The battle we face is spiritual, which is why we need to put on the whole armor of God every single day.

Think about a soldier on a battlefield. Would they put on their armor only occasionally? Would they lower their guard in the middle of a war? Of course not. They stay alert because they know the enemy is always looking for an opportunity to attack.

The same is true for us.

We cannot afford to let our guard down with the enemy of our souls. Scripture warns us:

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” — 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)

Just as an army waits for the right moment to strike, Satan is patient. He looks for moments when we’ve become complacent—when we’ve neglected prayer, drifted from God’s Word, isolated ourselves from other believers, or allowed compromise to creep into our lives.

That is why God has given us spiritual armor.

I remember when I first read about the armor of God, I didn’t fully understand what it meant to “put it on.” I knew the passage, but I didn’t know how to apply it to my daily life. At the time, I simply wasn’t spiritually mature enough to grasp it. It was almost like trying to learn a new language.

As I continued walking with Christ, spending time in His Word, praying, repenting, and allowing Him to transform me, something changed. One day I realized I wasn’t just reading about the armor anymore—I was actually living it. Without even realizing it, I had begun applying the very things Paul described.

Looking back, I can see that putting on the armor isn’t about performing a ritual every morning. It’s about walking in truth, resting in Christ’s righteousness, standing firm in faith, filling your mind with the assurance of your salvation, living out the gospel, and wielding the Word of God against the lies of the enemy. What once seemed confusing has, by God’s grace, become second nature.

The armor of God is not merely symbolic. It is our God-given protection for spiritual warfare. We are called to fasten on the belt of truth, put on the breastplate of righteousness, fit our feet with the readiness of the gospel of peace, take up the shield of faith, wear the helmet of salvation, and wield the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:10–18)

Notice that Paul doesn’t tell us to put on the armor only when we feel under attack. He tells us to put on the whole armor of God so that we may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

The enemy doesn’t take days off.

Neither should our vigilance.

Stay close to Jesus. Stay in His Word. Stay in prayer. Keep your armor on, because the battle is real—but so is the victory that belongs to those who stand firm in Christ.

"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm." — Ephesians 6:13 (ESV)

For further study on how to apply The Armor of God, I recommend these excellent resources from Billy Graham and from Got Questions.org.

Most of us have heard the following statements:

Keeping up with the Joneses.
Champagne taste on a beer budget.
All hat, no cattle.

I’ve known people who drive an $80,000 luxury vehicle, yet struggle to pay for a meal or come up with the next month’s rent.

We live in a culture that rewards appearances—a culture that is obsessed with image.

The right car.
The right career.
The designer clothes.
The newest phone.
The biggest house.
The carefully curated social media feed.

We’ve become experts at looking successful—even when our hearts are empty.

Jesus warned us about this very thing:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven... For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” — Matthew 6:19–21 (ESV)

Jesus never measured a person’s worth by what they owned. He measured the condition of their heart.

When the rich young ruler approached Jesus, he appeared to have everything. He was moral. Respected. Wealthy.

Yet Jesus exposed the one thing that had become his god.

“Go, sell all that you have... then come, follow Me.” — Mark 10:17-22 (NLT)

Jesus wasn’t against money.

He was against anything that competed for first place in our hearts.

That’s why He also said:

“No one can serve two masters... You cannot serve both God and money.” — Matthew 6:24 (NLT)

And later:

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” — Mark 10:25 (NLT)

The problem isn’t wealth.

The problem is when wealth possesses us.

Scripture never teaches that money itself is evil. In fact, Paul reminds us:

“Godliness with contentment is great gain...” — 1 Timothy 6:6

And just a few verses later, he explains that it is the love of money, not money itself, that is “a root of all kinds of evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10) Full chapter: 1 Timothy 6.

God isn’t impressed by luxury cars, designer labels, your career, or impressive homes.

He looks beyond the image and sees the heart.

As God told Samuel:

“People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” — 1 Samuel 16:7 (NLT)

The world teaches us to spend our lives trying to look important.

Jesus teaches us to spend our lives becoming faithful and sanctified.

One investment fades.

The other lasts forever.

We chase earthly treasures instead of heavenly ones.

We try to impress people instead of pleasing God.

We buy things we don’t need, with money we don’t have, to impress people we don’t even know.

The world tells us that more possessions will bring us peace and happiness.

God’s Word says otherwise:

“Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure with turmoil.” — Proverbs 15:16 (NIV)

“Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have...” — Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

Ask yourself:

If God removed every possession I own today, would He still be enough?

That’s the question Jesus was really asking the rich young ruler.

It’s not about outward appearances—it’s about a heart that is fully surrendered to Christ.

Scripture includes many faithful people who were wealthy, such as Abraham, Job (after his restoration), David, and Joseph of Arimathea. The issue is never the size of a person’s bank account; it’s what sits on the throne of their heart.

What are you putting before God?

What has become your god?

The first commandment says:

“You shall have no other gods before Me.” — Exodus 20:3 (ESV)

Anything we look to for our identity apart from Christ can quietly become an idol.

The Apostle Paul understood this better than anyone. After all of his accomplishments, status, and religious achievements, he wrote:

“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” — Philippians 3:8 (NLT)

I count the things of this world as pointless because nothing compares to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

The greatest display of wealth isn’t what you drive or wear.

It’s walking in the peace that comes from knowing Christ.

A heart that is content in Jesus is richer than any bank account this world can offer. Wealth is a wonderful blessing when it is surrendered to God, but it was never meant to become the source of our identity, peace, or security. Only Christ can satisfy the deepest longing of the human heart.

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” — Colossians 3:2 (ESV)

This morning I was thinking about someone in my life who, back in 2007, repented and surrendered his life to Jesus. He experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit in powerful ways. He faithfully attended church, surrounded himself with godly friends, and genuinely desired to follow Christ.

But just a few months later, he said something that has stayed with me all these years:

“I can’t do this Jesus thing. It’s too hard. It’s much easier to sin.”

As I reflected on those words, I realized something.

He had unknowingly made the Christian life about his own ability instead of Christ’s finished work.

He was striving to be good enough, holy enough, and perfect enough to stand spotless before God. But the gospel has never been about what we can accomplish. It has always been about what Jesus accomplished.

If perfection and holiness depended on us, then why did Jesus have to die?

Galatians 2:21 (NIV) says “I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

The truth is, He knew we could never save ourselves. He knew we could never live a perfectly sinless life. That is why He willingly went to the cross, bore the judgment our sins deserved, shed His blood for our forgiveness, died in our place, and rose again in victory.

Our righteousness is not something we earn. It is something we receive through faith in Christ.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

The apostle Paul makes this crystal clear in Galatians 2:16:

“...know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.”

We are not declared righteous because we have perfectly obeyed God’s law. We are declared righteous because we have placed our faith in the One who fulfilled it for us.

Scripture tells us:

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23

None of us measure up. Not one.

That is why our hope is not in our performance but in Jesus.

When we repent and place our faith in Him, He forgives us, cleanses us, and clothes us in His righteousness. We are justified before God because of Christ, not because of our own goodness.

Does that mean we don’t pursue holiness?

Of course not.

As we draw closer to Jesus, the Holy Spirit begins transforming us from the inside out. We begin to hate the sins we once loved and love the God we once ignored. Holiness becomes the evidence of a changed heart, not the requirement for earning God’s love.

As I was writing this, I couldn’t help but think about the messages at church over the last couple of weeks in a series called “Relentless Love.” The story of Jonah is often reduced to “Jonah and the whale,” but the deeper message is about God’s relentless pursuit—not only of Nineveh, but of Jonah himself.

Jonah ran.

God pursued.

Jonah resisted.

God remained faithful.

Jonah was angry.

God was patient.

The hero of the story isn’t Jonah’s obedience.

It’s God’s relentless mercy.

That doesn’t mean we become passive or treat sin lightly. We are called to repent, obey, and persevere. But our assurance rests in God’s faithfulness, not in our flawless performance.

When my friend said, “I can’t do this Jesus thing,” in one sense, he was right.

None of us can.

We cannot conquer sin by sheer willpower.

We cannot make ourselves righteous.

We cannot earn God’s favor.

The invitation of the gospel has never been, “Try harder.”

It has always been, “Abide in Me.”

Jesus said:

“I am the vine; you are the branches... apart from Me you can do nothing.” — John 15:5

The Christian life is not about gritting our teeth and trying to be holy. It’s about remaining close to Christ, and the Holy Spirit produces in us what we could never produce on our own.

The enemy wants you to believe the opposite.

He whispers:

“God is tired of forgiving you.”

“Just stay away.”

Those are lies.

The closer you stay to Jesus, the more He changes you.

Sanctification is a lifelong process, and He is faithfully transforming you into His image one step at a time.

Don’t run from Him because you’ve stumbled.

Run to Him because He is your Savior.

The One who calls you is also the One who cleanses you.

As John wrote:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” — 1 John 1:9

Maybe today you feel like Jonah.

Maybe you’ve run farther than you ever thought you would.

Maybe shame tells you that God is finished with you.

But the story of Jonah—and the story of the gospel—is that God is relentless in His love.

He pursued Jonah.

He pursued Peter after his denial.

He pursued Paul while he was persecuting Christians.

And if you have wandered, He still calls you to return to Him.

Stop running.

Turn around.

The Father you are running from is the very One whose arms are open to receive you.

So stop striving to become spotless on your own.

Stay close to the only One who can make you white as snow.

Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6).

The Christian life is not sustained by our grip on Christ, but by Christ’s grip on us.

Pastor Jonny said it this way “There’s nothing we can do but cling to the grace of God because the story of Jonah—and our story too—is not about how tightly we cling to Him, but about how God fiercely, fiercely, and always clings to us.”

That doesn’t diminish our call to obedience—it gives us the confidence to keep getting back up when we fall, because His grace is greater than our failures.

Your confidence is not in your ability to hold on to Him.

Your confidence is that He is holding on to you.

One thing I’ve discovered through writing is that it has become part of my healing. I have binders and spiral notebooks dating back to 2007, when I first gave my life to Christ. Looking back through those pages, I can see God's faithfulness written all over them.

When I’m frustrated, I write.

When my heart feels broken, I write.

When I’m discouraged, I write.

When I’m growing weary in the waiting, I write.

I’ve learned to process my emotions through prayer, through conversations with trusted friends, and through writing. Each has been a gift from God. But there is something unique about writing. When I am writing no one interrupts my thoughts or my words, so I get to pour out my heart without distractions.

When painful thoughts stay trapped inside, they tend to circle around over and over. We overthink. We become frustrated and impatient. But when we write those thoughts down, we’re no longer just carrying them—we begin observing them.

Writing forces us to slow down. We begin to process instead of simply reacting. Sometimes we even discover what we truly believe while we’re in the middle of writing. More often than not, I find that God meets me there, gently reminding me of His truth and drawing my heart closer to Him.

The paper—or, these days, my laptop—has become the place where I pour out my heart before the Lord.

As I write, something begins to happen.

The weight on my heart becomes lighter.

My thoughts become clearer.

My emotions settle.

And somewhere between the first sentence and the last, I often find that God has given me peace, fresh perspective, and a renewed sense of hope. Those moments often end with gratitude as I pray, “Lord, please forgive me for becoming frustrated, impatient, or angry. You are a good God, and I thank You for everything.”

Writing doesn’t erase the pain, but it helps me process it. It slows me down long enough to hear God’s voice above the noise of my emotions.

When I think about it, this isn’t a new idea at all. We see it throughout Scripture.

The book of Psalms is, in many ways, David’s journal. He poured out his fear, anger, grief, confusion, loneliness, repentance, and joy before the Lord. Psalm after psalm begins with cries like, “Lord, where are You?” or “Why are my enemies prospering?” Yet so often, by the end, his heart has shifted to, “But I will trust You.”

The writing didn’t change God.

The writing changed David.

The beautiful part is that what begins as something deeply personal often becomes something that encourages someone else.

I’ve had people tell me, “Thank you. Your words helped me realize that I am not alone.”

Those words remind me that God rarely wastes our pain. Sometimes He allows us to walk through difficult seasons so that one day we can help someone else navigate theirs.

As we write honestly about our own journey, God begins turning our wounds into words that become a source of hope and healing for someone else.

The Bible says:

“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.” — 2 Corinthians 1:3–4

What a beautiful reminder that our healing is never just for us. God often uses the very places where He has comforted us to become a source of comfort for someone else.

So if you’ve been carrying something heavy, don’t keep it bottled up inside.

Write it down.

You don’t have to be an author.

You don’t have to publish a book.

You don’t even have to let anyone else read it.

Just be honest.

Pour out your heart before God.

You may discover that the page becomes a place of healing, where your burdens become lighter, your faith grows stronger, and your hope is renewed.

And if one day God leads you to share what you’ve written, don’t be afraid.

The words that helped heal you may become the very words that help heal someone else.

“Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge.” — Psalm 62:8

With Love & Light ❤️✨

Liza

Sin separates us from God, and the enemy knows it. That is why he works so hard to keep us bound in sin.

When believers begin to backslide and drift back into the ways of the world, the enemy immediately begins whispering lies:

“You’re too sinful to go to church.”

“You’re too dirty to pray.”

“God doesn’t want to hear from you anymore.”

Shame begins to settle in.

You feel embarrassed to stand before God. You avoid church. You hide because you start to feel like a hypocrite. You distance yourself from the godly friends who once sharpened your faith. You stop reading your Bible. Prayer becomes less frequent until, eventually, it almost disappears altogether.

Before long, you’ve become the person you thought you had left behind.

The enemy knows your weaknesses. He knows exactly where to place the bait.

It rarely starts with something dramatic.

It begins with a small compromise.

A little lie that seemed harmless.

One night out with old friends.

A conversation you shouldn’t have entertained.

A temptation you convinced yourself you could handle.

One compromise leads to another until, before you know it, you’re caught in a cycle you never intended to enter.

Now the enemy has exactly what he wanted.

Not because God has abandoned you—but because the enemy has convinced you to distance yourself from the very things that bring life: God’s presence, His Word, His people, and His church.

As believers, the Holy Spirit still dwells within us. He has not abandoned us, nor has God withdrawn His love from us. Instead, the Holy Spirit lovingly convicts us, calling us back to repentance. However, when we continually choose sin over obedience, we grieve the Holy Spirit.

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” — Ephesians 4:30

We can also quench His work in our lives.

“Do not quench the Spirit.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:19

Our fellowship with God becomes hindered—not because He has moved away from us, but because we have moved away from Him.

The enemy wants us to believe that because we have failed, God no longer wants us. He whispers,

“Don’t pray.”

“Don’t go to church.”

“God is disappointed in you.”

But those are lies.

Remember that the battle is spiritual and whatever we feed will grow.

If we continually feed our flesh, the desires of the flesh become stronger.

I think of sinful desires like weeds.

If you allow weeds to grow unchecked, their roots become deeper and stronger until they begin to choke everything healthy around them. Sin works the same way. Left unconfessed and unrepented, it becomes more difficult to pull out because its roots have spread deep into our hearts.

Eventually, we can become so accustomed to sin that we barely notice the conviction we once felt.

One of the enemy’s greatest deceptions is convincing people that they are “good enough.”

People often say,

“Well, I’m not hurting anyone.”

But you are.

You’re hurting yourself.

You’re robbing yourself of God’s best.

God’s plans for your life far exceed anything this world could ever offer.

We also tend to define evil by comparing ourselves to the worst crimes imaginable—murder, rape, abuse, or violence.

But Scripture defines sin differently.

Sin is anything that goes against God’s holy character and His design for our lives.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23

None of us are exempt.

Days, months, and sometimes even years may pass.

Yet through it all, the Holy Spirit continues to lovingly call us back to the Father, drawing us to repentance and reminding us of His grace.

Then one day your eyes begin to open again.

You realize where you’ve been.

You recognize what sin has stolen from you.

You begin asking God to help you and to restore the relationship you once had with Him.

Jesus said,

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” — Matthew 7:7

And here’s the beautiful part...

God is still there.

He never left.

He promised,

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” — Hebrews 13:5

We are the ones who wander.

He is the One who remains faithful.

From the very beginning, this has been the enemy’s strategy.

Sin → Shame → Isolation

He wants you to sin, then convince you to hide from God because of your shame.

It’s exactly what happened in the Garden of Eden.

After Adam and Eve sinned, they hid themselves from God.

But God came looking for them.

Not because He didn’t know where they were, but because He desired to restore the relationship that sin had broken.

God’s pattern is completely different.

Conviction → Repentance → Restoration

The Holy Spirit convicts us—not to condemn us—but to lovingly lead us back into fellowship with our Father.

The enemy wants to drive you farther away from God.

The Holy Spirit is always calling you home.

The beautiful thing is that God doesn’t simply point out that we’ve wandered—He lovingly shows us the way back.

As David wrote:

“The Lord is good and does what is right; He shows the proper path to those who go astray.” — Psalm 25:8 (NLT)

What a comforting promise. Our Good Shepherd doesn’t abandon His sheep when they wander. He pursues them, calls them, and faithfully leads them home.

Every one of us can see ourselves in the story of the prodigal son at some point in our lives. We all have a tendency to wander. We look for fulfillment, acceptance, purpose, or happiness in things that were never meant to satisfy the deepest needs of our hearts. Sometimes it’s relationships. Sometimes it’s success, money, approval, or the pleasures of this world. Yet no matter where we run, we eventually discover that nothing can fill the place that was created for God alone.

Jesus tells us this beautiful story in Luke 15 to remind us of an incredible truth: no matter how far we have wandered, our Heavenly Father is always waiting for us to come home.

Luke describes one of the most moving scenes in all of Scripture:

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” — Luke 15:20

The son didn’t return home proud or confident.

He came home humbled.

He came home ashamed.

He came home with nothing to offer except a repentant heart and a rehearsed apology.

But before he could finish speaking, his father ran to him, embraced him, and welcomed him home. He clothed him with the best robe, placed a ring on his finger, and celebrated his return.

What a beautiful picture of God’s grace.

When we genuinely repent and return to Him, He doesn’t meet us with condemnation.

He meets us with compassion.

He doesn’t remind us of every failure.

He reminds us that we are His.

That is the heart of the gospel.

We come to God broken, empty, and undeserving.

He welcomes us with forgiveness, restoration, and the unfailing love of a perfect Father.

I can’t help but think of that emotional scene in Titanic after the ship has sunk. Jack has died, and Rose is floating in the freezing water. Through tears she says,

“I’ll never let go. I promise.”

Whenever I think of that scene, I’m reminded of something even greater.

He says,

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” — Hebrews 13:5

Unlike people, God never breaks His promises.

Even when we wander, He remains faithful.

Even when we fall into sin, He continues calling us back.

He is a good Father.

His arms remain open.

He is waiting to forgive.

Waiting to restore.

Waiting to cleanse.

Isaiah gives us this beautiful invitation from the Lord:

“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” — Isaiah 1:18

Never run from God.

Run to Him.

Never allow shame to convince you that you don’t belong in His presence.

Jesus never said you had to clean yourself up before coming to Him.

In fact, He said,

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28

He invites broken people.

He restores repentant hearts.

He heals wounded souls.

Church is not a museum for perfect people.

It is a hospital for spiritually sick people.

If you’ve wandered...

Come home.

The Father is waiting.

The doors of the church are open.

More importantly...

The arms of Jesus are open even wider.

With Love & Light ❤️✨

Liza

The word fear makes people want to run in the opposite direction. When people hear the phrase “fear the Lord,” many immediately picture a harsh, angry God who wants people to live in constant terror of Him.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Yes, God is holy. He is just. He is righteous, and one day every person will stand before Him. But for those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ, the fear of the Lord is not about living in terror—it is about living in reverence.

The fear of the Lord is a deep respect, awe, love, and honor for who God is. It is recognizing His greatness, His holiness, His authority, and His incredible love for us. When we truly begin to understand who God is, our hearts naturally desire to honor Him with the way we live.

Think of a child who has a loving father.

That child isn’t afraid that his father is going to harm him. Instead, he loves and respects his father so much that he doesn’t want to disappoint him. He wants to honor him because of the relationship they share.

That is much closer to what Scripture means by the fear of the Lord.

It is recognizing that God is our Creator, our King, and our Savior. It is standing in awe of His majesty while resting in the security of His love.

The fear of the Lord changes the questions we ask.

Instead of asking,

“How close can I get to sin without crossing the line?”

We begin asking,

“How can I honor the One who gave His life for me?”

That is why Proverbs (the great book of Wisdom) says:

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”— Proverbs 9:10

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”— Proverbs 1:7

“The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride, arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.”— Proverbs 8:13

“The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.”— Proverbs 14:27

Notice how every one of these verses describes the fear of the Lord as something good. It brings wisdom, knowledge, holiness, life, and ultimately a closer walk with God.

Wisdom begins when we stop making ourselves the highest authority and recognize that God alone is worthy of our trust, obedience, and worship.

The more we know God, the more we fear Him. And the more we fear Him, the less we fear everything else. We begin to walk with confidence—not because life is free from trials, but because we know the One who walks with us through them. We rest in His sovereign care, trust His promises, and find peace in His presence.

When we understand His holiness, His justice, His power, and His incredible love displayed through Jesus Christ, our lives begin to change. We no longer obey out of obligation—we obey out of reverence.

We turn from sin not because we’re terrified of punishment, but because we love the One who saved us and we honor the sacrifice He made and the punishment He willingly endured in our place. “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”— 2 Corinthians 5:21

The Bible even gives us this beautiful promise:

“The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them.”
— Psalm 34:7

What a comforting reminder that those who reverence God are never alone. His presence surrounds His children, giving us peace in the midst of uncertainty and strength in the middle of life’s trials.

The fear of the Lord is not being afraid that God will hurt you; it is being so overwhelmed by His holiness, His love, and His majesty that you never want to live in a way that dishonors Him.

Far from pushing us away from God, the fear of the Lord draws us closer to Him. It produces humility instead of pride, obedience instead of rebellion, wisdom instead of foolishness, and confidence instead of fear.

So today, ask yourself:

Do I simply know about God?

Or do I know Him, like a father, so deeply that my love and reverence for Him shape every decision I make?

Because when we truly fear the Lord, we discover there is nothing else in this world we need to fear.

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.”— Ecclesiastes 12:13

With Love & Light ❤️✨

Liza

Every Christian experiences an internal battle. One part of us desires to obey God. The other part still struggles with our sinful flesh.

Have you ever found yourself saying, “Why did I do that? I knew it was wrong.” Or perhaps you’ve wanted to respond with patience and grace, but instead became frustrated or angry. Maybe you’ve promised yourself you would spend more time with God, yet allowed the busyness of life to crowd Him out once again.

If you’ve ever experienced that struggle, you’re not alone.

The apostle Paul described this very battle in Romans 7. He explains that although he genuinely desired to obey God, he found himself wrestling with his sinful nature. He wanted to do what was right, yet often found himself doing the very things he hated. This wasn’t because Paul didn’t love God—it was because the flesh and the Spirit are in constant conflict.

“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” (Romans 7:15)

Can you relate?

How many times have we determined in our hearts that we will be more patient, more forgiving, more loving, or more self-controlled, only to find ourselves falling short? Paul reminds us that this struggle is not unique to us. Even as an apostle, he understood the ongoing battle between the desires of the flesh and the desire to obey God.

Later he cries out:

“What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?” (Romans 7:24)

His words remind us that the struggle against sin is part of the Christian life. The difference is that believers are no longer fighting for victory—we are fighting from the victory Christ has already won.

If you’ve never read this passage carefully, I encourage you to take a few moments to do so. It provides one of the clearest pictures in all of Scripture of the internal battle every believer experiences.

Read Romans 7:14–25 here

Paul then continues this thought in Galatians 5 by explaining that the flesh and the Spirit are opposed to one another. The Christian life is not about trying harder in our own strength—it is about learning to surrender more fully to the Holy Spirit each day.

“For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other...” (Galatians 5:17)

The Christian life is not about trying harder in our own strength.

It is about learning to surrender more fully to the Holy Spirit each day.

Walking by the Spirit does not mean we will never struggle with sin again. It means we no longer fight that battle alone. The Holy Spirit empowers us to say “no” to the flesh and “yes” to God’s will. Sanctification is a lifelong process of becoming more like Christ, one surrendered day at a time.

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” — Galatians 5:25

When we repent of our sins and place our faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, something incredible happens.

We are forgiven.

We are made new.

And God places His Holy Spirit within us.

The Holy Spirit is not merely a force, an emotion, or a temporary experience. He is the third Person of the Trinity who comes to dwell permanently within every believer.

Jesus promised His disciples:

“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.” (John 14:16)

Notice that last word…Forever.

The Holy Spirit doesn’t come and go based on our emotions. He faithfully remains with every true believer. Yet although He permanently resides within us, we still have a daily choice to make.

Will we walk according to the Spirit...

or according to our flesh?

The Works of the Flesh

Paul gives us a sobering list of what naturally flows from a life controlled by the flesh (Galatians 5:19–21).

Among them are:

• Sexual immorality

• Impurity

• Idolatry

• Hatred

• Jealousy

• Fits of anger

• Selfish ambition

• Envy

• Drunkenness

• And many other sinful behaviors

These attitudes divide people, destroy relationships, rob us of peace, and pull us away from intimacy with God.

The flesh always points us toward self.

The Spirit always points us toward Christ.

The Fruit of the Spirit

Unlike spiritual gifts, which vary from believer to believer, every Christian is called to bear the fruit of the Spirit.

Paul writes:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22–23)

Let’s briefly look at each one.

Love — choosing God’s sacrificial love even when it’s difficult.

Joy — an inner delight rooted in Christ rather than circumstances.

Peace — confidence and rest that comes from trusting God’s sovereignty.

Patience — remaining steadfast with people and circumstances instead of reacting impulsively.

Kindness — reflecting God’s compassion in our words and actions.

Goodness — living with integrity and moral excellence.

Faithfulness — remaining dependable and loyal to God.

Gentleness — strength under control; responding with humility rather than harshness.

Self-control — allowing the Holy Spirit to govern our desires, emotions, words, and actions.

This fruit is not manufactured through human effort.

It grows naturally as we remain connected to Christ and submit to the Holy Spirit.

One of the greatest habits we can develop is beginning each day by intentionally surrendering ourselves to God’s leadership.

Before checking our phones.

Before beginning work.

Before making decisions.

Pause.

Pray.

Invite the Holy Spirit to lead.

Imagine how differently our days would unfold if every morning we sincerely asked:

“Lord, guide every thought I think today.”

“Guide every conversation.”

“Guide every decision.”

“Help me respond with Your character instead of my emotions.”

Walking by the Spirit is not complicated.

It is daily surrender.

Moment by moment dependence.

Learning to recognize His gentle leading and choosing obedience.

Practical Ways to Walk by the Spirit Daily

• Begin every morning in prayer before the distractions of the day.

• Spend time reading God’s Word so your mind is renewed.

• Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom before making decisions.

• Pause before reacting when conflict arises.

• Keep short accounts with God by confessing sin quickly.

• Stay connected to other believers for encouragement and accountability.

• End each day by asking God to reveal areas where you followed the flesh and areas where you followed His Spirit.

Every day becomes another opportunity to grow into the likeness of Christ.

A Daily Prayer

Holy Spirit,

Thank You for making Your home within me. Thank You for never leaving me and for faithfully guiding me each day.

Today I surrender every part of my life to You.

Guide my thoughts so they are pleasing to God.

Guard my words so they bring life rather than harm.

Direct my decisions according to Your wisdom instead of my own understanding.

Help me love people the way Jesus loves them.

Produce in me love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Reveal areas where my flesh is trying to take control, and give me the strength to choose obedience instead.

Keep my heart sensitive to Your voice.

Help me glorify Christ in everything I do today.

May my life reflect Jesus more clearly with each passing day.

In His precious name,

Amen.

Final Thoughts

Every day presents a choice.

Will we follow our old nature or will we keep in step with the Spirit?

May we choose, each day, to walk where He leads.

With Love & Light ❤️✨

Liza

This morning during my time with the Lord, I found myself thinking about how The Holy Spirit is the fuel in my life. That simple thought led me to consider something we can all relate to.

Have you ever tried to start a car with an empty gas tank?

It may be a beautiful car. The paint may shine, the engine may be powerful, and everything under the hood may be in perfect working order. But without fuel, it simply cannot function the way it was designed to.

I couldn’t help but think that many people are living their lives the same way.

They chase success, careers, relationships, money, experiences, and recognition, hoping that the next achievement will finally satisfy the emptiness they feel inside. From the outside, everything may appear to be in order. Yet something is still missing.

Why?

Because we were never designed to live apart from God.

The Bible tells us that before Christ, we were spiritually dead in our sins.

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins.”
— Ephesians 2:1

No amount of worldly success can fill a void that was created to be filled by the presence of God.

When we repent of our sins and place our faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, something miraculous happens. God doesn’t simply improve our lives—He gives us new life. The Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us, transforming us from the inside out. Paul describes this transformation in Romans 12:2.

The Holy Spirit becomes our Comforter, our Teacher, our Guide, and the One who empowers us to live the life God intended.

But Scripture gives us an even greater picture than that of a car needing fuel.

Jesus said:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”
— John 15:5 (ESV)

A branch may still look healthy for a little while after it has been cut from the vine, but it is already dying because it has been separated from its source of life.

The same is true spiritually.

We may look successful. We may look like we have everything together. But apart from Christ, we cannot bear lasting spiritual fruit because we have been disconnected from the One who is Life itself.

The Holy Spirit is not merely an “upgrade” to an already complete life. He is the very presence of God living within those who belong to Christ, empowering them to walk in obedience, producing the fruit of the Spirit, renewing their minds, and transforming their hearts.

Jesus didn’t come simply to make bad people good.

He came to make dead people alive.

Paul writes:

“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”
— Romans 8:11

Are you running on empty today?

Perhaps you’ve spent years trying to fill your life with things that can never satisfy. Maybe you’ve been trying to produce fruit in your own strength.

Jesus offers something infinitely better.

He invites you to repent, place your faith in Him, abide in Him, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Only then will you discover the life you were created to live.

The world offers temporary fuel that quickly runs out.

Christ offers living water that never runs dry, and His Spirit gives life that lasts forever.

Remain connected to the Vine. Be filled with His Spirit. That is where true life begins—and where abundant life is found.

With Love & Light ❤️✨

Liza

Many times we have a hard time surrendering to God. We want things our way—and we want them fast. We want immediate results. We become so accustomed to making things happen on our own that we forget to seek the One who always has our best interests in mind.

Our way often seems easier and faster, which is why surrender can be so difficult. Yet God will not always give us what we think we want, and most of the time that is a good thing. What He has planned for us is far better than anything we could arrange for ourselves. Still, fully surrendering everything to Him is not easy, especially when we are not accustomed to trusting Him completely.

At first, our way may appear easier, but many times it leads to chaos, confusion, disappointment, and pain. God’s way may seem slower, but in the end it produces something beautiful—His perfect will. And there is no better place to be than in the center of God's will. Let us pray as Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane, submitting Himself to the Father's will. (Luke 22:41-44)

Let us go to God in prayer and ask for His will, not our own. After all, in the model prayer Jesus gave us, He taught us to pray:

“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for loving us enough to guide our steps, even when we do not understand the path You have chosen for us. Forgive us for the times we have relied on our own wisdom, rushed ahead of You, or insisted on having things our way.

Today, we choose to trust You. We know that Your plans are better than our plans and that Your ways are higher than our ways. Even when the road seems long or the answers do not come as quickly as we would like, help us to remember that You are working all things together for our good and for Your glory.

Teach us to surrender every area of our lives into Your hands—our dreams, our desires, our relationships, our fears, and our future. Give us the faith to let go of control and the courage to follow wherever You lead.

Lord, let Your will be done in our lives, not ours. Shape our hearts so that we desire what You desire and seek what You seek. May we find peace in knowing that You are a good Father who always has our best interests in mind.

We trust You. We surrender to You. And we ask that Your kingdom come and Your will be done in our lives, just as it is in heaven.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen!

With Love & Light ❤️✨

Liza

You’ve heard it said, “Actions speak louder than words.”

When you spend daily, intimate time in the presence of the Lord, He awakens you and gives you discernment. You begin to see things through a different lens. You start seeing with spiritual eyes and listening with a sensitive ear that picks up on things you might otherwise have missed. You begin to see beyond a person’s outward appearance and into their heart.

Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Jesus said it this way:

“Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.” (Matthew 15:17-18)

What comes out of a person reveals what is in their heart.

Jesus had a pure heart, and He welcomed everyone who came to Him. He showed love, compassion, mercy, and grace to people from every walk of life. If we call ourselves Christians—followers of Christ—then we should strive to reflect His character.

We are one Church, united in Him. There should be no division among us. The Apostle Paul wrote:

“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.” (1 Corinthians 1:10)

We should work together in love and grace to fulfill the mission He has entrusted to us; all of us serving the Lord side by side.

Each of us has been given different gifts to strengthen the body of Christ. Some are gifted at inviting and connecting with people. Others are gifted teachers. Others serve behind the scenes through hospitality, encouragement, administration, cooking, or countless other acts of love.

When we lay aside pride, competition, and division, and instead embrace unity, we become far more effective for the Kingdom of God. We are stronger together because we serve one Lord, one Savior, and one mission. Jesus didn’t say “these are my disciples, go find your own.” He called all believers to make disciples and build His Kingdom together. He never told them to compete with one another. He called them to work together to advance the Kingdom of God. The Great Commission was never about building our own following; it was about making disciples of Jesus Christ.

As believers, we should make every effort to walk in unity:

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3)

The beauty of God’s people is found in their unity:

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)

Even Jesus Himself prayed for this unity before going to the cross:

“That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” (John 17:21)

May we put aside personal agendas, pride, competition, and division, and instead come together as one body in Christ, working side by side to advance His Kingdom and make disciples of all nations. (Matthew 28:19)

After all, the world will not know us by the size of our ministries, our titles, or our accomplishments. It will know us by our love for one another. Love reflects the character of Christ.

The Christian walk begins in the heart. From the heart comes character. Character produces unity. Unity advances the mission. And the mission is carried out through love.

Heart → Character → Unity → Mission → Love

With Love & Light ❤️✨

Liza

Yesterday morning, the Lord woke me up just before 2:00 a.m., and one thought kept playing over and over in my mind: our calling.

The morning before, on Saturday, I was scrolling through Substack and noticed something new. For the first time, I saw reels showing up in my Substack feed. The first one that caught my attention was from Ben Fuller. I didn’t click on it because I knew it was him. I simply saw a man holding a Bible, and his body language told me he was speaking very passionately, so I thought, “Let’s see what he has to say.”

Little did I know that God would use that simple reel to stir something in my spirit that would keep me awake in the early hours of the morning.

As I spent time with the Lord, He began showing me how many Christians are living spiritually dead lives. They go to church on Sunday, listen to praise and worship music in the car, maybe read a devotional here and there, but never develop a true relationship with the Holy Spirit. They know about God, but they are not walking with Him.

I am not criticizing or judging. I have been there myself. What I want is to show you that Jesus calls us to more. He wants to use us for His glory in His Kingdom.

Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.”

We are called to rely fully on God and trust Him completely. When we acknowledge Him in all our ways—not just on Sunday mornings, not just when we need something, but in every area of our lives, including our work, home, and ministry—He directs our steps.

If you need clarity about where to live, what career path to pursue, how to serve, or what decision to make, ask Him. He cares about every detail of our lives and delights in leading His children.

The most important area He desires to direct is our spiritual walk and our work in His Kingdom.

Many believers are searching for their calling while spending very little time with the One who created them and called them in the first place. We cannot expect God to direct our paths if we are not spending time listening for His voice.

Church attendance alone will not transform you the way an intimate relationship with Jesus will.

Church is important. Fellowship is important. Worshiping together is important. But Jesus never commanded us to simply fill a seat in a church building. He called us to follow Him.

When Jesus called His disciples, He said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Notice He didn’t say, “Follow Me and sit comfortably.” He gave them a purpose.

Jesus said He would make us fishers of men. That is evangelism.

Then, before ascending into heaven, He gave us what we now call the Great Commission: to go and make disciples of all nations. That is discipleship.

This is why evangelism and discipleship are so dear to my heart. They were dear to the heart of Jesus.

The Christian life was never meant to stop with receiving salvation. We are called to grow, serve, share the gospel, encourage others, and help others grow in their faith.

At the center of it all are the greatest commandments Jesus gave us:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”

And:

“Love your neighbor as yourself.”

These two commandments summarize the very heart of Jesus’ teachings.

When we truly love God, we will desire to spend time with Him. We will seek Him, listen to Him, and obey Him.

When we truly love our neighbors, we will care about their souls. We will share the hope we have found in Christ. We will encourage them, disciple them, and point them toward the One who can transform their lives.

The Christian life is not about checking a religious box once a week. It is about walking daily with the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to guide our steps.

Before I close, I want to leave you with one final thought. While God has given each of us different gifts and may call us to different ministries, there is one calling that belongs to every believer: sharing the message of the Gospel with those who do not know Him.

We may not all be pastors, teachers, evangelists, or missionaries, but we have all been commissioned by Jesus to go and make disciples. The Great Commission was not given to a select few; it was given to all who follow Him.

I want to leave you with this song that beautifully captures this message. It’s called The Commission. Now go... go and tell the world about Him.

And if you feel unqualified, unequipped, or unsure where to begin, ask Him. He will equip you.

After all, Scripture reminds us: “You have not because you ask not.”

With Love & Light ❤️🙏🏻📖

Liza

In this season of my life, God keeps talking to me about waiting. I feel like I have been teaching a sermon series on the subject. My last article was about Habakkuk 2:3, and yesterday, as I was spending time with Him, He kept bringing to mind a vision I often have: God allowing me to get to the edge, but never letting me fall.

There have been many moments in my life when I have wondered, “Where is God?” Yet every single time, He has been there, lifting me up out of my darkest moments.

One of the hardest lessons in the Christian walk is learning that God’s timing is rarely our timing. We want immediate answers, immediate breakthroughs, immediate healing, and immediate provision. But God often allows us to come right to the edge—not to abandon us, but to teach us to trust Him.

Here are some instances when God’s children had to learn to trust Him:

• The Israelites standing at the Red Sea before God made a way.

• Daniel spending a night in the lions’ den before deliverance came.

• Abraham waiting years for the promised son.

In every one of these situations, God seemed late from a human perspective, but He was perfectly on time.

In the case of Abraham, talk about trust and timing. I think about how he was taken to the very edge—how close he came to sacrificing the son God had promised and blessed him with. We read about this in Genesis 22:1-14. Let Abraham’s story encourage you to trust God fully and to know that He is always on time.

There is a song many of you are probably familiar with that talks about how He is Always On Time. Those words have encouraged me more times than I can count.

Throughout my life, I have often said, “God may allow you to get to the edge, but He will never let you fall.” He is truly always on time.

Sometimes He waits until what feels like the very last moment, as He did with Abraham—not because He is absent, but because He is teaching us that He alone is our source, our provider, and our rescuer. He is teaching us to trust Him fully and surrender everything into His hands because there are some things we simply cannot carry on our own.

“Though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.” Psalm 37:24

“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.” Hebrews 10:23

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.” 2 Peter 3:9

So while it may seem as though God has forgotten you or left you to walk alone, He is with you every step of the way. He is teaching you to trust Him. He is strengthening your faith. But for that to happen, you must release control and surrender it all to Him.

With Love & Light,

Liza

Here is a prayer that will help you to release control, thank Him, and trust Him…

Heavenly Father,

Today I choose to release control of my life, the situation I am facing, and the outcome I desire. I choose to trust that You have the best plan for my life and that You will never fail me.

Thank You for the lessons You have taught me through both my victories and my mistakes. Thank You for walking with me through every season, even when I could not see what You were doing.

Help me to trust Your timing when I am tempted to grow impatient. Strengthen my faith when I feel weary. Remind me that You are always working behind the scenes, even when I cannot see it.

Teach me to surrender every worry, every fear, and every burden into Your hands. Thank You for being my source, my provider, my rescuer, and my faithful Father.

I trust You because You are always on time.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

God has an assignment for you right where you are.

Many people spend their days wishing for the next season. They can’t wait for a new job, a new relationship, a new home, or a new opportunity. They tell themselves, “When I get there, then I’ll be happy. Then I’ll be useful. Then God can use me.”

But what if God has a purpose for you exactly where you are today?

Maybe you dislike your job, or have struggles in your relationship. Maybe your current circumstances are difficult. Maybe you feel overlooked, underappreciated, or stuck. Yet God wastes nothing. Every season has a purpose.

Perhaps He is teaching you patience, perseverance, humility, or faith. Perhaps He is refining your character and preparing you for what comes next. Or maybe there is someone in your workplace, neighborhood, church, or family who needs encouragement, wisdom, prayer, or the love of Christ, and God has strategically placed you there for that very reason.

We often focus so much on where we want to be that we miss what God is doing where we are.

Growth happens in every season of life. The mountaintops grow us, but so do the valleys. The waiting seasons grow us. The difficult seasons grow us. Even the seasons we would never choose for ourselves can become places where God does His deepest work.

Bloom where God has planted you. Be faithful with today’s assignment. Serve Him where you are. Love the people around you. Learn the lessons He is teaching you.

When you remain faithful in the season you are in, God will make it clear when it is time for the next one.

Until then, keep growing. Don't rush the process. Just as a plant takes time to grow and fully develop, so do we. God is often doing His greatest work beneath the surface before the fruit becomes visible. Growth takes time, and every season has a purpose.

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 6:9, NKJV)

He is producing a harvest in you. “The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted.” (Matthew 13:23, NLT)

With Love & Light,

Liza

As soon as I opened my eyes this morning at 3:10 a.m., these words shined brightly in my mind, so I knew I had to write about this. I could hear them so clearly. It was as if someone was speaking directly to me:

“Wait patiently for the Lord, for He shall surely come.”

In other words, He will come through for you.

Yesterday, I wrote about how we can grow weary in prayer when we don’t see results right away, so this is a great follow up to that article. When I received this word this morning, I immediately thought of Habakkuk 2:3. Then I began thinking about how many times the word wait is written in the Bible.

According to Bible Gateway, the word wait or waited appears well over one hundred times in Scripture, depending on the translation. Some versions like the NIV count 129 occurrences, while others like the NLT count 160 occurrences. Regardless of the exact number, the fact that God speaks about waiting so often is a clear indication that waiting has always been part of the walk of faith.

As I was writing this, Psalm 46:10 came to mind:

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

While the verse does not use the word wait, being still is very much connected to waiting. It is choosing to trust God when we don’t yet see the outcome. It is resting in His promises while He works behind the scenes.

If God has already given you a vision of what is to come, don’t fret. Just wait.

And when impatience begins to rise up—which is natural because our flesh wants everything now—go back to the Scriptures. Meditate on God’s Word. Fill your mind with His promises rather than your worries.

I want to go back to Habakkuk 2:3. My go-to translation is usually the NLT (New Living Translation), which says:

“The vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.”

Today, however, I read the NET (New English Translation), and I found it so beautiful:

“For the message is a witness to what is decreed; it gives reliable testimony about how matters will turn out. Even if the message is not fulfilled right away, wait patiently; for it will certainly come to pass—it will not arrive late.”

I know waiting is hard, especially when God has already shown you something and you can see it so clearly in your spirit. We naturally think, “If God wants this for me, why not now?”

But God’s timing is perfect.

While we are waiting, He is working. He is arranging people, places, circumstances, and opportunities. He is preparing hearts. He is opening doors and closing others. He is aligning everything according to His perfect plan so that when the appointed time arrives, everything will fit together exactly as it should.

There is an appointed time for what God has promised.

Trust Him.

Surrender it to Him.

He will come through.

One of my favorite lyrics comes from 7 Hills Worship in the song “Trust You”:

“No matter how long it might take, God my hope will still remain. I trust You.”

While you wait, trust Him.

Know that God has the best plan for your life. His will is perfect. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that He has plans to prosper us, plans filled with hope and a future. While that promise was originally given to Israel, it also reveals God’s heart toward His children today. Just as Israel belonged to Him, we belong to Him through Christ.

Whether you are praying for a prodigal child, a struggling marriage, an unsaved loved one, healing in your body, or a breakthrough that seems delayed, be patient.

WAIT!

The appointed time is coming.

What helps me most is staying rooted in the promises of God’s Word. Memorize verses that strengthen your faith while you wait. Write them down. Speak them aloud. Meditate on them daily.

Even if you start with just one verse, make it Habakkuk 2:3:

“If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.”

God is never late. He is always right on time.

Remember that He is the Author of tomorrow! Tomorrow is already written. Trust the process!

With love & light,

Liza

One of the greatest temptations in the Christian life is to stop praying when we don’t see immediate results.

We pray. We believe. We wait.

Days turn into weeks. Weeks turn into months. Sometimes months turn into years.

We begin to wonder if God hears us. We grow weary. Discouragement sets in. Hope starts to fade. Eventually, many people stop praying altogether because they don’t see anything happening.

But if we give up, we may never see the answer God was preparing all along.

Scripture reminds us:

“You have not because you ask not.” (James 4:2)

“Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” (Colossians 4:2)

Notice that God doesn’t tell us to pray only when we see results. He tells us to keep praying. Keep believing. Keep thanking Him even before the answer arrives.

Whenever I feel tempted to give up, I think about a story from Napoleon Hill’s book Think and Grow Rich. I’ve read this book several times. It’s a great reminder not to give up. A man named R.U. Darby was digging for gold. After much effort and disappointment, he became discouraged and quit. He sold the land and all the mining equipment.

The new owner hired an engineer to evaluate the property. After studying the geological fault lines, they discovered that Darby had stopped digging only a few feet from one of the richest gold veins in the area. He was closer than he realized, but he gave up.

How many prayers go unanswered simply because people stop praying just before their breakthrough?

How many blessings are abandoned because weariness convinces us that nothing is happening?

What if God is working behind the scenes right now?

What if the answer is closer than you think?

Jesus taught this lesson through the parable of the persistent widow. She kept coming, kept asking, and refused to quit until justice was granted to her (Luke 18:1-8). The purpose of the parable is stated plainly: “Men ought always to pray and not lose heart.”

Something really important to know is that prayer is not just about getting answers. Prayer builds faith, develops perseverance, deepens our relationship with God, and teaches us to trust Him when we cannot see what He is doing.

Keep praying for your children.

Keep praying for your marriage.

Keep praying for that lost loved one.

Keep praying for healing.

Keep praying for wisdom and direction.

Keep praying for revival.

You may be only a few feet from the gold vein.

Don’t quit digging.

Don’t lose heart.

And above all, don’t stop praying.

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:9

Prayer is often where believers become weary first, but God promises a harvest for those who refuse to quit.

With love and light,

Liza

This morning I was reflecting on a statement by Jim Rohn that many of us have heard before: “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

Most people apply this quote to business, success, and personal development, but it has profound implications for our walk with Christ as well.

The people we allow closest to us have a tremendous influence on our thoughts, attitudes, beliefs, habits, and ultimately the direction of our lives. Whether we realize it or not, those we spend the most time with are shaping us. They can either encourage us to pursue God more passionately, walk in obedience to His Word, and stay on the narrow path, or they can slowly pull our focus away from Him and toward the things of the world.

That is why it is so important to be intentional about the company we keep. The right relationships can strengthen our faith, sharpen our character, and draw us closer to Christ. The wrong relationships, however, can gradually weaken our convictions and lead us away from the life God desires for us.

The people we surround ourselves with influence the direction of our lives. Godly friendships and wise associations can help keep us on the narrow road that leads to life, while unhealthy influences can slowly pull us onto the broad road that leads away from God and toward destruction. That drift is often subtle, happening one compromise, one conversation, and one decision at a time.

Be careful who you surround yourself with and who you call a friend. Not everyone has your best interests in mind, and not everyone is heading in the same direction you are.

The people closest to you will influence your thoughts, your choices, your habits, and ultimately your path. Choose relationships that encourage your faith, strengthen your character, and draw you closer to Christ.

“Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.” Proverbs 13:20 (NLT)

“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” Proverbs 27:17 (NLT)

“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV)

The road is narrow for a reason. Choose your companions wisely. Always pray for discernment and God will help you.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.” Matthew 7: 13-14 (HCSB)

Many people know a lot about the Bible. They know theology, historical facts, and Scripture. They can quote verses, explain doctrines, and discuss biblical topics for hours. But knowing about God is not the same as knowing God.

The Pharisees knew the Law inside and out, yet many failed to recognize the living work of God right in front of them. Jesus warned about this very danger:

“You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to Me! Yet you refuse to come to Me to receive this life.” (John 5:39–40, NLT)

When theology becomes purely intellectual, a source of pride, or a substitute for intimacy with God, it can dull our sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. We end up analyzing God more than walking with Him.

Yet theology itself is not the problem. In fact, when approached with humility, it deepens our relationship with God. Sound doctrine anchors us in truth, helps us recognize the voice and character of the Holy Spirit, and protects us from deception.

The Word and the Spirit were never meant to be separated. The same Holy Spirit who inspired Scripture is the One who illuminates it and guides us into all truth.

“When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:13, ESV)

The healthy balance looks like this:

• Word + Spirit → maturity, discernment, and intimacy

Jesus modeled this balance perfectly. Though He knew the Scriptures better than anyone, He continually withdrew to spend time alone with the Father.

“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:16)

“One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and He prayed to God all night.” (Luke 6:12, NLT)

“Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.” (Mark 1:35, NLT)

Even after ministering to crowds and serving others, He prioritized time alone with the Father. If Jesus needed the secret place, how much more do we?

He also warned against practicing faith merely for the approval of others:

“But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private.” (Matthew 6:6, NLT)

Knowledge alone cannot transform a heart. You need the Holy Spirit for confirmation, revelation, and transformation.

You can talk about the Word all day long. You can preach it, attend church faithfully, and participate in all sorts of Christian activities. But if you’re not closing the door, getting alone with God, and spending time in quiet fellowship with the Holy Spirit, your walk can lack spiritual depth, clarity, and power.

Once again, the Pharisees knew the Scriptures, yet many missed the Messiah those Scriptures pointed to.

Don’t be like those who honor God with their lips while their hearts are far from Him:

“These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.” (Matthew 15:8)

Raise your hands in worship if you desire, but make sure your heart is surrendered to Him when no one is watching.

The goal is not knowledge instead of intimacy, nor intimacy without truth. The goal is both…the Word of God illuminating your mind and the Spirit of God transforming your heart.

Without The Holy Spirit, we can never correctly understand the Bible in a spiritual sense. One of the clearest passages on the Spirit's role in illuminating God's Word is found in 1 Corinthians 2:1-16. Paul makes it clear that everything from the message of the gospel to deep theological truth depends upon the active work of the Holy Spirit because the Spirit alone fully comprehends the thoughts of God.

“But it was to us that God revealed the things by his Spirit, For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. (1 Corinthians 2:10, NLT)

That is such a powerful verse.

The big difference between those who understand the Bible’s teachings and those who don’t is not any type of intelligence or skill set. It is a spiritual matter. The Spirit is the one who reveals, instructs, and enables us to apply the teachings of Scripture to our own lives.

The deepest transformation doesn’t happen in the spotlight.

It happens in the secret place.

I watch people carefully plan vacations, birthdays, holidays, and special events, yet many never stop to prepare for the most important event of all…Jesus’ return.

The enemy has so many people consumed with the things of this world that they rarely think about eternity. We make plans for next month, next year, and even retirement, but how often do we examine our hearts, evaluate how we are living, and ask ourselves if we are truly ready to meet the Lord?

There is nothing wrong with enjoying life’s blessings, but our greatest focus should be on Jesus. Scripture reminds us, “Be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:44).

Jesus also warned, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming” (Matthew 25:13). Because we do not know when He will return, we are called to live each day with spiritual urgency, faithfulness, and devotion.

The Apostle Peter wrote, “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers” (1 Peter 4:7). Likewise, Paul encouraged believers to live “self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:12-13).

Don’t become so distracted by temporary things that you neglect eternal ones. Live each day prepared, watchful, and devoted to Christ, because His return is closer today than it was yesterday.

Romans 13:11 tells us, “The hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.” Every day that passes brings us one day closer to standing before the Lord.

“Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along” (2 Peter 3:11-12).

We must all ask ourselves this question: If Jesus were to return today, would our priorities reflect that we have been expecting Him? Would He find us faithfully serving, loving others, walking in holiness, sharing the gospel, and storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth?

Since we do not know the day or the hour, we should live with eternal readiness. Planning for eternity carries far greater consequences than planning for a party, a vacation, or even retirement.

“Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these things, be diligent to be found by Him without spot or blemish, and at peace” (2 Peter 3:14).

May we live each day in a way that honors Christ, eagerly awaiting His return and faithfully carrying out the work He has entrusted to us until He comes. We need to stop being so self-focused and be more Christ-focused.

Ephesians 1:4 says, “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us to be holy and without fault in his eyes.”

When I read the first half of that verse I was filled with love…his unconditional and immense love. I could feel HIS warm embrace…the embrace of a Father holding His child. It fills me with peace, joy, and comfort to know that He chose me.

If you close your eyes and meditate on what that says, you can picture God purposefully planning you into the world. You begin to see that you were created intentionally and with purpose. He was already thinking of you before He created the world. You were always part of His plan.

As it says in Jeremiah 1:5, “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart.”

God knew you before you were conceived. Your life is not an accident. You were on His mind before the foundations of the world, and He created you with purpose, value, and intention. His love for you has existed longer than you can comprehend.

Sometimes people in our lives will diminish our worth, but we must always remember that our worth does not come from what people think or say about us…it comes from what God says about us. And, whenever you feel unloved or unseen by those around you, always remember that God loved you and chose you. He sees you, and He is always there to wrap His arms around you and love you with an unconditional love that surpasses what any human being could ever give.

You are loved, chosen, and set apart for His Glory!

This page was created as an extension of that desire. Jesus commanded His followers to go and make disciples of all nations, sharing the good news of the Gospel and pointing others to the hope that can only be found in Him. Through these writings, my prayer is to encourage believers, inspire those who are seeking truth, and share the love and grace of Christ with anyone who may need it.

We live in a world that is often filled with negativity, division, darkness, and discouragement. More than ever, people need hope. They need truth. They need love. My goal is to use the gift of writing to bring encouragement, remind others of God’s promises, and help point hearts toward Jesus.

None of us are perfect, but together we can grow in faith, encourage one another, and pursue a life that honors God. Whether you are a longtime believer, a new Christian, or simply curious about the faith, I pray that something you read here will strengthen your walk, deepen your understanding of God’s Word, and draw you closer to Christ.

May everything shared here bring glory to God and help advance His kingdom.

Grace, Peace, and Love,

Liza