“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I encourage you to listen and watch this video; What God Wants For Christmas? By Darius Tucker. The answers include peace on earth, no more empty seats in church, every Bible with no dust, the devil giving up, and more loving one another. He also asks the question, what if we believe in Him like He believes in us? If you read our key verse from Hebrews, you will see that in order to please God, we must believe. He even rewards those that earnestly seek Him.

This picture below is a prayer coloring page from a sweet Christian friend I have never met. We were untied together through a devotion I wrote for the Upper Room. She has been there for me through my Dad’s cancer journey and now my HPV journey. She went to God in prayer believing that I would be healed. She prayed for peace, health, and strength. Thank God it was His will for me to be healed.

I leave you with Mark 11:24 NIV to meditate on. Give God his Christmas wish. Go to Him in prayer, believing that nothing is to big for Him. “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark‬ ‭11‬:‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Do you consider yourself a trailblazer for Christ Jesus? When I hear that term, I think of tracking through the mountains. In Matthew 3:3 John the Baptist was being a trailblazer. He was preparing the way for Jesus. We have talked a lot about words, verses, and mantras for the year. Have you selected a word, verse, or mantra for 2023? Whether you have selected one or not, I want us to meditate on 1 John 2:6 NIV; “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”

Jesus was the ultimate trailblazer. His life models who we should be today. When selecting a word, verse, or mantra, it should help us to grow in our faith and to live as Jesus did. As we celebrate Jesus’s life this week, think about the milestones of His life. Think about how we celebrate birthdays and milestones today. When in the different stages; infant, toddler, child, teenager, or young adult, we track and celebrate lots of milestones. Ever notice how we often stop at a certain age? I don’t know about you, but I am in my forties and I can’t wait to see what milestones Jesus will be celebrating with me next.

The mantra I leave with you today is, “Be the Change”. Now let’s go trailblaze for Christ Jesus.

““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It has been a long two weeks back to work postoperative. Just two more working days and I will get much-needed rest. Are you feeling weary or burdened? Is your mindset narrowed by focusing on circumstances? The good news, Jesus offers us peace; “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” Psalms‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God often gives me peace through song and worship. In the song, O Come, All You Unfaithful by Sovereign Grace Music I have read a verse in a whole new light. Notice the words, “born to you” in Luke 2:11 NIV; “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” This is a personal message to each of us. Jesus came to save us all and to give us peace. Don’t get tunnel vision. Don’t get stuck in circumstances. I know I have to keep reminding myself that healing is a process and to be patient.

“he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As we anticipate the coming birth of Christ Jesus our Savior, let’s go into this week surrendered. I love these verses from Titus. In particular, the words that speak to me are, “washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit”. If you think about how daily we must take up our crosses, it’s like a rebirth and a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit. Maybe we should be daily asking the Lord to fall afresh on us.

Two weeks ago we focused on the fruits of the spirit. How have you done these last few weeks? Were you faithful as a temple (host) for the Holy Spirit? This past Thursday Deborah encouraged us to slow down and to build a dam to fill our spiritual reservoir. Every morning we have the opportunity to surrender, get filled up, and start fresh. As we go to our places of worship, let’s find joy in filling our reservoirs. Let’s surrender our worries and turn them into worship.

Join me in worship with, Fall Afresh by Equippers Worship. Some of the lyrics sing; “Lord, we are your temple. Lord, we are your church. Here we are, surrendered. Fall afresh on us”.

“Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Click Here and join me as I talk about the fruit, Goodness.

If you need a recap or missed reading a day, click the links below 👇

Spiritual Sunday – Peace

Manage Monday – Kindness

Transformation Tips Tuesday – Patience

Water Walking Wednesday – Love

Thankful Thursday – Joy

Faithful Friday – Faithfulness

“for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This week we have been meditating on the fruits of the spirit. Today we will focus on faithfulness. I look at this beautiful bird knowing that as it wades in the water it is subject to harm from bigger predators. I also look at this bird and know that God is faithful in taking care of the birds just like He is faithful to us. Why wouldn’t we want to be faithful to God in return?

In the verse from Proverbs we learn that God guards His faithful ones and protects the way. On this Faithful Friday, how can we honor God with our faithfulness? In Matthew 6:33-34 NIV; “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

If we seek God first, He is at the center of our world. If we live for today, we can be faithful in surrendering our tomorrows.

“The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.” Psalms‬ ‭118‬:‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This week we have been meditating on the fruits of the spirit. Today we will focus on Joy. One of my favorite verses is from Psalm 118:24, our key verse for today. If I meditate on it when I wake up, during trials, or celebrations, it always brings me joy. It has been very helpful for me to share my HPV journey. It has brought me joy to know that God will use my story for someone else. It proves, that this verse from Proverbs 17:22 NIV is so true; “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

Last week I had my postoperative appointment from my hysterectomy. I was a little anxious as I waited once again for the results. I received the wonderful news that my biopsies showed NO CANCER. The picture above is before and after my appointment. This sign was at check out. You all didn’t know that by me sharing, I was leaning on my family, friends, and readers to help carry me through. I can say that with God’s help and your support, my faith was bigger than my fear.

We have lots to be thankful for! Whatever your joy is today, join me in shouting it out; “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Psalms‬ ‭100‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬. I encourage you to worship with, This Is The Day by Cityalight.