More to Life Today

"Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" (I Timothy 2:4).

"That person is so sinful that they will never come to God!" Although we would be reluctant to admit it, we sometimes categorize people as "savable" or "unsavable," We base our assumptions upon their speech, actions, or appearance. They just "don't seem like the type to serve God." Would they even listen if I tried to tell them about God?

One lady shared how she and her husband were not invited to church by those who knew them because they were thought too sinful to be saved. God thought differently. I met her several years later as a mature Christian, and it was difficult to imagine how this beautiful, godly lady was once considered "unsavable."

During His time on earth, the Lord did not gravitate to only those considered socially acceptable or leaders in society. He was just as likely to speak with beggars, harlots, lepers, and other social outcasts. He loved them all.

Luke 7 tells of a time when Jesus accepted a dinner invitation to the home of a Pharisee. As Luke relates, "A woman in the city, which was a sinner" learned where He was and entered uninvited. Approaching Jesus, she began to wash His feet with her tears and wipe them with her hair. Then she took an alabaster box of ointment and anointed His feet. The Pharisee, knowing the woman's reputation, was quick to judge. If Jesus were really a prophet, he thought, He would know what kind of person she is. Jesus knew; but instead of reproving her, He extended mercy. "Thy sins are forgiven" (verse 48).

On another occasion Jesus and the disciples encounter a mentally ill man tormented with evil spirits (Luke 8:26-39). The man lived like a wild creature, naked and uncontrollable. Verse 29 tells us, "He was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands and was driven of the devil into the wilderness."

A candidate for deacon or Sunday school teacher? Hardly. Yet Jesus did not consider this tormented soul as hopeless. Instead, He cast out the evil spirits and set the man free. We next find him "sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind."

Jesus met others during His earthly ministry that we might reject as unworthy.

Matthew was a hated tax collector.

The ten lepers were considered unclean.

A woman had been caught in adultery;

The woman at the well had numerous relationships.

None was so sinful that the Lord refused to reach out with love and mercy. Can we do any less today?

Romans 3:23 says that "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Our condition was no more acceptable in God's sight than the prostitute, the drug addict, or the drunkard. However, it's not only the "lowest of the low" who need salvation. Look around at those who seemingly have it all—the professional, the rich, the admired. They too need God.

God never intended for the church to be an exclusive social club where only the good and the beautiful could come together. He commissioned us to take the gospel "unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8). Yes, He meant to the farthest regions of the world, but He also meant for us to take it to the uttermost levels of society—high, low, and all in between. No one is excluded from God's plan for salvation.

Jesus looked beyond what someone was to what they could become. Can we do the same?

Devotion by Mary Loudermilk

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." (I Peter 4:10, ESV)

Have you ever known someone with a true servant's heart? They seem to always be busy helping others and delight in doing it. None of it is to receive praise or public acknowledgement for what they do. They just do what needs to be done and quietly make a difference. Ephesians 6:7 describes it this way:

"Rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man." (ESV)

Everything we do for others should be done "as to the Lord." No pats on the back or glowing words of praise are needed.

You may wonder if there is a difference between a servant and a slave? While we often use the words interchangeably, they really are not the same. "A servant is free to work for the chosen master, whereas a slave is forced to work against his will" (differencebetween.com). One is voluntary, a personal choice, and one is not.

On the Lord's last night with His disciples before His arrest, He demonstrated what humble servanthood looks like in action. After they had finished the meal, Jesus took a towel and a basin of water. Then He knelt before each man and began to wash his feet—including the feet of the one who would soon betray Him. As He finished, He explained the meaning behind His action.

When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, "Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. (John 13:12-15, ESV).

That same evening the disciples had argued among themselves as to who should be considered the greatest (Luke 22:24). Even after walking with the Lord for so long, they failed to realize that His kingdom would never be about pomp and power. Instead, it would be established on servanthood. "Not to be served but to serve." Jesus lived it before them and explained it to them, but they just did not grasp what He meant. There are those today who still do not understand what servanthood means in everyday life.

Philippians 2:3-5 tells us:

"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (ESV)

I recently heard a statement that I found thought-provoking.

"You can serve without having a servant's heart, but you cannot have a servant's heart without serving."

Our church has a special ministry that serves our elderly or others with a need. It can be something as small as fixing a dripping faucet, unstopping a clogged drain, or pulling weeds in an overgrown yard. Earth-shaking? Not really. But these simple acts of service say, "We love you and we want to help you." It is a true blessing to the recipient.

The loving concern of those who volunteer for this ministry reminds me of the words of Colossians 3:12.

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience." (ESV)

It's easy for us to say, "I want to be more like the Lord." If we sincerely mean it, then it's time to look around to see who we can serve. That's what the Lord would do.

"The greatest among you shall be your servant." (Matthew 23:11, ESV)

PERSONAL REFLECTION:

What am I willing to sacrifice so that I can to serve others?

How can I be most helpful to others?

How can I recognize opportunities to serve others?

Who can I serve today?

Devotion by Mary Loudermilk

"Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Matthew 26:41, ESV)

Have you ever been tempted to do something you knew was questionable at best and something that you should probably totally avoid? As children, if our mom said, "Don't touch that," what was the one thing we wanted to do? The forbidden was just too tempting. We did not outgrow that tendency. Even today, if we pass a sign that says, "Do Not Touch. Wet Paint," what do we immediately want to do? Almost automatically our finger reaches out to check if the paint is really wet. We just can't resist the temptation.

Temptation comes in many forms. It can be as simple as being tempted by a yummy, high calorie dessert. Or it can be as serious as a moral failure or other action that brings long-lasting consequences. We all face temptations as we go through life. The temptation itself is not a sin, but how we respond to that temptation can become a sin.

It is important to understand that temptation does not come from God. Scripture is very plain on this. We cannot blame Him when we allow our own desires to lead us into sin.

"Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.'" (James 1:13, ESV)

"For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world." (I John 2:16, ESV)

James 1:14 says, "But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire" (ESV). Our problem comes when we allow those desires to control our choices, even when we know that desire is wrong.

Do you feel you are the only one who struggles with temptation? You aren't. In I Corinthians 10:13 we learn that "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man." However, the Bible shows us that there are steps we can take to resist temptation.

Avoid situations that may lead to temptation. Do not set yourself up for defeat. Don't walk but run from compromising situations.

"And give no opportunity to the devil." (Ephesians 4:27, ESV)

"Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on." (Proverbs 4:14-15, ESV)

Stay alert to Satan's tactics. His plans are devious and enticing. He can paint a beautiful picture to lure you into something that will lead you away from God. He is out to entrap anyone he can.

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

Keep your spiritual life strong. Stay connected to the Lord and connected to the body of Christ. You do not have to fight your battles alone.

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do." (Galatians 5:16-17, ESV)

Seek God's help. He understands our struggles because He also endured temptation. He stands ready to help.

"For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." (Hebrews 12:18, ESV)

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7, ESV)

We yielded to temptation and now we are ashamed of our actions. Do we hide from God as Adam and Eve tried in the Garden of Eden? Or do we admit our transgression and seek His forgiveness? It is important to realize that our failure is not final. God offers us a way back. When we sincerely repent, God is more than willing to forgive.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9, ESV)

Whatever your situation today, there is hope. God sees where we are and offers forgiveness and restoration.

King David allow...

"O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps." (Jeremiah 10:23, NKJV)

There are a few places in the world where seasons never change. The temperature remains fairly constant with only a few degrees variation. Other places experience only two seasons, a wet season and a dry season. I have always lived in areas with four distinct seasons. I've often wondered if living in a tropical area where each day just like the one before would eventually get boring. The changing seasons offers a fresh view of things.

Life also has seasons, some more enjoyable than others. Like in nature, each season of life has its own beauty and its own challenges. But each season offers lessons to be learned and blessings to be enjoyed.

We can expect changes in life. Some are expected and some are bewildering. Family circumstances change. Responsibilities shift. We move to a different location. Or, sometimes we find our area of ministry is transitioning to something different.

It is often difficult for us to adapt to change. We may have grown comfortable in our present circumstances and feel stressed when things shift. It can be scary, but at the same time it can be exciting. God is changing our season.

My recent Bible studies have centered on the life of Moses. To say he lived an interesting life is an understatement. Moses' life can be viewed as three major seasons, each about forty years long. Each period of time was very different from the one preceding it.

The first forty years of his life centered around his place Pharaoh's household. The second forty years found him living in Midian as a shepherd. What a contrast that must have been—from a life of palace comfort to caring for flocks of sheep in a dusty desert. His last forty years, his most challenging years, were spent in a wilderness tent. This time he wasn't shepherding sheep. At the age of eighty, he began leading a multitude of grumbling, disobedient people toward a land promised by God.

During his varied life experiences, Moses learned numerous, and valuable, lessons. There are too many to list here, but here are some of the things he learned and benefited from.

He learned to embrace his calling and trust God to help him fulfill that calling. (Exodus 3)

He learned the value of accepting the support of others when battles come. (Exodus 17)

He learned to listen to wise counsel (his father-in-law). (Exodus 18)

He learned to delegate responsibilities. He couldn't do it all. (Exodus 18)

He learned that disobedience brings consequences. (Numbers 20)

He learned the value of mentoring the one who would follow him. (Numbers 27)

He learned that age does not disqualify us for service. His leadership years were from 80 to 120. (Deuteronomy 31)

He learned that God is faithful in every season and circumstance of life.

As the 120-year-old Moses passed the mantle to Joshua before the people of Israel, he assured them once more that God would always be faithful and go with them.

"And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed." (Deuteronomy 31:8, NKJV)

Whatever your current season of life, there are lessons still to be learned, ministries to fulfill, and lives to touch. You may be a college student, a young mom, in a career, an empty-nester, a caregiver, a single parent, or facing your senior years. Whatever your season, God is still at work in your life. Remember to look for the beauty – even in the dark, difficult seasons. God is shaping you and teaching you valuable lessons.

We never know what God will do in our next season of life, but He will be with us. Always!

"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, NKJV)

What has been your most fulfilling season to this point?

What has been your most challenging season?

What lessons have you learned ...

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." (Matthew 6:34, KNJV)

Do you know someone who is a worrier? Or perhaps you are one yourself. It's easy to worry about the "what-ifs" in any situation. But becoming anxious over what tomorrow might bring only keeps us from enjoying the present. Someone once said, "Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles. It empties today of its strength" (Author unknown).

Luke 12:25 lets us know that worry accomplishes nothing, at least nothing positive.

"And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?" (NKJV).

What worry will do is steal our joy, rob us of peace, and diminish our trust in the Lord.

Worry has a friend that usually tags along. Its name is fear. We begin to imagine various "what ifs" and our mind fills with these dire possibilities. But there are two things we need to understand about fear.

1. Fear never comes from God. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (II Timothy 1:7, NKJV).

2. God's love drives away fear. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love" (I John 4:18, NKJV).

There's another partner that often shows up with worry and fear. The King James Version of Proverbs 12:25 calls it a "heaviness in the heart" and it makes us "stoop" or bend over. Other versions of the Bible translate this heaviness as anxiety, which may then lead to depression.

"Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad." (NKJV)

Financial difficulties, relationship problems, health issues, or other major life changes may all trigger worry. This may cause feelings of sadness, hopelessness, anger, or even fatigue. Do we panic — or do we pray? Philippians 4:6-7 gives us an important key to overcoming worry.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (NKJV)

These verses tell us that the way to overcome our worries is to go to God in prayer and petition His help. We are to lay our needs before Him with a spirit of gratitude, not worry. He is the one Who can provide us with a peace that will guard our heart and our mind. The more we pray, the more we trust God, the less we will worry. I have observed this in real situations, and I know it is true.

A few years ago, I watched a mom with several young children go through a very rough patch in her marriage. It looked hopeless. Did she have a reason to worry and feel afraid? Most would agree that she did. But that is not the path she chose to take. She chose to worship her way through the situation, and she taught her children to worship. Did it get better overnight? No. But over time God worked everything out in a beautiful way, and the family is stronger than ever.

Trust God and allow Him to handle your tomorrows. He does a much better job than we do struggling and worrying on our own.

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." (I Peter 5:6-7, NKJV)

Psalm 34:4

Isaiah 40:31

Isaiah 41:10

Romans 15:13

Hebrews 13:15

I John 5:15

Devotion by Mary Loudermilk

In third grade, I learned about Newton's theory of gravity. According to the familiar story, Isaac Newton was inspired to think about gravity after an apple fell from a tree, giving him an "aha!" moment. What goes up must come down. Gravity is one of the most interesting things we can learn about.

But I believe gravity has a spiritual connection, too.

One of the most amazing things about the Earth is that gravity keeps us connected to it. We are held to the Earth by a powerful force we cannot see. Similarly, we can think of the love of Christ as a kind of spiritual gravity that holds us close to Him. When we are connected to God, His love draws us toward Him and keeps us grounded.

Gravity is a powerful force that holds things to the Earth. Without gravity to keep us grounded, we would float away like a child's balloon. Gravity keeps our two feet firmly on the ground.

As born-again children of God, we're held together by that spiritual gravity. We hold on to God with everything we have because the enemy will try to pull us away. That gravity of Christ holds us close to Him. Just as gravity pulls from all directions towards the core of the planet, God draws us closer to Himself. We are His creation, and without Him as our spiritual "gravity," we can easily wander back into sin.

Spiritual gravity pulls us close to God and grounds us through the Holy Spirit.

What keeps us on Earth? Gravity.

What keeps us close to God? Love.

God's love keeps us close to Him, but sometimes we try to defy that pull. When we do, things begin to shift, and we may find ourselves wandering and drifting away from God. When we rebel against Him, we are resisting the One who is trying to keep us close.

We can see an example of this in the children of Israel. God delivered them from bondage through Moses, but when they rebelled and began worshipping the golden calf, they turned away from God and into sin. Their rebellion brought judgment upon them.

In spiritual terms, when we defy gravity, we are rebelling against God. But when we accept His love and submit to His will, we draw closer to Him and create a bond that, no matter what comes our way, keeps us attached to Him.

God created gravity, and He created us. The God who created the forces that hold this world together is the same God who invites us to draw close to Him.

I am determined to give God 100 percent of me and to serve and love Him, no matter what comes my way. I have endured some painful things while walking with God, but that spiritual gravity has kept me grounded in His Word and held safely in His arms.

So, if you are struggling today, don't defy the gravity. Embrace the love of God. Embrace what He has created you to be and walk in the authority He has given you.

One day, Jesus is coming back. Do you want to be attached to Him, or do you want to be separated from Him? On that day, the separation will be great if we are not attached. But if we choose to remain close to our Father in Heaven, what an amazing day it will be when we are reunited with Him!

Love can be a beautiful thing. I remember almost sixteen years ago when I realized that I was in love with my husband, who was my best friend at the time. I didn't want to admit I was falling in love with him because I was a self-reliant, independent woman who didn't need a man—or so I thought.

However, when God stepped in, He changed my thinking. He showed me that I didn't have to be afraid to love. Even though I had been hurt before, God opened my heart to be loved and to receive love. We're about to celebrate our fifteen-year anniversary. God has blessed us with four amazing, albeit challenging, kids, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

When we think of love, it's full of hearts, love songs, and Song of Solomon Bible verses. However, certain kinds of love can be dangerous.

When you give your whole heart and everything to Jesus, His love can be dangerous. Not in a bad way, but in a way that requires you to sacrifice everything you know and give up your carnal wants and desires so you can experience the love of God.

Sometimes, God's love can be dangerous if we don't receive it or appreciate it. John 3:16 says, "God so loved the world." God loves us, but just because He does doesn't mean He won't discipline us when we step outside His will. If we go in a different direction than He wants, His dangerous love will correct us and keep us on the right path.

When you love your child, you correct them. When they do something wrong, you don't simply let them continue in their bad ways; you correct them with your love. Christ loves us enough that when we go the wrong way—after He told us to go left and we go right—His love corrects and disciplines us.

That's dangerous love: beautiful, full of kindness, acceptance, and joy. We need to receive it, along with the discipline that comes with it, without viewing it negatively. The world's perception of dangerous love is very different from Christ's. Christ's dangerous love for us keeps us close to His heart and safe from the enemy's attacks.

Christ's dangerous love for us keeps us close to His heart and safe from the enemy's attacks.

Romans 5:8 says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Christ demonstrated His love for us, and that is something beautiful.

Love is beautiful. Love is amazing. Jesus' love heals us; comforts us, protects us, guides us, leads us, and helps us when we need Him most. The dangerous love of Christ is beautiful, sealed with awe and wonder, so let's be careful not to take His love for granted.

God wants us to love and serve Him. Even though following Christ isn't popular today, we want to love Christ dangerously, as He loves us.

When I was a little girl, I hated waiting. I hated waiting for my birthday so I could get my special present and turn another year older. I hated waiting for Christmas. I would think, It's going to take so long for Christmas to get here, only to realize it didn't take that long at all. Or I would say to myself, I can't wait to be an adult so I can drive, eat whatever I want, do whatever I want.

Waiting isn't always something we want to do. Waiting can be hard, and at times, it can be discouraging because you're waiting for something to happen, yet you don't see it moving. You don't see it progressing. You simply feel the stillness.

Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still, and know that I am God." But in a fast-paced world where everything seems to be handed to us in the blink of an eye, waiting can seem difficult. We can check our emails quickly. We can research something without waiting. Yet God says, "Be still." We don't want to be still. We don't want to wait. We want it now.

There comes a point when we've prayed for something and continue waiting for God to do it. We may wonder, God, why haven't You given me what I asked for? But we cannot approach God that way. He wants us to wait for a reason.

Isaiah 40:31 says, "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

Abraham and his wife, Sarah, had to wait for the child God had promised them. Abraham began to lose faith that God would answer his prayers. They waited for a long time, and finally, God gave them their son, Isaac.

Elizabeth and Zacharias also had to wait. Elizabeth was childless, and she likely never imagined that in her old age she would become a mother. But in her waiting, God gave her a child who would introduce Jesus Christ to the world.

The Bible also tells us about people who waited for Christ's coming. Anna and Simeon saw Christ as a baby and died knowing they had seen the face of their Redemption (Luke 2:25-35 KJV). Others died without seeing Christ at all, but they believed He was coming.

Waiting is never easy. Waiting can be frustrating and discouraging, and it can cause us to question or even compromise our faith in God.

However, God wants us to wait. He wants us to trust in Him when it seems like He won't answer our prayers. When we feel this way, we need to walk by faith and not by sight, especially when the waiting has taken its toll on us.

I'm in a period of my life where I feel like God is putting me in a season of waiting. I've been sitting there wondering, God, what are You doing in my life? Why aren't things working out the way I thought they would?

God hasn't said anything, but He's working. I need to give it time. I need to be patient. Maybe that waiting is God teaching us patience for when He brings us what we've been asking for. When that season of waiting is over, we can know and trust that God was acting in our best interest, and we may discover that the waiting wasn't so bad after all.

Waiting for God to direct our steps or produce what we've been believing for is never easy, but we must keep holding on.

God is in the waiting.

God waited for Noah to build the ark, even though He could have fast-forwarded the process. But He waited. When Noah finished the ark, souls were saved.

If you're waiting on God to do something in your life, be patient. He may be having you wait as a test of your faith, or He may be preparing something beautiful so that when the waiting is over, you can finally say, Now I know why You had me wait.

There's a saying that good things come to those who wait. I may feel like I've been waiting for a while for God to do some things, but I know if I keep patiently trusting Him, He will bring it to pass.

I may not like the waiting process. I may not understand it. But I know that He has never left me, nor will He forsake me.

If you're in a season of waiting, have faith and wait for God to open the door you've been p...

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest." (Ecclesiastes 9:10, KJV)

When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a chef. I would go into the kitchen and bake all kinds of delicious concoctions for my father. There were a lot of hits and misses, but whatever I made, my father would try it and tell me it was good—even when it wasn't! After a while, he gave me the nickname "Little Chef, " which made me happy. Even though I knew some of the dishes I made for him weren't very good, he was a good sport for trying them anyway.

At that moment, I decided that when I grew up, I would be a chef. So, after high school, I found myself at culinary school in Portland, majoring in baking. I enjoyed it, but something was missing. It wasn't really what I wanted to do. So, I made a conscious, prayerful decision to leave culinary school and asked God what He wanted me to do. I wasn't disappointed; I simply felt I needed to go in a different direction. My family was shocked, but I had made up my mind. My heart wasn't in it anymore.

I went back to college to major in business, took art classes, and thought, Okay, I'm going to be an architect. Then I hit another detour, and things shifted again. I thought, Okay, I'm just going to go to school, pray, and keep asking God what He wants me to do.

I continued to attend college and work, but I still wasn't certain what God wanted me to do. I was active in my church, helping out in various ministries, including cleaning, hospitality, worship, children, preteens, and many others. I loved being involved and felt that I wanted to be a part of whatever I could.

Then a wonderful man swept me off my feet. We got married, and I had my four beautiful children. I put my education and ministries on the back burner while I cared for my children. I realized my greatest ministry was ministering the gospel to them—planting the seed that they could one day plant themselves when they leave home and become adults.

So, here I am, a mother of four under the age of 12, and I am at a crossroads.

2025 was not the best year for our family; it was hard. We went through a lot, but I realize now that God was creating something special in me.

He was molding me into His image. Even through the pain and the detours, He was creating something in me that would bring Him all the glory.

Then one day, I decided to step back from certain ministries because they had taken a toll on my time with God and my family. Another detour. I felt overwhelmed by everything I had to do.

Then the Lord gave me a revelation: the ministries I was involved in were not going beyond the four walls of the church. I was simply maintaining a position; I wasn't growing in God the way that I should—or I wanted to.

So, I decided to take a step back. I sat at the feet of Jesus like Mary did and waited on my next assignment. It came at a time I didn't expect.

I found myself asking, What do you want me to do, God?

And the Lord impressed upon my heart, I made you the keeper of the house. You govern what goes out and what comes in.

I thought, Okay, God, that's great, but what else do You want me to do?

It was as if God was telling me that He didn't want me to work outside the home and that I needed to focus on being the keeper of the house. I thought, Well, that's crazy! I was a substitute teacher for almost two years. Why shouldn't I work? I wanted to help support our family.

But God supplies all of our needs according to His riches in Glory,

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19, KJV)

What I didn't know was that God had a special assignment for me.

He began to deal with my heart because I think, as Christians, we can sometimes have blinders on. We care deeply about the salvation of our own families without thinking about the world around us. But that's not what God wants. He wants us to be disci...

Have you ever experienced a divine connection—something only God could orchestrate? A moment where you were placed in a position to witness to someone without fully understanding how it all came together?

In Acts, God sent Philip to minister to an Ethiopian eunuch, showing him the way of the Lord because his heart was hungry for truth (Acts 8:26-39). A divine connection is when God places you in the path of someone who needs to hear about Jesus. In that moment, He connects you to a soul in need.

Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him (Acts 8:35).

We see this again when Peter was sent to Cornelius' house—another divine appointment, fully orchestrated by God.

Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him (Acts 10:34-35)

People may not always want God, but they need Him. Everyone—from the wealthy to the homeless—needs Jesus. We must begin to live out our faith boldly, not only in church ministries but also by reaching out to those around us. Listen to the heartbeat of God: He sent His Son not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Divine connections can happen anywhere, often when you least expect them.

In November 2025, my son was diagnosed with high-functioning autism and ADHD. It was difficult news, but we serve a powerful God, and our little boy has been a blessing to everyone he meets—his teachers, classmates, and beyond.

In February, I received a call from my son's speech therapist's office. They had an opening to change his schedule. As I spoke with the receptionist, I noticed how kind she was. I told her, "You have such a nice personality." That simple compliment opened the door for her to share deeply about her life—her struggles with her brother and mother, and the challenges she was facing.

Then came the moment that revealed the divine connection. She said, "I know this sounds weird, but will you be my friend?" She was 29, and we had never met. But I truly believe God set that moment up.

We encounter divine connections every day, but sometimes we become so distracted that we fail to recognize when God is leading us to someone who is searching for Him. As Christians, we need to remove the blinders and ask God to show us what He sees—even when it's uncomfortable.

We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit until we are no longer comfortable in our carnality, but willing to be stretched in the Spirit. We must be bold, yet loving, because love covers a multitude of sins (I Peter 4:8). Jesus said that if we love one another, we are His disciples (John 13:35). We are called to love our neighbors as ourselves, fulfilling the law.

Ask God for divine connections. Ask Him to lead you to people like Cornelius—those who are praying for truth and seeking Him. Pray, "Lord, lead me to someone who needs You."

We don't have to live in fear of what others think when we step out in faith. It may feel like walking on water, but our purpose is to bring the lost to Him. Step out of your comfort zone and say, "Lord, I don't know what I'm doing, but use me." Some of us may feel rusty—we haven't shared our faith or taught a Bible study in a while—but now is not the time for comfort. Now is the time to be willing, even if it feels uncomfortable, if it means reaching someone.

I told my husband that I had been feeling deeply uncomfortable in my spirit. He said, "God wants you to feel that way because He's trying to do something in your life." I didn't like that feeling, but I realized that if it helps grow my faith, remove selfishness, and lead me to be a light to someone else, then it's worth it.

The Apostle Paul said he would rather suffer for Christ than live in comfort (2 Corinthians 12:10). He endured hardship because he understood the importance of sharing the gospel. I believe we have grown too comfortable, and now it's time to be stirred in ...