Galatians 5:16-17 NCV “So I tell you: Live by following the Spirit. Then you will not do what your sinful selves want. Our sinful selves want what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit wants what is against our sinful selves. The two are against each other, so you cannot do just as you please,”

Galatians 5:19-21 NCV “The wrong things the sinful self does are clear: being sexually unfaithful, not being pure, taking part in sexual sins, worshiping gods, doing witchcraft, hating, making trouble, being jealous, being angry, being selfish, making people angry with each other, causing divisions among people, feeling envy, being drunk, having wild and wasteful parties, and doing other things like these. I warn you now as I warned you before: Those who do these things will not inherit God’s kingdom.”

Galatians 5:22-23 NCV “But the Spirit produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. There is no law that says these things are wrong.”

Ok then, now what? How many were you able to identify with on the naughty list? Many I’m sure as I set amongst the ugly with you. I don’t practice witchcraft but I do feel hate at times! I don’t get drunk or throw wild parties but I do get angry and can be selfish. Do I just say this is me and the way God made me, so I can’t help it!!!

No…we don’t get a get out of jail free card! First off, God didn’t make us this way; we aren’t born envious, jealous, drunk or mad. Sin entered the world and humans after the first taste of the forbidden fruit. When our baby feet take their first steps on the soiled ground, sinful self enters. Even toddlers get into their fair share of trouble. We always seem to want what we can’t have.

We are warned to recognize our sinful natures and address. Pray for change within, pray for God’s release from the demons of addiction, pray for strength to make the changes in your life that have become chains of burden. We don’t have to stay in our wrongs and filth, we have a Savior.

Psalms 41:10 NLT “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.”

1 Peter 2:16 ESV “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.”

Have I got the fruit of the Spirit mastered? Heavens no, and I imagine I will be praying and repeating prayers resembling, “Lord, help me to overcome and change the parts of me I don’t care for, help me to hear and see the parts of me others don’t care for, and grow me into who you care for me to be. I wish to walk happy, joyful, peaceful, and a light to others.”

He who has begun a good work in me will continue till the day of his return, He will for you also all you have to do is ask. Be blessed today and thank you for joining me. 🥰

Let me start today by saying, “You Will Never Measure Up!”

Get that in your head; you will always fall short! Positive way to start a devotion, wouldn’t you say? I have loved God since I was eight years old. I will be the first to admit my sins and failures highly outnumber the successes. By knowing this, accepting this, facing this is how I grow.

Another reason to be true to ourselves is that the world is full of people who love to rub our shortcomings in our faces and predominantly Christian faces. The mental notebook of persecution. The scriptures they voice lending only to their agenda, which are usually taken and spoken out of context, or quoting the half that pertains to you; forgetting or not knowing the other half that pertains to them.

You see, Scripture is a two-edged sword; Jesus doesn’t instruct on the wife’s expectations without including the husband’s. There is scripture for the saints and the sinners, the young and the old, the rich and the poor. We are all covered within the pages of the Bible.

So, here we are! Human, again! We are getting stronger every day, sure we fall, and we pray. We get mad and we pray. We get impatient and we pray. We get grouchy when we’re hungry, have thoughts, ideas, and are entitled to have opinions. We strive every day to be the best we can be, and that should be no reason to be subjected to spiritual abuse, oh, but it seems to be!

Matthew 10:22 NIV “You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

Sadly, the ones usually persecuting are not those who hate us but those who claim to love us, or who do love us. If you belong to Jesus, you will become a target, simple as that!!!

The reason I tend to write on this subject a lot is I have people in my world that attacking my Christian walk is their first choice of arsenal. To achieve hurting me, they go after the one thing that can wilt me, and that’s my walk with God. You need to be aware that you, too, as a Christian, are now part of the worlds shooting gallery.

You need to know your walk, remember your prayers of growth and change. Listen to what Jesus has to say about you, not another human being with as many sins, scars and problems as you have! Stand firm in your beliefs and walk and if others can’t join you, let them walk on!

Philippians 1:6 NLT “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

Simply put, He will be working on us every day until the day of his return. So, Jesus already knows we don’t measure up, loves us anyway and is working within us everyday. Just keep plugging along; the haters will hate, the judges are going to judge. All we can do is to keep praying for them. Be blessed today, try and be a blessing and thank you for joining me. 🥰

Parched: to dry out with excessive heat, too thirsty, lightly roasted, deprived of natural moisture.

Here are a few synonyms: dried up, dried out, burned, scorched, withered, and faded.

No, I am not giving a weather report or an agricultural lesson. I am asking if you’ve ever felt this way or easier yet, how many times a day do you feel this way? I don’t mean thirsty from working outside in the heat but thirsty in a way you can’t quite put your finger on?

Do you feel dried out, withered, shriveled inside? The demands of life are enough to cause dehydration, then add emotional baggage, the people in your life requiring so much you’re drained, the deadlines at work or school, the doctor’s report, the mechanic’s report, or merely the nightly news on TV.

John 7:37 NIV “On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.”

John 4:10 ESV “Jesus said, ‘If you only knew the free gift of God and who it is that is asking you for water, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”

John 4:13 ESV “Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give will become a spring of water gushing up inside that person, giving eternal life.”

So, if life has you stretched pretty thin. The heat of the world is searing down on you. Someone has drained your strength. Illness has dried your bones; talk to the giver of life, the one who refreshes with his life-giving water.

It’s a simple prayer and can be said anywhere at any time, “Lord, I am parched. I have a dry, crackly attitude, and I am withered. I humbly ask you to remove my burning and replace it with the calm refreshment of your Holy Spirit. Fill me fully that I, in turn, maybe a drink for someone else. In your name, I pray with thanksgiving. Amen.”

Repeat as many times daily as needed. Be blessed today, don’t forget to drink water both spiritually and physically and as always Thank you for joining me. 🥰

Deuteronomy 11:16-28 ESV “Be careful, or you will be fooled and will turn away to serve and worship other gods. If you do, the Lord will become angry with you and will shut the heavens and it will not rain. Then the land will not grow crops, and you will soon die in the good land the Lord is giving you. Remember my words with your whole being. Write them down and tie them to your hands as a sign; tie them on your foreheads to remind you. Teach them well to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on your doors and gates so that you and your children will live a long time in the land the Lord promised your ancestors, as long as the skies are above the earth.

If you are careful to obey every command I am giving you to follow, and love the Lord your God, and do what he has told you to do, and are loyal to him, then the Lord will force all those nations out of the land ahead of you, and you will take the land from nations that are bigger and stronger than you. Everywhere you step will be yours. Your land will go from the desert to Lebanon and from the Euphrates River to the Mediterranean Sea. No one will be able to stop you. The Lord your God will do what he promised and will make the people afraid everywhere you go.

See, today I am letting you choose a blessing or a curse. You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today. But you will be cursed if you disobey the commands of the Lord your God. So do not disobey the commands I am giving you today, and do not worship other gods you do not know.”

I know this is a lot of scripture and is written in times of old but the words fit in our society today as well. We need to know the word of God and his ways. We are in the end times and his word tells us many will come in my name be aware so as not to be deceived (Matthew 24:5) we need to know Him, we need to know what he has to say, teach them to our children, grandchildren, loved ones…lest we be fooled!!!

Follow and Love the Lord your God, do as his word instructs, you will then take from those bigger then you. Simply meaning, He will fight your battles, no one will be able to take from you, keep from you or stop you.

Everyday the Lord gives us the choice; blessed or cursed! The choice is ours. We and only we can decide whether we choose to do what is right or live as we wish and worry about the consequences later. In the days and times to come we need to be aware and ready.

1 Peter 5:8 ESV “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Our times are unsteady, people are afraid, dazed and confused, lost, and lied to. There is an agenda being spread and many changes becoming our new culture that don’t align with Gods word …We need to know the truth and do our best to share the truth!

Be blessed today, try and be a blessing and as always Thank you for joining me. 🥰

My devotional/journal’s reading this morning hit me. I have heard it said many times. I have read it many times, but this morning, I felt it.

Genesis 1:27 NLT “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

The Lord created us in his image to commune with him. To walk and talk and share a relationship with him. It is no accident He created us to be friends, it’s no accident the wholeness that fills our hearts and spirits when we become one with him. The peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:6) the peace that flows within the connection.

Genesis 3:8 ESV “And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God along the trees.”

They were hiding because they had sinned! They ate the fruit that they were told not to and now we’re ashamed to face God! Genesis 3:9 NIV “But the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?”

We have a few scenarios here: first, God was walking in the garden in the cool of the day! Second, Adam and Eve were hiding due to shame! Third, God kept calling Adam!

1. God walked and talked with Adam in the garden. They had communion: “intimate fellowship or rapport.” That is until sin entered the garden and tarnished everything. Does your life feel tarnished? Do you feel like you’ve ruined everything?

2. Adam and Eve were hiding. The beginning of the end! The end of perfection, the end of peace, the end of life in the garden and the beginning of condemnation, embarrassment, regret, toil and strife. Life as we know it! Are you hiding, is your life in a place where you know Jesus isn’t? His hand is the brightest in your darkness, just reach out and grab it.

3. God kept calling Adams’s name. God isn’t stupid, He knew what had happened and what was going on within these first two humans he created but He didn’t let them stay in their sin or hidden. He kept calling until they faced him. Is He calling you? Can you feel the tug on your heartstrings? Answer his call, Please!!!

In conclusion, God created us to be connected to him. Our circle becomes complete when he fills in the gaps. Sin in your heart and life, join the crowd. God is in your garden calling your name, you just have to come out from behind the foliage. He’s always there, waiting to forgive and restore. He created YOU, and would like an intimate relationship with YOU! Give him a call, or answer…either way, you’ll be glad you did!

Be blessed today, Be a blessing today and as always Thank You for joining me. 🥰

I turned 60 on my last birthday, nothing unusual about that but it has turned out to be quite extraordinary!

Nothing like Alices’ bizarre adventure into Wonderland nor the grand vacation Dorothy took as she ventured toward Oz, but I feel like I’ve arrived at Me! Upon looking back, there were a few rabbit holes, fields of beautiful poppies, and a witch or two along the journey, but they fade into the background of time.

I know some of my arrival to Me is my age, as I’ve heard women before speaking of the freedom that dawns with it! I’ve always been an independent person; confines and lines are especially hard for me; losing many of these constraints have left me utterly joyful.

In our youth, image is a strong forefront. How do I look? What will they think? Why did I do that? What am I going to do? Leftover peer pressure from 12 years of school and the competitions of life.

As we age, we begin an exchange; our youthful appearance for that of grace and dignity, our agility for a pace that is slower and refined. I find myself surprised at the peace that arrived beautifully wrapped from God when I advanced into the next age stage. I’m a Senior again! Oh, I hope it comes with another ring!!!

I am comfortable in my skin and Me. I am growing every day, but in a new way; new friendships are blooming in spring attire; I am walking closer to my Lord and feel the peace of his love shining down on me like sunshine on a summer day. I still care what people think but not because of the outfit I have on or the title of my job but because of the beauty from within. The Lord, I wish to reflect!

Isaiah 60:1 ESV “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.”

John 11:40 ESV “Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”

2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness, made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”

So the next time I need to run to the grocery store, fuzzy socked feet stuffed in clogs, hair up in a messy bun and no makeup, guess what I am off to the store, our Godly glow shines through our masks, let people see that and the rest, well that’s their opinion, and I can’t be bothered!

May the peace of our Lord shine upon you and out of you for the world to see! Be blessed, be a blessing and thank you for joining me. 🥰

I am not asking your home state, your resident address. I am more curious about your emotional address.

Do you live in a state of hopefulness, or do you reside in a state of despair?

The state of hopefulness is a peaceful place. A place to rest, storms may be blowing outside, but the foundation and structure are built on confidence, anticipation, and expectation.

The state of despair is a barren rocky climate. A place full of pacing, worry, and fret. The storms are blowing, and sadly these walls are built on destruction, desperation, and hopelessness.

Who is your landlord? John 10:10 NLT “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give rich and satisfying life.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go a head of you. He will be with you; he will will never fail you or abandon you.”

It’s up to you, which state you live in. You can believe the lies that it’s never going to change; you and your life are hopeless, it’s the way it’s always been, and that’s how it will always be.

Or, you can listen to what our creator has to say; life, abundance, peace, joy, and love. It’s all there; it’s yours. He’s just waiting for an invitation to live in your state.

Dear Lord Our Father In Heaven, I pray to you in a state of despair. I no longer wish to live there but would like to ask you to come into my heart and make it your home. I am a sinner, and ask for your forgiveness and help me to forgive myself. I believe that you sent your son to die on the cross for my sins. I may not understand, but I want to. Thank you for saving me; my name is now recorded in your glorious book of life, where I will spend eternity with you. In the name of Jesus Christ, I say this prayer. Amen

If you just said the prayer of salvation and need someone to talk to, or simply have questions, please leave your number in the comments; if you need a Bible, please reach out, supply your mailing address, and one will be sent to you free of charge.

Be blessed today, try and be a blessing and thank you for joining me. 🥰

Does it almost startle you when you call someone who isn’t in your daily calling circle, and they pick up the phone after a ring or two, and you hear a live voice say, “hello?”

That happened to me yesterday! I talk of a pastor who is very near and dear to my heart. I have been thinking about her so much lately, and yesterday, I had the strongest urge to call her. (The Holy Spirit) I was in the middle of combing my hair, stopped, looked up her information, and called.

The phone rang a couple of times, and a voice I know and love said, “hello.” I was startled for a moment; it wasn’t a message telling me to leave a message. I wasn’t put on hold; I didn’t get a busy signal, nor instructed to call back at another time. No, it was a voice of love, and my heart was instantly warm.

Do you know who else picks up the minute we call? Our Heavenly Father! His word tells us to pray without ceasing! Do you know of anyone else in your life that wants you to talk to them without ceasing? Doubt it!

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 ESV “Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

So, if you are lonely, He’s there to visit. If you are troubled, He’s right beside you. Scared, He who is in me is greater than he who is in this world. (1 John 4:4) Are you rejoicing? He’s thrilled to share your joy!

Pray without ceasing: driving in your car, taking a long hot shower, moving from one piece of furniture to the other, dusting or in the laundry room as you sort, and fold laundry. Wherever you are, He’s there too!

Give Him a call, strike up a conversation, or crack open your Bible; I bet you will be glad you did! Be blessed and I’m so happy you joined me today. 🥰

We all have voices in our heads, thoughts that sound like very predominant real voices. What do these thought voices say or tell you? What do you allow yourself to hear or believe?

Do you hear, “I am a child of God, loved and a conqueror? Or “I am a loser, stupid, hopeless and defeated? John 4:19 ESV “We love because He loved us first.”

Do you hear, “I am strong, I can do this, I am a winner?” Or “I’m weak, it’s never going to change, why am I even trying, I’m tired, I always lose anyway?” Philippians 4:13 NLT “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”

Do you hear, “I am held, I am protected, I will be just fine!” Or “I am alone, I am barely hanging on, I feel like a leaf in a wind storm?” Isaiah 42:10 ESV “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Do you hear, “I am confident,” I may be nervous, but God is always with me, I am a winner because I live in Jesus, and He lives in me?” Or “I don’t belong, I don’t fit in, people don’t like me, I’m an introvert, no one cares what I have to say anyway! Galatians 2:20 ESV “ I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.”

My mantra this year is “Retrain the Brain” I not only hear thoughts, but I also have arguments with people and situations. Whenever a negative thought or debate kicks in my brain, I stop and repeat “retrain the brain” a few times, think of something positive, or a quick prayer asking The Holy Spirit to change my thought direction. If my head is incredibly cluttered, I put on music, hit the kitchen, and dance. I dance when I clean my kitchen. Can you tell I grew up loving Mary Poppins? (still do) Sugar is always better!

Mary Poppins aside, all it takes is a moment to change your thought direction, don’t forget your Bible’s concordance if you need help directing you to what God has to say about you, your life, and any situation you find yourself.

Be blessed today, try and be a blessing and thank you for joining me. 🥰

From a time where we didn’t have cell phones, video games were two paddles, and a dot swatted back and forth on a black and white screen. We mailed letters and cards to people we loved as means of communication, and traveling to new areas meant you were lost. Another Era Past, Again!!!

Growing up, we traveled a lot as a family; I remember dad routing our course along colored squiggly lines of the accordion map that seemed to spread out all over the kitchen table. As an adult I was in sales and spent many hours in my car on freeways and cities I knew nothing about. At the beginning of my field rep career, I would map out my course for the day, Mapquesting one location to the other, printing a sheet of paper per area, making sure they were all in order, and off I would go. Often this worked pretty well unless I got sidetracked or made a left when I should have made a right. Lost, Again!!!

Then the blessed day of navigational devices came on the market, quickly followed by an App on our phones. What a glorious day for me! I learned quickly that even tho I may not understand the route I was being lead I was better off following that path then deciding I’m smarter then the GPS! Patient, Again!!!

We can be like that with Jesus! We give our lives to Him, we ask Him to lead us down the path He would have us go. We pray for His deliverance from any of life’s battles, we ask him to change where we are right now and lead us into a new tomorrow. Hopeful, Again!!!

Then what happens? He starts to move on your behalf, He starts to move things, you, people, jobs, friends, towns, your life. What! Wait a minute! This feels a bit scary, I’m not sure about all of this! This is making no sense, why can’t it be happening this way after all it would be much easier for me! Self-serving, Again!!!

You have just told the Grandest GPS of the Universe that His directions and path He has you on are making no sense, and you think it will be quicker and easier to bypass this section and hit the freeway! Ha, now you are stuck in traffic, while the byway flow is still moving forward. Stuck, Again!!!

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Proverbs 3:5 NLT “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.”

I realize it isn’t always easy to understand when and why things are happening. I realize change is one of the scariest undertakings, I so dislike change but without it where would we be, still stuck, waiting. So if you’ve given Jesus the reigns, set back and enjoy the ride. He knows where you’re going! Trusting, Again!!!

Have a blessed day, try and be a blessing and thank you as always for joining me. 🥰