Acknowledge Him

 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

The ladies in my bible study are beginning a new theme this month: Walking By Faith.  It's off to a great start!  Even though our first verses we are studying have been studied multiple times before, God showed me something new today.  I love that when it happens.  God's Word is alive!  This is what He showed me today...

vs 5-Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

•Trust in Who?

-The LORD!

•With what?

-ALL my heart!  It must be all or nothing.  There is no middle ground when it comes to trust.

 I can't try to make sense of something with my own understanding.  His ways are not my ways!  I must seek God's Word.

vs 6-In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

•In ALL.

-Every circumstance, every situation, in every trial, fear, joy and happiness.

•Acknowledge.

-To recognize the rights, authority or status of, to express gratitude or obligation for, to take notice of, to recognize as genuine or valid.

In other words, I must surrender to God's Will knowing that He is in control, He has the right to be in control, and He will never do me wrong, cause me harm or steer me in the wrong direction.  He always wants what is best for me.

But I did notice something new this morning, something I had not seen before.

•Paths

-Plural.

-Not 'path.' 

-PATHS.

For some reason, I had always read it as 'path.'  As if my life is one journey, one road.  It's not.  My life is made up of many decisions that lead me in different directions.  Some paths I remain on, some I leave.

Some paths are familiar, some are new, but this one thing is clear:  God promises that if I hand over the reins of my life, if I hand over the roadmap of 'my plans' and surrender to His will, He promises to direct my course.

He makes no mistakes...

    He will plan and lead me according to the purpose He has for me...

        He will not only direct my paths...He will clear the way for me...

            But that's just me!

3 Things To Remember

On my way into town today, I was listening to K-LOVE Christian Radio, and the Hosts were sharing an excerpt from Matthew West's book, Don't Stop Praying. (Published February 2026) It was so profound, that I decided to research this account and share it with my Readers; this is what I found:

"The 'exercise' Matthew West speaks about is a powerful trust walk from a father-daughter camp (attended at JH Ranch) that served as a spiritual metaphor.  He recounts this exact story at the beginning of his book, Don't Stop Praying.

The Camp Exercise Setup-

Fathers and daughters went deep into the woods for a guided hike.  The daughters completely blindfolded, and the fathers were tasked with leading them safely through the terrain.

Before starting, the fathers had to have their daughters memorize and repeat three strict rules:

1-"I will never leave you."

2-"You can ask me anything."

3- "Only listen for the sound of my voice."

How the exercise unfolded-

 •The Easy Phase- At first, Matthew kept his hand on his daughter's shoulder. They walked and talked easily, and she felt entirely secure.

•The Silent Command-A camp counselor gave a silent hand signal to Matthew, forcing him to remove his hand from her shoulder.

•The Silence-Another silent signal from the counselor meant Matthew was no longer allowed to speak to her. However, the rules permitted him to speak only if she remembered rule number 2 and asked him a question.

•The Detour-Because she stayed completely quiet, she began drifting off course. A camp counselor quickly took her hand and led her directly into a ditch without her realizing it.

•The Breakthrough-Confused and standing blindfolded in a ditch, she finally realized her father's promise and called out, "Dad, are you there?" Matthew immediately and emotionally answered, "Yeah, I'm here!"

The Spiritual takeaway-

Matthew West uses this viral story in his ministry and book to illustrate prayer and faith. He explains that people often act like his daughter in the woods-wandering into 'ditches' of life, feeling blindfolded and confused, while entirely forgetting that God is standing right beside them, waiting for them to simply call out and ask for help."

I couldn't stop thinking about this illustration all day long.  When things seem to be going great in my life, it's easy to feel safe and secure in the promises of God, but when things begin to change and I no longer 'feel' the presence of God in my life, fear, doubts and confusion enter my thoughts.  I being to make decisions without seeking the Lord and I find myself in a ditch of my own making.  But then I remember God's promises-

"I will never leave you" Hebrews 13:5

"You can ask me anything" 1 John 5:14-15, John 14:13-14, Mark 11:24, Philippians 4:6

"Only listen for the sound of my voice" John 10:27

Thank you, Lord, for reminding me that you will never leave me...

    I can call on You and ask You anything...

        and I know Your Voice...

            But that's just me!

Purposed

"But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself."  Daniel 1:8

Daniel purposed in his heart...

I've been thinking a lot about this verse lately.  Our church just finished a week-long Family Camp, and we all heard Spirit-filled preaching to help improve our relationships with our spouses, our children, and with our friends.  It's easy to make decisions based on what you have heard right after the church service, and it's easy to fulfill those decisions you've made for a week or two at least, but as the weeks turn into months, the decisions that we have made during special meetings, or after the weekly church services begin to wane and fall on the wayside, and we find ourselves right back where we started from.  Why is that?

Laziness.

It takes hard work and effort to change. 

Daniel made a decision.  His decision was based on a conviction, not on a standard.  Standards change; convictions will not change.  

He determined himself not to eat the king's meat.  This was a decision he had to make every single day. His determination was kept for an intended purpose: To please God.

Jesus did the same thing.  Every single day, Jesus purposed in His heart to please His heavenly Father.  To continually go about His Father's business.  Jesus set His face to go where He needed to go, to meet the person or person's He knew would be waiting for Him there.  To do what God the Father asked Him to do.  

Jesus never did anything half-heartedly or without reason or purpose.

So, how can we glorify God, whether in the time of ease or in the time of trial like Daniel?  According to Guzik, the heart must be set.  Daniel made up his mind beforehand that he would not compromise. It's to know in our hearts that "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31

Lord, help me to purpose in my heart to do...

     only those things that will please you...

        But that's just me!

   

The Voice of A Shepherd

"And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.  And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him; for they know not the voice of strangers."  Jesus speaking, John 10:4-5

I remember as a little girl, I could be in a room full of other kids and their mom's but when my mom called out to me, (and she didn't even have to call me out by name) I always knew that the voice I heard belonged to my mom.  When she called out to get my attention, for whatever reason, I heard her voice and I knew who she was, and I knew who she was speaking to; me.

During World War 1, some soldiers tried to steal a flock of sheep from a hillside near Jerusalem. The sleeping shepherd awoke to find his flock being driven off.  He couldn't recapture them by force, so he called out to his flock with his distinctive call.  The sheep listened, and returned to their rightful owner.  The soldiers couldn't stop the sheep from returning to their shepherd's voice.  

There is also a story of a Scotch traveler who changed clothes with a Jerusalem shepherd and tried to lead the sheep: but the sheep followed the shepherds voice and not his clothes.  (Dods)

Sheep do not follow after the voice of a stranger.  Why?  Because they only listen for the voice of their shepherd.  A shepherd whose voice they do not recognize, they ignore. 

Only their own personal shepherd has authority over their care, and they know him by his voice.

Do you know the voice of The Good Shepherd?

If so, He will lead you, guide you and protect you...

    But if you know not His voice, you will be led to danger and destruction...

        But that's just me!

The Search

 "But godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5

There is a tale of a king who suffered from a painful ailment. His counselors advised him of the only cure: to find a contented man, get his shirt, and wear it night and day. So, the king sent messengers to find such a man, with orders to bring back his shirt. After months of searching the kingdom, they returned empty-handed.
“Did you find a contented man in all my realm?” asked the king.
“Yes, O king, we found only one in all thy realm,” they replied.
“Then why did you not bring back his shirt?” the king demanded.
“Master, the man had no shirt.”
(Condensed from Tan, P. L., Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations, Bible Communications, Inc., 1996, pp. 272–273).

My friend, Cindy Burns, shared this story with me while we were doing a bible study about contentment.  When I read it, I cried.  

The world is seeking and searching diligently for contentment and happiness; but they are seeking and searching after the wrong things.  After the wrong people.

Why does it seem like those with the most possessions are the ones with such dissatisfaction in life?

And why does it seem like those who have nothing are the ones who have it all?

The answer, my friend, is Jesus.

Jesus is all we need.  Jesus is enough.

If you are searching for contentment...

    Turn to Christ...

        Your search will finally be over...

            But that's just me!

"Contentment is a sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit that delights in God's will in all situations."  Jeremiah Burroughs

 

Dehydrated

 Every year in the month of July, our small community takes a week to celebrate its town.  It's a week full of parades, picnics, food trucks and venders selling their wares on the Museum Lawn.  Alumni who graduated from our High School return and reconnect with old friends, and it's a time when families can come out and play family games and enjoy the benefits of small town living.

Our church kicks this week off by serving a free meal to those in our community to show them that we love and care for them.  We want to be a blessing to them and have the opportunity to tell them about our Lord Jesus Christ.

It was 100 degrees yesterday when we began to serve the meal, and in the heat, I lasted for about two hours.  I began to see black dots in front of my face.  I became overheated, dizzy and thought I was going to faint.  

Heat exhaustion.

I had never experienced anything like it before.  My husband ended up having to bring me home so that I could cool down and rest.  As I began to rehydrate myself, I remembered Psalm 42:1

"As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God." 

Albert Barnes explains that "in the hot and dry regions of the Middle East, deer would often experience an intense physical thirst when pursued by hunters or suffering from drought.  These deer would desperately seek out water brooks to survive.  And just as deer pants for physical water, the psalmist's soul is driven by an all-consuming, desperate need for the presence and comfort of God."  In context, Albert Barnes notes, "This craving often peaks during deep affliction or when a person is separated from God's sanctuary. The psalmist-cut off from public worship and surrounded by enemies mocking his faith-finds that only God can satisfy his soul's profound thirst."  

"Ease he did not seek, honour he did not covet, but the enjoyment of communion with God was an urgent need of his soul; he viewed it not merely as the sweetest of all luxuries, but as an absolute necessity, like water to a stag." Spurgeon

Then I thought about Psalm 19:7

"The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple." I love this verse.  According to David Guzik, God's law lacks no essential ingredient to guide, correct and instruct us.  The word converting is actually a Hebrew word that means to restore, revive or bring back.  God's Word doesn't just improve us; it completely revives our innermost being.  God's Word is completely reliable and unchanging. God's Word provides the ultimate foundation of practical wisdom and discernment to protect the vulnerable.  Literally, God's Word is like a cool spring bringing life to a weary soul.

Just as water refreshes our physical bodies, the Word of God refreshes our soul.  

Isn't that beautiful?

When we neglect the refreshing Word of God, we can become dizzy, disoriented, and dehydrated by the stresses of the world...

        But when we daily replenish ourselves in God's Word, we can be refreshed...

            But that's just me!

On a side note: I found two examples of actual heat exhaustion in the bible and I will let you check them out for yourselves.  

2 Kings 4:18-20

Jonah 4:8

There is also two comforting verses that promise God's physical and spiritual protection in Psalm 121:5-6: "The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night."

        

A Beam or A Whisker?

There are two types of people:

Male and Female-"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." Genesis 1:27

Saved and Lost-"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:10

Those who walk in the Flesh and those who walk in the Spirit- "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." Galatians 5:16

Those who Forgive, and those who hold Grudges- "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD." Leviticus 19:18

"Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven." Matthew 18:21-22

The other day while I was putting on my make-up, I made a horrifying discovery!  I saw a very dark whisker protruding from my chin that had grown long enough to have a little curl to it.  I was mortified!  Quickly reaching for my tweezers, and not very gently, I plucked the invading hair from off my face.  While I was doing such meticulous work, I thought to myself, 'Why didn't my husband tell me I had an alien growing on my chin!!??'  I would soon find out and in doing so, I discovered that...

There are three types of Observers:

Those who notice motes in other people's lives while living with a beam in their own eye-"And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?" Matthew 7:3

Those who will carry the burdens of others and restore them-"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." Galatians 6:1-2

After taking care of my foreign whisker, I went in search of my husband.  "I just plucked the most disturbing growth from my chin while putting on my make-up this morning.  There was a whisker there about a mile long!  Why didn't you tell me it was there????"

My husband looked up at me and said, "Sweetheart, I didn't see it because I don't look for things like that."

The third Observer are those who do not look for the imperfections in others, why?  "Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins." Proverbs 10:12 "And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8

How do you observe others?  Do you focus on faults and imperfections, or do you relieve the burdens others carry and restore them back to their Heavenly Father?  Are you looking for something to critique?  Or are you looking at them in Love?

"Dear Lord, remove my critical spirit towards other's imperfections...

    and give me a love that will restore those back to you..."

            But that's just me!

"Where love abounds in a fellowship of Christians, many small offences, and even some large ones, are readily overlooked and forgotten. But where love is lacking, every word is viewed with suspicion, every action is liable to misunderstanding, and conflicts abound-to Satan's perverse delight." Grudem

From Anguish to Thankfulness

I began my morning with a hymn called, Thanks to God.  

As I began to read the words and hum the tune, I realized this hymn seemed to cover every single thing I should be thanking God for on a daily basis.

And it reminded me of David's anguished prayer that had turned to praise!

"Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.  The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him." Psalm 28:7-8

Has something ever happened in your life when you felt like your heart turned to stone when you heard the startling news?  Has there ever been a time when sudden fear took over and it was so overwhelming that you didn't really know what to do?

David experienced such things.  He hid in caves from his enemies.  Those who he was most loyal to, sought to take his life.  In Psalm 28, David expressed such confidence, trust and praise in the LORD.  He knew that God would rescue him from the wicked and preserve him in his distress.  He prayed to the Good Shepherd to guide his way.  Psalm 28 is a companion to Psalm 26, but here the danger David faced was eminent.

According to Albert Barnes, David transitions from an anxious plea for deliverance into a confident song of praise, thanking God for hearing his prayer and interceding for the nation of Israel.  In a moment of anxiety, David's prayer brought a calm, settled, assurance. 

"And suddenly, the prayer becomes a song of praise, an act of adoration."  Morgan

David was overwhelmed by sudden fear, and so he began to pray, and as he began to pray, God's calm assurances rained down upon him and his fear turned into complete trust, which then turned into pure praise.

Praise will remove all fear.

I love that because I've been there.

There have been times in my life when I was down on my knees at the foot of my bed praying for God to help me to just get through the day, and although my prayer began in such anguish, the longer I prayed, my words turned to thankfulness that God was hearing my prayer. 

My fear began to wane, and I had the assurance that no matter the outcome of my situation, everything was going to be ok.

It will be for you to.  Just start praying.

God hears you and He is listening...

    Pray, and soon your prayer will turn to praise...

         But that's just me!

"My dear friend, if you can say, 'The LORD is my strength,' you can bear anything and everything."

Charles Spurgeon

Thanks To God

From the Swedish and translated by C.E. Backstrom

'Thanks to God for my Redeemer, Thanks for all Thou dost provide!

Thanks for times now but a mem'ry, Thanks for Jesus by my Side!

Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime, Thanks for dark and dreary fall!

Thanks for tears by now forgotten, Thanks for peace within my soul!

Thanks for prayers that Thou has answered, Thanks for what Thou dost deny!

Thanks for storms that I have weathered, Thanks for all Thou Dost supply!

Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure, Thanks for comfort in despair!

Thanks for grace that none can measure, Thanks for love beyond compare!

Thanks for roses by the wayside, Thanks for thorns their stems contain!

Thanks for home and thanks for fireside, Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain!

Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow, Thanks for heav'n'ly peace with Thee!

Thanks for hope in the tomorrow, Thanks through all eternity!

The Absence Of, For the Presence Of

"Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for ever more." Psalm 16:11

I had a CT scan this past week and the results revealed some concerns.  Enough to repeat another scan in four months.  But a wonderful thing happened when I heard the results from my doctor:  I had no fear.  In times past, my health has caused me great anxiety, worry, and fear.  In times past, I would meditate on my health concern most of the day and well into the night.  But not this time.

What changed?

I exchanged my fear for the presence of my Saviour.

My pastor, Josh Fryman, said something recently in one of his messages, that I have played over and over again in my mind.  He said, "You have heard that the absence from worry brings contentment, and that's true, but to have the absence of something, you must have the Presence of Someone, and that Someone is Christ."

It's true.

The absence of fear in my life is a result of having the presence of God in my life.

The absence of worry, anxiety, stress, and you fill-in-the-blank, is a result of having the presence of God in our lives.

I've wasted too many years worrying about things that I cannot change.  I refuse to do so this time around.

I'm choosing the absence of fear...

    And seeking comfort in the presence of my Saviour...

        But that's just me!

"I Know It's Hard"

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Jeremiah 29:11

"It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes." Psalm 119:71

As a parent, we have all had to allow our children to go through hardships that would build their character; to mold them, shape them and to teach them.  To train them 'in the way that they should go.'  Proverbs 22:6 It wasn't always easy, but it was for what was best for them.

As adult children, there comes a time when we have to do hard things for our elderly parents.  I have a friend right now who is currently moving her mom into a Nursing Home.  It's breaking her heart, and yet at the same time, she is aware that her mom needs round -the- clock care and that her mom will be safe in her new environment.  In her email to me this morning, my friend wrote, "I honestly don't like this!  I know this is not easy for her, but she puts on a brave face.  I keep reminding myself she is in God's loving hands, and He is her Good Shepherd."

In my reply, I wrote, "I know it's hard placing your mom into a Nursing Home, but deep down it's the right thing to do and it's at the right time.  She needs care."

But then I began to wonder something.

I wonder if our Heavenly Father thinks that way at times?  Perhaps He is thinking, "I'm allowing something in your life right now that you don't understand but just know that I'm allowing it because it's what is best for you and it's because I love you.  It's going to be hard, but remember, I will be with you every step of the way."

There are going to be hard times in this life...

    But as children of God, we can be assured that it is what is best for us...

        And we can know that God is with us...!

            But that's just me!

"Hard times are purposeful tools for spiritual refinement rather than random suffering.  Whenever God means to make a man great, he always breaks them to pieces first.  Hardship is seen as the soil where strength, humility and faith grow."  Charles Spurgeon

"My Treat"

From time to time, I like to treat ladies from my church to soup and salad at the Olive Garden.  It's a time when I can treat my special friends so we can catch up with each other, it's a time when I can treat ladies that I would like to get to know better, and at other time's it's because I know that there is a dear lady who just needs some special time of encouragement.  It's always a 'treat' to 'treat' and it's also a 'treat' to be 'treated.'

I read an interesting account the other day from Matthew 17:24-27.  It tells us of a time when Peter and Jesus were in Capernaum at the same time that the temple tax was due.    A person collecting the tax had approached Peter and asked him, 'Doth not your master pay tribute?'  Jesus knowing how Peter answered the tax collector, went on to ask Peter another question, "What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?"  Jesus is asking Peter if an earthly king taxes his own children or 'strangers,' those outside of his immediate family.  Peter answered correctly; the tax is for strangers.  Jesus is showing Peter that as the Son of God, He is exempt from paying a tax for His Father's house, because God's children are free.

But this is what I found so beautiful in this account.  It's verse 27.  Jesus says, "Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee."

Jesus not only paid a tax He didn't owe, but He paid the tax that was owed of Peter.

Isn't that just like our Saviour?  To pay a debt He didn't owe?

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Romans 6:23

Jesus paid the price for our sins on the cross of calvary...

    He didn't have to, but He did...

         For you, and for me...

            Have you accepted His free gift of Salvation?  

                But that's just me!

Alway with Grace

"Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." Colossians 4:6

At 5:30 in the morning, I'm not always aware of how my words or tone will sound, but I was reminded of it this morning by my gracious husband.  As I groggily made my trek to the bathroom to empty out the water canister of my CPAP machine, I did not turn on the light.  My husband came around the corner and saw me enter the bathroom, so he reached in and went to turn on the light, but before he could I said, 'Leave the light off.'  As he retracted his hand, he said, 'I was only trying to help you, you didn't need to snap at me.'  I told him that I didn't snap at him, but he said, 'No, but it was negative.'  He was right.  I rejected his kindness towards me with negativity, and it didn't matter how early in the morning it was; he did not deserve to be spoken to like that.  

After I finished my devotions this morning, and I looked out the window to watch the rain, the Lord told me to spend more time in His Word.  As I prayed to be directed to words the Lord wanted me to read, I began to turn to Philippians, but as I was turning there, I saw a highlighted verse in Colossians.  The one on top of this page.  I stopped and read it over and over again.  This is what the Lord wanted to remind me of this morning.  My speech.  My tone.  My words. Are they graceful? Do they heal? Or are they unkind and hurt?

Albert Barnes interprets this verse this way:

"Let your speech always be gracious-" Christian conversation should be kind, courteous, and humble. It should be entirely free from bitterness, uncleanness, and gossip, and should reflect the mild, affable spirit of Christ Himself.

"Seasoned with salt-" This prevents corruption and adds flavor. Just as salt keeps food from going bad, our speech should be pure, wise, and edifying. It should be lively, engaging, and spiritually savory rather than dull, vain or corrupt.

"Knowing how to answer-" Having a grace-filled, 'salted' heart prepares you to respond appropriately to everyone you meet. Whether someone is questioning the evidence of your faith, discussing daily topics, or treating you with hostility, a heart rooted in piety allows you to reply with wisdom, gentleness, and integrity rather than foolishness or rash anger."

"Thank you, Lord, for the reminder today..

    To be gracious and kind with my words...

        no matter what time of the day...

            But that's just me!

"Grace and salt make an ideal combination." Robertson

No Expiration Date

"And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints."

Revelations 5:8

"Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?" Psalm 56:8

"And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God." Acts 10:4

By Law, there are 'Best By' dates, and 'Expiration' dates on most of the products we purchase today.  Even if the product doesn't ever expire, there is often an expiration date on the label of the item.  If you are like me, you've probably had to throw food items away because they had been pushed to the back of your kitchen cabinet and have long been forgotten.  (I have since wised up and incorporated a colored sticker system.  Each color reveals the year the product expires.  As I unload my grocery bags, I place the appropriate colored sticker on my item before I place it into my kitchen cabinet.  I no longer have to search the item to find the expiration date, I simple see the color of the round dot I placed on my item to know how soon I need to use it!) 

But back to the subject on hand...

We recently had a visiting speaker come and preach at our church.  Evangelist, Fidel Hughes, reminded us that our prayers never expire.  My ears perked up at such a thought!  He used the example of children coming to Salvation in their adult years who mentioned the fact that their parents had diligently prayed for them throughout their entire lives.  Even after their parents went home to be with the Lord, the prayers prayed on their children's behalf were still before the Throne of God.  Never forgotten.  Never out-of-date.  Never expired!  What a mighty God we serve!

To know that God keeps each prayer I pray...

    Causes me to pray all the more...

        But that's just me!

Always Loved

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

 Romans 5:8

In 2024, Suicide was responsible for 48,824 deaths in the United States alone.  Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death overall and the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10 to 34.

Globally, the World Health Organization estimates 727,000 people die by suicide each year and that it is the 3rd leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds.

The leading cause of suicide is untreated depression with approximately 90% of individuals who commit suicide are because they are depressed.  The top 15 reasons behind suicide today are:

•Mental Illness                

•Trauma                            

•Bullying

•Personality Disorders

•Drug Addiction

•Eating Disorders

•Unemployment

•Loneliness

•Relationship Problems

•Genetics or Family History of Suicide

•Philosophical Desire/Existential Crisis

•Terminal Illness

•Chronic pain

•Financial Problems

•Prescription Drugs

To sum it all up, suicide stems from HOPELESSNESS.  A feeling that there is no way out and that you are all alone.  To think that you are not loved.

Friend, I want you to know that you ARE loved!  You always have been and you always will be.

You are loved by the One Who truly knows what Real Love is; and that is the Lord Jesus Christ.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  Words of Jesus, John 3:16

When I read John 3:16, I insert my name where it says 'world.'  

For God so loved TRACY, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but everlasting life.

He loves you too.

Turn from your sin...

    And turn to Christ...

        He is here waiting for you...

            But that's just me!

If you, or a family member or friend are suffering from suicidal thoughts, there are people who can help you.  You can dial 988 and speak to someone who can help you right at this very moment. Reach out to a friend, your Pastor, someone.  

Choose Life.

"You have always been perfectly loved."  Rachael Lampa

Let It Be

 "Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!" Job 6:8

I can relate to Job.  When a trial comes my way, the first thing I ask God for is to remove the trial. Trials hurt.

I'm sure when most of you read the title of my Blog this morning, your thoughts turned to a song recorded by the Beatles years and years ago, but it's actually a song that I recently heard on Christian Radio. I heard it as I was driving home from the airport and the words reminded me that Jesus went through everything that I would ever have to go through...and more.  Jesus was tempted just like I will be tempted, and He never sinned.  Jesus never resisted the Will of His heavenly Father, no matter the trial.

He even went to the Cross for me.

When I'm in the midst of a trial, when I'm going through a hard time, do I resist the Will of my heavenly Father, or do I tell him, 'Let it be.'  Let me go through this trial so that I can be more like You.  Do I resist the Potter's hands in my life, or do I let Him mold me into His image no matter how painful the trial may be. Can I be like Job, who praised God for allowing him to go through something that would make him more like his heavenly Father?

"But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." Job 23:10

Albert Barnes interprets this verse into two main principles:

God's Omniscience and His Refining Fire.  Job had total confidence that God saw him even in the dark. Even when others didn't understand what he was going through, he knew that God understood what he was going through.  Barnes also compares suffering to a crucible where fire burns away impurities. Just as intense heat purifies gold to make it more brilliant, Spiritual testing serves to purify the believer's character.

But we don't always remember that during our trial, do we? We just want it to be over.

Job had such a complete trust in His God, that even when everything and everyone had been removed from his life, to include his health, Job could still say, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust him:" Job 13:15

Lord, let me have the same faith and trust in my trial as Job did in his...

    to know that you have a purpose and a plan for me...

        and to know that you are molding me into your image...

            But that's just me!

"Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:" Job 11:16

Father, Let it Be

Sidewalk Prophets 2025

"I am a well, barren and dry,

Nothing left but emptiness on the inside,

I am a rope, burnt at both ends

Getting shorter every day and wearing thin,

If there's a purpose for the struggle that I'm in,

Father, let it be, help me to believe,

Jesus tell me stories of the times you felt like me,

Spirit, let me see the forest through the trees,

Help me understand these are the plans you have for me,

If it's your Will, God, let it be.

Here is my soul, desperate for you,

Praying the promises you made were for me too,

Here is my heart, torn but alive,

Beating, searching for someone to hear my cries.

Oh, I can feel you moving, I hear you calling me,

'fall deeper into my arms,' that's where I long to be,

You made the stars, You call me by name,

When I'm weary, You still hear me, so I'll pray,

Father, let it be, Help me to believe,

Jesus tell me stories of times you felt like me,

Spirit, let me see, the forest through the trees,

Help me understand these are the plans you have for me,

Give me patience and the strength to let You lead,

If it's your Will, God, let it be."

Do You Love Me?

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?  He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.  He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.  John 21:15

Most of us have heard the famous Sonnet written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning that was made popular by William Shakespeare, "How do I love thee?  Let me count the ways," but it was a question asked by Jesus to Simon Peter more than two thousand years ago.

It's a question Jesus is asking His Believer's today.

My Pastor, Josh Fryman, reminded us of this question the other night and I have to say, the Lord pierced my heart. How devastating that would be if Jesus had to ask me if I really loved Him!  

For Simon Peter, it was a question that needed to be asked because his actions and speech did not reflect his love for his Lord.  Remember, Peter had just denied Jesus three times.

It's easy to say that I love the Lord, but what types of things, other people or activities did I put ahead of my Saviour this week?  

Did my life show how much I love my Lord this week, or did my life show how much I love myself?

Does Jesus wonder if I love Him as much as I say that I do?  Would He have to ask me, "Tracy, do you love Me?" like He asked Simon Peter?

It's easy to tell someone that you love them by your words...

    but love is proven by what you do for them...

        But that's just me!

Peace

 "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:7-8

People are searching for peace in the world.

They are searching in the wrong places.

Book stores and library shelves are lined with self-help books, prayers, chants, meditations, crystals, candles, incense, philosophies, opinions, traditions and even superstitions. YouTube has endless videos of celebrities, Guru's, and philosophers who will walk and talk you through any crisis. 

They seem to have all of the answers but leave the Searcher anxious and hopeless.

But God.

How can a person find peace?

It comes from surrendering control over to God.

This peace is securely held in place by faith in Jesus Christ.  According to Albert Barnes, "Instead of fretting over worldly or corrupting concerns, Believers are meant to purposefully meditate on anything that is true, pure, lovey and of a good report.  Whatever is inherently excellent or worthy of praise should be the focus of the Christian's careful consideration and practice."

Today, when I read what to think on, I compared it to what I should not think on.

For example:

Instead of focusing on lies, I will focus on truth.

Instead of focusing on opinions and deceit, I will focus on honesty.

Instead of focusing on the contaminated, or diluted impure ideologies, I will focus on what is pure.

Instead of focusing on what is ugly, repulsive, awful and terrible, I will focus on what is lovely.

Instead of focusing on gossip and fake News, I will focus on what is uplifting, honorable and gracious: good reports.

Instead of focusing on the negative, I will focus on every excellent thing that is praiseworthy.

Focusing on what is good produces contentment...

        Peace in thought, mind, heart and spirit...

            But that's just me!

"No human philosophy can impart peace to the soul like simple, absolute confidence in God."

Albert Barnes

        

My Expected End

 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Jeremiah 29:11

I may not know the 'why's' of what is going on in my life right now...but what I do know is that it will bring me to my 'expected end.'  I don't have to worry about whether or not everything is going to turn out OK.  I'm promised that my end will be what God expected it to be; not what I expected it to be.  I know the end of my story will be the fulfilled purpose God intended my life to be for Him.  Every single situation, circumstance and every person I come into contact with, adds to my expected end.

God is in control, and it's all going to be OK.

In context, Jeremiah was bringing a message of national restoration and faithful endurance for the Jewish exiles facing 70 years of captivity in Babylon.  Can you imagine that?

"Ok, heads up!  You are going to be held in captivity in Babylon for 70 years, but just know that God will not forget you, and remember that this is God's 'peace' towards you and not evil.  God has an 'expected end' for you that will give you a future of hope!"

Sometimes things in my life aren't going so well.  Not what I expected.  Not what I had hoped for.

But God will use everything for His purpose, His plan, His glory...,

    and I can rest in knowing that everything will work out just as God intended it to be...

         to bring me to my expected end...

                but that's just me!

Spell-Check

 As an Advanced Reader for Valerie M. Bodden, I have the privilege to read her soon-to-be-released books before they make their way to hard copy printing.  (Her new book, Love that Lasts, will be released on May 28, 2026) She recently told me that she is grateful for my "feedback and eagle eye in catching those typos' before the book makes its way out into the world."

When I mentioned to my sister that I had just finished proof-reading Valerie's new book, she wrote me back and said, "Speaking of proof-reading, I never find any typos in your email to me, but I do in the Bible verses you send each day."  Then she went on to list my typos and lack of capitalization.  My sister was gently reminding me that I probably should proof-read my own work!

And she was right.

It made me instantly think of Romans 2:1

"Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things." 

I was reminded that the very things I criticize or judge in others, I tend to do myself. I need to be less focused on what others are doing or not doing, and be more focused on what I need to be doing or not doing.

It's ok to have an 'eagle eye' to catch typos....

    But when it comes to the faults of others, I should turn a blind eye...

        and extend grace...

            But that's just me!

Have It Your Way

We've all heard the Burger King Jingle, "Have it your way." You can special order your burger with as many ingredients as you want, or as few as you want.  Having it your way can be very accommodating.

Or not.

Sometimes getting what we want isn't what's best for us.  I think of the children of Israel whining in the desert for meat because they were getting sick of eating Manna.  Can you imagine?  Getting sick of eating Angel's Food?  But they did.  So, they asked God for meat, and God gave them exactly what they wanted, and yet many choked on it while it was still in their mouths.  Numbers 11:33

Or what about the time when Israel didn't want Judges to have the rule over them, instead they wanted a King?  No matter the warning from Samuel, they were determined to have a King rule over them.  1 Samuel 8

We all know how well that went!

Have you ever asked God for something....and then as time passed, praised Him for not giving you what you asked for?

I have.

God showered His mercy and His grace on me by NOT giving me what I asked for.  He spared me from the heartache and consequences of a prayer request prayed for in the flesh, and not in the Spirit according to His Will.

I was reading Isaiah 55:8-9 the other day and the Lord allowed me to learn something new.  I love it when that happens!  It says: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

We may think we know what we want or what we need, but God knows exactly what we need or don't need.  When I read these verses, I couldn't help but think that when we compare our thoughts to those of God, we are actually bringing Him down to our level.  We try to place God into a contained box, but nothing and no one can contain God.  He permeates every space.  To think that we can identify or figure out the thoughts of God is prideful on our part.  How could we possibly understand His way of thinking when He is a Holy God, Creator God, and we are His creation? How can the clay question the potter?  (Jeremiah 18:6, Isaiah 64:8)    Our thoughts aren't even close to God's thoughts.  So, why do we second guess how God fulfills His purpose in our lives when we know that He works everything out for our own good?  Romans 8:28

How can God speak to me through a verse I've read a thousand times over, and show me something new?  Hmm?  I wonder how He does that?  (wink, wink)

It's not for me to figure out why God is allowing or not allowing something in my life...

    I am to trust Him and know that He knows best...

        But that's just me!