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Today's post is short and simple, and is inspired by Luke 10:38-42 "Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving , and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed , and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." First of all, I love Martha. I'm probably a Martha. The "do you not care" and demanding something of Jesus-- the audacity --yeah, that's probably me. If you're honest, it's probably been you too. But Jesus reminds us that sitting at His feet and seeking His word is the most important thing. More important than serving, working, caring for others, etc. His word is what equips us to do all those things with love, compassion, strength, endurance, and most of all, the Holy Spirit. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33 Life can get so busy sometimes that we forget to read our Bible, we forget to pray, we forget to seek God. But seeking God must be a daily choice in order to live each day surrendered to Him and His will. This week, I challenge you to make time with God a priority. Add a time for Bible study to your calender. Create a reminder to pray. Whatever is necessary for you to seek Him daily. The longer you walk in the habit of seeking the Lord, the less reminding you'll need. Never get so distracted--even with good things--that you forget to sit at the feet of Jesus.

The first recorded words of Jesus in the Bible are: "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" Luke 2:49 This is when Jesus goes missing as a child, and His earthly parents find Him in the tabernacle, studying God's word and learning from the priests. From the very beginning, Jesus has been about His Father's business, modeling the righteous life and leading others to the Father. Our call is the same, and it is further demonstrated in today's topical study of The Seventy from Luke 10:1-20 Jesus' earthly ministry was not just to teach us about the kingdom of Heaven, but to equip us to lead others to the kingdom after His return to Heaven. There is a point before Jesus' crucifixion that He sends out His twelve disciples and another unnamed seventy after them to preach the kingdom of God and heal the sick. "Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick." Luke 9:1-2 "After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go." Luke 10:1 Both the disciples and the unnamed seventy were laborers for the kingdom of God. They went before Jesus to prepare the hearts and minds of the people to receive the truth Jesus was coming to share. In this way, John the Baptist also served by preaching repentance and preparing the people to receive Jesus. As children of God, as followers of Jesus, we have the same call as the seventy . In the words of my pastor, we are the seventy. The seventy prepared the way for Christ's arrival. We prepare the way for Christ's return. We are called to preach the kingdom of God and lead them to the Healer. My pastor did an intensive study of the topic of The Seventy last year (2025). I will share some of my notes from my pastor's teachings below. But the point of today's post is simple. We are here for a reason. We have a God-given purpose on this earth and His word tells us what it is: to preach the kingdom of God and heal the sick. Our ability to preach God's word is not limited by our job title, economic status, past sins, or anything else. You don't need qualifications determined by man to tell the world what God has done for you, what God has brought you through, or even what you know about God based on your study of His word. God calls each of us to preach His word. He qualifies us. We need only to step into the calling, into our purpose, with the confidence He gives us. As far as healing the sick, the main way we do this is by sharing our stories, our testimony, and God's word, leading others to the one true Healer, Jesus Christ. Without Christ, we are all sick. This is the call on our life--to tell our story, to tell God's story, to anyone who will listen. "He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me." Luke 10:16 "Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it." Luke 10:23-24 Additional Notes: God wants to advance His kingdom in every arena. There are many ways we can live out the calling on our life. Our diversity does not disqualify us. There is not one appearance of righteousness. Sometimes we're called, but still don't do it because we're afraid or feel like an imposter. When we're called, we're empowered, anointed, equipped to answer the call. Do not be afraid. The Seventy returned to Jesus with joy after answering the call. The return is just as important as the sending. Return to Jesus for rest and re-assignment. You are a purpose with a name. God doesn't create anything without a purpose. Your existence is proof of your purpose. The call is the same in every season, but the way the call is answered may look different in each season. Be open to the different ways God wants to use you. Set backs are set ups. Your history doesn't disqualify you from leading others to Christ. In fact, it's likely the very part of your story that will relate to, speak to, and lead others. Community while living out the call is important. The Seventy were sent out two by two. This relates back to Genesis when God created a wife for Adam. While the way we have community in this life may not always appear as the marriage union, the claim that it is not good for man to be alone is still true. Seek community for support and accountability. Advancing the kingdom of God is a kingdom mindset. We are called to have a kingdom mindset, to be about our Father's business.

Today's micro-post from the gospel of Luke comes from Luke 9:23-25 "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?" This was not the first time I've heard the saying, " take up your cross ," but it was the first time I asked myself what does this mean? Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life per John 14:6. To follow Jesus is to follow His example, love as He does, and keep His commands in this life. He leads us in this life and to the Father after death. Following Jesus is the key to the abundant life here on earth and the only way to truly save your life from eternal damnation. You can't do it on your own. Satan won't do it. His goal is to steal, kill, and destroy. And worldly riches won't satisfy a dying man. Without Christ, we're all dying. So, we know why we follow Jesus, but what does taking up our cross look like? What does it mean to deny ourselves while also loving ourselves, which is also a commandment. "For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: Love your neighbor as yourself." Galatians 5:14 Before Jesus was crucified, the cross symbolized execution, shame, surrender, and total loss of control. It was used in a public humiliation and execution ritual by the Romans. Jesus embodied our shame on the cross. He took it and He abolished it in the eyes of the Father. And in doing so, the meaning of the cross changes. Now, we see the cross as a symbol of Jesus's sacrifice for us, His love for us, and it is a reminder of His ultimate obedience to the Father's will. The cross is a reminder of surrender. In surrendering to God, we put to death the darkness Satan has infused in us and we are renewed and restored, like Jesus, after His resurrection. We return to the glory that God created us to exemplify here on earth. Taking up your cross may look like: surrendering control of your life to God / Jesus dying to the false self (the one Satan tells you is the real you) choosing obedience over comfort forgiving when you want revenge maintaining purity in a sexualized culture telling the truth when it costs you walking away from relationships that compromise your Spirit staying when God tells you to stay leaving when God tells you to leave seeking God's will in prayer and truly listening for His voice enduring misunderstanding or rejection because of your faith choosing conviction over popularity exemplifying sacrificial love: loving when it's not convenient serving without recognition choosing compassion over self-protection Taking up your cross does not mean: seeking out suffering for suffering sake's putting yourself in unnecessary harmful situations tolerating abuse or remaining in harmful environments suppressing your personality or joy earning God's love through hardship carrying a literal wooden cross viewing martyrdom as necessary for glorification Jesus carried the cross out of love and obedience not self-hatred. Jesus endured the crufixtion because He loved us, because the Father loves us, because the Father willed it, and He sought to live-out the will of the Father. What we choose to endure in order to follow Jesus--the cross we choose to pick up--is done out of love for the Father, the Son, and ourselves. Following Jesus is the greatest act of self-love. We do not view our sacrifice as suffering, even when it brings us pain. We view the sacrifices we choose to make as worthy, because He is worthy of our love and obedience. And we know that the suffering we may endure because of our faith in Him is no comparison to the suffering of a life without Christ and an eternity with Satan as our steward. There is freedom in following Jesus, even when our path is bumpy. What does taking up the cross look like in my own life? Well, I'll give you the most recent examples. Praying when I feel angry and seeking to be restored with His love and compassion for others. Asking God to help me forgive others. Seeing others with a more compassionate lens, because I know they're doing the best they can. Seeking Him diligently, because without regular study of His word, embodying His character is more difficult. Taking more opportunities to help others, even if that's just making time for a meaningful conversation. Serving others at church and in my community. Because I'm in His word more and His presence is growing inside me, I find myself sharing about God more in conversation, which I know has helped others. Coming back to Truth when I spiral. This may look like restraining myself from acting pre-maturely or out of impatience. Surrender is a daily choice, which is why we're told to take up our cross daily and follow Him. Surrender looks different in different seasons. What do you need to surrender to God today? What does taking up your cross look like in this season? While surrender and obedience can be painful, you can see from my list that it isn't always. Surrender isn't always sacrifice, but every time, it's transformative. Obedience isn't always painful, but every time, it leads to good things. Let us be transformed by the Holy Spirit and the love God has for us. Let us be a good thing for the kingdom of God. Let us remind Jesus why He made the choice He did and why it was worth it.

Back with another micro-post from the gospel of Luke, today's writing is a reflection inspired by Luke 7:35 "But wisdom is justified by all her children." There are some verses that instantly stand out to you, but their meaning isn't immediately obvious. When I first read this verse, I paused. I knew there was a deeper meaning to be found, especially after reading Proverbs, which reveals that true wisdom comes from God, as opposed from the demonic wisdom which rules our world. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Proverbs 9:10 Wisdom begins with God. The wise recognize God as the source of their wisdom. The wise submit to His authority. The wise seek His guidance. "Wisdom calls aloud outside; she raises her voice in the open squares. She cries out in the chief concourses..."How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge." Proverbs 1:20-22 Wisdom is personified in Proverbs as a woman, the most overlooked and discredited among all. God's word reveals that wisdom seeks to be found, heard, and understood but most do not listen. God seeks to give us His wisdom, but most prefer their sin to His truth. God seeks to reveal Himself to us, but most do not have ears to listen or eyes to see. This is further supported in the gospels as many reject Jesus. Throughout the text, Proverbs continues to reveal wisdom as the path to life and abundance, involving humility (ears to receive), as a guide for daily conduct, as a protector of the heart and moral life, more valuable than wealth, the bringer of inner stability and peace, and the insight by which your life aligns with God's will. Wisdom is granted by God through His word and His Holy Spirit. Wisdom is God's word. God is wisdom. Anytime you see the word wisdom mentioned in scripture, know that something important is being said. Going back to our focus verse today: "But wisdom is justified by all her children." Luke 7:35 We may take this to say, but God is justified by all His children. If we look at the context in which Jesus spoke these words, we see He was drawing comparison between Himself and John the Baptist, both of whom were rejected by the masses, especially those in power and cloaked in false righteousness such as the Pharisees. "To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying: 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance..." Luke 7:31-32 Jesus basically says the men of this generation will not be pleased by anything or anyone. They are like unsatisfied children who expect you to do what they want you to do. "For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, "He has a demon." The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, "Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners! But wisdom is justified by all her children." Luke 7:33-35 John was quiet and outwardly pieous. Jesus was social and relatable, so much so He was described as a drunk and a glutton. Both were rejected by religious leaders and others because of their appearance, but there is not one appearance of righteousness. John the Baptist and Jesus's ministries looked very different outwardly, but inwardly, they served the same God and the same purpose--creating a path to salvation for all mankind. Kingdom work does not have one appearance, but one Spirit. Those intent on rejecting God and His wisdom will not accept any package the Holy Spirit presents in. Wisdom or God is justified by the fruit it produces. Both Jesus' and John's ministries produced good kingdom fruit. John led people to repentance and prepared their hearts for Jesus' arrival. Jesus led people to the Father. God's work is diverse without losing unity. God created each of us with differences that go beyond our skintone, and He uses those differences to reach people in different ways. Our differences are not something to control or change but to recognize as part of God's plan to expand His kingdom. We all have different functions and gifts for a reason. There is beauty and purpose in our diversity. When you serve the same God, diversity is not the opposite of unity. It is the expansion of it.

Back with another post from the gospel of Luke. Something that has really stood out to me is Jesus' healing ministry. From casting out evil spirits to healing physical ailments such as leprosy, blindness, paralysis, and fever, Jesus touches the untouchable. Jesus does not rebuke the unclean but makes them clean, same as He cleanses us with His blood and the Holy Spirit. "When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them . And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, "You are the Christ, the Son of God." Luke 4:40-41. Disease and demon possession do not necessarily go hand in hand, but demonic possession could cause / lead to disease. This example reveals how sickness can be physical, mental, and spiritual. Christ heals all sickness. "And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean. Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed. " Luke 5:12-13 Leprosy is described as a varity of skin disorders from psoriasis to true leprosy. Symptoms could be mild, with white patches on the skin, or severe, with oozing sores and the loss of fingers and toes. Leprosy left someone cermonially unclean, unfit for worship. Likely because they could infect others. Anyone who came into contact with a leper was considered unclean, which subjected lepers to not just isolation but ostracization. They were social outcasts while suffering something entirely human yet, at times, horrific. "Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed...He said to the man who was paralyzed, " I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house ." Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God." Luke 5: 18 + 24-25 Jesus's healing ministry is one of mutual pursuit. Jesus travels to different locations to offer healing to the people there. And the people come with faith in His ability to heal. Jesus does not reject anyone who seeks His healing. Jesus puts Himself in position to heal. Despite the example of love and inclusion that Christ gives us, some Christian communities still treat certain groups of people as unclean today. Modern-Day "Lepers" in Christian Spaces The Divorced: treated as spiritually suspect, assumed to have failed morally Single Women Above A Certain Age : pitied or subtly judged, treated like something must be wrong Single Mothers : pitied or subtly judged, seen as promiscuous or a bad influence on the younger generation Those Who Struggle With Addiction : alcoholics, porn addicts, drug users, those dependent on prescription pills ~ they are often only welcome after they are "clean," and even after they are sober are still treated suspiciously Those With Mental Health Disorders : depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, PTSD ~ sometimes treated as spiritually weak rather than human and hurting, kept at arm's length Women With Public Sexual Sin : pregnant outside of marriage, children from multiple fathers, women with a known sexual history, sex-workers, those who've had an affair ~ treated with suspicion, kept at a distance, judged and seen as a bad influence or unmarryable, seen as unforgivable LGBTQ Individuals : often spoken about rather than spoken to, feared as spiritually contagious Formerly Incarcerated People : permanent suspicion, disqualified from service, defined by their past The Poor : judged as lazy, treated as irresponsible, avoided socially, seen as a threat and treated with fear or suspicion rather than compassion The Politically Different : shunned for voting differently or expressing an unpopular opinion, viewed as morally inferior, labeled as lost Those Who Ask Hard Questions: people struggling with doubt, people processing church hurt, people pushing back against false doctrine or biblical misrepresentation ~ seen as troublemakers rather than truth-seekers; curiosity is sometimes treated as rebellion Those Who Don't Fit the Typical "Church Aesthetic ": those with tattoos or piercings, scars from self harm or even an abusive past, those who dress differently than the expectation of how they should dress The list above is not a reflection of every church or Christian space. It is reflective of some Christian spaces and some individuals who accept people based on their comfort rather than Jesus' call for love, inclusion, and generosity without partiality. As a church, we must get comfortable with the uncomfortable. We must be so rooted in Christ, in truth, and in love that we treat all people with love, that we desire all people to be seated next to us on Sunday, that we do not fear spiritual contagion, that we do not fear close proximity with the lost nor with our brothers and sisters who are hurting or have made a mistake. This call for love and inclusion does not mean denying biblical truth. For example, it does not make adultery, sexual immorality, addiction, or homosexuality okay. It simply means we are not putting ourselves in the position of judge. " Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemed. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. " Luke 6:37 We've all made mistakes. We've all sinned. We are all unclean prior to being cleansed by Jesus. And even after coming to Christ, we are not immune to sin. We are simply delivered from it. " And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, "Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye," when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your eyes? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eyes, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother's eye ." Luke 6:41-42 Jesus warns us of hypocrisy. The truth is, we all have an ailment that needs to be healed by Christ. Turn your attention to your own healing first. And when you notice another in need of healing, do not judge but bring them to the Healer. Because we too were in need of healing, and likely always will be. The church is not only for the saved or clean. The church is for everyone to come to the Healer who heals all ailments. If someone is seeking Christ, who are we to make them feel uncomfortable? Who are we to turn them away? Who are we to say you are not welcome? If we encounter someone in need of Christ, then we are called to lead them to Him. This may require putting yourself in uncomfortable positions and speaking to / touching those who are different from you, those who society and even some Chrisitian communities treat as outcasts. Lastly, just because someone looks different than you, doesn't fit the mold, votes differently than you think they should vote, has a mental health disorder, is a single mom, divorced, was incarcerated, homeless, or has walked a life path that has been bumpier than yours--it does not mean they are lost or unclean. They may be more spiritually mature and rooted in Christ than you. Those whose sins are many have love for Christ a plenty. "Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee's house, and sat down to eat. And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil." Luke 7:36-38 When the Pharisee saw this, he basically said that Jesus is not a prophet, for if He was, He would know that the woman touching Him is a sinner. Jesus responded, " There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more? " Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more." And He said to him, " You have rightly judged. ...her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little. " Luke 7:41-43 + 47 Those who've greatly suffered and have been greatly forgiven, have a greater love for Christ than those who've had it easy and never known true suffering. This is not to say we should long for suffering. It is simply to reveal perspective. We have a greater perspective of Christ's love when we have suffered greatly. The extent of our sin does not limit His capacity to love and forgive us. It reveals His capacity. When we see His capacity to love and forgive us, our capacity to love and remain devoted to Him grows, as well as, our capacity to love and forgive others.

Welcome to a new post from yours truly. I am currently studying Luke, which is my first gospel to read from start to finish. I am absolutely loving it. The heart of Jesus is revealed on every page, as well as the humor and wisdom of Jesus. If you haven't read any of the gospels yet, I highly recommend beginning with Luke. Since Luke is a bit of a longer book, I am actually going to write micro-posts as I read to give you my top takeaways in real time. Today's micro-post is from Luke 4:1-13 "Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry." Luke 4:1-2 In this passage, we see Jesus led to the wilderness by the Holy Spirit shortly after being baptized by John the Baptist. Jesus was in the wilderness, fasting, for forty days. And it was when He was alone and hungry that Satan tempted Him. Before we continue, let's define temptation. Biblically, temptation is a testing or enticement that appeals to our desires and invites us to act outside of God's will. Being tempted to sin is not the same as sinning . It's only sin if you give in. Therefore, Jesus being tempted does not contradict His status as the only man to ever live a perfect, sinless life. The temptation Jesus faced speaks to His humanity as well as ours and reveals Satan's tactics. Satan Tempted Jesus in Two Specific Ways He sought to make Him question / prove His identity as the Son of God. He turned the attention to Jesus' lack / desire. "And the devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." Luke 4:3 In this example, Satan picks at both Jesus' identity and His desire for food. Jesus responds, "It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." Luke 4:4 It is important to note, yet again, that Jesus was led to the wilderness by the Holy Spirit--by God. We can assume, knowing that fasting is an act of worship and a time of intense communion with God, that Jesus was led to the wilderness to fast for just that--intense communion with God before beginning His earthly ministry. In breaking His fast, He would've broken His communion with God. He would've disobeyed. He would've sinned. And then He would no longer be the perfect sacrifice for the sins of humanity. What seems like a simple temptation here is not simple at all. And the devil knew it. Jesus' message to us to live by every word of God reminds us to live by His word--the ones spoken through the Bible and the ones spoken to us through His Spirit. "Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, "All this authority I will give you, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours." Luke 4:5-7 This example is an escalation of temptation. The devil promises earthly treasure to Jesus, who is in a lowly state, by asserting authority he does not even have. To accept Satan's gift is to proclaim his authority to give. The only authority Satan has in this world is the authority we give him. This is supported throughout the Bible which teaches that the Spirit in us is greater than the spirit in this world and we as children of God are the true authority here on earth. The earth was gifted to man to steward for God. While yes, by giving in to sin / Satan, man relinquished the stewardship of the earth to Satan, those who have returned to God have also returned to their God-given power and authority over sin and Satan. We have returned to our position as the steward of the earth. Satan cannot give us what is already ours. Jesus does not acknowledge the false authority Satan tries to proclaim nor does He care about earthly treasure, for He knows the only treasure that matters is in the kingdom of God. Jesus responds, "Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve." Luke 4:8 Jesus asserts His authority over Satan, even in His weakest state. We have the power to do the same by first knowing the word of God--which is the truth--and second, being in-dwelled by the Holy Spirit. If you have professed that Jesus is Lord and He is your Savior, His Spirit is already inside you. Acknowledging His Spirit and the power that is rightfully yours as a child of God is key to victory in your battles against Satan. "Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over You, to keep You..." Luke 4:9-10 Notice the shift here. Jesus has been defeating Satan's temptations by quoting scripture, by knowing the truth. Satan now seeks to use the word of God to trick Jesus not only into proving Himself as the Son of God, but into killing Himself since He is also the Son of Man. Satan has a playbook. He attacks when we're isolated and hungry. He uses our hunger--regardless of if we hunger for food or something intangible--to get us to fill ourselves with false nourishment. He seeks to make us question our identity as children of God, because if we question our identity, then we also question whose authority we're under. If we question our identity and the authority of God, we question the validity of the word of God, which is our greatest weapon in spiritual battles. And when none of Satan's tactics work, He studies our playbook and He uses our weapon of truth against us. Jesus responds to Satan by saying, "It has been said, "You shall not tempt the Lord." Luke 4:12 Jesus did not know only a few key scriptures. He knew the whole word of God, which allowed Him to defeat Satan when he tried to use God's word against Him. Satan is a master at bending the truth or twisting it just enough that it sounds right. Knowing the whole word of God and the heart of God is key to distinguishing truth from lie. One thing that is consistent throughout this exchange between Jesus and Satan is Jesus never gives in to pride, the very thing that led to Lucifer's fall. Jesus never proves Himself as the Son of God. He rests in His identity and who His Father is. And He does not ask God to prove Himself to Him or Satan by throwing Himself off a building and forcing God to intervene. We can learn a lot from this. Do not let Satan strip you of your identity as a child of God. Do not question your identity or your Father in Heaven. Do not let Satan convince you he is the authority and has power to give good things. The only authority Satan has is the authority we give him by giving into him. Do not be enticed by earthly treasure. Know the word of God and the heart of God to distinguish truth from lie. Access the Holy Spirit dwelling inside you to step into your power and authority over sin and Satan. Do not quell your hunger with false nourishment. Only God can offer the nourishment you need. And He does. "Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and ministered to Him." Matthew 4:11 When You're Hungry...A Message to My Singles on Valentine's Day This post was supposed to publish yesterday, but I got busy, which means it's now Valentine's Day. I would be remiss not to address how this holiday can make us hungry--hungry for connection, for romance, for intimacy, for partnership, for love. For some, it's just another day on the calendar. For others, it's a day to get together with friends. For many singles, especially those longing for covenant marriage, it's a day to avoid the grocery stores and nice restaurants. It's a day to remain isolated. Isolated and hungry are our two most vulnerable states. So, if you feel hungry today for something you don't yet have, let me offer a few suggestions for healthy nourishment. Spend time with Jesus by reading God's word. Pray ~ maybe even write your prayer down like a love letter Write a love letter--to yourself, your future husband, or even to God. Call a friend, even if they're married. Just because you're single doesn't mean you don't have relationships or connections you can rely on when you're low. Workout, go for a run, or get a massage--something that satisfies your desire for physical touch. Read a book or watch a movie. It doesn't even have to be romantic, unless you want it to be. I plan to watch either Redeeming Love or People You Meet On Vacation . Buy yourself flowers and chocolates. Get takeout from somewhere you've been wanting to try and curl up at home. Or hey, get dressed up and eat there. There's nothing wrong with eating alone. It's actually very empowering. However you choose to spend today, know that you are loved and chosen. You are seen and worthy. And you are not alone, no matter how lonely you may feel.

After five years of writing, dabbling in romantic suspense and mafia romance, I've found my happy place within the subgenre of small-town romance. While my readers have loved my work so far, they've also noted my books are unconventional. I tend to focus on my character's emotional development and the romance and world-building rather than the violence or even gratuitous sex that is common in the mafia romance genre. Now, I feel I've found my niche as a romance writer. Ironically, it's brought this small-town girl back to her roots. The town of Magnolia is inspired by my hometown and my favorite fictional small town, Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls . If you know me personally, you'll notice family names throughout the series. If you're familiar with Gilmore Girls , you'll notice some characters and settings that remind you of our favorites. Magnolia will be the hallmark of my career as a writer. I plan on returning to this setting time and time again to write several duets. The first is the Magnolia Blooms duet. The Magnolia Blooms duet will feature two standalone novels, one for both of the Calhoun siblings. These novels will feature the themes of reconnecting with oneself, one's hometown, and finding love after tragedy. You Can Feel It In The Silence is a combination of a book idea I dreamt of long ago and a sudden burst of inspiration that came to me while observing one of my deaf counterparts. Seeing him communicate so fluently, without skipping a beat, made me see the beauty of his uniquness, not the barrier of a disability. Then, the Taylor Swift song "You're in Love" popped into my head and it was game over. You Can Feel It In The Silence is unlike any novel I've written. You will see Emmett and April communicate differently yet effortlessly and love each other so loudly, there is no denying it. Note: I did enough research to know I am severly underqualified to write a story with an FMC who was born deaf. April lost her hearing in a car accident in her twenties. Her experience is not meant to be representative of all deaf experiences. Description, tropes, and trigger warnings... "You can feel it in the silence--when you're loved, when you're home." Welcome to Magnolia, Louisiana, a small town desperate for a fresh start after tragedy. Newcomer, April has made it her life’s work bringing old, abandoned properties back to beauty. It was a dream first instilled in her by her father after they lost their home in a hurricane. Since then, April has lost much more—both her parents and her hearing. April’s life has been quiet for far too long. The only comfort she finds is in her work. That is until she meets the farmer next door, Emmett Calhoun. Emmett is driven by two things—responsibility to his family and a desire to never become his father. Reluctant to allow himself a taste of something new, Emmett avoids helping April with the renovation until he simply can’t. When he finally agrees to help, more than the historic inn gets a fresh start. April hears Emmett, sees him, more than anyone else ever has. Emmett learns and loves April in a way no one else has ever been willing to. Together, they find the silence isn’t so quiet. Together, they tear down the walls guarding their hearts and open their minds to new possibilities for the future—to new dreams, to new love. And the town of Magnolia enters a new chapter of togetherness. Tropes: deaf/ mute, virgin FMC, protective farmer next door MC, close proximity, slow burn turned spicy, found family, small town, healing love story TW: loss, grief, PTSD, alcoholism (not MCs) You Can Feel It In the Silence is available to preorder now on Amazon (ebook only) and will release in all formats on July 1st--only on Amazon. The second book in the Magnolia Blooms duet will be announced this fall and will likely release in January 2026. I'm excited to bring all of these new characters to life. As I write You Can Feel It In The Silence, I'm already taking note of side characters who will one day have their own stories.

" Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything." Ephesians 5:22-24 " Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church." Ephesians 5:25-29 If you're single and longing for godly marriage or once were, you've probably heard these scriptures countless times. Perhaps you've heard them against your will. I digress. These scriptures are often taught in relation to marriage, because we are presented with direct instructions from the Lord on how to treat our spouse. However, a crucial point often gets lost in translation. The address to the wives is written first in Ephesians, which often leads us to believe women are called to submit first to their husband, regardless of the treatment they receive, regardless of if he's proven himself worthy of submission. False. We, believers, submit to Christ, because we know He is trustworthy. We know He loves us beyond measure. We know He will never abandon us. We know we are safe to follow His leadership. While we know that no human man can compare to Christ or love us like Christ, despite the directive, we, as children of God, are not called to submit ourselves to a husband who has not proven he is a safe, trustworthy leader rooted in the Word--a man who leads the marriage with love, kindness, grace, and sacrifice like Christ. This trustworthy, rooted in the Word leadership should begin in the dating relationship, so that you can assess if your submission to him is safe before marrying him . God never called His daughters to submit to lost or abusive men. He calls us to submit to a husband who is already submitted to Him. I know, as godly women, our desire is for a godly spouse and a sanctified marriage. However, many of us get into relationship with a man before having a relationship with God--often when we're very young. That's when trouble rises. We might discover God after getting emotionally attached to someone over the span of many years. In this case, our emotions war against our spiritual wisdom and we are forced to choose to follow God or our heart. It likely will not be an easy choice despite having a clear right answer. In another example, we may marry someone before truly discovering what godly marriage is and how to be and choose a godly spouse. Hi, I've been there. Even in situations when both spouses are rooted in God when they marry, it's possible for a husband to fall away from God during the marriage, thus making his leadership and your submission to him feel unsafe. A woman's relationship status does not change her relationship with God or her call to be obedient to God. While the Lord's intention is for a man to lead his wife closer to God, to wash her with the Word and present her blameless to Him, that is not always the reality. God is your Father first. We must follow His leadership first and foremost. Furthermore, when we consider why we submit ourselves to Christ, it is because He loved us first. When a man pursues us like Christ pursues the church, leads and loves us like Christ--to the best of his human ability--that is a husband worth submitting to. If a husband's leadership forces you out of submission to the Lord, we as children of God are called to follow the Lord above all else. When a husband does not take on the responsibility to be worthy of his wife's submission yet still demands it, our submission is abused. The same can be said in parent-child relationships. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. " Honor your father and mother, " which is the first commandment with promise: " that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth. " Ephesians 6:1-3 Children are called to obey their parents under the impression that those parents are rooted in the Word and are bringing their children up in godly ways and wisdom. Throughout Proverbs we see that wisdom is the way to long life. But when parents do not rise to the responsibility of raising their children with love, in the ways and wisdom of the Lord, this commandment can be abused. Paul goes on to warn parents, " And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4 Submission is never blind. Submission is always in response to love. Christ models the right order of love and submission. Husbands and wives are equals in both their expression of God's image and their inheritance in the kingdom of Heaven. Yet our roles on earth are different due to our biology and our personalities. Christ is equal with God the Father, yet His role in mankind's redemption story was different. Christ is equal yet submissive to God the Father. God loves the Son and exalts Him. The Father's love came first, and Christ responded with loving submission to the Father's will. Christ models this again in His love for the church. Christ did not demand blind submission. He earned it with acts of love, kindness, and gentleness. He earned it by sharing wisdom, by giving second chances, by healing the sick and curing the blind. He earned our love and submission in countless ways, most notably in dying for us so that we may never have to know a death that separates us from the love of the Father. God's plan for human relationships is first modeled in how our relationship with Him is formed. Love awakens a responsive submission.

Ephesians, written by the apostle Paul, may not strike you as a love letter. Perhaps its most famous teaching is on the Armor of God . But as I read Ephesians, I couldn't help but feel God's love as He reveals more about Himself and His plan for us as His children. What should've taken me a day to read took three, because this short book is full of incredible revelations. So, without further delay, let's get into the first of several posts from the Book of Ephesians. Chosen "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ Himself , according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ , both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him." Ephesians 1:3-10 The opening of Ephesians starts off strong by revealing God's plan for humanity and referencing the love and grace He has for us that He would reveal the mystery of Himself to us; that He would desire to become one with us in Christ. Man is not God's only creation, but we are His greatest creation. He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing--the greatest of which is access to Him through His Holy Spirit. How much love must He have for us to give us a direct line to Him, to guide us by His Spirit, to make us holy and blameless? We are not holy and blameless, but in His eyes, we are. Our Father in Heaven sees us with loving eyes. God did not figure things out as He went. He had a plan from the beginning and we were always part of His plan. God always intended for mankind to be His perfect, holy, blameless, loved, chosen, and enlightened family. Christ's sacrifice and the guidance of the Holy Spirit are part of His plan / process of attaining relationship with us. Is it fair to say it's always been about us? How loved are we? The phrase "according to His good pleasure" is repeated throughout this passage, reminding us that God wants to love us. He wants relationship with us. He wants us as His family. Everything He has done is because He wants us. Delivered "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted oursleves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:1-7 From the scripture above, we see that God is full of mercy and love. He loves us so much He will never turn His back on us. He grants us new life. It is revealed that we have not seen all the riches of His grace. There is more to be revealed to us in the ages to come (eternal life in Heaven). How exciting is that? A Note on Predestination & Free Will I could not help but think about predesintation and free will as I read Ephesians. We see that we are predestined to adoption by God through Christ, yet we also see that there are sons of disobedience and we, before knowing and accepting Christ, were among them. My take is that, we are free to choose whether to follow Christ and become a part of God's family or not. God knows who will make that choice, and those who will eventually make that choice, were always His in His eyes. He always had a plan for us. He was always with us. Perhaps the same can be said for everyone. Unlike the times before Christ, God is in the business of pursuit. Christ was sent to reconcile all things to Himself, to make a way to the Father for all people. I believe God is with us all until death separates us. Death only separates those who have not accepted Christ as Christ's death serves as our own. "...If indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God , in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:20-24 God not only grants us eternal life in Heaven, He offers us newness of life here on earth through the truth of His Word, Jesus Christ. God choosing to reveal Himself and His truth to us, to open our eyes to the devil's deceit, to offer us freedom from the bondage of sin makes me feel loved. God didn't have to do any of this. He didn't have to create us. Nor did He have to continue pursuing us after the devil corrupted us. God is the example of true love: a love that is kind, patient, forgiving, and persevering. He is the standard for all love. At One "For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation , having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity." Ephesians 2:14-16 Through Jesus, we are made one with God and with each other. This passage of scripture speaks about the two factions of believers at the time--the Jews and the Gentiles. Paul seeks to remind the reader that nothing separates us when we are in Christ. We are all one in Christ--one people. And as a whole, with Christ, we make up one body--the body of God. "...Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." Ephesians 2:20-22 This scripture further speaks to us (God's children) serving as His dwelling place here on earth. His Spirit dwells inside us. And through us, God still walks the earth today. How much does He loves us that He would give us this privilege, power, and authority? As vessels of His Holy Spirit, we have power and authority over Satan and his demons. The power of Christ lives in us. The temple of the Lord is still being built. With each new believer that comes to the Father through Christ, God's body is expanded both in this lifetime and in the ages to come. "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man , to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ--from whom the whole body , joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share , causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." Ephesians 4:11-16 Paul reveals the calling placed on God's people, to share their enlightenment with others, to share the gospel of the truth of Jesus. This is a calling for us all, not just those with the title of pastor. How much love does God have for His people that He supplies the Spirit of Truth, that we all may know Him? God desires to tell us the truth, so that we will not be deceived by the deciever. This is an act of love. The above passage reminds us of the oneness of the body of Christ and that we all have a role within the body of Christ. Think of your own body. Is there a single thing that does not serve a purpose? How loved are we that God has given us access to Him, newness of life, calling, and purpose within Him? "For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones." Ephesians 5:30 This is one of the scriptures that stood out to me the most in Ephesians. We are reminded that we are God's body. We are one with Him and for Him. What an honor it is? Both in a spiritual and physical sense, we are God's home here on earth, which should be telling as to why the devil tries to get us to hate ourselves and our bodies so much. The enemy attacks us in flesh and in Spirit so as to attack the Spirit inside us. But once we learn how to access the Spirit inside us, it's game over for Satan and he knows it. Access "For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father." Ephesians 2:18 Paul reminds us that through Christ Jesus, we have access to the Father. We share the Holy Spirit, the essence linking God, the Father, Jesus Christ, the Son, and mankind, the family of first-fruits, the body of Christ, the temple of the Lord. Enlightened "To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church ..." Ephesians 3:8-10 This passage reminds us that there was a time when God hid Himself and the truth of Jesus, the truth of what would be, from the world. While we cannot know His purpose, we can trust He had good reason to reveal Himself slowly over time. How loved are we that God always intended to reveal Himself and that we get to exist in the time where the mystery of Christ, the mystery of the Father, the mystery of mankind is no longer such a mystery? "For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ...that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:14-19 We know that the Bible is God's Word as the apostles were embodied by His Spirit. Therefore we know that God's intention is this: for us to be strengthened by the Holy Spirit that Christ may dwell inside us, that we may know the love of Christ, which surpasses all understanding, and be filled with the fullness of God. God seeks to fill us with His fullness. Fullness means He desires to withhold nothing good from us. Loved "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, n ot having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish." Ephesians 5:25-27 This is the passage that made me pause. This is the passage that made Ephesians truly read like a love letter from God. We often get caught up on the directive to husbands that we miss the love of Christ--the love of the Father--presented in Ephesians 5:25-27. Jesus Christ seeks to cleanse us with His truth, "with the washing of water by the word" that we might be His glorious bride. How utterly romantic is that? Jesus didn't only die for us centuries ago. He is still working in us today, because He still loves us. He still chooses us. While there was a time when the idea of cleansing all impurity would've made me cringe and roll my eyes, that was a time when I didn't know God. I didn't feel His love. I was living under the lies of the enemy, not the truth of the Father and the Son's love for me. Now that I know the truth, I welcome the cleansing. And I think it's beautiful that He cares enough to do it. God cares enough about us to give us chance after chance. Jesus cares enough about us to love us through every circumstance. "So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church . For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones." Ephesians 5:28-30 The Lord not only loves us. He nourishes and cherishes us. When I think of nourishment, I think of a mother feeding a newborn baby. Every ounce of milk is essential for growth and cognitive development. The Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ views our nourishment through His Word as a tender, emotional, loving, and essential daily activity. When I think of being cherished, I think of a husband kissing his wife's forehead, shoulder, or temple. He touches the simple places--the places others might not notice, the places that don't give him any physical pleasure, but shower her with love and affection. I think of being held gently. I think of intentional conversation--a man who never runs out of time for me. God cherishes in this very way by paying attention to the little things, by showering us with affection that satisfies us, and by never tiring of us. Perhaps that is the easiest way to sum up the Lord's love for us. He never tires in His pursuit of us, in His care for us, in His love for us.

The Book of Galatians presents one of the most important and popular teachings in the Bible-- the fruit of the Spirit. Written by Paul, Christians are reminded that it is not by our own strength, striving, or works that we achieve righteousness or salvation. It is by the grace of God, and the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, that we receive salvation. And it is by the healing power of the Holy Spirit that we demonstrate the character of Christ here on earth. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-contol." Galatians 5:22-23 The teachings on the fruit of the Spirit I heard before actually reading Galatians for myself led me to believe that the fruit of the Spirit is something we strive for as humans. Our ability to live a life of good fruit represents our faithfulness, goodness, and closeness to God. If we do not demonstrate all of the fruits perfectly, we must not be as close to God as we thought. Perhaps we even question our salvation. This is exactly what Paul preached against in Galatians. The fruit of the Spirit represents the character of Christ. If it was impossible for man to fulfill the Law of the Lord, and it was , then how much more impossible is it for man to embody the character of Christ--the one man who not only fulfilled the Law but expanded it and abolished it? The fruit of the Spirit is not something we attain or achieve by our own doing. It is cultivated in us over time by the Holy Spirit. Like any fruit, the fruit of the Spirit takes time to grow. Each fruit may have it's own season of harvest. There will be some godly virtues that come easier to us than others. Not demonstrating each one perfectly all at once doesn't mean you aren't saved or don't have the Holy Spirit. It means the Spirit is still working in you, and will be until your last breath. "Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish." Galatians 5:16-17 This scripture can be misinterpreted to make us believe that our innate human desires are wrong and that we should suppress everything human about us. Some may even interpret this scripture to mean that we should hate our bodies. That is not the case. God created mankind. He created our bodies, our desires, and our nature. What the flesh in this verse refers to is the corruption of mankind's nature by the enemy. The verse reveals an internal war we all experience--the war between the light and the dark, between right and wrong, between the Holy Spirit and the corrupted flesh. If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, you have the Holy Spirit inside you. And this internal war has been taking place even if you haven't realized it. Many are unaware of the Holy Spirit's presence, because we are taught more about God and Jesus. We're taught about how to receive salvation, but not righteousness. While the idea of being righteous may be off-putting, what righteousness truly means is embodying the character of Christ--living a life of godly virtues, a life of good fruit. The fruit of the Spirit are the godly virtues attainable to us as we surrender ourselves to the Holy Spirit's power and let him heal us from the inside out. A life of godly virtues is the abundant life attainable for us here on earth. "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murder, drunkenness, revelries, and the like..." Galatians 5:19-21 The works of the flesh, as presented in Galatians, are not part of God's intention for man or design. We can easily look at things like murder and adultery and realize they're wrong. Most of us probably have firm boundaries when it comes to those things. Other works of the corrupted flesh, however, might not be so obvious. I looked at each one closely and examined where I fall short. Because even though I have the Holy Spirit, I still fall short. I prayed for my uncleanness, that the Lord would cleanse my mind and heart of corruption. Cleanse me of discouragement, complaining, doubt, restlessness, impatience, lingering anger and resentment. Strip my tongue of unhelpful speech and gossip. I prayed against idolatry. I often question if I've made my desire for marriage an idol. While I do not think that is the case, this is an area that has been a sore spot in my relationship with God. I asked that God would show me how to carry my desire for marriage in a more healthy and holy way that does not pull me away from him or make me question my worth, but draws me closer to him. May the waiting affirm my worth as a child of God. I prayed for the Lord to cleanse my mind and heart of hatred and dissensions, lingering anger and resentement specifically. I asked that he help me be gentle with the ones who've hurt me and help me to operate from a place of love. Admittedly, I asked this more for myself than for them, but I acknowledge that even that perspective may change. I prayed against jealousy, that the Lord would cleanse my mind and heart of insecurities that make me jealous or cause me to compare myself to others. Let me rest assured that what is mine is mine and what is not is not a slight or sign of rejection or proof of my unworthiness. I also prayed against adultery. While this line is firmly drawn, the sanctity of my future marriage is too important to me to not pray this prayer. I asked that God help me to remain faithful to my future husband in the waiting, dating, and in marriage. Help me to steward and care for my body the way you desire, Lord. I can honestly say that after praying these specific prayers inspired by my own deep dive into the works of the flesh, I truly felt freerer, lighter, and more at peace in each of these areas. I didn't realize it until the next day, but I've had perspective changes that have granted me more peace in the waiting. I will share those in a separate post. I encourage you to reflect on the works of the flesh not to condemn yourself, but so you can pray for specific healing by the Holy Spirit, and come that much closer to the abundant life that God promises. Love Is The Firstfruit As Christians, we're often taught how to treat others, but not so much how to treat ourselves. Jesus tells us and Paul reminds us: "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself. " Galatians 5:14 This scripture made me realize you cannot love others if you do not first love yourself. Love is the first fruit of the Spirit, because love makes all others possible. If you love yourself, you are longsuffering. You do not give up on yourself or your dreams. If you love yourself, you are faithful to God and what is truly important to you. For me, a godly marriage is important to me. So, maintaining my purity until marriage and not settling in dating are standards I am faithful to--not only for God, but for the fulfillment of my own desires. If you love yourself, you are gentle with yourself--like Christ. I struggle with shame, guilt, perfectionism. I can be really hard on myself, but Christ is gentle when He corrects. I hope to learn how to demonstrate His gentleness with myself. If you love yourself, you are self-controlled, meaning you are disciplined enough to not do things that will hurt you or pull you away from God. We are not excluded from the love of Christ as we embrace the Holy Spirit. How you treat yourself may be the first sign of true holy transformation. Different Fruit, Different Soil Technically, the fruit of the Spirit is one fruit, but of the fruit of the Spirit there are nine godly virtues. Different relationships test, challenge, or produce specific virtues. When we grow in our relationship with the Lord, we develop unselfish love, true joy, and lasting peace. When we build relationships with others, we are challenged to reflect Christ's patience, kindness, and goodness. As we mature spiritually (this is where time really plays a factor), we discover an inner strength which results in faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Our relationships are the soil in which the fruit of the Spirit grows. Each virtue requires different things and different alottments of time to cultivate. Do not be discouraged if you're not a perfect Christian the day you're baptized or accept Jesus as the Lord of your life. First, no one is a perfect Christian. Second, the walk of a Christian is lifelong and the fruit of the Spirit will develop over time as you grow your understanding of God and His Word and surrender to the Holy Spirit's amazing healing power. Accessing the Holy Spirit As I said above, if you've accepted Jesus as your Savior, you have the Holy Spirit inside you. But it's possible you haven't been accessing him/ it. My relationship with the Holy Spirit is still new, so let's start this off with a really elementary conversation. Break the ice with the Holy Spirit and acknowledge his presence. "Hi, Holy Spirit. I know you're with me. Help me to feel you. Help me to hear your voice. Guide my steps. Heal the parts of me that require your holy touch." The Holy Spirit is gifted to us through our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ. He is our direct connection to Heaven. God and Jesus speak through him to us. Jesus tells us: "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak ; and He will tell you things to come." John 16:13 The Holy Spirit is not separate from God. He is part of the Holy Trinity. He is God within you. The more you study God's word, the more you pray and intentionally develop your relationship with God, the easier it will be for you to hear the Holy Spirit's voice. Admittedly, I've heard his voice. To be honest, it's usually something I don't want to hear but need to hear. I've heard the Holy Spirit tell me the truth about men I've dated or wanted to date. And I've ignored it, thinking it's my own fears and insecurities speaking. But when the same exact sentiment repeats accompanied by either unrest from not listening or peace from finally accepting, that's when I've been able to accept it was actually his voice. I'm learning to recognize the voice of the Holy Spirit, and the better I get at recognizing him, the easier it will be for him to communicate with me. One final note on listening to the Holy Spirit. Our minds can be loud, especially during times of stress and heartache. Thoughts can slip in that we think are from the Holy Spirit, because we're surrendered to him. But not every thought may be. This is where knowing the character of God is important. If the thought you've had does not align with the character of God, then that's a thought worth questioning. God does not get tired of communicating with us. He will not mind reaffirming his truth. And if said thought was not from the Lord, He will delight that you knew Him well enough to question it. Knowing the Lord is key to accessing the Holy Spirit and living a life of good fruit.

If you're like me, you grew up with the expectation of perfection rather than with grace for your imperfections. This mindset, while perhaps instilled in us with good intentions, can be exploited by the devil. "Good girl" syndrome may leave you feeling like you're never good enough. In your hopelessness, you may stop trying altogether. You may pull away from God, thinking you're a constant disappointment to Him or that you'll never measure up. Maybe reading your Bible makes you feel bad about yourself, because you know you don't follow all the rules. And when you're a perfectionist, the last thing you want to do (or are equipped to do) is accept the parts of you that feel impossible to perfect. Hi, I'm raising my hand. On the flip side, maybe you seek to please so much that you exhaust yourself with trying to fulfill the Law of God. This exhaustion leads to anger and resentment towards the Lord. You may feel like you were set up to fail. You may question why it has to be this hard. And yet, you don't give up. You live in internal war. Your striving drives a wedge between you and God, which only makes you feel guiltier because you love Him and you do want to do what is right. You want to be a "good girl." But you never learned how to have grace for yourself. You never learned about God's grace for you. Hi, I'm right there with you. The enemy has many tactics with one goal--to separate us from God. Our wounds, traumas, personal perspectives, mental states, and desires can all be exploited to do just that. I've recently come to realize that my lack of grace for myself is enabling the enemy to keep me shackled in shame. It's allowing him to exhaust me, torment me, and turn my frustrations toward God as I try to grow closer to Him. So, let's confront the lie with the truth. Grace is a gift God gives us because He loves us. It's not something we earn. If you've been told that you have to earn God's love and His grace, His Word and His character have been misrepresented. The Law of the Lord (10 Commandments, other rules and statutes throughout the Bible) was never designed to be fulfilled by man. In fact, these rules were designed to be so impossible for us to follow that they would reveal our innate imperfection, our weakness, our inability, and our desperate need for a Savior. The Law God gave us prior to Jesus' coming was also a tutor in righteous living. It showed us the way, but it didn't equip us to walk in the way of the Lord. Only the Holy Spirit can do that and even that is a life-long process. Jesus is not just the only man to ever fulfill the law, He was the only man who ever could . Jesus was not a back-up plan for mankind's salvation. He was not an afterthought and neither are we. Jesus, the Seed who redeems, was always part of God's plan. He was promised shortly after man's fall from grace and it is through Jesus that grace is restored to us. The blood of Jesus makes those who accept Him as Savior clean and blameless in the sight of God. We are righteous in the Lord's eyes not because of us, but because of Him. It is through the Holy Spirit that we are equipped to actually walk a righteous life. Yet, the war of the Spirit and the flesh persists. We will never be perfect, but we will always be His. "...a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ...for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified." Galatians 2:16 "I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain." Galatians 2:21 Do not stress about what you can do to earn what is priceless. Give thanks for what has been done for you through love. Accept was has been given to you-- grace. The devil loves to torment us with shame and the need to be perfect because those are the two biggest things Jesus sacrificed Himself to rid us of. The enemy wants us focused on trying to be good enough so we don't realize Christ already said we are. We are good enough to love, good enough to die for, good enough to be His, good enough to speak His truth. If we cast aside the truth of what Jesus did for us, because we feel we don't deserve it, then we cast aside the freedom that comes with His sacrifice. We don't fully accept the love God has for us. We remain in the bondage of shame and perfectionism. "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law...that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." Galatians 3:13-14 Even the Bible notes the law as a curse, for no one can walk fully in the Law of the Lord. Man is incapable. "And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise..." Galatians 3:17-18 God promised an abundant life and eternal life to those who believe in Him and accept His Son, Jesus, as Savior not because of who we are or what we do, but because of who He is. The promise came before the law. "What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made..." Galatians 3:19 "But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor." Galatians 3:23-25 The law was a guide before the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our guide now. Jesus describes the Holy Spirit as a helper who will teach us more than He had earthly time for. The Holy Spirit purifies us from the inside out. It's not an instant process but one that happens over time. This is something I've recently come to realize. The fruits of the Spirit are cultivated in us over time--not all at once. Being saved doesn't equal immediate purity, perfection, or righteousness here on earth. It means you're saved and you're in process. The process of walking in the Spirit never ends for a believer. Healing the wounds of the mind is not easy. Just because I know the truth and I know I should have more grace for myself, doesn't mean it's easy for me to do. But acknowleding the truth is the first step. Let this post be a reminder--like the letters in the Bible serve to remind the churches of truths easily forgotten--it's okay to have grace for yourself when you fall short. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23 The fruit of the Spirit is not just a depiction of Christ's character or how we should treat others, it is also applicable to how we treat ourselves. The fruit of the Spirit proves that it is okay to love ourselves, be kind to ourselves, and treat ourselves with gentleness. In other words, it's okay to have grace for yourself. It's okay to not be perfect. It's okay if this process of following Christ feels messy and harder than you thought. It doesn't mean you're not saved or even that your faith is weak. It means your faith is honest. And like in any relationship or when visiting any doctor, the only way to repair and heal is through honest confession of what's wrong. Through honest relationship with the Lord, your Spirit, mind, and heart will be renewed. Sometimes this renewal is required daily. Sometimes our windows of positivity and faith on-fire are short before we need our embers reignited. But the Lord is always with you, waiting to renew your Spirit and reignite your fire. Don't compare your journey to someone else's. Don't think you're not a real Christian just because you're struggling and it doesn't look like anyone else is. We're all struggling, whether we choose to admit it or not. We all have our cross to bear. If the Law is impossible for man to fulfill, how much more impossible is a life that embodies Christ's character? We can't do this alone. We need Him. We've always needed Him. And, unlike many in the Bible, we are blessed to live in the days of grace. We are blessed to have the helper of the Holy Spirit to guide us in truth and in love. We are blessed to be free of the law and of the need to be perfect.

Since surrendering my steps to the Lord, I've found myself stagnant, frozen, passive, waiting . I've been waiting on a yes . Yes, do that. Yes, do this. Yes, approach that person. Yes, write that book. Yes. And since I haven't heard the yes , I've been standing still. My life has been on pause, and that isn't good for anyone. Idleness, rumination, passivity, and unresolved longing are footholds for the enemy. We often hear the saying, a paraphrase from scripture, that idle minds are the devil's playthings. Trust me, I know this and I've lived it. So, not only have I been waiting on the Lord, I've been fighting the enemy's attacks and it's felt like a war inside me. I want to move. I want to do. But I don't know which direction to take. I don't know which book to write, if I should write anything at all. I don't know how to handle this season of singleness and dating. Should I be dating? Should I be waiting for the Lord to deliver my husband like Amazon? Should I be passive? Is waiting on the Lord passive: a life on autopilot until He shakes your shoulders and says this is the way or this is the one ? For so long, I've felt that waiting on the Lord, trusting the Lord, surrendering my life to Him means not moving until He says go. But today I saw a scripture reflection that made me think otherwise. "The steps of the righteous are ordered by the Lord." Psalm 37:33 Your steps come before the Lord's ordering. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6 Submission comes before steps, before going your way. Submission is a heart posture: a willingness to walk slowly, receive re-direction, hold your plans with open palms, remain teachable, flexible and unattached to specific outcomes. But submission is not stillness or passivity. It does not remove the need to act. The Lord promises to make your path straight, but first, you have to start walking, acting, moving. "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'" Isaiah 30:21 This scripture speaks to me, because I have heard the voice of the Lord. Over the past couple of years, there have been specific moments where I've received direction from the Lord. One time, it was " Speak to him ." Another it was, " Don't marry him . It's not him ." Most notably, was the first time I heard the Lord's voice. This was years ago when I was at my lowest. He told me, "My blood is worth more than this." He stopped me from making a mistake, from hurting myself. He intervened in the middle of my plan, my step, my path, my hurt and He will do it again. So, there is no need to fear making a mistake. If the Lord will rescue you when you aren't seeking Him, how much more will He save you when you are surrendered to Him? There have been other times I've felt the Lord's guidance not because of a voice, but because of a knowing . "I know this is right." "I know this is a good thing." That knowing has led me to my specific church home, to donate to specific charities and join a specific serve team at church over the other. It's even led me to brave the thunderstorm at night and attend a YA event at church that was the beginning of building a new community. Years ago that knowing accompanied my journey to get into fitness and begin a weight loss journey I knew would take years to achieve. It was a good thing. What occurred before the knowing was the interest, the desire. God confirmed after I took a step or planned a step. And yes, there have also been times that I've had interests or desires and been redirected. "Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap." Ecclesiastes 11:4 God knows the perfect time. We do not, and no matter how surrendered we are, we never will. We are not called to wait passively, doing nothing, until divine revelation sparks us into action. We are called to submit our hearts to the Lord, make our plans, and trust His intervention will come. He will confirm or He will redirect. But if we do nothing, He has nothing to work with. I don't know why the idea of waiting, trusting, and surrendering got so complicated for me that it left me frozen, fractured, disconnected, and passive. But now, I'm choosing to take a step. Maybe even more than one. Think about it... How can you expect to lose a massive amount of weight if you never show up to the gym? How can you expect to travel the world if you never book a flight? How can you expect to get married if you never speak to another human? How can you expect to have a child if you never have sex? How can you expect to have financial freedom if you never learn how to manage money wisely? How can you expect to have a nice home if you never look for one, buy one, or build one? How can you expect to be a bestselling author if you never write a book? Everything we desire in life requires a step of action to achieve, not passive rumination. And while many will say you should want for nothing, you should have no desires at all. It's selfish to want anything other than Jesus. The truth is, Jesus died to give us the abundant life. He died to free us from a life of sin and suffering. And while yes, we still suffer as followers of Christ. Suffering is not our inheritance. It's not our destiny. And it's not the legacy of God's children here on earth. The enemy would like to make us think so. He's certaintly gotten to me in this very regard. In many ways, I'm still struggling to find the joy in my walk with Christ. But that struggle comes from the devil's deception and my own internal wounds that require divine healing. God gives us specific desires, skills, gifts, talents, and resources for specific purposes. There is joy in exploring them, using them, and seeing what God creates with them and through you. But again, we are an active participant in what the Lord does in our life, not a passive possession. So, if your desire is good and your heart seeks to please the Lord, take a step. Walk your path. The Lord will speak when redirection is needed.