“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7

Since giving my life to the Lord, prayer has been the biggest part of my walk with Christ. This is how I first felt God’s undeniable presence. I was struggling with some challenges in my life and decided I needed to reach out to the Lord. I asked him for guidance and wisdom to help me figure out what direction I needed to follow. As soon as I said amen I heard an answer. It was unlike anything I had felt before. I knew it had to be the Lord.

Often I feel selfish when praying for myself. There are so many things I feel I should be praying for other things than what I need. There are also times that I just have no idea what I should be praying about. I have to remind myself that prayer isn’t only for things that you or other people need but is a way to grow closer to our Heavenly Father. 

 

In Jeremiah 29:12 the Lord says, “Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.” Our God wants a personal relationship with us. I have seen this firsthand. Now when I don’t know what to pray about I just simply talk to him with no requests. The Lord is always here willing to help, but sometimes we only pray to him when we need help. We should always do this, but even when our lives seem perfect we should always have a conversation with him in prayer. 

 

Bedside nursing is one of the hardest jobs there is. 12 hour shifts, you’re understaffed, burnt out, underpaid, and under appreciated. 

If you’re a nurse, you know exactly what I mean. I think I could write a book about all the crazy things that have happened, and I’m only a year in! 

Somedays I wish I didn’t have to go into the hospital at all. I’d much rather be working my dream job. Can’t time just hurry up so I can be there already? Let’s be real, this job isn’t the dream. But then I remember, this is where He has placed me. God put me here for a reason. I am a bedside nurse now for a reason. He gave me the patients I have for the day for a reason.

Being a new mom, I am beginning to really understand the value of being present. Taking in and soaking up each moment I get with my little one. 

“Be still and know that I am God…” Psalm 46:10. When I look at this verse I used to think “am I supposed to just literally and physically sit here and listen for his instruction?” When He says “be still”, what I think He means is to be still internally. He means to be patient and have peace in knowing that everything works itself out for our good. 

I know it is hard to shift the way we think, especially when our habits of worrying are deeply rooted. But we’ll never truly grow or have an encounter with God until we let go of the anxious need to know and control everything. 

Stop worrying! We need to be confident in our God. He is faithful to us. Be confident that God is with us and makes our path. We must live each day presently, grateful for the little moments. Grateful for where he places us. Be still in your heart and enjoy the journey that God has laid out for you.

Be thankful, have faith, and be present. Be still, and know that He is in control.

Proverbs 19:21
“Many are the plans in a persons heart, but it is the Lords purpose that prevails”

Often times I find myself planning out my whole entire life and panicking when things start to go another way than what I was expecting. I tend to worry about things that haven’t even happened yet and let these possible scenarios consume my thoughts.

It is so important to let go of the things that stick in our minds and let God take control of our thoughts and our actions. No matter how much we try to plan, our lives are in Gods hands. He has your life perfectly crafted in his image and our job is to leave him in control.

Even when it doesn’t seem like it, Gods plans are always for your good. He knows exactly what he’s doing. Allow him to take the lead and guide you to where you are supposed to be. Let go & Let God.

It is so easy to analyze, talk with our neighbor, and drag on the problems of this world, but we need people to act. People who decide to stop talking about it, and do something about it. It’s time to rise up, Christian. 

Nehemiah 2: 2-3 –

“So the King asked me, “Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.” Then I was terrified, but I replied, “Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in the ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” 

In this scripture Nehemiah was concerned, and heart broken of the actions recently accomplished by the world around him. He began praying to the Lord if it was his will for him to go into the city to help rebuild the wall destroyed by the fire then send him and he will go. 

I share this today because I know we can relate to Nehemiah. I know we can relate about the gut wrenching events that happen around us daily. Even the things in our work atmosphere or things our children/family are facing. This world is desperate need of a Savior. What are we going to do about it? Can we fix it all? Probably not. But we can respond to what the Lord is calling us to do. (Matthew 28:19) I want to encourage you to RISE UP. Do something about it. The Godly way. Be the example. Be the prayer warrior someone needs. Be the one that presses on in this world to make disciples. Say yes to Christ, and watch how He will use you. 

I am thankful Nehemiah and his followers accomplished rebuilding the wall after realizing what God had called them to do. What a beautiful example of how a messy situation can be turned into something beautiful for the kingdom of God. Although it wasn’t easy for them, they pressed on. You don’t have to rebuild a wall to do the will of God. But It is your job to do what the Lord has called you to do. Be willing, and be obedient. Return the wrong of this world with good. Start today. 

It’s time to rise up, Christian. To rise up for what’s good. To rise up for what’s right. Let’s choose to do that today! You can. 

Philippians 4:13 – 

“I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.”

In February 2023 I was at my lowest. I was fired from my job that I hated, and I was so far from God. I didn’t know what to do. 

I went to work in the plant because I didn’t want to go to college. I just wanted a job to one day provide for a family. I knew God, but I was living life my way – I needed to answer his call. 

The night I was fired I felt hopeless. God put it on my heart to open His word. I opened to a random page in the middle and stumbled on Psalms 20:4, “May He give you what your heart desires, and fulfill your whole purpose”.

God was waiting for me to answer His call. Shortly after, I was hired at Chick-Fil-A Crosby. At first I thought it was an in-between  job, but I’m currently in charge of training, and every day at work I have an opportunity to spread God’s love. 

I met my now fiancé, joined a great church family at Second Baytown, started serving in student ministry, and have grown so much closer to God. 

Thank you God for waiting for me, and showing me your love everywhere I look. 

At some point we will all need direction, and the best way to find it is in God.

Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek first the kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

If your heart is on the Lord, and you live to serve Him, He will provide. Seek the Lord in everything you do. He is good, and He is faithful. If you are in the same boat I was when I was feeling hopeless, I’m living proof of a loving God. Turn to His word, not the world, and He will fulfill your heart. 

Keeping Moving Forward in Faith by Erikka Walker

I’ve always had an awareness of who God is. Being introduced to Him at an early age had made an impression on me. However, I struggled to feel included in activities centered around the church, whether that was going to camp, serving in Vacation Bible School, or just focusing on the sermon. This caused an internal struggle and I came to a point where I felt forced to attend instead of a willingness to participate.

As I got older and life happened and the stresses of adulthood and expectation of culture weighed in, I veered off, becoming less focused on my faith and church and more focused on the opinions of others and a drive for success that was fruitless in what matters. My faith took a back seat. Again though, and I know this now, that the Holy Spirit would reveal to me that God was still there with me, because of certain occurrences that would happen in my life, protecting me from harm, whether physically or psychologically, or people I would cross paths with, or sermons I would hear.

When reading the book of Job, I read of the hardship he faced and struggles that he went through, but because he knew who God is, he kept his faith in God and was given even more in the end (Job 42:7-16) Moses doubted himself when God called him to free His people, but Moses faith in God allowed him to find strength and bravery through God and free thousands from slavery and oppression (Exodus 14:26-31). Esther was a Jewish woman who, even through challenging circumstances and struggling with cultural affluence, pushed through with hope and eventually saved the Jewish people (Esther 8:15-17). They all discovered their purpose by staying rooted in their faith in God.

Even though I experienced struggles and doubts, I reflect on the fact that I was blessed with having that seed initially planted, of originally being rooted in it as a child. Thanks Mom and Dad. I never fully left my faith but now it is stronger than I ever thought possible, with serving in a beautiful church (with people who are like family and bring me joy when I’m in their presence), being able to write lesson plans and teach the children there, co-leading a small group in my home, and sharing my faith unequivocally with others who doubt His existence or who wrestle with or just need a direction pointed in figuring out their journey with Christ. And even though I get discouraged at times, from any thought of where I should be in life right now to health concerns that have shadowed me over the past few years, I continue to push through with the promises He made me, and I seek Him continuously and find joy in Him; that I’m intentional about my time with spent with Him and His purpose for my life, because of faith. Jesus states in Matthew 17: 20-21, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” I keep His words in my mind throughout my day, and so should you. Holding on can sprout so many possibilities. Stay strong and stay firm. Jesus is with you wherever you go (Matthew 28:20)

Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings!

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭61‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ 

Recently, I placed a card someone had given me into my Bible, and little did I know then that what I thought was a random placement would lead to a teaching moment from God. A few years ago, our family endured a very difficult time. It was a time of feeling betrayed, a time of financial difficulty, a time of loss, a time of feeling very much like the psalmist when he said, “My heart is faint.” Throughout that time, we did call out to God, and He didn’t leave us or forsake us. He was absolutely faithful. However, very recently, a situation sparked the memory of that time, and I allowed that memory to bring me to a place of rekindled anger and reopening of wounds. I allowed myself to get all in my feelings, and they weren’t good feelings either. When I grabbed my Bible at this time of rekindled anger and hurt, it opened to the place where that card was “randomly placed”. Immediately, I was drawn to where I had highlighted Psalm 61:1-2. I had circled the word “lead” and written “continually conduct me”. I don’t know where I heard that, but God definitely used it to humble me and remind me to be on guard. You see, if I had been on guard, continually allowing God to conduct my thoughts, I likely would not have returned to those feelings of anger, hurt, betrayal. Feelings that led me to thoughts of what I’d like to say or do, things that would not have been of God. 

These verses reminded me that we must be continually following God’s lead at all times. The psalmist was certainly in a difficult time and was rightfully asking for God to lead Him to protection, which is a proper response in those times. My thoughts, though, took me to a self inspection of what it would be like if I continually asked for God to lead me, to be my guide, to be my shelter. Continually following Him would lead me to dwell, not just visit, but to actually dwell or abide in His presence. His presence protects me from getting all in my feelings and allowing the reopening of wounds that He has healed. The enemy uses feelings to get us to stray off the path of following God, to live defeated. We cannot let those feelings dominate. We combat that by allowing God to lead, continually conduct, us, so we can then know the salvation and peace found only in abiding in His presence. Rather than being all in our feelings, let’s be all in our God!

I worked myself into a pure tizzy yesterday, and I mean a pure d tizzy. 

You know what happened after the aforementioned situation was all said and done? 

Nothing. 

Nothing that I worried about that’s for sure. The situation actually ended up better than I could have ever imagined. 

After it was all said and done I said to myself, “Self, you really need to get a grip.”

A grip on God that is – cause He certainly has a grip on us. 

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”. Philippians 4:6-7

Every school year, my 9th grade English classes participate in a Personal Narrative Essay unit as a standard part of the curriculum.  I like to teach this unit at the beginning of the school year because I gain a little insight into the inner workings of my kiddos when I read their completed essays. They brainstorm about events in their life that have made a significant impact, and then they describe the impact in detail in the last paragraph of their paper.  The stories can range from something as simple as getting hit in the face with a football to a family falling apart.  I laugh.  I cry.  But I thank God for each student placed in my care for the school year and their willingness to share something personal with me in these assignments.

Every year, before we begin the writing process, I share a personal story with them.  I usually share the story of the West Brook bus accident that occurred in 2006 and how it significantly impacted my own life.  I share with them that I accepted Christ as my personal Lord and Savior when I was 12 years old, but that I didn’t start acting like it until I was 27 and didn’t die in a bus accident.  I go on to tell them some details about my teenage years and early twenties that reveal to my students some of the incredibly bad choices I made during those years of my life.  I end up letting them know that I believe God spoke to me after the tragic day of the accident and said, “I’m not done with you yet.  You have a job to do.”  And then I tell them that I didn’t feel worthy to do a job for God–not after all the mistakes I’ve made in my life.  No way!  He couldn’t use ME!  I’ve made too many mistakes!

Oh, but friends, He did!  It doesn’t matter how many mistakes you have made, or how many times you think you are to a point where God can no longer use you for His kingdom.  The Bible illustrates how God uses flawed individuals to accomplish His purposes, emphasizing that perfection is not required for God to work through someone. Figures like Noah, Moses, and Saul demonstrate this truth.

Noah, despite his faithfulness in building the ark (Genesis 6) and leading his family through the flood, fell into sin through drunkenness (Genesis 9:20-21). However, his legacy remains one of remarkable faith (Hebrews 11:7). Moses, despite his initial reluctance and past mistakes, such as murder (Exodus 2:12), was chosen by God to lead Israel out of Egypt. His endurance and commitment to God’s plan are highlighted in Hebrews 11:25, where it is said that Moses chose to suffer with God’s people rather than enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. Saul, who persecuted Christians, was dramatically transformed after encountering Christ on the road to Damascus. He became Paul, a devoted apostle who endured great hardships for the sake of the Gospel (Acts 26:9-11). His story reminds us that God can redeem and repurpose anyone, regardless of their past.

Ephesians 1:7 underscores the message of redemption, stating that through Christ’s sacrifice, we receive forgiveness and grace. Similarly, Paul’s reflection in 1 Corinthians 15:9-11 highlights that God’s grace can transform even the least worthy into powerful instruments for His glory.

Be encouraged today that God wants you to share your own personal narrative with people because He delights in using imperfect people for His purposes, offering hope that He can use anyone willing to humble themselves and embrace His grace. 

I’m in what many call, “the best years of life.” My friends are all getting engaged and planning their weddings, pumpkin spice is back on the racks, I’m close to graduating college, and the world is still “my oyster.” I have the fearful excitement of figuring out my future career, my village of people, and the places, states, and areas that will be involved in my story.

While I see this time mostly as joyful and fun, I can’t dismiss God’s timing in orchestrating my steps in the plan He has for me. 

These impending life changes have been the purpose behind a good amount of prayers. Most of these have gone unanswered, and that’s okay – I know He’s working for my good and is withholding these answers for a reason. Yet, there’s one prayer He’s answered, and it was with this:

 “In due time.”

Imagine spilling your heart out to God and this is what you’re answered with. Three little words, the largest consisting of four letters, and all you can think is, “umm, I’m sorry…what? What does that even mean?” 

If you thought this, you and I are brain twins! This was my response! I was confused and had no idea what God was trying to get through my thick head, so I went to His Word to clear up my confusion (works every time;)). 

I found this phrase in Galatians 6:9, which says, “Let us not lose heart, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” The ESV puts it this way, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

After I read the verse, those three words didn’t feel so small anymore. 

I don’t know what you’re going through, I don’t know what season you’re in. I don’t know what prayers you’re praying or challenges you’re facing. What I do know is this: 

• God is good, seasons change, and we are to keep on keeping on.

Don’t grow weary in doing good, don’t grow tired of having faith in the “unanswered” moments. 

Don’t grow weary of sticking with the Word in an anti-Word world. Let your future self thank you for preserving through the tough times. You got it, and God’s got you! 

Now treat yourself to a cookie – you deserve it:))