Category Archives: Faith

Playing Your Part in God’s Unfolding Story

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Is there a way I can speak of the Lord’s faithfulness throughout my life to someone I meet today? Lord, may I be sensitive to the opportunities I may have with people I meet today. (Lectio, May 27, 26) Are you struggling to do your part in God’s unfolding story?

We long to play our part in God’s unfolding story—but how can we step into that calling if we do not truly know who we are? So many of us have allowed others to define us. Our identity became shaped by labels spoken over us—some careless, some wounding, some simply untrue. We learned to live as the version of ourselves others expected, not the person Christ redeemed.

Yet in Christ, we put on our true name. A name rooted not in brokenness, but in belovedness. A name spoken by the One who formed us, called us, and set His Spirit within us.

Today is the day to lay down every false label, which are the things that are the opposite of what He says we are.

God said we are special, chosen, lovely and unique, we are strong, courageous, smart, kind, compassionate, trustworthy, giving, dedicated, loving and have self control.

Today we release the labels/identities that were never ours to carry and to step into the truth of who Christ says we are.

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Romans 12:2 instructs us not to conform to the pattern of the world. What patterns was Paul telling us not to confirm to? The patterns are the labels placed upon us. Paul said to transform through the renewing of your mind so that we will no longer be captives of the false narrative.

We can find comfort in transforming from who we thought we were to who we truly are because God’s truth empowers us, it sets us free, and is anchored in His unconditional love.

When we begin to walk in the identity God gave us before our birth, we become strengthened to take our rightful place in His unfolding story. Shame loses its grip. Fear loosens its hold. And we find the courage to share our lives—and our faith—with others. Once we are no longer held captive by our false narrative, hiding from who we are, we can speak openly of who Christ is within us. With confidence, humility, and joy, we step into the role God has written for us in His great and beautiful story.

My Mouth is Filled With Your Praise

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Bible.com

I learned through BSF that praising God throughout the day profoundly changes the atmosphere around you. I know this because I witnessed it beautifully lived out in the lives of so many women whose faith, joy, and unwavering trust in God reflected His presence even in the midst life’s challenges.

Again and again, I listened to testimonies from women walking through incredibly difficult seasons, yet they still smiled, greeted others warmly, and lifted up the name of the Lord. At first, I wondered, how can they still radiate joy while carrying such heavy burdens?

Over time, I realized their praise was not based on circumstances — it was rooted in faith. They chose to focus on God’s goodness, His faithfulness, and His presence instead of allowing hardship to define their hearts. Watching them praise the Lord in both challenging moments and praise-report moments was deeply humbling, inspiring, and life-changing.

In closing, Psalm 71:8 declares, “My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.” This verse reflects a life committed to continual worship and gratitude, regardless of circumstances. It reminds us that praise shifts our perspective — from fear to faith, from discouragement to hope, and from struggle to the splendor of God’s enduring love and strength.

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To reflect on an earlier devotional, have you recently ended a conversation by saying, “Have a blessed day”? Did you notice even the slightest change in the other person’s demeanor? Those simple words have a way of breathing life into the soul, reminding people they are seen, valued, and covered by God’s grace.

Jesus Christ Is Life

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Give your life to Christ and Receive Eternal Life

The gift of life is knowing Christ. Jesus became like us so we could become more like Him. Growing in Christ is a journey of transformation, becoming more aligned with His Spirit each day. (FB-Cal Jernigan, Central Christian Church, Mesa, Arizona)

Through the sacrifice of Christ, who bore our sin, we no longer fall victim to sin, which is the wager of death. Instead, we have been gifted with eternal life when our human bodies are shed.

Hebrews 2:17 (NIV) explains: “For this reason, he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest.”

Hebrews 12:2 (NIV) states: “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

1.Eternal life is the free gift 

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

The idea here is that we cannot earn eternal life through good works. It is given freely through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Christ took the penalty for sin so that anyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness and life with God that starts now and continues forever.

2. Abundant life right now 

In John 10:10, Jesus says: “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” 

This points to more than just life after death. It is about restored relationship with God, peace, purpose, and the Holy Spirit living in believers. The “gift” is not just heaven later but a different quality of life today.

3. New creation/Born again 

2 Corinthians 5:17 describes it this way: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come.” 

So, the gift includes a new identity, a cleared record, and adoption into God’s family.

Ephesians 2:8-9 ties it together: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”

Intimacy with God

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What does, God is intimate with those who are intimate with him, mean?

Intimacy is the result of a relevant communicative relationship.

Relevant means that the focus is on prayer and communication with God.

Prayer is the communication tool, as is meditation.

God speaks to us in many ways, but prayer and meditation are the most direct lines of communication.

If we pray and meditate frequently, and listen quietly, He will respond. This does not mean that you must always listen for a voice, you may hear Him in the context of the quiet. It may be a thought, a scripture, a picture, or any number of things.

Intimacy grows as you become more comfortable and spend quality time with God in prayer. This does not mean that you must become a monk dedicating every waking moment in prayer, you can pray a quick prayer, ask Him a question, or find a quiet space and spend minutes to hours with Him. The intimacy is not solely dependent upon the time you spend, but the quality of the time that you spend with Him. Intimacy with God is similar to intimacy with a loved one. The more time you spend with them, the more time you desire to spend with them. (Intimacy must be genuine, it is not a practice, nor is it a scheme to get what you want. Intimacy must be honest.)

Life is hectic at its best. Spending time in communication with God will give you peace, that is greater than you could ever imagine. It centers you. It removes you from the chaos and places you beside still waters. It is an escape from our earthly life and moves us into our spiritual life.

Charles Stanley poignantly stated, “our intimacy with God, determines the impact of our lives. This intimacy is his highest priority for our lives.” Further, in his Life Principles Bible, Zachariah 1:3, Life Lessons, 1:3 reads, “come near to God and he will come near to you, James 4:8.

The moment we sense God’s Spirit convicting us to draw nearer to him, we need to respond with humble hearts—repenting and committing ourselves to him wholeheartedly. Then sustaining peace will flood in as evidence of his presence within us.”

We Are Commanded To Forgive

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From the Voice of Hope

God keeps speaking to me about forgiveness, telling me to share this message with you. ‘It is time to forgive and move forward with your life’. Recently I wrote two posts about forgiveness and today my sister sent me a message on forgiveness that seems to tie it altogether. He is speaking to me in the same way He is speaking to you. We have all been hurt, we have all hurt others. We have all been bound by the sin of unforgiveness. 2026 is our year to forgive and move forward.

Please listen to Lysa TerKeurst’s message. She is a renown speaker and many of you have read her books. This may be one of her most profound messages that will free you from unforgiveness if you are still struggling with God’s command to FORGIVE.

Cut and paste the link to open the message.

https://youtu.be/vVGh0kxR0lQ?si=uI46JmlqiaLEoqzm

May God give us the strength to forgive.

God’s Gift of PEACE

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2026 is the year you claim God’s peace.

Backstory: During one of my many nightly meditations, I found myself pondering, when do I sense peace in my life? My thoughts led to the following conclusions. Do any of them resonate with you?

Whenever you do any of the following and rest on God’s Word, not simply recite scripture but believe them as ‘truth’, you are at peace.

  • When you forgive, you are at peace.
  • When you give from your heart, you are at peace.
  • When you look at your day with no regrets of what could have been or what you lost, you are at peace.
  • When your prognosis is not what you wanted, and you give the condition to God, no holding back, you are at peace.
  • When you wake up in the morning and praise God for another day, you are at peace.
  • When you listen to the news and rebuke the chaos, relying on God instead of succumbing to evil, you are at peace.

I encourage you to ponder moments when you are at peace and share in the comment or reply sections.

PRAYERS ABOUT PEACE

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Job 22:21
Agree with God and be at peace; thereby, good will come to you.

Jude 1:2
May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

Luke 2:14
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:9
What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

The Lord declared, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27

Receive God’s peace. Believe with your heart that the peace He gives is yours. It is both a promise and a gift.

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