“The Lord is my strength.” No matter your level of gifting, anointing, or spiritual maturity, those in Christ will face trials of many kinds in their lifetime. As Christians, we hope and pray for God to see us through. 

Certainly, all things work together for our good because we love Him. This reality can be a struggle that only some of us accept. His word is working in us, through our circumstances, whether we accept it or not. The transaction of strength occurs when our mind is renewed and accepting of this very truth.

Christ in you, the hope and guarantee of realizing the glory. Those looking from the outside should look at us in wonder. I look back in awe, marveled at God’s faithfulness in my life. The harder the trail, the deeper my faith took root and grew. I understood there’s nothing I can ever do to fix, change, or alter circumstances. What I can choose to do is trust fully in God’s strength.

Faith is not only a shield; it’s a weapon. It gives me the ability to lock eyes with the one who can part the sea. Where there’s lack, I can rest because He provides. He even keeps me in perfect peace even when all hell is breaking loose. Faith allows me to be still and/or take necessary action even in the presence of fear. This is the building of our faith. This is the mature mustard seed. This is where we soar like eagles.

This truth was not something I accepted overnight. It’s been a process, moments of needing to recognize that God is bigger than anyone or trail that I face. I can wait; I can be still, I can trust Him. I’m reminded at this moment of my first pregnancy. Like many first-time moms, I never knew what to expect except for accepting all of the present discomforts that would lead up to embracing my baby.

Focusing on the pain only exasperated it, making it less tolerable, not allowing me to see the value of the process—beholding my daughter. Trusting Him doesn’t make the pain go away. Trusting Him allows us to see good even in the worst of times. Trusting Him gives us peace that surpasses human understanding. It gives us strength to embrace

“This too shall pass.”

Today, I look back on what I thought impossible was made possible because He never fails, and those who wait on Him are never disappointed. 

I reflect on the prophecy of John the Baptist, as recorded in Luke 1:17. This verse describes a man who will embody the spirit and strength of the prophet Elijah. His mission is to prepare the people for arrival of the Lord. He will work to reconcile relationships between fathers and their children, encouraging those who are defiant to embrace the teachings and insights of the righteous.

Even before the birth of Jesus, we were plagued by father issues. While fathers may have been present, they were often absent in their involvement. Today, we witness a concerning trend of fathers who are completely absent from their children’s lives. This verse cannot be overlooked; it speaks directly to God’s heart. It is remarkable that God specifically chose John to serve as a conduit, connecting fathers back to their children. This is not dismissing the reality that moms too can be disconnected from their children. This scripture is emphasizing the honor of headship authority. Later I’ll share on mothers. 

So if fathers who are disconnected from their children are themselves rebellious, they will hinder the acceptance of wisdom from the godly by their children. When an earthly father's life reflects rebellion rather than alignment with the Lord, it obscures the child's understanding of what godly wisdom looks like. It challenges and or dismisses authority. Sometimes both altogether. 

These two actions are interconnected, and it is no coincidence that God has placed them together. As we observe the behavior of children, even grown adults today, we seek to understand why they are filled with pride and anger. 

One obvious truth is, we reap what we sow. Their decision-making lacks accountability, grace, and love.

The answer lies in the embodiment of love by Jesus, the son of God. Jesus submitted to the will of the Father, trusting in His plan and finding joy in doing His will. This is exemplified in key verses where Jesus demonstrates His obedience and love for the Father.

Key Verses on Jesus Doing the Father’s Will:

• John 6:38 (KJV): “I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.”

• John 5:30 (ESV): “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.”

• John 4:34 (NIV): “’My food,’ said Jesus, ‘is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.’”

• Matthew 26:39 (Garden of Gethsemane): “…Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

• John 6:39 (The Specific Will): “And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.”

Jesus’ primary desire is to give honor to His father. 

It becomes difficult to respect someone we cannot trust much less honor. 

To obtain wisdom, we must honor God, as doing His will is an act of honoring Him. If we struggle to do His will, know that you are not alone. There is a generation that needs healing from father wounds. 

Only then will we be able to accept the FULLNESS of Jesus and live out our identity in Christ with purpose, giving God glory and honor in all that we do.

God is not coming back for a perfect people. He is coming back for those who find their ultimate joy in Him.

🔒 We cannot align with the will of the father when we have earthly father wounds. We do not TRUST HIM, and how can we be healed?

Key 🔑: Alignment. We align when we trust. When we trust, we submit. When we submit, We heal, when we heal, we wait, and when we wait WE FIND PEACE AND JOY.

Lets Pray….

Let us stand in the gap for healing and restoration of those who struggle with father wounds. I pray even for those who have not yet acknowledged this truth as the root cause. May their ears be opened to this reality. I pray especially for those who have repeated the cycle and unintentionally hurt their children. May they repent and embrace the forgiveness of God. May they FORGIVE themselves, those who hurt them, and be restored to their rightful place. 

AMEN.🙏🏼

Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭AMP‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/1588/luk.1.18-20.AMP‭‭‍ ‍

Luke 1:34-35 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/luk.1.34-35.AMP

Zechariah ask the same question as Mary. The difference is Zechariah asked in doubt and Mary asked in acceptance. God is not shaken by doubt his word will not return unto him void. What He says shall always be established. 

This is another highlight for me: Receiving and accepting. Many wonder why the delay, why the Lord is not saying more on a matter. There may have been a receiving but not an acceptance. The word has not settled in their spirit, hence why Zechariah needed to be silenced. I believe silence heals; waiting heals. Silence from the Lord is “I already said what I needed to say on such a matter; once you settle with my word, I’ll respond.” Receiving and accepting.

In Zachariah’s case, the baby was born, yet his voice did not return until he accepted the calling of the child

“He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s surprise, he wrote, “His name is John.” Instantly, Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God.”

Luke 1:63-64 NLT Mary not only received the word; she accepted it. How do we know ? The response that followed her question.

Luke 1:38 Then Mary said, “[a]Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel left her.

May Prayer is we will be settled in our spirit mind and soul On the plans God has for our lives. I pray we will be doers of the word. we will walk by Faith not by sight. I pray that obedience be our guide and love for god our Vehichle in Jesus name Amen.

I read this from a post and it spoke volumes. 

I paused and I saw a cactus in the desert  I heard.... Finding your value in “The doing” Is not value but devaluing your purpose. It’s like a cactus waiting for water in a desert. 🌵. If a cactus knows its design it will thrive with little to no water. Everyone deserves to be loved and validated. The truth is are value comes from our purpose. Your purpose comes from your creator not even your origin. God created US in His image by design to glorify Him in all WE do. Our value is inherent, given by God who breathed His life into us (Genesis 2:7), granting every individual dignity and unshakeable worth. 

I read that first quote recently and it spoke volumes. It made me pause.

As I reflected, the image of a cactus in the desert came to mind.

If a cactus doesn't understand its design, it spends its life desperately waiting for water. But when a cactus knows its true design, it thrives in the exact environment it was placed in.

Many of us treat our worth like a cactus waiting for rain—constantly striving, doing, and performing just to feel validated.

But the truth is:

• Your value comes from your purpose.

• Your purpose comes from your Creator.

• Your worth is determined by your design, not your origin.

God created us in His image by design to glorify Him in all we do. Our value is completely inherent. It was given the exact moment God breathed His life into us (Genesis 2:7), granting every single individual unshakeable dignity and worth.

Stop striving to prove your utility. You are already valued in your being. ✨

#FaithJourney #IdentityInChrist #Wholeness #CreatedByDesign #InherentWorth #FaithInspiration #SpiritualGrowth #RestInHim #KingdomIdentity goes here

This devotional is for the mothers who stand in the gap for their households. Scripture shows us that a mother’s faith has immense power to shape her children, even when the father is spiritually absent or compromised. For instance, Timothy—one of the greatest young leaders in the New Testament—was raised by a Greek, non-believing father. However, the Apostle Paul noted that Timothy’s fierce faith came directly from his mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois (2 Timothy 1:5).

It is easy to feel entirely alone when you are the sole spiritual anchor in your home. You may look at your children today and feel deeply discouraged because you do not see immediate results from your prayers, your tears, or your guidance. The burden of steering a family's heart by yourself can feel heavy and exhausting.

But do not confuse a season of waiting with a season of waste. Seed planted in the dark takes time to break through the soil. Your example of faith is a covenant that is being quietly written into the future of your family. God sees every invisible sacrifice, and He honors the relationship you cultivate with Him. Your work is never in vain. There is a transfer of spiritual wealth that gets passed down to your children due to your steadfast perseverance in God. Keep loving truth, and your children will become heirs to boundless riches to a never ending KINGdom ❤️

As I was cooking the other day, I was worshipping. About 20 to 30 minutes in, I felt a pinching, crawling sensation on the left side of my chest, right below my collarbone. I immediately grabbed at it and pulled it away.

It was a bug.

To think it was sitting just an inch or two from my heart is a lesson in itself. Had I not felt it, I might have been bitten, or worse, it could have burrowed into my skin. Sometimes, we carry hidden things so small that it is only through a posture of humility and worship that they are finally exposed, grabbed, and pulled away.

This is exactly what happens when we don't humble ourselves before God and examine our hearts. Left unchecked for days, months, or even years, those hidden things don’t just bite—often times, they infect that one area closest to your heart.

• That relationship that wounded you now affects how you treat others without you even knowing.

• That offense left you speechless.

• You consider yourself strong and full of wisdom, yet after some time, your words cut and your actions push people away.

God cannot be mocked; whatever a man sows, he reaps. Now you’re wondering and scratching your head as you live out the ramifications of a bite that became infected. Had you taken care of it in time, the consequences would have been much less severe.

The Master Craftsman

Our life is an offering, and our bodies are a temple with many rooms. From the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks, and our actions are driven by our thoughts and emotions. Our experiences shape us or break us—and sometimes both. Only with God can we see how it all works in our favor.

Upon receiving salvation, we become a vessel that houses the Holy Spirit. We have a new Owner. Like a Master Craftsman taking over an old house, He requires deep cleaning and maintenance.

The Lord knocks on the door of every room in our hearts. In whichever room you invite Him, He takes a seat. But it is up to us to allow Him not just to sit, but to clear out the old and replace it with the new. As a believer for over 30 years, it was only when I experienced deep hurt that I realized these attacks aren't random. It was up to me whether to accept that hurt as truth or reject it.

What happened next explained why I now see that the enemy fights from within—to divide, control, and conquer. A house divided gives the enemy a foothold. He may not own the whole house, but one small space is plenty for him to cause havoc. Left alone, the house cannot stand; it begins to crumble slowly. Recognition is the first step, but kicking him out takes the divine authority we already possess as believers through Christ.

How beautiful it is that the Owner of the house provides everything we need: the cleaning, the repairing, and the replacement. How great is our God! Through this, I discovered just how patient and long-suffering God is with us.

I also discovered how many believers are battling oppression—not because they don’t love God, but simply because they don’t understand the power of humility. Choosing to pray, “Search my heart, oh God,” is a powerful, humbling choice.

Shaking Off the Viper

As I wrap up this thought, I cannot help but think of the Apostle Paul. After surviving a catastrophic shipwreck on his way to Rome, Paul was gathering brushwood to help build a fire and warm the survivors. Suddenly, a venomous viper—driven out by the heat—fastened itself to his hand.

We cannot always prevent getting hurt. If a man like the Apostle Paul could be attacked, so can we. But one specific detail catches my attention: the snake was hiding in what Paul was carrying, and it took the heat to drive it out.

This points right back to my original thought. Hidden things are not always visible to us, but the same God who sheds light on those areas can clean them up and restore us.

Paul didn't panic; he intentionally shook the viper off his hand and straight into the fire. What happened next was not only a miracle for Paul, but a testimony for the spectators. Scripture says he suffered no harm, despite the local islanders waiting for him to swell up and fall dead. Seeing no misfortune come to him, the people changed their minds. This is the ultimate picture of how all things work together for our good.

There is so much power afforded to us in Christ for His glory and honor.

Let's heal. Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to reveal those hidden things so that we can walk in true freedom. Let's show the world that with God, all things are possible. He does it for you, because it ultimately brings Him glory.

A few years ago, a pastor shared a piece of advice with me that stuck to my ribs: “You must be in a house where you are celebrated, not tolerated.”

Ironically, this was the very same minister who would later hurt me deeply. Yet, despite the pain, he unintentionally taught me my most valuable lesson: we must be fiercely intentional about our healing. King David’s famous prayer, “Search my heart, oh God,” isn't just a historical verse for Sunday school. It is a daily necessity. It is the ultimate cure because the cycle is real—broken people break people.

In ministry and leadership, it is dangerously easy to fall in love with attention and notoriety. The environment becomes toxic the moment a leader's following gets entangled with their desire for fame. This toxicity is fueled by a broken heart, rooted in rejection, and masked by pride. When this prideful spirit is confronted with truth, it doesn't repent. It hides. It becomes docile, passive-aggressive, and quiet. Its ultimate goal is to remain in control so it can continue to be celebrated, effectively silencing anyone who speaks the truth.

Everyone deserves to be loved and accepted. Christ modeled this perfectly by dying for everyone—let's not forget Judas was chosen, too. The truth is, all human beings, even the elect, are susceptible to falling prey to pride. If we are not careful, we can easily become just like Judas or King Saul, landing a hairline away from a crash because we believe we earned a position that was actually a gift.

I have been silenced a time or two myself. It happened enough to make me tired, and honestly, a bit bitter. In that quiet place, I had to learn a hard lesson: knowing the truth doesn’t make you valuable; it makes you vulnerable. True revelation requires deep humility because humility keeps pride at bay. Unsurprisingly, that vulnerability is exactly what the enemy will try to use against you.

I have fallen many times. But through the falls, I noticed a pattern: rejection follows truth everywhere. This realization brought me my greatest breakthrough. Truth is always followed by rejection because when truth takes root, it threatens the status quo. It brings a harvest. It sparks a revival.

The last time I experienced rejection, something shifted inside me. I didn't feel defeated; I instantly felt protected. In my spirit, I heard a whisper: “That wasn’t aimed at you; it was aimed at me.”

The enemy wasn't attacking my personality, my talent, or my character. He was attacking the truth living within me. When you carry the light of Christ, the darkness will always try to shut you out. Rejection is not a sign that you have failed; often, it is proof that you are walking in the truth.

So, if you find yourself tolerated instead of celebrated today, take heart. Keep your spirit humble, keep your heart open to God's searchlight, and remember that the closed doors are often just God protecting His truth inside you.

God will not call you to transform if there where not other forms in you. 

—apostle Ted Mahabir 

16 May He grant you out of the riches of His glory, to be strengthened and spiritually energized with power through His Spirit in your inner self, [indwelling your innermost being and personality],

17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through your faith. And may you, having been [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love,

18 be fully capable of comprehending with all the saints (God’s people) the width and length and height and depth of His love [fully experiencing that amazing, endless love];

19 and [that you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself].

20 Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us,

21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Choices. We encounter them in various sizes, from small to colossal. Every day, we face decisions that shape our lives—from what to eat and wear to major milestones like purchasing a car or a home. Our internal mindset, motives, and beliefs play a crucial role in determining our outward behavior. While we can strive to make the best decisions, our human motives often prevail. 

It’s humbling to consider that God has already factored in all our steps, yet He still desires a close relationship with us. He remains unfazed by our imperfections. Scripture teaches that the wages of sin are death, but the gift of God is eternal life (Romans 6:23). 

Just like any other present, this gift must be accepted. What sets it apart is that it never diminishes or deteriorates; instead, it requires a daily response. As the Bible states in Romans 8:13, “If you live according to the impulses of the flesh, you will die. But if you live by the power of the Holy Spirit, you will habitually put to death the sinful deeds of the body, and you will truly live forever.” 

No one naturally desires to make poor choices or suffer the consequences of a negative lifestyle. Spiritually, without Christ, we are dead. However, with Christ, this gift is activated, empowering us to live in a way that honors Him. We may not achieve a life completely free of sin, but we no longer have to submit to it. With Christ, we are not only making healthy decisions, but we are truly living and thriving. 

Have you ever woken up with a phrase so loudly impressed upon your spirit that you knew, without a doubt, it was a word from God?

I woke up with these exact words repeating in my mind:

"Someone’s forward is your backward. Be careful where you step."

I didn't fully understand it. But I knew its direction was to safeguard me! I prayed for clarity and The reality of that warning hit me like a wave. 

I had just finished an intimate, heavy conversation with someone I considered a close friend. Out of genuine love, I had shared a deep concern about a believer we know who is drifting away from the grace-based freedom of Christ and stepping back into rigid religious legalism. As Galatians 5:1 warns us, "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."

My heart was burdened for this person's spiritual liberty. The moment she shared my discernment kicked into gear. But instead of meeting me in that space of shared biblical concern, my friend met me with an intense, emotional passion. It was a passion masked as "fervent love for God and neighbor," but the underlying message was clear: Having theological discernment is the equivalent of judgment. She wanted me to believe that to truly love people, I had to turn off my spiritual radar.

To her, ignoring spiritual drift felt like moving "forward" into a higher level of compassion. But the Holy Spirit was issuing a warning: Her forward is your backward. If I stepped into her narrative and agreed to label holy discernment as "hatred," I would be taking a massive step backward into deception.

The real shock came later when this private conversation was subtly weaponized on public social media. She posted a beautifully stylized quote about "anchoring yourself in love so no pulpit or platform teaches you to despise your neighbor."

It was a textbook example of passive-aggressive spiritual manipulation. By using religious buzzwords, she publicly rewrote the narrative to make herself look like the ultimate champion of love, while subtly framing my doctrinal concern as hostility. It is a painful shock when a friend uses your private vulnerability as raw material for a self-serving social media post. 

But as the sting settled, I realized that this is exactly how the enemy operates. He uses beautiful sentiments—like anchoring in love—to disguise a direct attack on truth.

Watching Where You Step

When people try to manufacture a "universal love" on emotional, worldly terms rather than biblical ones, they inevitably end up validating confusion and compromising truth. They want the good feelings of faith without the sharp edges of doctrine.

What I am learning is When you encounter this level of deception, here is how you guard your feet:

1. Refuse the Bait: The enemy wants you to strike back, defend yourself, or argue. Don't. Your silence isn't weakness; it is a sign that you trust God to protect your reputation. As Exodus 14:14 says, "The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent."

2. Recognize the Strategy: When someone accuses you of "judging" just because you are exercising biblical discernment, realize they are trying to silence the Holy Spirit in you to accommodate the flesh in themselves.

3. Mute the Noise: You are under no obligation to sit in spaces where your heart is twisted. Protect your peace, step back from the screens, and log off the drama.

"Never let someone else's emotional waves erode your spiritual foundation. Stand firm on the truth, guard your boundaries, and be incredibly careful where you step. God is for you, never against you. His love is so deep it allows us to use our free will to trust His way as the right way, even if it makes no sense to us. Holy Spirit is corrective, not confusing. Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Not many understand that to live for Christ is releasing your will for God's supreme intervention. His way is always better, His thoughts are always higher. His plan doesn’t compromise nor does it go against His words.

Proverbs 21:2 People may be right in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their heart."

We obey because we love Him and accept His sacrifice; we don't obey to be loved and accepted.

As I read Romans 1:20 which reads —God's invisible qualities, eternal power, and divine nature have been clearly seen and understood through the creation of the world. Consequently, humanity has no excuse for not recognizing His existence. Brought me to ponder and write on this……

“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.—Proverbs 21:2

I have heard various perspectives, and yet I cannot unsee that living as if without a internal guide all awhile professing acceptance of Christ's sacrifice is in fact taking advantage of grace. On the opposite extreme living under The Law becomes an obstacle only when it is placed before the cross as a requirement for entry—as if we could earn Heaven’s qualification, or perform to prove our worth to God and others.

The Balance

When obedience is placed after the cross, it transforms. It becomes a beautiful guide for how a forgiven person chooses to live. We will never be perfect on this side of eternity, but we can choose to use our free will daily to honor Him.

At the end of it all, WE reap what WE sow. Life is defined by how we choose to use our free will.

Salvation is a free gift that cannot be bought or earned due to its immense cost. Recognizing God’s existence and living in relationship with Him is reflected in our choices. It’s about intentionality, not perfection.

To honor the true value of this gift, let us choose to live in a way that always points back to the One who paid IT ALL. 

Daily Prayer:

Lord, thank You for the cross. Help me to stop trying to earn a love I already have. Let my obedience today be a joyful, voluntary response to Your grace, rather than a heavy burden of performance. IN JESUS NAME Amen.❤️