Prayer: God's Infinite Grace

Father, I stand before the vastness of Your creation and I am reminded of Your infinite grace that has no end.

Teach me to witness the dance of the waves with the curiosity of a child, finding wonder in the spray and peace in the persistent rhythm of the tide.

Help me to let go of the rigid expectations I carry, allowing Your peace to wash over my heart just as the water cleanses the shore. Remind me that even when the currents of life feel strong, You are the steady ground beneath my feet and the shield around my soul. Give me the grace to be small in Your presence, finding safety in the knowledge that You are the Great Architect of every grain of sand. Help me to listen for Your voice in the whisper of the breeze and the roar of the deep, knowing You are present in every unexpected moment. I lay down my pride and my plans at the water’s edge, wanting less of me and more of You, choosing Your perfect will above my own.

In Jesus name, Amen.

“The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters,

yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.”

Psalm 93:4

Provided by "Word of Encouragement"

Meme: Never Forget...

Prayer: Growing Older

Lord, growing older is not always easy. I feel the changes in my body, the slowing of my steps, the moments when my mind forgets what once came quickly. There are reminders all around me that this life is passing, that time is moving forward whether I’m ready or not.

And yet, I am not afraid.

Because this is not the end of my story.

You have promised something greater than what I see now. A life where what is broken will be restored, where weakness will be replaced with strength, and where I will finally see You face to face. That hope steadies me in ways nothing else can.

Help me to hold this truth gently but firmly in my heart. When I feel the weight of aging, remind me that I am not fading, I am being prepared. Each step forward is not just toward an ending, but toward eternity with You.

You have been faithful through every year behind me, and You will be faithful through every moment ahead, even the final one.

There is no fear in what You have already redeemed.

So, I rest on that promise. My future is not uncertain; it is secure in You. And when that day comes, I will not be stepping into the unknown, but into Your presence.

Provided by "God's Grace"

Meme: Fight It On Your Knees

When You’re Clinging to the Dust

My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word.

Psalm 119:25

I was overwhelmed - thrown into the most difficult and desperate time of my life. I had trouble concentrating without tears welling up, my mind drifting, every thought leaving me more unsettled. I couldn’t picture the future, and I kept fixating on the worst possible outcomes.

Maybe you can relate to those feelings. Your painful season may look different from mine, but the heartbreak is often the same.

Everything unraveled right after my husband unexpectedly left our family, leaving me bewildered. I thought he loved me. I thought his distance was because of work. But now, as I sat sobbing in my closet, everything was uncertain. I couldn’t string a coherent thought together. My kids were confused and angry. God felt distant, and I didn’t know how to connect with Him.

Talking to friends was helpful, but I felt defensive when questions came up. And most of the time, there was no one to talk to. Everyone’s lives were busy, especially when I felt discouraged.

When no one was available to process things with me, I’d reluctantly settle for talking to God. I’d wander over to the table where my Bible and journal waited for me. I rarely wanted to open it, but I knew that, like medicine, this would be good for me. Honestly, it felt more like flossing than feasting - it was something I needed to do even if I didn’t feel like it.

Sometimes I would read and reread the same passage, my mind drifting to my problems instead of the words in front of me. I’d been in Psalm 119 for days, and the words were all blurring together. I couldn’t relate to the psalmist’s continual praise of Scripture.

Then I read, “My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word” (Psalm 119:25).

This I could relate to. That’s how I felt. My soul was beaten down, and I needed revival. So I prayed that verse - really prayed it. God needed to renew me because I couldn’t muster up anything myself.

As I kept reading, I sensed a surprising lightness as the words of Scripture came to life. God was reviving me as I watched my outlook, my hope, and my peace begin to change. The words that days earlier felt flat suddenly became vibrant.

That transformation was over 15 years ago, and Scripture has continued to meet me. It began with my desperate need - leaning on God’s Word to change me and waiting expectantly for Him.

If you’re walking through something difficult right now, the last thing you might feel like doing is spending time with God in His Word. But, friend, that is the very thing that will renew your soul, transform your perspective, and give you lasting hope. God is waiting to meet you in His Word - will you join Him there today?

Lord, I know Scripture has power, but sometimes reading it feels like a chore. Give me a desire to read Your Word, and transform me through it. Revive me according to Your Word. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

- Vaneetha Rendall Risner

Provided by "Proverbs 31 Ministries"

What Is Easter Sunday?

Easter Sunday, or Resurrection Sunday, is one of the most significant Christian holidays on the calendar. The day commemorates the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, who showed Himself alive after three days in the tomb. The first Easter Sunday changed everything, and every Easter Sunday after that reflects the joy, amazement, and worship those early disciples had when they first saw the risen Lord.

Luke gives the account of what transpired that first Easter Sunday as the women followers of Jesus discovered the empty tomb: “On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!’” (Luke 24:1–6).

The Bible teaches that the resurrection of Jesus Christ was a physical raising of His body back to life (see Luke 24:39). Easter Sunday proved Jesus’ deity, confirmed His prophecies, validated the Scriptures, triumphed over the forces of evil, provided for our justification (Romans 4:25), and guaranteed the resurrection of all who trust in Christ.

Easter always roughly corresponds to the Jewish celebration of Passover, since Jesus was slain at Passover time (Luke 22:15; John 13:1; cf. 1 Corinthians 5:7) and rose again three days later. Indeed, Easter is sometimes called Pascha, a word derived from the Hebrew pesach, meaning “Passover.”

Easter Sunday marks the end of Holy Week, the end of Lent, and the last day of the Easter Triduum. Easter always falls on a Sunday. All of the Gospels state that Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2; Luke 24:1; John 20:1, 19). And that event is foundational to all we believe as Christians: “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. . . . And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:14, 17).

Jesus’ resurrection is certainly worthy of being celebrated (see 1 Corinthians 15). Whether we use the term Easter or Resurrection Day or Pascha, it is good to commemorate the event that sealed our salvation and changed the world forever.

However we choose to celebrate Easter Sunday, we should not allow the associated fun and games to distract our attention from what the day is truly all about - the glorious resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Christ Himself should be celebrated every day, not just Easter Sunday. He is the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25), and He is worthy of praise more than once a year.

- Provided by "Got Questions Ministries"

Music: "So Be It"

What Is Holy Saturday?

 

After His crucifixion, Jesus was laid in a nearby tomb, and His body remained there the entirety of Holy Saturday (Matthew 27:59-60; Mark 15:46; Luke 23:53-54; John 19:39-42).

Indeed, without the resurrection of Christ, we would be in dire straits. If Christ had never been raised, “your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17). The disciples had scattered when Jesus was arrested (Mark 14:50), and they spent the first Holy Saturday hiding for fear of also being arrested (John 20:19). The day between Christ’s crucifixion and His resurrection would have been a time of grief and shock as the stunned disciples tried to understand the murder of Jesus, the betrayal of Judas, and the dashing of their hopes.

The only biblical reference to what happened on Holy Saturday is found in Matthew 27:62-66. After sundown on Friday - the day of Preparation - the chief priests and Pharisees visited Pontius Pilate. This visit was on the Sabbath, since the Jews reckoned a day as starting at sundown. They asked Pilate for a guard for Jesus’ tomb. They remembered Jesus saying that He would rise again in three days (John 2:19-21) and wanted to do everything they could to prevent that. As we know, the Roman guards were inadequate to prevent the resurrection.

- Provided by "Got Questions Ministries"

What's So Good About Good Friday?

 
So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!”
And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

John 19:30

On a Friday morning, in a city bustling with Passover preparations, Jesus was bruised, bloodied and abandoned. The night had been long: He’d been betrayed by a friend, dragged through unjust trials, mocked and beaten. Early that morning, He was sentenced to die.

If anyone knows what it means to be broken, Jesus does.

Our world is filled with sorrows, yes. But Jesus didn’t just see our brokenness; He offered Himself to be broken for us on the cross. There, as He hung nailed to a tree like a criminal, He cried out “it is finished” before exhaling His last breath and giving up His spirit (John 19:30).

These are the very words a Hebrew priest would declare after killing the sacrificial lamb to cover the sins of the people on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16). Jesus, the Lamb of God, took on the senseless violence of this world through His death, and as our High Priest, He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins.

In Hebrew, the word for “finished” shares a root with “shalom,” meaning peace, wholeness, restoration and completion. As Isaiah 53:5 explains, Jesus “was pierced for our transgressions … the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” . The peace of God came through the piercing of Jesus.

What’s so good about Good Friday? It’s this: By His death on the cross, Jesus broke the power of death and sin in this world. So Good Friday reminds us of the good work Jesus accomplished on the cross, leading to His resurrection and healing of this fractured world.

But before we rush to Resurrection Sunday, let’s sit with the weight of Jesus’ sacrifice today. Let us sit with the pain of the Man of sorrows (Isaiah 53:3), who endured the wrath of God at the cross. Let us ponder the injustice of the spotless Lamb of God punished for our sins. Let us marvel at the astounding death of the Creator of life. Let us worship the King of glory who let go of the splendor of heaven to become flesh and blood, to humble Himself, to hunger and thirst, to suffer and hurt, to be betrayed and rejected, mocked and humiliated - all for love.

Let us worship the Maker whose death brings life. Let us bring to Him all that’s heavy on our hearts, knowing He sees, He knows and He cares. And someday soon, He will finish restoring all that’s broken in this world - and in our lives too.

Jesus, we worship You for Your sacrificial love on the cross. Help us surrender to You those broken parts of our lives, and fill our hearts with hope that You will finish what You started: You will return to make all things new. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

- Asheritah Ciuciu
Provided by "Proverbs 31 Ministries"

Note:
To learn more about the meaning of Good Friday and why Jesus’ death on the cross is so important to you, visit "Got Questions Ministries".

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"I give strength to My people; I bless My people with Peace. 'My people' are all those who trust Me as their Savior-God. My death on the cross for your sins was sufficient to provide everlasting Life because I am truly God. So rest assured that the One who provides eternal Life will also give you strength."

.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” - John 3:16

- "Jesus Today" by Sarah Young

Scripture: Mark 10:45

What Is Holy Thursday?

Holy Thursday, also known as “Maundy Thursday,” is the day before Good Friday (the Friday before Easter). Maundy Thursday is the name given to the day on which Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples. It was also the day of His betrayal and arrest. Maundy Thursday commemorates the actions of Jesus associated with the Last Supper.

Two important events are the focus of Maundy Thursday:

The first event is Jesus’ institution of the Lord’s Supper, or communion (Luke 22:19–20). This is one of the ordinances of the church. Some Christians observe a special communion service on Maundy Thursday to commemorate Jesus’ Last Supper with His disciples.

The second event that remains the focus of Maundy Thursday is Jesus’ washing the disciples’ feet. His act of humility and service set an example for us to love and serve one another in humility (John 13:3–17). Today, some Christians observe a foot-washing ceremony on Maundy Thursday to follow the example of Jesus’ washing the feet of His disciples.

The Gospel of John details what happened that night of the Last Supper: “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him” (John 13:3–5). He then told His disciples that “you should do as I have done for you” (verse 15).

The word Maundy is derived from the Latin word mandatum, meaning “mandate” or “commandment.” So, Maundy Thursday could be thought of as “Commandment Thursday.” The specific mandate is the new commandment Jesus gave the disciples that night. Before He was arrested, Jesus said,

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:34–35)

Should Christians observe Maundy Thursday? The Bible neither commands nor forbids it. It is a good thing to remember the Last Supper and the Lord’s example of service and humility. At the same time, we should avoid ritualistic observances of holidays unless they are truly focused on God and our relationship with Him.

The very best way to observe Maundy Thursday, is to make sure we are following the mandate: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34).

- Provided by "Got Questions Ministries"

What Is Holy Wednesday?

According to the traditional interpretation of the Bible, Holy Wednesday is the day on which Jesus was anointed with spikenard during a meal (Matthew 26:6–13). The day is sometimes called “Spy Wednesday” since it is traditionally commemorates the moment when Judas, one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, conspired with the religious leaders to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. (Matthew 26:14–16).

The Bible does not mention Holy Wednesday or Spy Wednesday. The traditional name for this day, "Spy Wednesday," comes from the idea of Judas acting as a spy among the disciples. He plotted in secret to turn Jesus over to the authorities, a decision that ultimately led to the events of Good Friday and the Crucifixion.

The importance of Holy Wednesday lies in its invitation for personal reflection. Just as Judas turned away from Christ, believers are challenged to consider the times they may have distanced themselves from their faith or acted in contradiction to the teachings of Jesus.

This day also emphasizes themes of:

• Free will vs. divine purpose
• Temptation and betrayal
• Preparation for the Passion of Christ

It serves as a spiritual checkpoint before the Easter Triduum, which starts the evening of Maundy Thursday and continues through Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday.

Holy Wednesday is more than just a day in the liturgical calendar - it’s a mirror. It asks each of us to look inward and examine our faith, loyalty, and spiritual readiness. As Holy Week moves toward its most solemn moments, this day reminds us that betrayal and grace, sin and redemption, are part of the same sacred story.

Let Wednesday of Holy Week be a time of soul-searching and renewal as we prepare to walk with Christ through the cross and into the resurrection.

- Provided by "I Love DepEd"

Worshipping the One Who Truly Matters on Holy Wednesday

Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” John 12:3

If you’re anything like me, your to-do list can feel overwhelming. I often find myself saying, “I need to do this,” as though everything will fall apart if I don’t. The truth is, much more often, I need to check my heart, remember who Jesus is and realign my priorities.

Sometimes I let my schedule, work, possessions, pursuits or social status take precedence. But when my focus shifts from Jesus to these things, I lose sight of true purpose and peace.

For instance, I remember a time in my life when work consumed me. Hitting numbers and meeting goals became my sole focus. At first, it seemed productive, even admirable. But gradually, without realizing it, I let it define me. I stopped prioritizing Jesus and began worshipping my work instead. I became less loving, less gentle, and definitely less like Jesus.

With worship in mind, Holy Wednesday invites us all to remember two pivotal events from the Bible:

1. Judas agreed to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16).

2. Mary of Bethany anointed Jesus with expensive perfume, showing her devotion to Him (Matthew 26:6-13).

On the same day Judas decided to betray, Mary chose to worship.

John 12:3 says, “Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”

We face a similar choice daily: Will our priorities be selfish or holy? True purpose comes from devoting time to humbly being with Jesus. When we prioritize anything else, like Judas, we lose sight of who we are meant to be.

Mary’s example shows us what it means to live with holy purpose. She worshipped Jesus, sat at His feet, and humbly surrendered her most valuable possession to Him.

This Holy Wednesday, I invite you to prayerfully reflect: In what ways have you prioritized the wrong things? Are you living like Judas, trading eternal joy for temporary gains, or like Mary, finding peace and purpose in worship?

We will never find lasting peace and purpose until we sit at our Savior’s feet. Every day is an opportunity to offer ourselves to Him.

Dear Jesus, this Holy Week, help me to remember Mary’s example. I confess I’ve often prioritized the things of this world over You. I know I’ll miss a truly rich life if I forget to sit at Your feet. Lord, I humbly worship You as my Savior and my Friend. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

- Grace Valentine
Provided by "Proverbs 31 Ministries"

What Is Holy Tuesday?

According to common interpretation of the Bible, Holy Tuesday is when Jesus was issued various challenges by the Pharisees and Sadducees over subjects such as marriage in heaven, paying taxes to Caesar, and the source of His authority.
(Matthew 21:23-23:39; Mark 11:27-12:44; Luke 20:1-21:4)

By this same interpretation, this is the day Jesus commented on the widow’s donation (Mark 12; Luke 21) and was approached by a number of God-fearing Greeks (John 12:20–36).

Tuesday would also be the day Jesus spoke His seven “woes” against the Pharisees (Matthew 23:13–36) and the evening on which He delivered the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24—25; Mark 13; Luke 21:5–36).

Depending on the denomination, this day may or may not be celebrated at all. Those that do observe Holy Tuesday, typically mark it with readings of particular passages of Scriptures and the singing of relevant hymns.

- Provided by "Got Questions Ministries"

What Is "Holy Week"?

Holy Week (also known as Passion Week) is the time from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday (Resurrection Sunday). Also included within Holy Week are Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, Spy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Passion Week is so named because of the passion with which Jesus willingly went to the cross in order to pay for the sins of His people. Passion Week is described in Matthew chapters 21-27; Mark chapters 11-15; Luke chapters 19-23; and John chapters 12-19. Passion Week begins with the triumphal entry on Palm Sunday on the back of a colt as prophesied in Zechariah 9:9.

Passion Week contained several memorable events. Jesus cleansed the Temple for the second time (Luke 19:45-46), then disputed with the Pharisees regarding His authority. Then He gave His Olivet Discourse on the end times and taught many things, including the signs of His second coming. Jesus ate His Last Supper with His disciples in the upper room (Luke 22:7-38), then went to the garden of Gethsemane to pray as He waited for His hour to come. It was here that Jesus, having been betrayed by Judas, was arrested and taken to several sham trials before the chief priests, Pontius Pilate, and Herod (Luke 22:54-23:25).

Following the trials, Jesus was scourged at the hands of the Roman soldiers, then was forced to carry His own instrument of execution (the Cross) through the streets of Jerusalem along what is known as the Via Dolorosa (way of sorrows). Jesus was then crucified at Golgotha on the day before the Sabbath, was buried and remained in the tomb until Sunday, the day after the Sabbath, and then gloriously resurrected.

It is referred to as Passion Week because in that time, Jesus Christ truly revealed His passion for us in the suffering He willingly went through on our behalf. What should our attitude be during Passion Week? We should be passionate in our worship of Jesus and in our proclamation of His Gospel! As He suffered for us, so should we be willing to suffer for the cause of following Him and proclaiming the message of His death and resurrection.

- Provided by "Got Questions Ministries"

What Is Palm Sunday?

Palm Sunday is the day we celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, one week before His resurrection (Matthew 21:1–11). As Jesus entered the holy city, He neared the culmination of a long journey toward Golgotha. He had come to save the lost (Luke 19:10), and now was the time - this was the place - to secure that salvation. Palm Sunday marked the start of what is often called “Passion Week,” the final seven days of Jesus’ earthly ministry.

Palm Sunday began with Jesus and His disciples traveling over the Mount of Olives. The Lord sent two disciples ahead into the village of Bethphage to find an animal to ride. They found the unbroken donkey and the colt, just as Jesus had said they would (Luke 19:29–30). When they untied the donkey, the owners began to question them. The disciples responded with the answer Jesus had provided: “The Lord needs it” (Luke 19:31–34). Amazingly, the owners were satisfied with that answer and let the disciples go. “They brought [the donkey] to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it” (Luke 19:35).

As Jesus ascended toward Jerusalem, a large multitude gathered around Him. This crowd understood that Jesus was the Messiah; what they did not understand was that it wasn’t time to set up the kingdom yet - although Jesus had tried to tell them so (Luke 19:11–12). The crowd’s actions along the road give rise to the name “Palm Sunday”: “A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road” (Matthew 21:8). In strewing their cloaks on the road, the people were giving Jesus the royal treatment - King Jehu was given similar honor at his coronation (2 Kings 9:13). John records the detail that the branches they cut were from palm trees (John 12:13).

On that first Palm Sunday, the people also honored Jesus verbally: “The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest heaven!’” (Matthew 21:9). In their praise of Jesus, the Jewish crowds were quoting Psalm 118:25–26, an acknowledged prophecy of the Christ. The allusion to a messianic psalm drew resentment from the religious leaders present: “Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, rebuke your disciples!’” (Luke 19:39). However, Jesus saw no need to rebuke those who told the truth. He replied, “I tell you if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out” (Luke 19:40).

Meme: In The Darkest Times Of Your Life...

At Midnight

Paul and Silas Imprisoned
Acts 16:16–26 (NKJV)

Before there was a midnight praise, there was first a daytime beating.

Paul and Silas were not in that prison because they had failed God.

They were there because they had obeyed Him.

They delivered a young woman from demonic bondage, and instead of celebration they were accused.

Instead of honor they were humiliated.

Instead of gratitude they were beaten.

Scripture says they were thrown into the inner prison and their feet were fastened in stocks. Not the front cell. Not the holding room. The inner prison. The deepest place. The darkest place. The place designed to break a man’s spirit.

Their backs were bleeding.

Their bodies were bruised.

Their future was uncertain.

And then Scripture introduces one of the most poignant phrases in the entire Bible:

“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” (Acts 16:25)

Midnight.

Not morning.

Not when the sun came up.

Not when the pain subsided.

Midnight is the hour when strength is gone.

It is when the body is tired and the mind is heavy.

It is when doubts grow loud and hope feels thin.

Midnight is when most people grow quiet.

But Paul and Silas did the opposite.

They did not wait for the chains to fall before they praised God.

They praised God while the chains were still on them.

They prayed while shackled.

They sang while wounded.

They worshiped in the very environment meant to silence them.

You're Never To Far Gone!

My Praise Is A Weapon

I lift my voice in victory before the walls even move.

Lord, I celebrate Your power today, knowing that my praise is a weapon that clears the way for Your glory.

My heart trusts in Your promises, and I find such gladness in Your presence.

Father, You are my strength and my song.

I shout to You with cries of joy because
the victory is already mine in You.

I choose to delight in Your goodness right now.

Psalm 47:1
Provided by "Word of Encouragement"

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"A thankful mind-set keeps you in touch with Me. I hate it when My children grumble, casually despising My sovereignty. Thankfulness is a safeguard against this deadly sin. Furthermore, a grateful attitude becomes a grid through which you perceive life. Gratitude enables you to see the Light of My Presence shining on all your circumstances. Cultivate a thankful heart, for this glorifies Me and fills you with Joy."

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our 'God is a consuming fire.'" - Hebrews 12:28-29

- "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young

Just the Next Step

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

God is teaching me so much about really trusting Him. Fully. Completely. Wholeheartedly.

Though the path I’m on may feel uncertain, He’s faithful to shed just enough light for me to see the very next step. And this isn’t Him being mysterious - this is a great demonstration of His mercy. Instead of bombarding Him with my suggestions or projections, clenching my fists, and reaching for control, I simply need to embrace and obey the very next thing He shows me. And then the next.

That’s what it means to truly “trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).

Because here’s what I know about myself: If God showed me too much revelation through an exact blueprint of where I'm headed, I might panic if His plan didn’t match what I desperately want. Or I might be tempted to take control and make things happen on my own.

On the flip side, if He showed me too little, never revealing Himself or His guidance, I’d be paralyzed with the thought that He’d abandoned me.

But in His kindness, God gives each of us just enough revelation to keep going today - an invitation from Him to be fully obedient to Him right now. When I read scriptures like Proverbs 3:5-6, I can feel His prodding in my heart: Lysa, are you being obedient to Me in this?

Or as I listen to wise counsel, I am challenged: Lysa, are you willing to implement what is being suggested to you in this situation?

Often my confusion isn’t because God is being mysterious; it’s because I’m not being obedient. As I enter this brand-new day, I’m seeking Him rather than trying to figure out His plan. Instead of filling the gaps of the unknown with my suggestions to God, I’m placing my trust in Him.

We don’t have to know it all to trust Him completely. We can take it one day at a time. One step at a time. One act of obedience at a time. One sliver of light at a time.

El Shaddai, God Almighty, I want to trust You fully, wholeheartedly, with everything. But You know this can wage war with my desire to be certain, to understand, and to control. It feels like there are too many unknowns in my life, but thank You that You are constant, the same yesterday, today, and forever. You know I have dreams, desires, and hopes for my future. Often I want to run ahead of You and make all these happen. But I don’t want to lean on my own understanding; I want to lean on You. I know the best place to be is in Your will. I can count on You to guide me, revealing one step at a time. Whether it’s a small step or a big one, help me to obey. I know each step of obedience increases my faith in You. I want to be someone who lives every day in step with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

- Lysa TerKeurst

Provided by "Proverbs 31 Ministries"

Scripture: John 16:33

Meme: Why?

How To Let God Hold You

𝐵𝑒 𝑠𝑜𝑏𝑒𝑟-𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑑; 𝑏𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑐ℎ𝑓𝑢𝑙.

𝑌𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑎𝑑𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑙 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑤𝑙𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑎 𝑟𝑜𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑖𝑜𝑛,

𝑠𝑒𝑒𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑑𝑒𝑣𝑜𝑢𝑟.

- 1 Peter 5:8

 

“Come back to Me. You don’t have to feel far away. You don’t have to believe you are disappointing Me.

 

There are whispers you hear that aren't from Me. There are whispers to lure you away, that want to pull you far from the place I have for you, the place I am with you, right now. 

 

Listen close: You are with Me, and when you hear whispers that say I am far away, that say you aren’t measuring up, ask Me what I think before you believe them. I’m never going to ignore you when you come to Me with a heart fully open. I’m never going to turn you away, and I love it when you trust Me with your every thought.

 

Let Me hold your thoughts, your dreams, your fears. 

 

My daughter, I wrap you up in my truth, and you are free. Choose my truth over whispers that call you away and you will stay in my peace. You will stay and know my voice more deeply. For I have given you everything you need to discern the false from truth. And pray for more truth to fill your heart. My truth is your battle armor: my community helps you hear Me and know Me; my words steer you and feed you and lift you from darkness to light; my love is not a distant, theoretical love, but a fierce, I-am-here-and-I’ve-got-you child.

 

Stay close to Me and the whispers will quiet. Stay close to Me and I will rise up for you. But to be rescued I ask you to believe in the rescuer. I am steadfast and present, my dear child. Look up.”

- Provided by "Gather Ministries"

Am I Actually Praying About This or Just Worrying About It?

"𝐻𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑜 𝑡𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒: '𝐶𝑎𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑑?

𝑊𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑏𝑜𝑡ℎ 𝑓𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑎 𝑝𝑖𝑡?'”

Luke 6:39 (NIV)

Recently, I sat down to write some thoughts about relationships:

Relationships are amazing. Relationships are challenging. Relationships can be impossibly hard. Relationships can be incredibly beautiful. And because relationships are so very organic, they move like breath in and out of our lungs, expanding with deep connection one minute and in the next atrophying into complete misunderstanding.

Relationships are wonderful and full of love and frustration and wrought with angst and all the things we bring into every attempted embrace with another person. When those we love draw close to us, they draw close to our issues. And we come face to face with their issues as well.

So which is it? Are relationships full of bliss or disappointment?

This is where I landed that day as I journaled … It’s a fragile blend of both.

As we open up to each other, the deeper we connect, the more vulnerable we become. The more vulnerable we become, the more exposed the tender places inside of us become. This exposure is risky. When we dare to be so very known, we risk being so very hurt. When we dare to be so very hopeful, we risk being so very disappointed. When we dare to be so very giving, we risk being so very taken advantage of. And when we dare to unnaturally change into what someone else needs, we risk losing ourselves in the process.

To love and be loved is to be enveloped in the safest feeling I’ve ever known. To cause hurt and be hurt is to be crushed with the scariest feeling I’ve ever known. You and I both know this. In different ways with different people and to varying degrees, we know the multifaceted complications of love and heartbreak.

Maybe you’re living out this reality in a very raw way right now. Friend, I wish I was having coffee with you today to talk through all of this. Trust me when I say I know the delicate dance of balancing the beautiful with the frustrating, and every nuance in between, with the relationships we treasure.

And while I can’t solve all the problems you may be facing right now, there is one action item I want to encourage you to put into practice today … Determine to pray more words over a difficult relationship in your life than you speak about it.

Why Is This Happening?

Trust that every circumstance is permitted by God to draw you closer to Him. This doesn’t mean every circumstance is good. It means every circumstance is used. The pain, the delay, the confusion, the moments where you feel like you’re carrying more than you can handle - none of it is outside His awareness, and none of it is wasted. Scripture is clear - God doesn’t just work despite your situation… He works through it.

Jesus, under the weight of the cross, wasn’t outside the will of God - He was walking directly through it. The suffering wasn’t random. It was purposeful. It was leading somewhere. What looked like defeat was actually the path to redemption.

The same principle applies to your life.

The situation you’re in right now that feels heavy, the one you don’t fully understand - may actually be the very place God is using to shape your faith, refine your character, and pull you closer to Him. Not to break you, but to deepen you.

God’s goal isn’t just to make your life easier. It’s to make your life eternal. Sometimes, the road that leads you closest to Him is the one you never would have chosen.

So don’t just ask, “Why is this happening?” Start asking, “How is God using this to draw me closer to Him?”

- David Delfeld

Provided by "I Am With You Always"