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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.

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Fourth Quarter Reads of 2025

2 Timothy 2:15 (AMP) Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth.

We are already a few weeks into 2026 and I am just now getting around to summing up the last quarter reads of 2025. I have been spending time with my immediate family, as everyone was home for most of the day. When they are home, I do not like to lock myself in my office and write. I do continue to read, but not nearly as much as when the house is empty. In the last quarter of 2025 I finished reading through the Bible, Romans through Revelations. I was done by the end of November and took the first days of December to read a chapter a day of Luke. The last week of 2025 I read Habakkuk in its entirety daily. There is something that God showed me and I will hopefully write on it next week.

The one phrase that stood out to me as I was finishing with Revelations was, “He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.” I wrote about it in my blog titled Echo. I did complete 100 Bible Verses that Made America by Robert J. Morgan as a devotional. It was very eye opening to me about the founding of our universities and their beginnings as seminaries. There was one that really stood out to me were the Four Chaplains that gave their lives aboard the Dorchester on February 3, 1943. They were all from different denominations but held the same heart, “No one has greater love [nor stronger commitment] than to lay down his own life for his friends, John 15:13).” They gave everything including their life vests, books and clothes to make sure all survived, even though they lost their own lives. They gave their lives without being asked. This is the life that I aspire to live.

I also read nine books. Some I purchased at yard sales and at thrift stores recently. Bringing my yearly total to 47 books read. Here is list of my fourth quarter reads (I will write about two of them):

  • The Case for the Creator by Lee Strobel
  • Fight Back with Joy by Margaret Feinberg
  • Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala
  • Let Earth Receive Her King by Alistar Begg
  • Beyond Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson
  • The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson
  • I His Image by Jen Wilkin
  • The Sacred Echo by Margaret Feinberg
  • Healing the Wounds of Rejection by Joyce Meyer and Ginger Stache

Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala. I picked this book up at a yard sale recently. It was an encouraging book about the importance of a church that puts prayer as their priority. It is a church with a surrendered heart that the Holy Spirit dwells. “The first step in spiritual awakening is demolition. We cannot make headway in seeking God without first tearing down the accumulation junk in our souls. Rationalizing has to cease. We have to start seeing the sinful debris we hadn’t noticed before, which is what holds back the blessings of God.“”Anytime the people get hungry to truly know the Lord, the Holy Spirit quickly puts a shovel and into their hands.” We are going to be willing for God to deal with our deep-rooted issues. A truly humble church is a powerful church. Are we passionate about what He is passionate for. Jesus said that His house should be known as a house of prayer. We currently do not have our own building, or we would have the doors open more that they are. Currently we meet on Tuesdays at eleven for prayer and Sundays we invite people to come in pray at twelve thirty as our service is at one thirty. The American church is all about comfort and convenience, yet He is the same God that said, “and My people, who are called by My Name, humble themselves, and pray and seek (crave, require as a necessity) My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear [them] from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).” What are we passionate about? Brooklyn Tabernacle were passionate about prayer and surrender. We know them because of their choir. Reading some of the stories of change in that city because of this pastor and the heart of prayer that they have. It encouraged me to continue.

In HIs Image: 10 Ways God Calls Us to Reflect His Character: By Jen Wilkinson. Have you ever asked the question: I want to know God’s will for my life? “If we focus on our actions without addressing our hearts, we may end up merely as better behaved lovers of self.” Jen takes ten attributes of God and had us reflect if we can see those in our own character. They are Holy, Loving, Good, Just, Merciful, Gracious, Faithful, Patient, Truthful and Wise. Do you see the possibility for you reflecting Him in all that He is? First and foremost, God is Holy. “If we emphasize any of his attributes above or apart from his holiness, we fashion him after our own imagining or for our own ends.” You do not have to be conformed to who you were. We are conformed to His image, we are to reborn, remade, reformed. Understand your positional holiness and you will want to pursue practical holiness. God our most loving is the hardest part for people to grasp. His love is not transactional. His love is not conditional. “When we begin to follow Christ, we resolve to love God even if it costs us. And it costs us -it costs our pride, our comfort, our self-will, our self-sufficiency. At times, it costs us amicable relationships with family, our expectations of safety, and more. But in laying these aside, we learn the worthiness of the object of love in a deeper way. We find increasing freedom, and as we mature, we resolve to love God no matter what it costs us. When we begin to follow Christ, we resolve to love our neighbor even if it costs us. And it costs us – it costs us our preferences, our time, our financial resources, our entitlement, our stereotypes.” It is such a good book that I am adding it to my pile to read again in 2026.

I write these blogs on books to encourage you to read. First and foremost, pick up your Bible and read it daily. I am reading a new study Bible this year and so I am reading a chapter at a time. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal His heart to you as you read. Do you get bored reading the Bible? Ask God to help you with that. For years, I didn’t read just read my Bible, only focusing on the verses that went along with my devotions. But my desire to surrender led me to pick up the Bible and truly read it. It became part of my journey to seek more. I have no regrets, and neither will you.

This Sunday I have decided to give away some of my books. Something I have not done. However, holding onto them only benefits me. God had told us to be generous with all that we have. So, I have set aside a box and will be taking them to church for others to do with their liking. I pray that you have a blessed 2026!

Books completed in 2025

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Echo

Revelation 2:7 (AMP) He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant [the privilege]…

I sat down last week to write on blog on Thanksgiving and the importance of being thankful every day. It is a form of prayer that should be daily on our lips. Then I was short on time and still needed to prepare for the people I had coming over. People are important. Being present with people is important. We have times when we put our families first, never before God. Then there is a time when our families make their own families, and we find a way to expand the love of Christ within and unselfishly love others to build up His temple (1 Corinthians 3:16). I found a way to do both last week and it was so fulfilling.

However, this word “ears to hear, let them hear” kept going over and over within me. It was like an echo. I had finished up my yearly reading plan through the Bible early. I started in Genesis on January first and ended with Revelations by the last day of November. When I read, I do not just take a few verses at a time because this is not my first time reading it through. I read chapters at a time or if the book is small the whole book in one sitting. I look for the repetition, the instruction, the action words and the context. In the second and third chapters of Revelation there are seven letters to seven different churches. Each one had this repeated statement in some form, “He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant [the privilege]…” There were words of instruction, but there is also a promise. I want to not just listen to the Word but hear the Word.

James 1:23-25 (AMP) For if anyone only listens to the word without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he immediately forgets what he looked like. But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a [careless] listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience].

I encourage our church to want everything that God has available to us. This is not about physical blessings; this is about us becoming the whole person that Christ redeemed us to be. When I read Revelation, I looked at all that He desires for us. Here is what I found in those seven letters:

  • I will grant [the privilege] to eat [the fruit] from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.
  • Be faithful to the point of death [if you must die for your faith], and I will give you the crown [consisting] of life. Will not be hurt by the second death (the lake of fire).
  • I will give [the privilege of eating] some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone with a new name engraved on the stone which no one knows except the one who receives it.
  • I will give authority and power over the nations; and he shall shepherd and rule them with a rod of iron, as the earthen pots are broken in pieces, as I also have received authority [and power to rule them] from My Father; and I will give him the Morning Star. 
  •  will accordingly be dressed in white clothing; and I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, and I will confess and openly acknowledge his name before My Father and before His angels [saying that he is one of Mine].
  • I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God; he will most certainly never be put out of it, and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which descends out of heaven from My God, and My [own] new name. 
  • I will grant to him [the privilege] to sit beside Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down beside My Father on His throne.

These are just too grand to keep my focus on. I believe that is His point. There is so much that we cannot even imagine. Where should my focus be on when I read this? It should be on the echo He made sure to repeat, “He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant [the privilege]…” Ears to hear and do what the Spirit says. Jesus is the strength of my overcoming the world. Jesus is the strength in my repentance to regain focus. How can we lose focus? Look at the seven letters again:

  • 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. 
  • Fear nothing that you are about to suffer. 
  • there some [among you] who are holding to the [corrupt] teaching, put a stumbling block before others, [enticing them] to eat things that had been sacrificed to idols and to commit [acts of sexual] immorality. Therefore repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will
  • you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess [claiming to be inspired], and she teaches and misleads My bond-servants 
  • I know your deeds; you have a name (reputation) that you are alive, but [in reality] you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen and reaffirm what remains [of your faithful commitment to Me], which is about to die; for I have not found [any of] your deeds completed in the sight of My God or meeting His requirements
  • Hold tight what you have, so that no one will take your crown [by leading you to renounce the faith].
  • I know your deeds, that you are neither cold (invigorating, refreshing) nor hot (healing, therapeutic); I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm (spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth [rejecting you with disgust]. 

Not every letter had a statement of rebuke, two of the churches did not. They still had a statement of instruction. They were told to fear nothing and to hold tight. The others had a call to repentance. The only fear I do have is not holding true to His Word. It is so easy to slip into pride and draw people to yourself. I keep these words in my mind, because I reverence my Holy God. I care about you, genuinely and do not want you ignorant to what He says in His Word. I encourage you to start a reading plan this coming year.

You do not have to wait until January; you can start now. I have found that when we say that we have to prepare ourselves or we are waiting for the perfect time, we usually keep putting it off. The time is now. My first time reading through was a start in March. It took longer than a year. I started in a random place, I started in the epistles (1 John, 2 John, 3 John, 1 Peter, 2 Peter), then I read the letters to the churches. Next, I completed the rest of the New Testament, starting with the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). That’s when I got to the Old Testament. I read the first five books of the Bible last. It put a different perspective of the why Jesus, and I could see Jesus in all of it. When we read the Bible trying to find ourselves, we are reading for selfish reasons. We need to read to receive more of Him.

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.

Are we hearing? “He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant [the privilege]…” What echoes do you hear when you read the Word?

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Is it real?

Hebrews 4:14 (AMP)  Inasmuch then as we [believers] have a great High Priest who has [already ascended and] passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith and cling tenaciously to our absolute trust in Him as Savior].

Do you know what brings me back from spiraling out? Do you know what I think on to bring me back from sitting in despair? This right here. I cling tenaciously to the absolute trust that Jesus is my Savior. Some may say that I have a “bulldog tenacity” but really, I know that I am truly loved in Christ. Read the rest of that verse because I want to show you a little something about stepping out daily knowing that the presence of God is not so far away, nor is it a formula of getting there. Also, what do you define as there?

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].

Jesus understands, it does not give us a warrant to freely sin. Hebrews 10:26 says, “For if we go on willfully and deliberately sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice [to atone] for our sins [that is, no further offering to anticipate],” so do not take this grace out of context. I want to put this out there first and foremost because I am obligated to choose how I think. Need some more proof?

1 John 2:4-6 (AMP) Whoever says, “I have come to know Him,” but does not habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings), is a liar, and the truth [of the divine word] is not in him. But whoever habitually keeps His word and obeys His precepts [and treasures His message in its entirety], in him the love of God has truly been perfected [it is completed and has reached maturity]. By this we know [for certain] that we are in Him: whoever says he lives in Christ [that is, whoever says he has accepted Him as God and Savior] ought [as a moral obligation] to walk and conduct himself just as He walked and conducted Himself.

I am not to put on my Jesus costume, I am to allow Him to transform my character and nature. This is an inside out transformation and it takes surrender and trust. It is not overnight that this happens, transformation is a process (2 Corinthians 3:18). From reading any of this, would Jesus have allowed hurt to hinder forgiveness? Would He have kept Himself from serving? We He have allowed His mind to rehearse anything that was not true? Do you believe Jesus is real? Do you believe He did the hard stuff for us? If so, then what is hindering you from walking out your salvation? What is keeping you from going freely into the throne room of grace and mercy? I am not talking about a prayer closet experience. I am talking about living a life of God surrounds me, is within me, and has got me.

James 3:2 (AMP) For we all stumble and sin in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says [never saying the wrong thing], he is a perfect man [fully developed in character, without serious flaws], able to bridle his whole body and rein in his entire nature [taming his human faults and weaknesses].

I am not perfect. I have flaws. I make mistakes. The key is not to wallow in those flaws and mistakes. The answer is to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit within you to overcome them. Jesus overcame so we could overcome. The only perfect man is Jesus. I am not Sister Jesus; I am secure in who I am in Jesus. Can you decide to grow? Can you decide to help other imperfect people like me grow? I want to help the imperfect person like you are to grow. I want to let you know that the Perfect One gives me the privilege to stand in the throne room of His Presence. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19), individually and collectively. I take His Word as truth and really believe all that it says, so much so, that I choose to surrender areas of my life that did not line up with what it says we should be like. Is that extreme to you? Can I tell you that I forgive faster because of it? Would you like to hear about the joy in my life because of the surrender? I may be tenacious to some with my relationship with Jesus. He has made my life so big because of it (Ephesians 3:20). Will you just believe that it is real and walk in the freedom too?

I want to give you a little insight into what this looks like. It is not complicated. We have complicated this so much that we either quit or go into extreme grace, making everything about surrender null in our lives. I have lived under the umbrella of condemnation (my right to live how I sit fit). I had to choose to live a surrendered life. It was not easy at first, I have had to grow in this. This is what grace does. Grace empowers us to hold fast to the Word and allows the growth to happen. Stop trying to help the Word out by making excuses or quitting. Do you really want all that God said is yours through Christ Jesus? Do not stay chained in captivity when the keys to your bondage have already been given to you.

Can you see the throne room? Can you see the Majesty of who God is right where you are now? Can you feel the peace and joy permeating from the inside out? It is real, you are not imagining this. This is the life that He wants you to live. So live free through surrender!! It is real!

2 Corinthians 3:18 (AMP) Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [emancipation from bondage, true freedom].

Father, Elohim, Creator and Lord, You are everything that is and will ever be. You are Holy. Today, we honor You through our worship. Thank You for sending Your Son to restore our relationship with You. Thank You for the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, who dwells within and among us. We are grateful for the throne room of grace and mercy, Jesus gave us the ability to stand free. We repent for the times we sought Your face only when we needed something. We seek not just Your blessings but You. We choose to love as You love, to see the best in others, and to live selflessly. We surrender our hearts and minds to You, desiring to offer our whole selves as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing, as an act of worship. Through Jesus we can forgive freely and love deeply. We choose love today. We choose hope today. We choose forgiveness today. We choose joy today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Even Though, I Will

Genesis 15:6 (AMP) Then Abram believed in (affirmed, trusted in, relied on, remained steadfast to) the Lord; and He counted (credited) it to him as righteousness (doing right in regard to God and man).

A statement rung out in me yesterday as I was preparing to go into corporate prayer with my church. I heard, “We can know the Word and not have faith in the Word.” Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. Faith is required for righteousness. It is faith in Christ that we are made righteous. However, this faith only works by love.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (AMP) He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].

Galatians 5:6 (AMP) For [if we are] in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but only faith activated and expressed and working through love.

The church today has a faith problem. Why? Really, we have a love issue. We are looking at anything but the Word of God to define love. We have let the world define love to us. Love was sacrificed for us. There is so much knowledge available to us that we can reason away everything that is really promised to us. We will use our symptoms or our circumstances. Yet, the Bible gives an account such as,  “Without becoming weak in faith he considered his own body, now as good as dead [for producing children] since he was about a hundred years old, and [he considered] the deadness of Sarah’s womb. But he did not doubt or waver in unbelief concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and empowered by faith, giving glory to God, being fully convinced that God had the power to do what He had promised. Therefore his faith was credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God) (Romans 4:19-22 AMP). Even though, I will. That is what I am saying right now. Even though should not stop our obedience. Our obedience is the product of our righteousness, our faith, and I do not have to waiver in it because of my position of Love in Christ.

Our positional authority is because we have been rooted and grounded in the Love of Christ. An “I can’t” response is not of faith, and it is not coming from a place of love. That may sound rough, but I tell you this truth in my love for you because I want you whole. I do not want you limping through life quoting scripture but not having faith in the power of Christ within you.

Ephesians 3:16-19 (AMP) May He grant you out of the riches of His glory, to be strengthened and spiritually energized with power through His Spirit in your inner self, [indwelling your innermost being and personality], so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through your faith. And may you, having been [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love, be fully capable of comprehending with all the saints (God’s people) the width and length and height and depth of His love [fully experiencing that amazing, endless love]; and [that you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself].

I want to see all that the Word tells about. I do not just want to read it and think that is a cool story. Do you really believe that is real? Do not just dream about it. Talk about it. Have an expectation about it. Encourage others in it. Faith works through love, but faith without works is dead. We cannot please God without faith. If faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26), then faith requires obedience to His Word. We can know the Word and not have faith in it, abstaining us from obedience. This is not what God called righteous. Remember, everything is permissible (1 Corinthians 6:12). We have been given free will. However, we can choose to say to God not our will, but His. Even though, I will.

Abba, Father, our Banner, You are Holy and Marvelous. You are the Creator and Sustainer of all life. Thank you for sending Your Son, who embodied the fullness of who You are, making us whole through Him. Thank you for Your Holy Spirit, who reveals the depth of who You are and empowers us to understand the vastness of Your love. We repent for only having head knowledge and not believing in Your Word. We know that we please You with our faith. Through ongoing surrender, we will reflect on what it means to be fully Loved by You through Christ and our faith is found in that Love. We long for everyone to grasp the enormity of Christ’s love, which is incomprehensible without the Holy Spirit. Even though reports may say or circumstances look a certain way, we will choose obedience. We choose forgiveness today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Update 2025: Here I Am

Isaiah 6:8 (AMP)  Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

One January eighth of this year I wrote a blog called “2025: Here I Am.” Here is what I wrote: “Here I am” is a heart position to be all in. It is a response to God that you are sensitive to His call. It is a willingness to listen and to obey His commands. “And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should also [unselfishly] love his brother and seek the best for him” (1 John 4:21). Seeking the best for others requires a lot of dying to self. That lines up with what Christ said we would have to do to be His disciples (Matthew 16:24-26). So that new thing He is doing in me, has a lot to do with my surrender. God doing a new thing requires me changing (Isaiah 43:19).

When I dedicated this year to answer the call with, “Here I Am,” I did not know where it would take me. Some would hope it would take them across the world. Some would expect a change of scenery. Some would expect a huge move. What it did in me caused me to make a holy shift to Your will not my will, Lord. I have answered calls that I did not want to. I have gone into homes that I did not want to. I have made trips to spend just a few moments with someone, that was way out of my route for the day. Why? “Here I Am.” How can we say we want to do great things for God when we will not give Him the fifteen minutes, or even a couple of hours, that will make us uncomfortable for someone else? He has given me a heart for people like never before. It is not to point out what is wrong in their life, it is to point them to the person who will make them whole. I am not there to fix their problems; I am pointing them to the One who can ground them in Truth.

This still rings true today: What should we be praying for the church? That God becomes real to us. That we stop going through the motions and desire a real relationship with God. You can listen and not hear. You can look and not see. This will happen until you surrender your ideas. We have the luxury of doing so much research that we have not need to sit and listen for His voice. We have access to so many books and teaching online, that we do not need to read the Bible for ourselves. We read the Bible through the lens of experience and not really listen for His voice. We depend on scripture taken out of context and wonder why God is not doing what I want. It is not until we surrender that we will be rooted and grounded in Christ. This is where love starts. We cannot love each other when we are only worried about ourselves. Serving only those we want to serve is really self-serving. Only reading what we like is self-serving.

“Here I Am” is a call for deeper surrender. I do not know why God has me doing this. I spend my week with people. People that I am not looking for anything in return. I asked God why, especially since church attendance was looking sad this past Sunday. It can be disheartening when we look at people. I have to keep my eyes focused on Him. It is not about what I see in the natural, it is about what He is doing when I am obedient. I put my trust in Him. At the right time (His time).

Galatians 6:9-10 (AMP) Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in. So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers).

Here I am, send me. I am choosing not to give it, not giving up.

Abba, Father, we are in awe of You. You are Holy, Marvelous, and Righteous. Help us to fully accept Your Son for who He is, the One who came to make us whole and whose peace fills us completely. When we love You and put You first, everything else finds its rightful place. When Your voice is our priority, all other voices fade away. When Your Word is first in our lives, distractions lose their hold. When we follow Your principles, the promises of Your Word become evident in our lives. Lead us back to putting You first. Let us say, “Here I am.” We repent for prioritizing ourselves over Your Word, Your voice, and Your guidance. Help us to open Your Word and crave it like the most satisfying meal. Thank You for Your forgiveness and Your mercies that are new every morning. We choose joy today. We choose hope today. We choose forgiveness today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Humility is Relevant

James 4:10 (AMP) Humble yourselves [with an attitude of repentance and insignificance] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up, He will give you purpose].

Did you dream of being famous when you were younger? I believe at one point all of us dreamed of being in the movies or admired. I loved the movie Annie growing up. I could be found swinging on my grandparents swing set singing Tomorrow at the top of my lungs. I would sing Somewhere Over the Rainbow from Wizard of Oz and Somewhere Out There from An American Tail. You know what, this girl cannot sing. I do it around my husband just to be funny, because it is comedically awful.

Right now, social media is a platform where people can be relevant. Regular people can become “Tik Tok famous” or have “followers”. I would rather be obedient than relevant. I am grieved by the state of the church right now, by wanting to be relevant. Do you know that He has already given us purpose? It saddens me that there is a voice of division going on inside that is supposed to be seeking unity. What are we to be unified under? The Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The enemy wants us confused and set apart from each other. I was reading Luke the other day and came across this scripture, Luke 9:46, “An argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest [surpassing the others in esteem and authority].” What happens when we start pointing out things amongst the body of Christ? Who is watching? Verse 47,  “But Jesus, knowing what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and had him stand beside Him.” I believe in correction, but I also believe we can slide into self-righteousness very easily. I want to draw others closer to Christ, not cause them to withdraw from Him because of the Body.

Psalms 69:32 (AMP) The humble have seen it and are glad; you who seek God [requiring Him as your greatest need], let your heart revive and live.

What we think on will affect our hearts. It will affect how we love not only God, but how we love each other. When He talked about removing the plank in your own eye (Matthew 7:5), before you remove the speck in another’s, He was saying to search within yourself to not cause another to stumble. Our planks can trip others up. It is not saying to stop correcting entirely, it is saying check your motive because we can be biased in some things. Do you genuinely care for them? Do you want the change because it would be best for you or is this the best way to draw them closer to Christ?

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (AMP)  For the love of Christ controls and compels us, because we have concluded this, that One died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that all those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and was raised for their sake.

So, to all those that want to be seen, you have been seen by the One that loves you so much that He died for you. Let us share the goodness of God with others. Let us seek His glory. That is my heart in this time. Did the words that I say speak of Your Goodness and Mercy? Did the message we preach point to You? Nothing else matters. Jesus gave us authority, but He also tells us what is most valuable. Nevertheless, because we can slide into pride and self-righteousness so very easily. What is it for and who did it come from?

Luke 10:19-20 (AMP) Listen carefully: I have given you authority [that you now possess] to tread on serpents and scorpions, and [the ability to exercise authority] over all the power of the enemy (Satan); and nothing will [in any way] harm you. Nevertheless do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.

I was in prayer and went over something I had written a few years ago for my husband and myself. I pray this over us quite often but wanted to put it out here for you to be able to pray it as well.

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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Personal Seed

Mark 4:30-32 (AMP) And He said, “How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use to illustrate and explain it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when it is sown on the ground, even though it is smaller than all the [other] seeds that are [sown] on the soil, yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden herbs; and it puts out large branches, so that the birds of the sky are able to make nests and live under its shade.”

It all starts with a seed. I have been in ministry just about my whole marriage, twenty-five years. I have had to grow into it. I was not raised in ministry, nor the church. For many years I went through the motions of what I had witnessed. It was not until I decided to really dig into the Word for myself that my kind of mustard seed really took root. That is when real change happened in my life.

Looking at all of the parables of the Sower in Mark, there are three that really talks about the seed in chapter 4. We can read them in order of how they are written with the Parable of the Sower and Soil, the Parable of the Seed, and the Parable of the Mustard Seed. I did just that, however, when I got to the Parable of the Mustard Seed (verses 30-32), it made me go back and look at the other two again.

For many years I was like the person in the Parable of the Seed, “Then He said, “The kingdom of God is like a man who throws seed on the ground; and he goes to bed at night and gets up every day, and [in the meantime] the seed sprouts and grows; how [it does this], he does not know (verses 26-27).” The Seed (the Word) is always good, and it will produce something. That is what is like when you know some of the Word. I went to seminary when I first got saved, like immediately after. I attended church every time the doors were open. I poured into my study Bible. There was a seed that was being planted into ground, and it was producing a change in me. Then it became stagnant. I never went off to do on my own, but I did not grow very deep. There was still a lot of Amanda living.

The Parable of the Mustard Seed tells us the seed is LIKE a mustard seed, meaning as a metaphor as something small. I take it as a revelation of the Word that is personal to you. Often, we get so overwhelmed with the things of the Kingdom that we stay in the position of the Parable of the Seed. There are seeds in the ground (we are the ground) and it is producing but we do not quite know why or what. When I grabbed a hold of me being rooted and grounded in the love of Christ, that was my mustard seed. Some it could be about faith in Christ, some it could be right standing in Christ, others it could be adoption through Christ. We all need a seed like a mustard seed. That is when real growth begins.

Now that we have a mustard seed, look back at the Parable of the Sower and the Soil (verses 3-20). How much you hold dear to the that seed, will determine the soil. Can the seed grow roots? When I grabbed a hold of the seed of Ephesians 3:16-20, and it came alive in me, the roots began to really form. Transformation happened like never before and still is. There are many that say that they read their Bibles and they do not get anything. Have you invited the Holy Spirit to join you? He is our Teacher.

Mark 4: 24-25 (AMP) Then He said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By your own standard of measurement [that is, to the extent that you study spiritual truth and apply godly wisdom] it will be measured to you [and you will be given even greater ability to respond]—and more will be given to you besides. For whoever has [a teachable heart], to him more [understanding] will be given; and whoever does not have [a yearning for truth], even what he has will be taken away from him.”

Our hearts are the soil. Our minds are the gateway to our soul. Our mind, will, and emotions have to be surrendered to the Word of God for any seed to take root. That seed was not planted seven years ago when I got the revelation of being deeply rooted in the love of Christ. It was planted twenty-seven years ago, when I received Jesus as my Savior. I remember the moment. I remember how the Holy Spirit spoke to me. I remember that He told me the love that I desired I could not get from my fiancé (now husband), it was only through Christ. I desired to be deeply loved, and that is where it began. There was so much that tried to take away that seed, but the seed is always good. I may have put it away from my mind for a while, but I never let it go. Then in my darkest moment, I could allow pride to reign or I could surrender. I chose to surrender, and it has been the greatest decision I ever made. Has it been easy? No, but it has been worth it.

We all receive a seed. What is yours? Do you hold it precious to you? Our salvation through Christ is the greatest gift we could ever receive. He is inviting us to go deeper, to take root. The mustard seed grows into one of the largest trees in the field. It becomes so big that birds can nest in it, a place of peace. I want to show others what it is like. I want to encourage you to feed your seed and let it take root. Let it open up Christ in your life that you never could imagine for yourself. I have taken Ephesians 3:16-21 and formed it into a prayer for you and myself.

Our Father, Holy is Your Name. Thank You for Your Son. May He grant us out of the riches of His glory, to be strengthened and spiritually energized with power through His Spirit in our inner selves, [indwelling your innermost being and personality], so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith. And may we, having been [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love, be fully capable of comprehending with all the saints (God’s people) the width and length and height and depth of His love [fully experiencing that amazing, endless love]; and [that we may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that we may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that we may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself]. Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.

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Surrounded

Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP) The Lord bless you, and keep you [protect you, sustain you, and guard you]; The Lord make His face shine upon you [with favor], and be gracious to you [surrounding you with lovingkindness]; The Lord lift up His countenance (face) upon you [with divine approval], and give you peace [a tranquil heart and life].’

Yesterday started off pretty rough. I am not going to go into all of the details of it. Just know it was getting my stress level up. Then I had my emotions get in a mess with a statement my husband made. My biggest stressor was getting tickets to see our youngest son play in the game this week.

The tickets for our home games go on sale the week of the game. This week’s game is on Thursday, but the tickets were not going on sale until Tuesday because Monday was a holiday. The tickets were not going to be released until noon. We live in the south, in central Alabama. We do not have professional sports here. We have college sports and high school sports. Football being the biggest fan base. Our youngest has been playing full tackle since he was five and this is his senior year. This game is the biggest rivalry game in our city. It is the 100th game for Opelika verses Auburn. This is usually a sold-out game. Being a stay-at-home mom, you might say, then just get there early and get in line.

Tuesday’s we also have Corporate Prayer. The only time I miss is I am out of town, then I ask someone else to open up the building so it can still happen. I believe the church should not just gather for teaching, but for community and for prayer. Prayer starts at eleven in the morning, and we usually wrap up around noon, giving time for the Word to come forth and not rushing out. It is very important that when we pray, we also listen.

Ephesians 2:22 (AMP) In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Before going into prayer, I handled the business side of things, so my mind would be clear. Then I settled things that were going on with my husband. If you have an offense or in strife with someone, settle it. The Bible talks about before you bring an offering to the altar, and you have offense or know of someone with an offense to you, make it right before presenting your offering. We can nurture an offense and hold onto things that will result in interfering with our relationship with God. All of these are from the teaching of Jesus in the first five chapters of Matthew. I just read those chapters this week, and would you know it I would be tested in it.

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.

We had a great time in prayer. We encouraged each other in the Word, then it was time to make my way to buy tickets. I checked the parent football messaging board, and they said the line was around the building. On the way there I am praying, “God, You know that seeing his son play is a big deal to his father. You said that if I put you first that You would take care of everything else. I did not cancel prayer to get in line for tickets, I put You first. I do not know how, but You will give me favor.” I get there at ten minutes after twelve and the sign on the door says, “SOLD OUT.” I am upset and just praying for the one ticket for my husband. I am thinking about putting my plea on the messaging board. I type it out and another message pops up deleting mine before I can send. I am just going to run in and ask for advice. They advised that they reserve some tickets to sell at field on game day at five thirty. I am disappointed, my face shows it. I tell them I have a senior playing. One employee calls me to the side, she has a booklet of tickets in hand, pulls out two. She says, “I see you mama, you can buy two of mine.” Right then it was if God said, “I see your faithfulness.” I gave her my gratitude, but He is getting the praise. He is getting the glory. He is good. He surrounds us with loving kindness. He even cares about the little things like football tickets.

Jehovah, our Father, You are so Wonderful. You are Holy. Thank You for Your Son, the One who brought us into adoptions to be Your sons and daughters. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, our Teacher and Comforter. Thank You for Your Word, so that we may know You more. We repent for the times we have placed ourselves before You. The god of ‘self’ has to be dethroned. We choose to surrender our thoughts and our ways to You. Thank You for the grace to grow in letting go of offenses and not living in anger. The most precious relationship we have is with You. Thank You for caring about even the little things. You deserve all of the Honor and all of the Praise. In Your Presence is fullness of Joy. We choose forgiveness today. We choose love today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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What does it mean to live the good life?

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 was in prayer the other day and was praying for the prodigals. I came across a name and the Lord spoke to me about the deception of living the good life. I asked Him, ‘what does it mean to live the good life’, and He brought back to the story of the rich young ruler.

Mark 10:17-22 (AMP) As He was leaving on His journey, a man ran up and knelt before Him and asked Him, “Good Teacher [You who are essentially good and morally perfect], what shall I do to inherit eternal life [that is, eternal salvation in the Messiah’s kingdom]?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is [essentially] good [by nature] except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not testify falsely, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he replied to Him, “Teacher, I have [carefully] kept all these [commandments] since my youth.” Looking at him, Jesus felt a love (high regard, compassion) for him, and He said to him, “You lack one thing: go and sell all your property and give [the money] to the poor, and you will have [abundant] treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me [becoming My disciple, believing and trusting in Me and walking the same path of life that I walk].”But the man was saddened at Jesus’ words, and he left grieving, because he owned much property and had many possessions [which he treasured more than his relationship with God].

When possessions or the goal of getting have us, then God does not. This man was raised in church; all he knew was how to live right. Living right is not how we gain eternal life. Being good is not the key. What do you treasure more? What in your life makes you whole? Is it Jesus? Is it something else and then add Jesus? We can live the right life and still not be surrendered.

The prodigal son loved his father and knew the love of his father, yet he still left. Think about it, he lived in the father’s house. What were his words, “give me.” His father gave him what he asked and then left; the son wasted it. He had to force himself on someone for a job, a job where the pigs ate better than him. Then he came back to his senses and realized that his father’s servants were taken better care of than how he was living at that moment. He went back willing to live as a servant, but his father restored him as son. You can read the entire account in Luke 15.

I have been reading a book by John Bevere called A Heart Ablaze: Igniting a Passion for God. In this book John points out that when talking to Moses about entering the promised land that Moses did not confer with the Israelites on a certain matter.

Exodus 23:20 (AMP) Behold, I am going to send an Angel before you to keep and guard you on the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. 

Exodus 33:2-3 (AMP)  I will send an Angel before you and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite. Go up to a land [of abundance] flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up in your midst, because you are a stiff-necked (stubborn, rebellious) people, and I might destroy you on the way.”

Exodus 33:12-15 (AMP)  Moses said to the Lord, “See, You say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in My sight.’ Now therefore, I pray you, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways so that I may know You [becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with You, recognizing and understanding Your ways more clearly] and that I may find grace and favor in Your sight. And consider also, that this nation is Your people.” And the Lord said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest [by bringing you and the people into the promised land].” And Moses said to Him, “If Your presence does not go [with me], do not lead us up from here.

What is most important? Was it the Promised Land or His Presence? The people of Israel were willing to accept the Promised Land without His Presence. They grieved their wrongdoing, but did it change their heart? Moses came out of Egypt too. He was a prince; he had a better life than all of them. He would not trade that life for the life without His Presence. How many of our churches are happy with going about their “Christian” life without the presence of God? It is our hearts He wants, not just our belief. He is such a good God, He would never leave us nor forsake Him. Why can we not do the same to Him? The same reason the Israelites could not, they lacked the Holy reverence. Reverence means that I am no longer in charge. A surrendered life. Jesus lived that. He called us to it as well. We forget that part or we use the word “grace” to get out of it. How foolish (read the account of the virgins in Matthew 25:1-13). I want everything God has for me, and it is not about the natural stuff. I want all the promises of His Presence. That comes with peace, joy, hope and the fullness of His love. That to me is living the good life.

Adonai, Father, Lord over all, You are Mighty and Worthy of all our honor and praise. You Name is Holy. Thank You for Your Son, our Redeemer. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, our Teacher. Thank You for Your Word, a Light that fuels the flame back to You. Take all that we have and make it Yours. We repent for just wanting what You can give us without desiring more of You in our lives. Our hearts stand in awe of You. We desire Your face, not just Your hands. You will fulfill Your purpose in our lives. We stand with arms wide open, asking for more of You in our lives. We choose a surrendered life. We choose a life of forgiveness. We choose to speak of Your Grace, Your Love and Your Mercy. We are no longer holding back from You what truly belongs to You. We give of ourselves freely. Holding nothing back. We surrender. We choose love today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. In Jesus Name, Amen.