Nothing has torn down my illusion of control 

like my strong-willed, four year old boy.

Nothing has exposed my deep desire

to control all things like my marriage. 

Nothing has made me surrender like watching my stepdad battle cancer. 

You see, unforeseen circumstances have a way of testing our surrender. They sharpen our senses, open our eyes, and give perspective. 

I’ve learned through these things 

a tough, but freeing truth:

I’m not in control, but I do have a role. 

And all the fixers, control-freaks, and 

people-pleasers said AMEN 🙌🏼

“I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭10‬:‭23‬ ‭

“You can make many plans, but 

the Lord’s purpose will prevail.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭19‬:‭21‬ ‭

Our role isn’t to control. 

It’s not to carry the whole burden, fix every problem, heal everybody, or do everything. 

Our role is to honor the One in control. 

To move over and let Him move. 

To worship and watch Him work. 

To fight in prayer and follow. 

I cannot control my son’s behavior,

but God has a plan for His life. 

My role is to love and lead. 

I cannot control my entire marriage,

but God has a plan for us. 

My role is to love and honor. 

I cannot control my stepdad’s health,

but God has a plan for Him. 

My role is to pray and support. 

When we remember Who IS in control

and recognize our role, things happen. 

Freedom seeps in.

Joy is restored. 

Peace is found. 

Lives are changed. 

If I’ve learned one thing while working on a marriage and raising a wild child, it’s this:

GOD IS GOOD AT BEING GOD. 

This week, I challenge you:

Relinquish control and reassess your role.

In my current season of life I’m preparing for a marriage. I’m freshly engaged and very excited for the next phase of life. But my partner and I weren’t committed to the Lord though, we wouldn’t be where we are right now. 

We have to invite God into every single aspect of our lives. Because if we didn’t then we would be fixing our own problems, problem after problem on our own and not the Lord’s way. 

And we all have problems, don’t lie, Jesus knows. 

Life can be hard, I know. But it’s easier when we recognize the absence of Jesus, and fill it with only Jesus. 

When we realize that every problem that arises in life is because of the absence of Jesus in your life we can start to mend and heal what is broken. This is only by God’s doing, not your own. 

All it takes from us is obedience to the Father, and allowing Him to take full control of our lives. 

When we devote everything to the Lord we can start to fully experience the joy and freedom the Lord can bring. 

Anything that feels empty or broken that you might be avoiding, or filling with the things of the world, I encourage you to just give it to God. 

Find where you are letting Him be absent in your life, and let Him be fully present. 

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:11

Do you feel like you are in a constant battle? What is the first thing you think of when asked this? I bet it wasn’t hard to come up with something. We live in a world full of troubles that can come from every direction on a daily basis. I think we begin to believe these battles are from a physical standpoint. We think attacks come from people and things of this world, but they don’t.

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

We have a true adversary that wants to destroy our faith, cause division among God’s people, and do anything he can to stop our influence for God. He is the great deceiver. 

Because of the fall of Adam and Eve, we have inherited a sin nature which can make it easy for us to fall into his traps. He wants us to believe our battles are with each other by using people to hurt each other. 

When we attack fellow believers we are completely out of the will of God!  He wants us to doubt God’s grace in our lives. He wants our focus to be on our sufferings and the persecutions we may face. He wants us to be weak and feel alone, cut off from other believers and to doubt our faith.

“Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:9

We need to remember during our times of sufferings we need our fellow believers in the faith. We have to learn to let offenses go. God does not want us battling each other but to stand with each other in faith. He wants us to defend and strengthen each other. We need to walk in joy and confidence that we know God has won any battle we face. Yes, God is our Defender, not against each other as fellow believers, but against the darkness of the world. We are to stand together to be strong when others are weak. Let’s do our best to be the army of God that He has called us to be.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

“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!