Pennies In Your Path

Are you struggling with past mistakes, shame, or your identity? We often believe whatever has marked us or stained us, that it defines who we are. We begin listening to the enemy's lies that whisper "because of your stain of sin and shame, others will judge you and not love you. If they knew who you really were and what you have done or what's been done to you, then you will be rejected." In today's episode, Jodi shares the truth about what God does with our stains. Friend, you are not stained for life, and your past does not define you. "Therefore, if the Son sets you free, you really will be free!" (John 8:36)

Here is a link to several of the scriptures Jodi refers to in this episode:

1 John 1:9, Psalms 51:1-17, Psalms 139:13-16, Isaiah 61:3, Psalms 103:12, 2 Corinthians 5:17

I would love to hear from you and for you to share this so others may be encouraged.

LINKS: Click below to learn more about Jodi and places to hear her podcast "Pennies In Your Path":

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If you ever need prayer please contact me by filling out the form below. I will personally contact you back.

How is your heart responding to God’s call to dwell with Him today? Are you making time for Him or are you too busy? Drifting from His presence is a slow fade into darkness. In today’s episode, Jodi challenges us to purposefully dwell in God’s presence and communicate with Him on a regular basis. Create space in your life to STOP! Scripture Today for One to Ponder: Psalm 27:8 (NLT) My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with Me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”

In today's episode, Jodi shares something out of obedience. It's a word from God that continues to minister to her soul and she feels compelled to share it with you. Sometimes we can complicate the gospel, but it's simple to share. Let today's message fall fresh on your heart and share it with others that need to hear a word to meditate on today.

Here are the scriptures, along with the translations, Jodi mentions:

Romans 5:18-19 New Living Translation (NLT)

18Yes, Adam's one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ's one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. 19Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.

Genesis 2:16-17 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

16And the Lord God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree of the garden, 17but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for on the day you eat from it, you will certainly die."

1 Peter 3:18 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

18For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit.

1 Peter 3:18 New Living Translation (NLT)

18Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.

Romans 10:9 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

9 That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 8:1 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

8Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

LINKS: Click below to learn more about Jodi and places to hear her podcast "Pennies In Your Path":

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In today's episode Jodi reflects on a devotion she wrote in 2016. Much life has happened since then. She shares how God has answered prayers. Be encouraged to lay your aspirations before God trusting Him to do a new thing. Allow God's word to speak into your heart's desire, dreams, and goals.

Go Forward!

Copied from a devotion written in 2016.

For years, I have had aspirations for a specific dream. I often pursued it but my insecurities, doubts, and fears would wrap around me, hindering any movement forward. I have asked myself many times: Is it just the glamorous idea of it that keeps me holding on to it? Or is it something that God wants me to move forward with? I did not know the answer.

Can you relate? Maybe you have aspirations to open your home for foster care, start your own business, become a stay- at- home mom, or start a new friendship… Are you uncertain if this is a leading from God or just a dreamy idea?

I find the uncertainty to be exhausting.

I was tired of holding onto a dream that goes nowhere.

I was ready for it to die or take on a new life.

I needed affirmation for my aspiration. So I began praying with a willingness to surrender my dream to God. A willingness to let it die. As I was praying, I heard the birds chirping outside. I opened the back door of the house and the outdoors beckoned me. The sky was painted baby blue. The breeze was gentle with a relaxing warmth. The empty chair on the back deck was inviting, so I gave in and took my journal and bible with me. Of course, I had a cup of coffee too. ;)

As I settled in my chair and soaked in the atmosphere, I opened my bible and asked God to use His word for clarity. I asked Him to speak and He did.

On this particular day, I picked up reading where I'd left off the previous day in Exodus 14.

Up to this point in the book of Exodus, the Israelites had lived in Egypt for 430 years and for many of those years they were slaves. They were now under the authority of the Egyptian Pharaoh, who had a hardened heart. God sent Moses to speak with Pharaoh to request that His people, the Israelites, be set free. It was not until the last plague God sent that Pharaoh let the Israelites free. You can read about the plagues here. As nearly a million of them fled, Pharaoh had a change of heart and pursued them with his army and hundreds of chariots. They came upon them near the Red Sea. "As Pharaoh drew near, the sons of Israel looked, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very frightened; so the sons of Israel cried out to the Lord." Exodus 14:10

This is where it gets real. God's about to do the inconceivable!

"But Moses said to the people, "Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent. Then the LORD said to Moses, why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to GO FORWARD. As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land." (Exodus 14:13-16 NASB)

God was speaking to me through this passage. He did not want me to stand by and keep silent.

He spoke as if a voice behind my ears (Isaiah30:21) GO FORWARD! Stop being lukewarm and pursue your dream with a hot passion! When you GO FORWARD, I will part the waters and make your path clear.

"Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth, will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:19)

I received my answer! My dream had new life breathed into it! (Now I need to Go FORWARD because God said, "GO FORWARD!", and I can trust Him to equip me and make away.)

Do you find the uncertainty exhausting? Lay your aspirations before God and find peace as He reveals a confirmation either way. He may just be waiting for you to GO FORWARD so He can part the waters.

LINKS: Click below to learn more about Jodi and places to hear her podcast "Pennies In Your Path":

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In today's episode, Jodi shares how God used the purest experience to heighten her awareness of His presence. She was reminded of God's faithfulness in keeping His promises to be our shelter, rest, refuge, place of safety, and to be our rescuer. His promises are our armor and protection. Listen in and be encouraged today.

Psalm 91

1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.

4 He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

9 If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, 10 no evil will conquer you...

14 The Lord says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. 15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.

LINKS: Click below to learn more about Jodi and places to hear her podcast "Pennies In Your Path":

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In today's episode, Jodi interviews her dear friend, Sharon. Sharon shares that she prayed for God to do whatever it takes to bring her boys back to Himself, never dreaming what God would use to answer her prayer. Her two children made a decision that would land them in prison with a sentence of 20 years without parole. However, God has brought good out of this tragedy, and Sharon clings to Jeremiah 29:11 for hope and strength. This real story of finding freedom in a life of imprisonment is one full of God's trustworthiness, sovereignty, and redemptive power.

If you need someone to pray with you or have something on your heart after listening to Sharon's story, please go to www.JodiAiken.com and click on my contact tab. Or click here. Fill out the form, and I will personally respond to you.

If this has inspired you, please share this episode so others may be encouraged to know God is faithful and trustworthy. God works for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). No circumstances are exempt from that promise.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not harm you." (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28, NIV)

Carol Kent's Book "When I Lay My Isaac Down."

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5, NIV)

LINKS: Click below to learn more about Jodi and places to hear her podcast "Pennies In Your Path":

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Jodi has special guests on today's episode. Hear from her youngest son, Hayden, and his sweetheart, Mikaela. The two share transparently how challenging it is to trust God during times of anxiety—those moments when it feels as if their worlds are being turned upside-down. Listen to the passages they lean into for strength and Light during times of turmoil and darkness. Tune in and you will surely be blessed as they share their struggles and growth.

Click the link below to view the Bible passages discussed in today's episode.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Jeremiah 29:11, Psalms 46:1-3

LINKS: Click below to learn more about Jodi.

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In today's episode, Jodi shares, about what happened when her plans changed and anxiety encroached her. Jodi's journey that day was a struggle between choosing to correct the issue herself that changed her plans or choosing to rest in God trusting Him in His plans. Listen in to hear how God moved in, exchanging the anxiety for His peace, and how He can do the same for you.

You can also click HERE to listen.

LINKS: Click below to learn more about Jodi.

He Calms The Storm Lyrics

Mark 4:35-40

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In today's episode, Jodi shares a personal story regarding her trip to Jamaica with her husband. She is transparent about what she was struggling with internally as she found the courage to jump off a cliff. You won't want to miss this fun and God-glorifying episode.

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