Jul 6 25
Joy and Strength for Our Work
“She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.” Proverbs 31:17 NIV
When the Lord showed me this verse of Scripture about 20 years ago, He began teaching me about the importance of being an energetic and enthusiastic worker. He made it clear to me that one reason why He gave me His indwelling Spirit when I received Christ as my Savior was so that I no longer had to dread or drag through my work. He showed me Ecclesiastes 5:19 (NLT), where Solomon says that enjoying our work is a gift from God. And it doesn’t matter whether our work involves child care, office work, housework, yard work, ministry work, or anything else – we can enjoy it all, and we can do it energetically.
When I have a job to do that I am dreading, I ask for the Lord’s help to get started, and then I declare, “I set about my work vigorously!” (Proverbs 31:17 NIV) This reminds me that I don’t have to put off a job of mine simply because I’m not looking forward to it. God has equipped me to dig in to my projects, instead of procrastinating and causing them to intimidate me and gain control over me. When my job involves physical work, I declare the second half of this verse, saying, “My arms are strong for my tasks!” When we make these faith-filled declarations, we are alerting the Holy Spirit to send waves of supernatural strength through our bodies, and to fill us with divine energy. The apostle Paul spoke of this powerful principle when he wrote that God filled him with “superhuman energy” for his work. (Colossians 1:29 AMP) Once I began experiencing this kind of energy years ago, I began claiming it on a regular basis, and relying on it for both big and small tasks. As I get older, I realize more and more the value of this kind of strength.
I love a clean house. Anyone who knows me knows how true this is. But there are certain aspects of housecleaning that I simply dread. One of them is mopping floors. So when I know that I have to do it, I ask the Lord for help, and without thinking about it, I get out my mop and pail. I begin filling the pail with water, and I pour in the detergent. And the next thing I know, I am mopping floors! You see, once we think too much about starting a task we don’t particularly like, we give it power over us. God wants us to go ahead and take some steps toward beginning the task, without overthinking it. When we do, He gets involved and strengthens us until the job is completed. And if we ask and expect Him to, He will even fill us with joy while we do it.
Perhaps you dread going grocery shopping. I understand how you feel. But like I tell my husband, Joe, if you want food in the house, you’ve got to shop for it! What I like to do is to time myself when I shop. I use my smartphone to track my time, and I challenge myself to get in and out of the store quickly. This discourages me from spending too much time browsing, which can increase my shopping time by 30 minutes or more. Even though my husband is a browser – and I often have to tap him on the shoulder and tell him, “Focus!” – the last time we went to the supermarket, he said, “Let’s time ourselves!” He’s learned that getting in and out of the store quickly can make a task like this more enjoyable and productive, and less likely to become a source of dread.
The Bible says: “Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him to help you do it and He will.” (Psalm 37:5 TLB) I challenge you to begin inviting God into your tasks, no matter how simple or mundane they may be, and watch Him bless the work of your hands, and fill you with His joy!
Lord, I thank You for filling me with Your Holy Spirit, whom You called my “Helper”. (John 14:16 NASB) Teach me how to rely on Your Spirit to strengthen and guide me through all of my work. Guard me from procrastination, and help me to set about my tasks “vigorously”. Give me Your gift of joy for my work so that I can really enjoy it. (Ecclesiastes 5:19 NLT) Today, I choose to commit my work to You, to ask for Your help, and to trust You to equip me with everything I need to succeed!
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Jun 30 25
Believe for Victory
“Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us.” Romans 8:37 NLT
Some time ago, I had a mysterious rash on my legs that baffled me and my doctors. Over a period of months, we worked together to try to discover the cause and the cure. I sought the Lord in earnest prayer the whole time, trusting Him to heal me. Even so, my symptoms grew worse, and I began to lose heart. One day, as I wept and poured out my heart to the Lord, I sensed His voice saying to me, “Believe Me for the victory.” I dug into God’s Word and found some powerful Scriptures on the subject of victory, and I began to declare them day and night. My hope soared, and I was able to stand in faith for the healing that eventually came.
I have discovered that when our circumstances are so alarming or discouraging that it is hard for us to pray or to trust God, we can believe Him for victory, and begin thanking Him for it by faith. We serve a God who is victory-minded. You don’t have to spend very much time in the Scriptures to discover that victory is the Lord’s will for His children in every situation and circumstance. First Corinthians 15:57 (NASB) says, “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This was the first declaration of faith that I began to confess many times a day as I believed God for my healing. Another was, “Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV) Notice the word, “always,” in this verse. This is the Lord’s assurance that no matter how our situation looks, He is willing and able to make a way for us where there seems to be none.
It’s important for us to cooperate with God for the victory by giving our battles over to Him. When I had worn myself out trying to receive my healing that time, it finally dawned on me that I was trying to win the battle in my own strength. I was constantly thinking and talking about my health problems, and trying to figure out what to do about them. I said I was trusting God, but my actions proved otherwise. I finally went to the Lord and told Him – “I’m giving this battle over to You, Lord, and I’m asking You to fight it for me, and to win it on my behalf.” Then I began thanking Him for the victory in advance. It made all the difference. I was able to get on with my life, and to walk in the peace and joy that are my inheritance in Christ, all the while knowing that God was working on my problems. The Bible says: “We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!” (2 Chronicles 32:8 NLT) Whenever we let God do the fighting, we simply can’t lose, because He’s never lost a battle yet.
No matter what kind of difficulty you are facing right now, rest assured that victory is the Lord’s will for you. May this precious promise from His Word encourage your heart today: “Cheer up, don’t be afraid. For the Lord your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty Savior. He will give you victory!” (Zephaniah 3:17 TLB)
Lord, make me victory-minded like You. In every situation I face, show me what I need to do to cooperate with You for the victory. Remind me that if I try to fight my own battles, I will end up weary, worn, and defeated. Thank You that no matter how my situation looks, “overwhelming victory” is mine in Christ! (Romans 8:37 NLT)
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Jun 22 25
Be Respectful, But Protect Yourself
“…Do what is right without being frightened by any fear [that is, being respectful…but not giving in to intimidation, nor allowing yourself to be led into sin, nor to be harmed].” 1 Peter 3:6 AMP
This verse from the Bible tells wives how the Lord wants them to relate to their husbands. As I was studying it in-depth earlier today, the Holy Spirit showed me how applying these principles to ALL of our relationships can make them healthier and more pleasing to God. That would include our relationships with our parents, our children, our siblings, our in-laws, our coworkers, our employers, our friends, and of course, our spouses.
Notice that we are told to do what is right without ANY fear. And then the Scripture goes on to define specifically what that means. “Be respectful…BUT…” And here come some conditions that a lot of us often miss.
“Don’t give in to intimidation.” If someone deliberately tries to bully, browbeat, or threaten us, we are NOT to give in to their intimidation. This kind of manipulation can come in the form of direct threats and ultimatums. Or it can be more subtle when others give us “the silent treatment.”
“Don’t allow yourself to be led into sin.” Some people may do their best to lead us into sin by encouraging us to compromise our Christian values. They are not thinking of what is best for us, but only what feels right to them. They have no respect for God or His Word, and the bottom line is that they have no respect for US.
“Don’t allow yourself to be harmed.” God expects us to establish boundaries that keep the good in, and keep the bad out. It is never God’s will for us to allow others to harm us physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. It is OUR responsibility to be on guard against people who mean us harm.
I encourage you to do some soul-searching today, and to assess your relationships with the help of the Holy Spirit. Regularly consult the Lord about each and every one of your relationships, especially the ones that affect you most. Pray for His wisdom and discernment. Ask Him to give you the strength you need to say ‘no’ to the people and things He wants you to. In God’s sight, being respectful NEVER involves opening yourself up to intimidation, manipulation, or harm. This is why today, I urge you to be respectful, but protect yourself!
Lord, teach me how to have healthy and godly relationships that please and glorify You. Help me to rely on Your Spirit to reject every kind of intimidation, manipulation, and harm. Show me how to resist being led into sin, and guard me from compromising my Christian values. Thank You that as I practice being respectful while protecting myself, You will bless me with divine connections that enrich my life in every way!
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Jun 14 25
Make Sure You are Storm-Proof
“Everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24 NIV
My husband, Joe, and I have been raising pet ducks for more than 25 years, and in all that time, we have learned a lot about their behavior. Because ducks are pretty much at the bottom of the food chain, they are usually very timid and skittish, even with their owners. Yet, when there is a thunderstorm, instead of running and hiding, they will stand at attention and lean into the driving rain. I have heard of big, strong dogs that would cower and run under a bed as soon as they heard thunder. So it never ceases to amaze me that when it is thundering and lightning, my ducks don’t even flinch. On the contrary, they relish every moment of a storm, no matter how hard the rain falls, or how severe the wind blows. Even flood conditions don’t faze my ducks because they are literally waterproof.
I was thinking about all this earlier today, and it brought to mind Jesus’ parable about the wise and foolish builders. “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25 NIV) When we build our foundation – our entire life – on Christ and His Word, and we put His teachings into practice, we will be storm-proof. Satan and his evil cohorts can come against us and attack us from all sides, and we will remain steady and unshaken as we cling to our Savior, His truth, and His promises. We may initially experience some fear and trembling, but as we seek God’s face, and His wisdom and strength, He will sustain and support us, and lead us all the way to victory.
On the other hand, Jesus tells us what is likely to happen to those who haven’t built their lives on the Rock of Christ. “But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” (Matthew 7:26-27 NIV) Those who don’t build their lives on Christ and His teachings will find themselves on shaky ground when the storms come. And all that they had put their hope in will eventually crumble before their very eyes.
It is in a duck’s DNA to be storm-proof, and if you are a follower of Christ, it is in your DNA, too. Cooperate with Him today to make sure that your life is built on solid rock!
Lord, help me to build my foundation – my entire life – on You and Your Word. Empower me to put Your teachings into practice, so that I will remain storm-proof in times of adversity. Guard me from all anxiety, fear, and doubt. Thank You that as I seek Your face, Your wisdom, and Your strength, You will sustain me and support me, and You will lead me all the way to victory!
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Jun 8 25
In Christ, You Qualify!
“Ask, using My name, and you will receive, and your cup of joy will overflow.” John 16:24 TLB
When our washing machine broke down some time ago, my husband, Joe, could tell how upset I was. He knows that I like to do laundry almost every day because I absolutely love clean clothes. Joe called the manufacturer right away, and they set up a service call for us the following Monday. I prayed with all my heart that when the service man came that day, he would be able to fix my machine on the spot, and when he said that he had to order a replacement part, I was deeply disappointed.
The next day, the manufacturer sent us a text message confirming that our part had been ordered, but because of a problem in the supply chain, we could experience an extended waiting time. When I began earnestly praying that the Lord would speed up the arrival of that machine part, fear and doubt began bombarding my mind and thoughts. Why should God speed up your order? Who do you think you are? Lots of people are waiting for that part. You’re no one special. And I became more and more depressed and anxious.
Then, I heard a godly man say that because of my faith in Christ, and my righteousness in God’s sight, I qualify for miracles, breakthroughs, and supernatural provision. Hallelujah! The Holy Spirit reminded me of Jesus’ promise in John 16:24: “Ask, using My name, and you will receive, and your cup of joy will overflow.” I was desperately in need of an overflowing cup of joy right then, so on the basis of God’s Word, I prayed that the Lord would send me the replacement part for my washing machine in record time. And you know what? Within 48 hours, that part arrived at our house, and Joe installed it in a matter of minutes, so that my machine was back in working order in no time at all.
I’m sharing all this with you today to remind you that if you have made Jesus your Savior and Lord, then you are qualified to receive miracles, breakthroughs, and supernatural provision on a regular basis. Remember that the Lord wants you to ask in His name and receive, so that your cup of joy will overflow. Ask Him today in Jesus’ name!
Lord, please remind me often that because of Christ’s work at the Cross, I am the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21) When the enemy tries to discourage or depress me, comfort and strengthen me by Your Spirit. Teach me to declare Your life-giving Word and promises in the face of every adversity. Thank You that as I ask for the desires of my heart in the precious and mighty name of Jesus, my cup of joy will overflow!
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Jun 1 25
God-Given Insight
“His anointing teaches you [giving you insight through the presence of the Holy Spirit] about all things…” 1 John 2:27 AMP
When my husband, Joe, began having some serious lip problems a while back, the Lord showed me almost immediately that they were caused by the toothpaste he was using. At first, my husband was doubtful that the solution was so simple. He asked his doctor about it when he had his regular checkup, but even he couldn’t tell Joe what was causing the problem. All this time, I was praying for Joe’s healing, and for wisdom for both of us. I was certain that the Lord had shown me that the problem was with Joe’s toothpaste, but since he wasn’t convinced, I began doing some research online. I discovered that countless people had experienced some pretty severe side effects from the toothpaste that Joe was using, including burned and peeling lips. Many of these folks described how they had spent hundreds of dollars on doctors, before they finally figured out that it was their toothpaste that was harming them. (God’s wisdom will not only save you misery, but money, too!) When I shared this information with my husband, he finally became convinced that I was right about the source of his problems. He stopped using the offending toothpaste, and his lips made a full recovery.
Scripture tells us: “His anointing teaches you [giving you insight through the presence of the Holy Spirit] about all things…” (1 John 2:27 AMP) Every true Christ follower has the Holy Spirit living in them, and it is His Spirit who gives us “insight” for everyday living. A good definition of this kind of insight is, “a clear, deep, and usually sudden understanding and perception of a situation, subject, or mystery.” This kind of insight goes far beyond deductive reasoning or logic. It is revelation from heaven transmitted to us through the Spirit of God. Some Christians call it a “knowing.” To my husband, it looked as though I had pulled my “diagnosis” of his lip problems out of thin air, but the fact is that the Holy Spirit gave me a “knowing” that his toothpaste was the source of his problems. When you have a medical problem, and your doctors are clueless about how to help you, the Holy Spirit can give you insight into the cause of, and cure for, your problem. This has happened to me and my family many, many times. Perhaps it has happened to you, too.
Christians have been born anew in Christ to live by revelation, not just information or experience. We can still use our brains and common sense, but we are no longer limited to those things. Jesus said: “Everything that the Father has is Mine. That is what I meant when I said that He [the Spirit] will take the things that are Mine and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you.” (John 16:15 AMP) The Lord has an abundance of miracles, blessings, and breakthroughs in store for you. Make sure you ask Him for them today, and in the days ahead!
Lord, please remind me often that Your Holy Spirit dwells in me, and You have anointed me to receive revelation from Heaven for all of my daily needs as I seek You for them. Help me to spend regular time in Your presence and Your Word, so that I will become more sensitive and obedient to Your Spirit’s leading in all things. Thank You that Your insights will not only save me misery, but money, too!
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May 25 25
Hold On No Matter What
“But the seed in the good earth – these are the good-hearts who seize the Word and hold on no matter what, sticking with it until there’s a harvest.” Luke 8:15 MSG
Twenty-nine years ago, my son, John, began taking steps that led to the birth of his website, Jesusfreakhideout.com. He was only 16 years old at the time, and to be honest, I never imagined that his efforts would lead to the creation of one of the first and largest Christian music websites in the world. John had it in his heart to convince as many people as possible – especially his peers – to turn away from ungodly secular music, and to begin listening to music that honored the Lord. As God blessed my son’s efforts, hundreds of people began visiting his site on a daily basis. Hundreds turned into thousands, and today, Jesusfreakhideout.com has reached literally millions of people all around the world.
What few people know is how many times my son wanted so desperately to quit and give up during the last 29 years. John spent long hours working on his site every single day – all through his high school and college years. Often, I would find him up late at night at his computer answering people’s questions about music and the Gospel message. John found himself ministering to site visitors day and night, and the site grew so large, and became so popular, that he had to find a sizable staff of volunteers to help him. Even today, John dedicates countless hours to his online ministry on a regular basis, even though he is married and has a son of his own.
Often, when I think of John and his ministry, I think of Jesus’ words from the Message Bible in Luke 8:15: “But the seed in the good earth – these are the good-hearts who seize the Word and hold on no matter what, sticking with it until there’s a harvest.” Those 29 years ago, John got a word from the Lord about starting his online music ministry, and when Satan and his evil forces came against him on a regular basis – trying their best to get him to quit – my son kept on “holding on” to his God-given vision. If he hadn’t determined to “stick with it” all these years, he would never have been able to reap the “huge harvest” that he is reaping today. (NLT) And he would have missed out on touching all of the lives that the Lord has enabled him to touch.
Maybe you have received a word from God yourself, and you have been tempted to let it go. If so, you are not reading this message by accident. The Lord wants you to think about my son’s example, and consider what you could be forfeiting if you give up on your God-given vision now. Today, I urge you to lay hold of the Lord’s call on your life, and hold on no matter what!
Lord, help me to cooperate with You every moment of every day so that I can fulfill my God-given purpose and potential. Give me a vision for my life, and enable me to follow it with all my heart. When I am tempted to go my own way, or to give up and quit, remind me of what it can cost me. Thank You that as I cling to You and Your promises, I will reap the huge harvest that You have in store for me!
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May 18 25
Don’t Hide Your Light!
“So don’t hide your light! Let it shine brightly before others, so that the commendable things you do will shine as light upon them, and then they will give their praise to your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 TPT
The world is getting darker. What was wrong is now right. And what was right is now wrong. This world needs Christ more than ever before. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12) But as followers of His, sometimes we forget that He also said, “YOU are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14) He goes on to say: “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16 ESV) I especially like the way the Passion Translation above says, “Don’t hide your light!”
How do we hide our light? We live like everyone else does. We blend in, instead of standing out. We compromise. We talk like the world. We go to the same places that worldly people go to. We watch the same entertainment. When sinners are loud and demanding, we stay silent. We cower in the face of threats from lawless people. We remain inactive as evil marches on. As we watch in horror as Satan and his dark forces take more and more ground, we wonder why God isn’t intervening. Are we waiting on Him, or is He waiting on us?
During a very dark time centuries ago, Isaiah wrote: “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and His glory appears over you.” (Isaiah 60:1-2 NIV) I believe this is a word for all of God’s people today, in the midst of the thick darkness that is covering this earth and its people. It’s our time to shine – to stand out, to stand up, to speak up, and to show ourselves to be the soldiers for Christ that we need to be – right here, right now. Scripture says: “You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them.” (Philippians 2:15 NLT) In other words, “Don’t hide your light!”
Lord, remind me often that I am the light of the world, and that You have equipped me with Your Spirit to let my light shine in front of others wherever I go. Help me to feed on Your Word on a regular basis, so that I will become strong in spirit, and be more resistant to sin. Thank You that as I refuse to compromise with evil in all of its forms, others will praise You because of me!
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May 10 25
