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““If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it?” Luke‬ ‭15:4‬ ‭ You're never too far gone. Think about the story of Jonah. He ran from God and his calling. He didn't want to go to Ninevah, but God caused a storm, not to destroy him but to change him. While in the belly of the well, Jonah realized he should give his full heart to God. You are called by God, each of us is. We have free will to choose to go to that calling or to run from it. When we choose wrong sometimes storms do come, other times we create those storms while running. Our choices sometimes lead us to a wall that we hit. We have to stop saying we will change someday, and change today. I remember a time in my life when I wasn't living the best, I knew better. I had straight away. I was really scared of tornados then. Everytime a storm would come I would say I was going...

“He commanded the Red Sea to dry up. He led Israel across the sea as if it were a desert.” Psalms‬ ‭106:9‬ ‭ The story of God parting the Red Sea never gets old to me. When I read it I can picture being there. The Israelites and Moses must have feared being in the water while being chased by the Egyptians. They had to be afraid, although God already told them He would make a way. Sometimes God speaks a word to us but we so way in what He spoke happening. The thing about God though is He makes a way, where the actually was not a way before. The Israelites had no way to cross the Red Sea, not only did God part it and let them cross He also drowned their enemies in it. He will use that same power today for us. Today, if God has spoken something to you that you do not see possible know that God will make a way. He doesn't need to explain how, just know that He will. He will part the Red Sea in front of you and drown out the enemy. You are free in Jesus' name! The Red Sea in your li...

“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” Colossians‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭ The world we live in today questions why we make God a part of everything. The real question is why wouldn't we? Why would we take God out of everything in our lives when He is why we exist. We should make sure to make God the center of everything that we do. Growing up, I was taught to say, "Thank you, and God bless you." It stuck with me all my life. I still say it. It is apart of who I am, God is a part of who I am. We as Christians cannot allow God to be taken out of anything because that leaves us also taken out of it. If we allow God to be taken out, and God is our everything then we are a part of what is being taken out. God should be the center of our world and everything that we do. When you include God in everything, God shows up for you. Today, don't be ashamed to include God in everything that you say and do, it's...

“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”Isaiah‬ ‭43:19‬ ‭ When God opens the door, you're going to say, "It was only Him." God doesn't do things the way we humans would. He is not human, and he doesn't think like we do. He thinks differently than we do. If God had humanly done things, we could find a million ways that it happened instead of giving God the glory. He is a God of miracles, with that being said a miracle isn't ordinary, it's quite the opposite. Don't expect God to be ordinary when He is so much more than we are. He thinks way above us, and He can see and hear all things at once. He isn't anything like us. Today, when a door opens know that it is God, and that door opened through His way not our way. God works things out in the best way for us. Trust in God. Here are some verses to reflect on today. “Now al...

“But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 John‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭ Jesus is love. The Bible tells us that we love because He first loves us. We cannot call ourselves Christians when we aren't showing the love of Jesus to others. I have learned that I have to be an example of Jesus' love because not everyone has experienced it. We are here to remind others of the real version of Jesus. He forgives, He loves, and most of all He shows mercy. If we aren't acting like Jesus then how can we say we are Christians? We are here to show what Jesus is like through us. We have to see that we are what others perceive as how Jesus would act. So many people have turned away from Jesus because of the way Christians have treated them. You're not going to be perfect, that is okay. Today, try your best to be kind, loving, and compassionate towards others, just as you'd want them to be to you. Here are some verses to reflect on today. “This is real love—not that we love...

“Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭4:19‬ ‭ Have you ever been to the pumpkin patch? If so, you know how you go: You pick out the pumpkin you want and keep it. You take it home and carve it or paint it—it's up to you. That's how it is when God calls us, He finds us in the place we are. He takes us from the patch and renews us. This reminded me of the story where Jesus went up to Peter and Andrew and told them He would make them fishers of men. God found them on a boat doing their job of fishing. God doesn't wait until you have your entire life together to call you, He calls you from where you are. He knows that you were called before you were formed in your mother's womb. Today, let Jesus pick you from where you are and go follow Him. You are worthy of being called. He doesn't expect perfection, He is only looking for you to open yourself to change for the good. Here are some verses to reflect on tod...

“The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.” John‬ ‭15:19‬ ‭ The world will never understand you until you know a relationship with God. We spend so much of our lives trying to please and fit in with others that we forget the real meaning of the entire world is Jesus. We will never fit in a place that doesn't understand our faith. I have come to the conclusion that we have to choose to be nice to others, no matter their beliefs we have to be kind, but we do not have to mold ourselves to fit in with them. We might never fit their standards if they understand our faith, which is okay. God has people who will understand who we are, and our faith. We have to be kind and loving to unbelievers to set an example of Jesus, but we do not have to change who we are to fit in. We are meant to stand out, or how would we set that example. If you fit in everywhere you go where wo...

“Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:8‬ ‭ Everything you've lost God is going to replace with triple what you had before. Have you ever thought that when God removes someone from your life it's for your own good? I have lost so many friends over my lifetime, and each time I question why? I have concluded that I don't lose friends, I actually gain them. God removed the people who weren't treating me right in private, He heard the conversations that I didn't. God never does something without reasoning. Everything in our lives is for a purpose. God knows what you need before you ask the Bible says. He knows that you don't need fake friends or relationships in your life. Today, if you find yourself where someone wants to walk out of your life let them go. Don't beg them to stay, don't even ask them to stay. Let them walk out. God has better people for you than someone you must ask to be in y...

“Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16:3‬ ‭ But did you pray about it? You might've talked to yourself about it, ranted to a friend, or asked advice from someone you trusted but did you pray and ask God about it? We live in a fast-paced world where we often make decisions and then question why God allows us to make the wrong one. God cannot make you do something, but He can give you the advice you need. That advice comes from prayer. We all make bad choices, that's a part of life. To not continue making bad choices we need to spend time in prayer, we need to ask God what is best for us. This verse tells us that God will say to us what to do if we go to Him about it. Today, take your time to make decisions, be slow at it. Take plenty of time to ask God what is best for your life. Just because we want something doesn't mean it is right for us. Here are some verses to reflect on today. “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For ...

“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” Ephesians‬ ‭4:2‬ ‭ I saw a quote today: "But, are they seeing Jesus in every part of me?" I sat and thought about that for a moment. When I'm mad because the person in front of me is driving too slow, the worker at the restaurant is taking too long, my family forgets to do a small task or small events that seem to disrupt our day, am I showing Jesus through me? See it's easy to show Jesus in the big events, like buying that new house, car, graduating, or getting married. It's easy to remember to remind everyone God blessed you, but in the moments of anger and frustration are we showing Jesus through us? I think about the personality Jesus had, He was kind, loving, compassionate but most of all forgiving. Today, when someone really irritates you instead of being rude smile and show them kindness, let them know that they are loved. We never see t...

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.” Psalms‬ ‭37:4‬ ‭ God called us to achieve. We each have a dream. My dream is not the same as the next person's, but that doesn't make my dream any less important to me. I dream of things that someone else doesn't, and the same goes for them. The Bible says that He will give us our hearts' desires. That tells me God takes those dreams in our hearts and makes them a reality. We serve a God that doesn't forget that we have human feelings, He takes every bit of that into His mind when opening a door for us. I have learned that God most of the time doesn't open a door the way I think He will, but when it does open I feel just as happy as I had hoped. Today, trust that however, God opens the door for your dreams to come through He knows exactly what He is doing. The plans He has for you, are so much bigger than you can ever imagine! Dream big, and watch how God does even bigger things for you! Here...

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.” Proverbs‬ ‭3:5‬  ‭Waiting is sometimes difficult, whether it's waiting for a new job, finding a house to buy, finding the perfect person to marry, or waiting for anything else important. We spend so much time in life waiting, and we often feel like it's a waste of time. It's far from that. It's some of the best times in life. When writing this I began to think that fall is technically a waiting season from summer, we are transitioning into winter. Fall is the most beautiful season with all the leaves changing colors and perfect weather. We can choose to see the beauty in the waiting. God never makes us wait without a wonderful gift being at the end of the waiting. Today, wait patiently, knowing God has amazing things for you. Find the beauty where you are knowing something great is on the way! Here are some verses to reflect on today. “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength...

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Philippians‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭ There is nothing more important than your relationship with God. You have to make sure it is the priority. He needs time with you, and you need time with Him. Some people spend time with God in prayer, through silences while worshipping, worship music, and even through Bible studies. Anyway that you choose to spend time with God is important. We can never grow in our relationship with Christ without spending quality time with Him. You can make time for those you choose to make time for, and that is a fact. We all make time for things we want to do, and we should have God at the top of the list. Today, make sure that God is the most important thing, that He is what you spend your free time on before anything else. Here are some verses to reflect on today. “Never stop praying.” 1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:17‬ ‭ “But if you remain in me and my words remain ...

“For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭ Shining for Jesus is so important. We never know the impact we are making on those around us. When we choose to be kind, loving, and compassionate to those around us, we are showing the light of Jesus through our actions. Sometimes others make it difficult to be kind to them, but we as Christians set the example of our faith through our actions. We can tell someone about Jesus a million times, and it's great to do so but it's even better to show them what He is like. Look at all the situations God has brought you out of, He is a God of testimony. Today, you have to ensure you're setting the example of the light by what you do, how you act, and, more importantly, how you treat each other. You have to show love to others and be the light you once needed to see in this dark world. Here are some verses to reflect on today. “John himself was not the light;...

“Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.”James‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭ Why is it that when we find a new friendship or a new relationship, the main thing we put on the back burner is Jesus? We take the one relationship that should be above all else and put it in a corner until we need something. I remember I was in a season of waiting for a relationship. During that time, I became closer to God than ever before.  In life, we will have friends that come and go, but we have to remain in our faith no matter who we are around. Having friends is something we all want, and need. We also should know that having friends is not above our relationship with God. We should never get so caught up in anything that we forget our true values, thoughts, and relationship with God. Today, stick by your relationship with God no matter who walks into your life. Never get so distracted by things around y...

“I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.” John‬ ‭15:15‬ ‭ One thing will remain throughout our whole lives, that is God. No matter the season He is there with us. Have you ever noticed how when things are going great your so-called friends are close as can be, but the second things even start to look like they're not going well they scatter? Friends in this generation are so hard to come by. We have a friend who will remain, Jesus. He knew we would need someone to be there every season, and He is that friend. Real friends stick by you no matter the season of your life. Today, know that whatever you're facing God will be your friend. He is a friend that will be there no matter what. You are loved by your friend Jesus. Here are some verses to reflect on today. “Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭16:8‬ ‭ “A friend is always loyal, and a brother is...

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans‬ ‭8:28‬ ‭ Faith is like planting a seed for what you're praying for. Faith doesn't make God answer our prayers, but it shows Him that we believe He will. I have come to realize that if we don't have faith we have nothing. Faith is what we live by whether we know it or not. When we get up we have faith that it will be a good day, we will have a safe drive to work, and we will return safely. Everything we do is all based on faith. We have to have faith or we have nothing I cannot express that enough. Faith is the bridge between where you are in this moment and where you hope to be someday. Today, have faith in God and have faith that He is in control of all things. You are safe through that faith. Here are some verses to reflect on today. “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a ...

“Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”” Mark‬ ‭1:17‬ ‭ I remember being a little kid in Sunday school and hearing of this story. I always pictured these two min on a boat at a dock, and Jesus walking up to them. When they dropped their nets to follow Him I imagined them smiling. I often try to remind myself about how Jesus was here to fish for men just like we are. Our sole purpose on this earth is to become so close to Jesus that we show Him through us and bring others to Him. We are here to fish for the lost souls. We all want an eternity with Jesus as Christians, and who wouldn't honestly? I find myself in fear for those who are not willing to be baptized and receive the Holy Spirit for their eternity. I can tell everyone that I know that they need to find that, but I cannot make them. I cannot save souls, I can only help them find the truth and hope that they choose to get their souls saved. Today, when you're going on abou...

“John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light.” ‭‭John‬ ‭1:8‬  ‭Have you ever met someone and could instantly see the light of Jesus through them? It's like all around and inside of them they glow, you see the joy of the Lord in their smile. I have met people like that and the feeling of being around them is so refreshing in this hateful world. We should strive to be so close to Jesus that when someone sees and is around us they see Jesus through us. The closer you are to Jesus the more the light shines through you. I have learned it is sometimes better to make someone's day than to be rude. We need the light of Jesus in this world more than ever. This world has gone wicked, and we need Jesus to shine through it. Today, be close to God and let the light shine through. You never know the impact you could make on someone's life. Although we as people are not the light, we can choose to live righteously and let God's light shine through u...

“Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.” James‬ ‭1:14‬ ‭ When we get away from the sin we often find ourselves going back to that same sin. We find ourselves falling into our old ways at times, but we have to find our way back to God. When we get away from the sin we have to forgive ourselves for falling into it in the first place. I was tired tonight as I went to do my prayer journal. I had a thought that I immediately knew was the enemy, that said, "It's only one night. I can skip just this once." That's what the enemy does. He gives us a little door out and then before we know it we are so deep in sin. Today, when the enemy sends that temptation that you know will lead you far away from God, tell him to flee. God is willing to forgive us but the Bible says it's a sin to know what to do and not to do it. We can tell when the enemy is telling us to do something we shouldn't do. Here are some verses to reflect on today. “Keep ...

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:18‬ ‭ Being grateful doesn't mean you have everything you could ever wish for, it just simply means you're thankful for what you're already blessed with. We should learn to be thankful for what we do have not wishing for what we don't have. I love this verse that tells us to be content in all circumstances. We should all learn to be content in every situation, knowing that God provides all our needs. When we are daydreaming about the things other people have we lose the thankfulness in what we already have. We cannot wish for everything others have, each of us is made to be different and have different lives. If we were all the same it wouldn't be a good life. Today, be thankful and content with what you already have. Don't waste your time wishing you had what others have. Here are some verses to reflect on today. “Don’t love money; be satisfied wit...

“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” Psalms‬ ‭37:23‬ ‭ I talked with some people earlier about how every little detail is important to God. We have all watched movies where people travel back in time and the smallest details make huge impacts. It reminded me of how Ruth was faithful to her mother-in-law and chose to follow her, although she didn't have to. Later on, she married Boaz, and they had Obed. Ruth was the great grandmother to King David. Every detail of Ruth's life added up to every detail. We can only fool ourselves for so long saying that the small details don't matter to God, but they do. Today, trust that every small choice and detail of your life is important to God. You never know the impact it will later make on your life and others. The way we live not only reflects us but will change the future in many ways even when we think we arent important for all we know we could be a grandparent to a president. Here...

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭ How many times do we walk away when God is opening the door out of fear we aren't enough? We used to play a game when I was a kid called ding-dong ditch. You would ring a doorbell, run, and hide before they could get to the door to see you. We have to stop running when the door begins to open. We are open to what God wants until we let the lies overcome that. We start to believe that we aren't enough to accomplish things God has called us to do. There is something I have learned though, in your life God will set small, big, and in-between things and use them for your calling. Looking back on my life so many things I did not understand prepared me to write blogs. I never knew that was what it was for though. Today, trust that God is using all the details for your good. Don't run when the door opens. His plans are always good! He...

“He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭4:21‬ ‭ When God makes a promise to us we can write it down and count on it. God told me that He would do something for me one time. I didn't see a way for that to happen exactly, I was in a situation and saw no human way out. God doesn't work in the ways we think. I later felt God speak to me that I wouldn't know the day it would happen, and I wouldn't know the way. That is exactly how it happened. I could have written down the promise He gave me, which couldn't have been more accurate. God knew what He was doing, and that is why God didn't tell me how it would happen. When God gives us the promise He doesn't give us the details. Today, trust God with the details and count on the promise. God has never lied, and He never will. Here are some verses to reflect on today. ““My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could im...

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:18‬  Don't forget God when you get that blessing you're praying for. I think of the stories in the Bible where people prayed for something that seemed humanly impossible. I think of Abraham and Sarah, they did not forget God when they had a child. I think of Ruth who needed a husband, she stayed faithful to God. The woman who grabbed Jesus' robe, she praised Him. Job prayed for deliverance, and thanked God over and over again. Jonah prayed for forgiveness, then went and told Ninevah the most evil city at that time about Jesus. Each person mentioned chose to remember God even when they got what they asked for. We cannot use God when we need Him and discard Him until the next time we do. God is for us all the time and we have to be the same way towards Him. Today, choose God. Worship God and thank God even when He answers your prayers. Here are some verses to ref...

“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”” Joshua‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭ God is not confined to the four walls of a church. We go to church to learn about God, and to strengthen our faith through fellow believers. We do not go to church as if it's the only place God is. God is with you whether in your bed, in your living room, outside, at church, driving, asleep, or at an event. Everywhere you go God is always with you. We must stop telling ourselves that we can only find God in the Church. God is everywhere that you are. I have felt God's Spirit as strong in my bed as in an altar on my knees. I know that God is with me no matter where I am. Today, find God where you are. I think it's great to go to church and learn about His word, and it's great to have fellow believers to uplift you. On that same page don't confine God to four walls. When you leave church He's with you just as much as w...

“When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.” Mark‬ ‭4:39‬ ‭ Everything will work out for your good. I think of the story in the Bible of the Disciples and Jesus on the Boat. There a storm rolled in, Jesus was asleep. The disciples were scared. The wind began to blow the boat, and the storm surrounded them. They woke Jesus, He then spoke and the winds and rain stopped. Then there was a great calm. When life is rough, we must remember who is the calm in our storm. We worship God, the maker of all things. He is in control of everything in our lives. We can also think of the story of Joseph, he went through many trials. His brothers sold him off, but he later became second in command and forgave them. The Bible tells it through that story that God takes what the enemy means for harm and uses it for good. The weapon against you might form, but it will never prosper. Today, know that you will be o...

“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Colossians‬ ‭3:13‬ ‭ We often say that we need time to forgive someone. I was thinking about that today, when someone hurts us we always say we need time to forgive them. I felt the conviction in my heart thinking about how God had never once told me that. No matter what I have done wrong, no matter how many times I failed Him, He still forgave me the second I asked. When we think of that we should also think of the fact that God doesn't need time to forgive us. We are wasting time when we say that, and hold a grudge. We should always find it in our hearts to forgive immediately. The Bible says we have to forgive in order to be forgiven. Today, forgive immediately. Do not waste your time holding a grudge on someone, you're only punishing yourself. Move on, and trust God. Let God's peace guide you, and forgive those who hurt you. Here are ...

“But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” Matthew‬ ‭6:6‬ ‭ I haven't been the best at reading my Bible recently. I have failed to do what I know is best in my relationship with God. Today as I sat playing on my phone I realized how much time I was truly wasting, that was valuable time I could have been spending with God. I felt the need to begin right then, so I did. I started a new Bible plan on my app. I then opened my Bible beside me in my car, reminding myself that I need time with God to read. I needed that time to feel refreshed and strengthened. We tend to put so many things above our relationship with God. We put social media, money, jobs, friends, relationships, and more into what we should be doing to strengthen our relationship with God. Today, I encourage you to do as I have done. Instead of playing a game, talking to your friends, doing a hobby, or scro...

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Philippians‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭ Giving thanks to God is so important. I tend to forget to thank God at times. There have been so many moments over the last year or so that I have realized where I am from a year ago, I then sit and cry. I thank God so much for all He has done for me. I have experienced His miracle healing power in my life. He always comes through for us, and He never fails us. Being thankful shows God that when He trusts us with a little, we can be trusted with more. Being thankful shows the compassion in us that we know only good things come from Above. God is the only way we ever receive good things. We can put effort in and it helps, but God is who decides to give blessings to us. Today, take time to be thankful! God loves to see us be thankful for things we are blessed with, and He loves when we tell Him that. Here are some verses to reflect on today. “Be th...

“A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.” Proverbs‬ ‭17:17‬ ‭ Just be the person God designed you to be. Growing up I was homeschooled, and I often felt like an outsider. Although I spent much time in public at my mom's hair salon, I still felt like I never fit in with the kids my age. The older I got, the more I found friends to surround myself with. I have come to realize that God had perfect people designed for me. I had to be the realistic version of myself to have those friends. When you're pretending to be someone you're not to fit in you'll soon realize that you're not fitting in after all. When you're the real version of yourself you'll fit in to the places you're meant to. God has a friend group perfectly designed for you. Those friends will uplift you, encourage you, protect you, and love you for who you are. Today, don't try to be someone you're not just to fit in, God has people for you when you're...