pleasing God] will keep it for life eternal. If anyone serves Me, he must [continue to faithfully] follow Me [without hesitation, holding steadfastly to Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]; and wherever I am [in heaven’s glory], there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.

Jesus was not too popular when He talked about loving your neighbor, forgiving seventy times seven in a day, serving, taking up their cross, etc. Really any instruction that was not their idea or their ability to live any old way was not popular. Serving when you want something in return is not going to be fulfilling. Serving yourself is not fulfilling, that includes saying that you only serve your family (that is self-serving). Serving only when you feel like it will not be fulfilling. It is out of the abundance of His love that we serve and that is the only way it will be fulfilling. Serving is how we tell the world what love looks like.

Mark 10:45 (AMP) For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.

What about the age-old excuse, ‘my gifting is not serving’? Yes, there are those that have a gift of serving. There are those that have a gift of giving. There are those that have the gift of teaching. However, every one of us should be doing some element of each of these in our lives. Just like it is not the job of the fivefold evangelist to be the only person that ministers the gospel. This is why I am willing to be outside of myself and do for others.

John 15:9-15 (AMP) I have loved you just as the Father has loved Me; remain in My love [and do not doubt My love for you]. If you keep My commandments and obey My teaching, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. I have told you these things so that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy may be made full and complete and overflowing. “This is My commandment, that you love and unselfishly seek the best for one another, just as I have loved you. No one has greater love [nor stronger commitment] than to lay down his own life for his friends. You are my friends if you keep on doing what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you [My] friends, because I have revealed to you everything that I have heard from My Father. 

There are three different roles God gives us in this new life in Christ. We are adopted in as family, sons and daughters. We are also bond servants, as Paul calls himself over and over again. We are also friends. We all start off as sons and daughters. With deeper revelation of His love, we become servants and willing call ourselves bond servants (willing to do serve in any capacity). This does not diminish our place as sons and daughters, yet it elevates it. Lastly, we become friends. Not in the familiarity way that we do with people today. This is a holy role, and it is out of an abundance of reverence that we get to be called friends.

There was recently a well-known mega pastor that is now serving time in jail for what he had done to some teenage girls years ago in his home. Can God forgive? I believe so, with a truly repented heart. Here is where many in the church have an issue, they do not want him to be restored. If his reason for going through the steps is just to get to the restoration of a pulpit ministry, then I would question his heart motive. To me, he would be of greater testimony of forgiveness is if he would go back in the church and pick up a mop. A leader who will not serve, does not need to be a leader. That is why we watch before promoting. If serving is beneath you, then leadership is beyond you. If you are not wanting to serve, but willing to take a leadership role, then you have missed what God called a servant.

What about Acts chapter six? What about the disciples having men chosen to distribute the food so they could devote themselves to prayer and ministry of the word? Do you think they never gave to the needy after then? Do you think they never served in other capacities? Feeding the widows and orphans was not beneath them, they needed help to fulfill what other areas they served. I do not believe their hearts were not to meet the needs of others when they had the capacity. This would be contradictory to what Jesus lived and taught. They had become out of balance. Serving without abiding leads to burnout. Abiding without serving leads to stagnation. I want to be counted as faithful, even until the last breath that I take. Prayer, reading the Word, spending time in His house and serving one another in brotherly love is part of living in the abundance of His love.

Abba, Father, our Banner, You are worthy of all honor and praise. You are Holy and Marvelous. Thank You for sending Your Son to restore our relationship with You. Through Him we are born again and made new. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, our Teacher and Friend, and for Your Word. We repent for seeking gifts to build ourselves up and for only participating in the body when it serves our own desires. We are sons and daughters, also Your bondservants to the Gospel. We long to know You more and to be called friend. You reveal Yourself to us in ways beyond our imagination. We are grateful for spiritual gifts, but above all, we thank You for Your love. May we desire Your love above all else. Let us be trees of righteousness. You set the captives free so that we seek fulfillment only in You. We choose surrender today. We choose love today. We choose joy today. We choose forgiveness today. We choose hope today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Love Shows Through Unity

John 17:23 (AMP)  I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected and completed into one, so that the world may know [without any doubt] that You sent Me, and [that You] have loved them, just as You have loved Me.

How does the world know what real love is? Jesus tells us right here. Division in the church is not a sign to the world of what real love is. Social media, the news, even in our thoughts we are consumed with what divides us. Do you think the Father is pleased?

Galatians 5:14-15 (AMP) For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is fulfilled in one precept, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, you shall have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit].” But if you bite and devour one another [in bickering and strife], watch out that you [along with your entire fellowship] are not consumed by one another.

Unity is a sign of His love flowing through His body (the church). Where there is strife, discord and resentment love cannot do its work in us. The early church was so mighty because of their love for each other, their reverence for God and their unity.

Acts 2:1 (NKJV) When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

It is not enough to be in the same physical place; it is about our thoughts as well. I remember when our pastors decided to move our church from a small rural county road to a place within a larger city. The cost of the property and the amount of the property was quite large. Some men came against them and said that we did not need to purchase it and left. Some men left years later saying, we should never have moved there (after we could not afford it any longer). Were they right? Let’s look at an example in the Bible for the answer.

Before the day of Pentecost, Peter had come before the people saying they needed to pick a new apostle to replace Judas. What does he do? He says to pick out all of the men that had been with them since the beginning and they will cast lots. You can find this account in Acts 1. Two men were identified and Matthias gets chosen via casting a lot to be the new apostle. That’s the last we heard about that and him. Was that God’s chosen way of doing things? No. What happened though? They were unified, and after the Holy Spirit was received and because of their unification thousands were added to the church. What would have happened if there were some in the group who spoke up against casting lots? Unity was their expression of love. Eventually, we see that God picked Paul to be the next apostle.

Why are churches so divided over methods? The enemy likes an ineffective church. We become stagnant in our love for each other, seeking the best for each other, because we are too consumed with our methods being the best way. We say things like, “why are they having church at that time?” Or “I do not like the way they do things.” The only time we should speak up about something is if sin is permitted. Methods are not what should divide us. What happens if I do not agree with why we are doing something? I say get to know the heart of those leading (especially your pastor) and trust that they are hearing God. Another thing do not compare your church’s methods with the another’s. Do you want your church to make an impact? Unity draws blessings.

2 Corinthians 13:11 (AMP) Finally, believers, rejoice! Be made complete [be what you should be], be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace [enjoy the spiritual well-being experienced by believers who walk closely with God]; and the God of love and peace [the source of lovingkindness] will be with you.

Philippians 1:27 (AMP) Only [be sure to] lead your lives in a manner [that will be] worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I do come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit [and one purpose], with one mind striving side by side [as if in combat] for the faith of the gospel.

We are to be unified under the authority of the Word of God. Is it more important to be right than to be united? What could our church had done if those who were called to be with us did not leave just because they did not understand. What would have it cost the early church to be in disunity of the decision of Peter to cast lots? What would have happened if they demanded they use a different method? What if they would have done like Christ and fasted and prayed under their request? That method would have been correct; however, it would have come with a cost. It would have come with the cost of disunity; the outpouring of what God could do through the early church would have been minimal.

Look all through the books of Acts and it talks about decisions being made, the excitement and the unity, then the exponential growth. It takes a deep love to allow this to happen. Everyone would take ownership of the methods and there would not be an undertow of discontent.

I want to see lives impacted for eternity rather me having to be right all the time. I do not want my discontent to be a reason that we are not effective. I had asked God a couple of years ago how Connect Church can walk and live in a manner worthing of His calling. This is the verse that He gave me and I have been standing on it ever since.

Ephesians 4:1-3 (AMP) So I, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to you to live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called [that is, to live a life that exhibits godly character, moral courage, personal integrity, and mature behavior—a life that expresses gratitude to God for your salvation], with all humility [forsaking self-righteousness], and gentleness [maintaining self-control], with patience, bearing with one another in [unselfish] love. Make every effort to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace [each individual working together to make the whole successful]. 

If there is no unity there is no love abounding. God is love. He desires a unified church.

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The pride of life

Proverbs 11:2 (AMP) When pride comes [boiling up with an arrogant attitude of self-importance], then come dishonor and shame, but with the humble [the teachable who have been chiseled by trial and who have learned to walk humbly with God] there is wisdom and soundness of mind.

Social media is crazy these days. I have to watch what I read and what I allow to influence my opinions of others. I have to do the same when listening to other preachers. There is something that I noticed that is really popular with click bait, “we have been taught wrong.” There are some things we have had to unlearn, but most of it was grounded in self. Listen, I am all for reading the Bible for ourselves, but I also teach that we should not be reading it for our right to live. As I was in prayer yesterday, the words “pride of life” came up and that is what we have to watch out for as ministers of the gospel. As I have written earlier, pride is so very easy to slide back into. Pride is all about self, self-worth, self-gain, self-acceptance, etc.

I was led to read Mark 7. Jesus is confronted by the Pharisees because they witnessed his disciples did not ceremonially wash their hands before eating. He corrects them with a parable. What got my attention was, about hearing. Remember is Revelations 2 and 3 it was stated “those that have ears to hear let them hear”, this was repeated to all seven of the churches. I wrote about it in my blog titled Echo. This is what I asked myself on reflection of it:

Am I a hearer? Am I putting His Word forefront in my mind? Am I doing (taking action) according to His Word? Am I faithful to His Word? Those were the questions I asked myself. My husband has this checklist for us when we want to make sure we are successful: Am I where God called me to be? Am I doing what God called me to do? Am I doing it with the people God called me to be with? A heart for the ministry of reconciliation is going to answer yes to all three.

Mark 7:14-23 (MEV) When He had called all the people to Him, He said, “Listen to Me, every one of you, and understand: There is nothing from outside a man that by entering him can defile him. But the things which come out of the man are what defile him. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” When He had left the people and entered the house, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. He said to them, “Are you so without understanding also? Do you not know that anything from the outside that enters a man cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart, but into his stomach, and goes out into the sewer, thus purifying all foods?” And He said, “What comes out of a man is what defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adultery, fornication, murder, theft, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride and foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”

The battle of pride is one we fight within ourselves, but not alone. First let us identify what the pride of life really is. The pride of life is leaning on anything other than God, including yourself. It can be about the revelation you received and no one else. It is any thought of superiority to others. We can get so haughty as believers and take the set apart scriptures as self-building and self-protection. The pride of life has to do with an over emphasis of oneself. There is a temptation for gratification, and we seek it out in areas that would not be unhealthy but when turned inward become that way.

How do we combat this pride of life? Ask yourself who am I trying to protect? Ask yourself if this is true or is it my imaginations getting away with me? Ask yourself, who do I care more about? Most importantly, will Christ be glorified in this?

Philippians 2: 4-8 (AMP) Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility], who, although He existed in the form and unchanging essence of God [as One with Him, possessing the fullness of all the divine attributes—the entire nature of deity], did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped or asserted [as if He did not already possess it, or was afraid of losing it]; but emptied Himself [without renouncing or diminishing His deity, but only temporarily giving up the outward expression of divine equality and His rightful dignity] by assuming the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men [He became completely human but was without sin, being fully God and fully man]. After He was found in [terms of His] outward appearance as a man [for a divinely-appointed time], He humbled Himself [still further] by becoming obedient [to the Father] to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Can you think of anyone you can bless outside of your home? Hebrews 10: 24-25 (AMP) says, “and let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds, not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching.” What I love about our prayer team is that they have not only sought to pray for our community, but they also go out and seek ways to bless the community. In 2025 they passed out 750 care packages to teachers and workers within our city schools. Our church has about five faithful people (myself included) who come together and pray on Tuesdays. I can see their growth spiritually and it is encouraging.

Like I said, pride is easy for all of us to fall into. It takes dying daily to ourselves and becoming bondservant to Christ (total submission). Didn’t Christ pay the price for all of this? Yes, He did. The battle has already been won; we just have to surrender to the true King. We are all in different modes of our spiritual growth. I encourage you to mature and seek healing that only Christ can bring. If you notice a cycle of battles, know that it is not from God. However, we can grow stronger in Him through it. Let us continue to seek the best for others and be teachable. Repentance is not a bad word.

Lord, Your Word says You set Yourself against the proud and give favor to the humble (James 4:6). I know we fail sometimes. In fact, we are at times so full of pride that we do not bring You any glory. So I pray for humility for myself and my family. I submit this to You, because I know it is what I want in my life. Lord, You said that pride breeds quarrels (Proverbs 13:10). Make us humble people who receive advice and find wisdom. Take away any pride and give us humble hearts that are obedient to You. Seach our hearts and make a change within us. You said blessed are those who are meek and humble of heart (Matthew 5:5). That is who we desire to be. We desire for Your glory to be seen through us. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Word for the Year: Joy

John 15:9-11 (AMP)  I have loved you just as the Father has loved Me; remain in My love [and do not doubt My love for you]. If you keep My commandments and obey My teaching, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. I have told you these things so that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy may be made full and complete and overflowing.

I tend to be joyful person. I have been through some trials in life, and I have been known to complain when it did happen thinking that I had a sympathetic ear. I have learned to not because some people used it against me. If you do not know this about me, my husband and I took over as the pastors of our church about thirteen years ago. Before that we served as associate and assistant pastors at the same church for nearly thirteen years. This has apparently given license for people to correct me from those that I submit to and those that I serve. I have had comments from “I love to see you serve me,” to “you are going to hell.” Then there are those that weaponize my words or actions, just to see me get corrected yet again. I have been hurt by people like you would not believe, but yet I am still here.

So, when God gave me the word “joy” for 2026 my first thought was “what is going to happen now?” The first book in the Bible I read for this year was Habakkuk. We ended 2026 in our church with not very good attendance, but deeper growth for those that wanted it and better giving. We ended 2026 not in a new building, as we had hoped for all year long, and now entering year seven in someone else’s building. We even got really close the last month of the year. So, I cried out to God, why? That is when I got the word “joy.” Habakkuk starts off in chapter one with, “O Lord, how long will I call for help and You will not hear?” When we have doubts about His goodness, He is still faithful. I read this book over and over again for a full week. God said He would show up in a mighty way. God told Habakkuk it would get worse before it got better. Yet Habakkuk responded in faith.

Habakkuk 3:17-19 (AMP) Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive fails and the fields produce no food, though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls, yet I will [choose to] rejoice in the Lord; I will [choose to] shout in exultation in the [victorious] God of my salvation! The Lord God is my strength [my source of courage, my invincible army]; He has made my feet [steady and sure] like hinds’ feet and makes me walk [forward with spiritual confidence] on my high places [of challenge and responsibility].

With every time correction has come into my life, I have checked it against the Word. When it lines up with His Word, I accept it gladly. It is a discipline from the Lord. He will help me change this within me. One thing I never did was bite back or disrespect the person it came from, even when malice was intended for me. I am grateful for the people that allow me to speak into their lives. I have learned from experience what it means to genuinely care for others. If we are afraid of correction, then we are missing out on something that is necessary for our spiritual maturity. There are so many babies still in the body of Christ because people are not allowing Word of God, the fivefold ministry and the body of Christ to do what they were given as gifts for.

The next book I read was Philippians. Paul is in prison, literally chained to a person that was guarding him, writing this letter. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Happiness depends on our circumstances. Joy depends on our relationship with Christ. Paul had a confident assurance of God’s love and work in his life and the life of fellow believers. The secret to joy is grounded in our relationship with Christ. There are some that say, “I have lost my joy.” Have you lost Christ? Look back at John 15. Jesus is telling us the importance of our abiding in Him (our relationship with Christ). It all goes back to love. The real reason we have lost our joy, is because we have become self-involved. We look out for our own self-interests. We start asking “what about me?” We can have joy, even in hardships. Joy does not come from our circumstances. We are not to rely on what we have or what we experience to give us joy, but Christ within us.

Philippians 2:1-5 (AMP) Therefore if there is any encouragement and comfort in Christ [as there certainly is in abundance], if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship [that we share] in the Spirit, if [there is] any [great depth of] affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same love [toward one another], knit together in spirit, intent on one purpose [and living a life that reflects your faith and spreads the gospel—the good news regarding salvation through faith in Christ]. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves. Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility]

It is the confidence I have in Christ that I know that people have a problem with. It grieves me to know that what they most want they can have too. What is limiting others from attaining such? Not that I have arrived myself, it is to surrender more. I am pressing on. I will continue to press on. It is when we give up or find something else to get our identity in that we become stagnant in our spiritual growth. I desire for growth in all of His body. It is hard to watch people “lose their joy” yet with not receive the gift that will point them back to their dependency of Christ.

Which brings me to the third book of the Bible that I have read this year, Nehemiah. Being in leadership I have heard gripers and complainers or what our church needs to do, what we do not have that meets their needs and so forth. It is easy to sit back and analyze and talk about the problems that you see. Instead of gathering people to discuss, be like Nehemiah and pray then act. Nehemiah saw a problem, was distressed about it, didn’t complain about it, not wallow in self-pity about it, he took action. Nehemiah became a person who God could count on. He did not even allow the people who were giving false reports to distract him. He did not allow the ones who did not participate in the rebuilding get him discouraged (I need to work on that one myself). He not only rebuilt walls but wanted to align the people back to the heart of God. They spent days listening, being taught and implementing what they heard from the prophet Ezra as he read them the law. God does not want our actions without our faith. This is the book that we get “the joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10).” Another thing I got from Nehemiah is the importance of our praise and thanksgiving. I want to start off my closing prayer with what is written in Nehemiah 9: 6. Pray this prayer with me and add it what you are most thankful for.

You are the Lord, You alone; You have made the heavens, the heaven of heavens with all their host (the heavenly bodies), the earth and everything that is on it, the seas and everything that is in them. You give life to all of them, and the heavenly host is bowing down [in worship] to You. Jesus, Your Son, was with You at the time of Creation. We were created through Him and for Him. You sent Him in fullness of Love to die for our transgressions. You have forgiven us of our inequities and we in turn at to forgive others. We repent for not forgiving as you commanded. You gave us the gift of Your Holy Spirit. You gave us this gift to mature us and grow us. You also gave us the gift of the fivefold ministry and the body of Christ. Your desire has always been that we would work together to mature into a glorious Body. We thank You for desiring so much for our lives. We thank You that You desire for us to be full of joy and peace. Thank in our submission to self-control empowered by You we are secure in who we are in Your Son. You are forgiving, gracious and compassionate and abounding in love. You will never leave us nor forsake us. Even though hardships may come upon us, even persecution, You remain faithful. You are patient and keep your covenant of love. We love you. We choose to remain in Your Son. In Jesus Name, Amen.