Faith Journey Blog

 Lord, As we go about our day, we know the evil one lurks at every corner. He is trying to get us to believe lies. To think about ourselves above others. To worry about finances, clothes, how we look, food, and other worldly things. He is trying to pull us away from You, the one true God. As we go about our day, help us to think about and put on the full armor of God. Help us defend against the enemy not with force but with truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation. Only then can we come on the offensive with the sword of the spirit - your Word.  Help us to keep these at the forefront today, Lord: Belt of Truth – Knowing and standing firm in Your truth. Breastplate of Righteousness – Living in obedience to You. Shoes of the Gospel of Peace – Being grounded in the true gospel. Shield of Faith – Trusting in Your promises to resist doubt and lies. Helmet of Salvation – Securing our minds in the assurance of salvation. Sword of the Spirit – Using Your Word to combat lies. ...

Warnings Against Deception Matthew 24:4-5  – “Jesus answered: ‘Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, “I am the Messiah,” and will deceive many.’” 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 – “For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” Colossians 2:8  – “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” 1 Timothy 4:1  – “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” 2 Timothy 3:13  – “While evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” Truth as the ...

Following Jesus - Original Post Speak Truth with Love Jesus always spoke truth, but He did so with grace and love. Ephesians 4:15 – “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” Abide by being honest and truthful, but also kind and compassionate in how we communicate. Live with Purpose and Mission Jesus was intentional in everything He did, always focused on His mission. Luke 19:10 – “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Abide by seeking God’s purpose for our life and living each day with intention and focus. Be a Peacemaker Jesus sought peace and reconciliation rather than conflict. Matthew 5:9 – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Abide by working to bring peace in our relationships and helping to resolve conflicts in a Christ-like way. Show Patience and Self-Control Jesus remained patient even in difficult situations, such as when His discip...

Lord Jesus, Thank You for being the perfect example of love, humility, and faithfulness. Help me to walk in Your footsteps, to love like You, serve with humility, pray with sincerity, and trust God in all things. Give me a heart that seeks truth, a spirit that pursues peace, and hands that reach out to those in need. Strengthen me to resist temptation, to forgive as You forgive, and to live with gratitude and purpose. Holy Spirit, guide me daily so that my thoughts, words, and actions reflect Jesus in all I do. May my life bring glory to You. Amen Jesus Lived with Humility Jesus humbled Himself, even though He was God, and served others. Philippians 2:5-7 – “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant…” Abide by putting others before ourselves, serving with a humble heart...

From Examination of Conscience :  Relied on myself instead of God  Impatience, intolerance, judgement  Holding others to impossible standards  Not pointing the finger back at myself  Treating others as an annoyance or an interruption  Supposed to bring unity and build up the Kingdom… yet I am cynical or negative, undermine others through gossip or focusing on their faults  Bringing division rather than unity  React in hostility or anger  Give free reign to anger, lust or attractions  Listen to stories, view images, programs or movies that are not life-giving  Lying to cover faults, failures, or mistakes  Lie to avoid conflict or enhance my reputation  For being passive  Not stopping to say “thank you” enough  Taking the love of God for granted  Neglecting prayer  Taking for granted how blessed I am  Failing to have concern for the sick, lonely, hungry, or suffering  Others:  Wanting to ho...

"When we think about sin, we usually think about bad things. But sin is also taking that which is good, and turning it into a god. We are all tempted to worship things that are created, rather than the Creator.”  ~ David Platt (Credit for image unknown)

Heavenly Father, I come before You with a heavy heart, lifting up [the greiving] as they walk through this painful time of watching their dear family friend approach the end of their earthly journey. Lord, You are the God of all comfort, and I ask that You surround them with Your peace, strength, and love. Hold them close as they grieve, reminding them that You are near to the brokenhearted. I also pray for [the sick], who is preparing to step into eternity with You. Thank You for the faith they have in You, Lord, and for the hope of salvation through Jesus Christ. May they feel Your presence in these final days, knowing that they are not alone. Ease their pain, calm their spirit, and fill their heart with the assurance of Your love and the promise of eternal life. Lord, be with all who love him. Bring them peace, strength, and precious moments of comfort in these final days. Let Your presence be known in ways that bring healing to the heart, even in sorrow. In Jesus' name, I pray....

This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. ~‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭12‬-‭15‬ Love—The greatest commandment, the deepest calling Love—Not merely an emotion, but a sacred and holy action. Love—To glorify God and serve one another in His name. Love—To lay down one’s life as Christ did for us. Love. Such a simple word, yet the most profound calling. What is true, Godly love? Can I truly receive it—accept it in its fullness? Can I pour it out—extend it unconditionally? Love that demands complete agreement is not love. It is control. It is manipulation. It is often fueled by fear, not faith. Christ’s love does not coerce; it invites. It does not dominate; it serves. So how do we walk in love, offering gra...

John 15:12 - This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. Pure love, true and unwavering, is something beyond human comprehension, for it flows only from our God and our Savior, Jesus. No earthly love can compare, for we, as fallen people, carry the weight of our own brokenness and sin.  From the beginning, my life has been marked by the imperfections of human love. My bio-dad left when I was just six months old, leaving my mother to struggle with the depths of postpartum depression. She returned to her parents’ home, taking my brother and me in the midst of her pain. Love was uncertain, conditional, fragile. Then came my stepfather, a good man in every earthly sense. And yet, when it comes to love, I am not sure there was ever a language I could recognize. Perhaps it was there, unspoken, unseen. But my heart yearned for something deeper, something more. Years passed, and life became a series of fractured relationships—estranged stepchildren, the hearta...

After a weekend spent in sacred silence with God, returning to the world can feel almost disorienting. In those quiet moments, we set aside distractions, withdraw from the noise, and immerse ourselves in His presence. But what does that time truly change within us? How does it shape the way we live, the way we see others, and the way we love? Each soul who embarks on such a retreat experiences transformation in a unique way, yet for me, the impact is undeniable. To rest in the awareness of God’s immense love for me is to recognize that He has poured that same love into each person He has created —every soul across time, past and present. His longing for relationship is not reserved for a select few but extends to all. As I reflect on my own sinfulness, I am humbled by the truth that we are all sinners, wholly dependent on His mercy . And when I seek His forgiveness, I find my heart expanding with the desire for the same mercy to be poured out upon all of humanity. How could I wish othe...

The forces of darkness, embodied in Screwtape and Wormwood, are ever at work, seeking to turn our hearts away from the boundless love of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. They know our weaknesses and craft their deceptions carefully, attempting to cloud our vision of His supreme love. They lure us toward earthly affections and idols, knowing that these things—though they may seem fulfilling for a time—will ultimately falter, leaving us wounded and disheartened. When we experience the pain of betrayal, the sorrow of loss, or the grief of a loved one’s passing, the enemy whispers lies, tempting us to associate our suffering with our relationship with our Father. Yet, in truth, His love is steadfast, unshaken by the brokenness of this world. He does not abandon us in our pain, nor does He waver in His devotion. When we stray, He calls us back. When we falter, His arms remain open. His mercy is unending, and His grace is sufficient for every sorrow. Let us never forget the pow...