Dr. Seuss once wrote, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
I’ve always loved that quote, but lately it hits a little deeper. College can be a loud place – everyone has an opinion, a cause, a crowd. It’s easy to shrink back, to stay quiet, because standing up feels risky. What if people roll their eyes? What if you lose friends? What if you say the wrong thing?
But here’s the truth: God didn’t call us to blend in. He called us to stand up even when it’s uncomfortable, even when our knees shake.
In Joshua 1:9, God says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
That’s not a casual suggestion – it’s a command. When we feel the urge to stay silent out of fear, God reminds us: courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s choosing faith in the middle of it.
Sometimes standing up looks like defending someone who’s being left out. Sometimes it’s speaking truth when gossip spreads. Sometimes it’s saying, “Actually, I believe in Jesus,” even when you know people might laugh.
In Galatians 6:9, we’re told, “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” You may not see the results right away but your courage plants seeds. Seeds of hope. Seeds of light. Seeds that say, “Someone cared a whole awful lot.”
And maybe that’s what our generation needs people, who care a whole awful lot. People who love boldly, speak truth with grace, and stand firm in a world that sways with every new trend.
If you’ve ever felt like your voice doesn’t matter, remember: God uses the willing, not the perfect. He used Moses, who doubted his words. He used Esther, who risked everything. He can use you right where you are, with what you have.
So today, be that “someone.” Stand up when it’s scary. Speak when it’s easier to stay quiet. Shine when the world says to dim down.
Because unless someone like you does, maybe nothing will get better. But with God and your courage everything can. 💛
As we enter a new month and a new season I want to encourage you to put your focus entirely on God, our Rock!
I’m almost positive each one of us can say this year has been full of many obstacles, distractions, heartaches, and pains. To be honest it is hard to live day to day without something coming against us or hearing of something tragic. I just want to remind you today, no matter what you may be facing, that God is with you. He has authority over everything. He promises to be with us, but he doesn’t promise that it will always be easy.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
God gives us the ability by faith to live above the struggles of this life. We can have peace in tribulation because we have the promise of eternal life. Jesus does not abandon us in our troubles. Our faith grows with each trial or tribulation we face. We can always look back and see what the Lord did for us. He either walks with us through the fire or removes it completely.
I want to remind you that we are set apart. We are called and chosen by God to mirror His holiness. Being chosen by God means that we should focus on our kingdom work over any temporary troubles of this life. This doesn’t mean we don’t hurt and feel the pain, but that we walk in faith knowing that it will grow us and bring glory to God.
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. “ Romans 5:3-5
I pray in this new month and this new season, no matter what it brings, that your faith will be strong and unmovable. I encourage you to praise God in each new day and know that He will protect and provide for you. Find joy in knowing that we are secured in God’s love and he gives us new mercies everyday. He is the rock of our salvation!
“The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be my God, the Rock, my Savior! He is the God who avenges me, who puts the nations under me, who sets me free from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from a violent man you rescued me. Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name.” 2 Samuel 22:47-50
Just as David praised God wholeheartedly, so should we!
God uniquely created us in His image as ambassadors to further His kingdom. In the fallen world we live in, not everyone answers this high calling. As Christians, everything we do is an opportunity to walk in the good works God has prepared for us.
We are designed with intention. Our personalities, gifts, and passions are all woven together to distinguish us as individuals. We have been given various strengths and skills that can be used to reflect the greatness of Jesus. Leaning into our God-given abilities and using them for His good can be such a powerful testimony to those around us.
The Lord equips us as we step into obedience to Him. Tune in to the Holy Spirit and consider the opportunities God has laid before you. Whether it be a life-altering change or telling someone about Jesus through your words or actions, God is using you. Rest in the truth that God will sustain you if He has called you to it!
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
Matthew 6:31-34 (NASB95) 31 “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Seek first His kingdom.
Seek Him first…worry less. Worry is a lack of faith. Instead of fretting over our circumstances, give our worries to the Lord. We need to exchange our burden for His.
We can rest, y’all.
Our God is bigger than any of our circumstances. It doesn’t mean that we won’t have struggles…
Each day’s trouble must answer to the authority of God.
His Kingdom…His will. Seek first His kingdom. Not our will. Not what we desire.
We can trust Him. He is faithful. He has a plan.
Hebrews 13:8 (NASB95) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Though our world is ever-changing, the Lord remains steadfast. It feels like America has lost our mind.
The Lord knows what each day holds for us. He isn’t just standing back and watching us. He walks with us. He is here.
Seek first His kingdom.
Not my desires. Not what I want to happen today. Seek His will for my life. He will open the doors.
My prayer over the summer was that I wanted to be where He wants me. It may not look like anything I had envisioned. Seriously — I’m a high school teacher in a 3rd grade classroom and coaching middle school volleyball….neither of those were ever on my radar. But God…oh He had plans that I couldn’t see. A diagnosis that was not even on anyone’s radar when I resigned the job I have loved. Still no diagnosis when I turned down two other positions.
But the Lord knew what was ahead. He had all things aligned. Seek first His kingdom.
His purpose for our lives is unchanging. Our purpose is to know Him and make Him known.
Love God. Love people. Seek His kingdom first. He will put everything else in line.
The first mention of spiritual warfare in the Bible is not in the New Testament as most would assume but in the book of Genesis with Adam and Eve. In the Garden of Eden, we get a picture of the nature of the relationship between God and man. The serpent’s purpose was not to have the man and woman eat the fruit and therefore know the difference between good and evil. Its purpose was to separate man from God. Notice the serpent never tried to convince Eve to eat the fruit. It only caused Eve to question what God said and God’s motives. It caused her to question the very nature of God.
The enemy knows we are easily distracted, and it was even easier to distract Eve, because she had only secondhand knowledge of what God had said concerning the tree. This is why it is so important for us to intimately know God and His word for ourselves and not just depend on what our pastor preaches on Sunday morning.
Eve was even able to take what the serpent said and put a positive spin on it. (Gen 3:6) “She saw that it was good for food AND pleasing to the eye AND desirable for gaining wisdom.” She should have never taken that second glance at the tree, but because she did, she was able to meditate on it and second guess what God said. She was able to justify in her own mind what she was about to do. Remember that just because we think something is good doesn’t mean it’s God or that He approves of it. We tend to think of God’s rules as too restricting, but when you look at all of those “rules,” you can see that they are all there to protect us. He didn’t make those rules or give us those commands to suppress the fun we want to have on Earth, but He put those rules in place for our own protection.
Let it be said that it will NEVER be required of us to break the laws of God in order to receive the things of God. The voice of God will never contradict the Word of God.
So, the purpose of spiritual warfare is to separate us from God by questioning what He said and who He is. This is how to recognize spiritual warfare in your personal life, because not every hardship is spiritual. Sometimes it’s just life, and sometimes we’re just facing the consequences of our own decisions. Now that you know the goal of the enemy in spiritual warfare, what does that tell us we should be fighting for? Do we even know why we are fighting, for what purpose? Or are we just beating the air aimlessly? If the enemy’s goal is separation from the Father, our goal should be connection with the Father.
How do we combat this? We should go into every battle prepared with the full armor of God. (You didn’t think we could have a conversation about warfare and not talk about armor, did you?)
In Ephesians 6:11, it says to put on the full armor of God not from God. This would imply that the armor is part of the very essence of God Himself and not just a gift that He hands over to us. Verse 13 says, “…so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground.” Remember that the enemy’s purpose is to separate us from God. This armor serves to help us hold our position.
The Armor of God
A. The Belt of Truth
Roman soldiers were identified by their belts even when they weren’t in full armor. They used their belts as a way for the general public to recognize them even when they weren’t in full uniform. So much so, that removing the belt was used as discipline and humiliation. The truth that we wrap ourselves in is what makes us identifiable to others, namely our enemy. The sword is attached to the soldier via the belt, and the Romans would add flashy buckles and things to the belt so that they could be identified even without being seen based on the sound of the things attached to their belt. What we allow to be attached to us via the truth we partner with creates a sound. What sounds are we carrying? What you carry affects how you walk. In fact, for Roman soldiers, their belt was designed so that when they were carrying their sword they were unable to sit. What they carried affected their posture!
B. Breastplate of Righteousness
The breastplate protects vital organs from attacks, specifically the heart. The Biblical definition of righteousness is the state of being right with God, the standard against which all things are measured. The Greek word for righteousness means equity of character. Interesting that that it is the equity of our character that will protect us. The breastplate needs to be solid and made of the right material in order to effectively protect. It is the same for our character. The Bible teaches us that the heart is deceitful, so we must be sure that our right standing with God and our character is effective in protecting it.
C. Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
It is much easier to fight a battle where the enemy is a distance away, but when the enemy is close and the battle turns into hand-to-hand combat, your foundation matters. Your foundation determines your ability to stand or move. I don’t find it ironic at all that we are told our foundation in any battle should be peace. How is it possible to have peace in the middle of war? When the enemy is throwing death blows at you, how can you have peace?
When I was in boot camp for the army, one of the first things they did with us was teach how to put on our PPE, personal protective equipment. Then they took us into a room while wearing our gas mask. They told us that even though we couldn’t tell it at that moment, tear gas had been released in the room. We just didn’t know, because we had on our mask. They then had us unseal the mask and lift it for three seconds and then reseal it. This was to give us a small taste of the tear gas. They then had us completely remove the mask and answer questions for a few minutes before allowing us to leave. After walking out of the room, they gave us a short period to recover. Why did they do this? To teach us to trust that our equipment was going to do what it was built to do. What does this have to do with the shoes of the gospel of peace? We are able to have peace in the midst of our battles when we have walked with the Lord through other battles. He lovingly and faithfully allows us to go through things not to hurt us but to teach us that we can trust Him. The enemy wants to remove your peace, because fear muddles every decision you make.
Roman soldiers had sandals that at first glance looked flimsy but actually had metal studs on the bottom for two reasons: 1. To hold them firm 2. For treading on the enemy. Our peace allows us to stand firm and causes further damage to an already downed enemy. Don’t just knock him down, take him out as you press onward!
D. Shield of Faith
By far and wide, the majority of discussion around Roman shields I found online when researching this topic was the different forms or shapes the shields had over time. This reminds me that as we become more proficient in warfare our faith will take on new shapes and not look the same as when we first started. When most people visualize a soldier holding a shield, they tend to think that the shield was held out in front of the soldier, but it was actually held more to the side and used to press against and push back the enemy while also delivering strikes against them. When you press against an enemy, they have no choice but to shift their position to one of defense. This opens their body and makes striking them in a devastating manner much easier. Your faith, built on your experience, will force the enemy to change or rethink his position.
When the enemy was shooting arrows, one shield was not enough to provide adequate protection, so the Roman soldiers would link their shields together creating an impenetrable barrier of protection not just for one, singular soldier but for everyone who was linked together. When we link, or join, our faith together with other believers, the enemy’s arrows cannot touch us.
E. The Helmet of Salvation
While a Roman soldier could be identified as a soldier via their belt, their status was made known by their helmet. Their rank and even what type of soldier they were was identifiable by their helmet. I find it interesting that God declared our salvation to be the only thing by which to identify our rank. It’s almost as if the Lord is saying that there is no rank in the Kingdom of Heaven outside that of salvation. Our covenant with Christ is what gives us our highest status, not our ministry titles. There is no such thing as a junior Holy Spirit. The highest rank, or title, we can achieve in the Kingdom is that of Son. It is our salvation that protects our way of thinking and holds fast to our authority in Christ.
In healthcare, it does not matter that all the organs are working if the patient is braindead. If the organs are being kept alive by a source outside of the brain, they cannot maintain forever and will eventually decompose. We cannot have a fake salvation and hope to live.
F. The Sword of the Spirit
It is clearly stated in Ephesians 6 that the sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. The sword was kept in a leather covering attached to the “belt of truth.” The more that sword came into contact with the leather, the duller it became, requiring it to be sharpened. We talked about our belt of truth being the truth with which we choose to partner…The more we keep our sword sheathed and muddled with “our truth,” the duller and less effective it becomes in our hands. David said, “Your Word I hide in my heart that I may not sin against you.” Between every battle and during the “lull” seasons, soldiers spent their time sharpening their swords so that they would stay ready. Keeping their swords sharpened meant that even surprise attacks would not find them with a dull blade. Even in the dry seasons, we must continually be in hot pursuit of knowing and learning about Him. Keeping our swords sharp by continually being in the Word even when we’re tired means the enemy may try to catch us blindsided, but He won’t find us defenseless.
To protect their swords from damage by the elements, the Romans would coat their swords in oil. (Hello!) The oil served as a protective barrier. The oil is symbolic of God’s presence in our life, the Holy Spirit. In the Bible, oil was used to mark individuals and objects for holy purposes, signifying consecration and sanctification. Make sure that your time with your sword includes the oil! Don’t just read the Word to tick off a religious check box. Be sure that the moment is saturated with His presence.
Good Morning, yall! This will be short but from the heart.
We can’t deny that the past couple of weeks have been overwhelming, saddening, divisive, and controversial in the world. In the midst of it all God is still good!!!
John 16:33 says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
While we may be called at times to take a stand, remember to ALWAYS do so in love!
God has already overcome the sin of the world l, and he will win the ultimate war. It is now, in this time, our job as his children to represent him and to represent him well.
People, both children and adults, saved and lost are watching how we will act and react. Do all things in love – social media posts, comments, and conversations you have should glorify our maker and not tear others down. Especially a lost world because he died for them too, and we are called to be a witness.
This is just what has been on my heart lately. Be the light in this ever darkening world. Love on somebody today. Many times the most “unlovable” are the ones that are hurting and need it the most.
My husband and I were able to experience some of Alaska and Canada during a recent trip with friends. On an excursion to the Yukon, we were able to watch sled dogs getting ready for a run. As the handler started hooking up a team of dogs, I noticed some things. Every dog in the yard was straining and barking at the leash. All tails were wagging. Every pair of eyes were locked onto their master, watching his every move. Not one dog hung back or tried to hide hoping they would be overlooked. They all wanted to be picked. They knew exactly what they were made to do- run. There was so much excitement ! Who would be chosen for this run? While my friend and I watched, she made the comment, “That’s a sermon right there. Pick me, Lord!” It’s amazing the lessons and examples we can find right in front of us. Just as the dogs were eager, attentive, and confident in their purpose, I’m reminded and challenged in my own life:
Am I as excited about the possible opportunity to serve? The dogs weren’t dragged reluctantly to be harnessed for the team’s mission. No, they were pulling, straining, and barking with eagerness to be a part.
Am I watching my Master? Every dog had eyes fixed on the handler. In a world full of distractions, where are my eyes? Am I watching and listening for the Holy Spirit’s prompting, or looking everywhere else, missing opportunities and divine appointments to serve and share His love?
Do I know my purpose? The sled dogs lived with excitement and energy because they accepted what they were designed to do. I too, can walk confidently in my purpose. “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 NLT
What if you and I lived with that same anticipation, eyes on our Master, ready to run in the purpose we were made for? May our prayer be, “‘Pick me, Lord!” And you know what? He already has… “You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit.” John 15:16 NLT
When I first began writing this devotional for Rays of Sunshine, I had a different topic in mind. However, after the recent events happening in the world and some personal experiences of my own, the Lord laid something else on my heart. I felt led to speak on a phrase we’ve all heard many times—faith over fear. We often see this phrase printed on cute T-shirts, posters, and coffee mugs, but how often do we stop and reflect on what it truly means? Whether we are believers or not, we all go through difficult times that can weigh us down. From the pain of losing loved ones, to the trauma of car accidents, to the heartbreaking headlines in the news—there are countless ways the enemy tries to shake our faith in God. After this past week, it feels more than ever like the world is becoming a scarier place to live in. I’m sure many of us are familiar with the passing of Charlie Kirk. While I don’t want to dwell on the grief and pain that his family, friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ are going through, I do want to focus on the powerful faith he displayed—and how we, as followers of Christ, are called to do the same. Charlie was passionate about spreading the gospel, especially to teens and young adults. He wasn’t afraid to approach people with different views and answer their questions with biblical truth. I recently watched an episode of The Charlie Kirk Show where one of his close friends said, “If Charlie wasn’t in his chair at the office, he was on assignment with God.” Everything he did pointed back to Jesus. What a powerful testimony in such a dark world. Jesus said in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” This verse reminds us that Jesus is always with us, and so is our Heavenly Father. They know we will face hardship on this earth—but they’ve given us something far stronger than anything the devil can throw at us: faith. In Matthew 17:20, Jesus says, “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.” This verse encourages us to trust in the strength of even the smallest faith when it is placed in our mighty God. Faith allows us to see how God is working, even in the hardest moments. For example, while the loss of someone like Charlie Kirk is heartbreaking, his life and testimony continue to impact countless people—leading some to salvation, drawing others back to church, drawing people to church for the first time, and igniting spiritual growth. What the enemy meant for evil, God meant for good. That’s why we must hold up our shield of faith when the enemy attacks. He will try to break us down time and time again, but our faith—empowered by the Holy Spirit—is more than enough to extinguish every fiery arrow he fires at us. So here’s my challenge to you: Even when the world feels overwhelming, and your personal struggles are heavy, stay on assignment with the Lord. Let the things the enemy intended to use against you become opportunities to glorify God. People will notice. They’ll ask about your strength and peace, and that’s your moment to share your faith in Jesus. Let them know: they can have that same faith too
Over the past year, I have been reading the New Testament from start to finish and let me tell you, it has been so good to my walk with Christ!
One particular theme of the NT that has stood out to me recently has been that we as Christians are to let our “manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ.” This seems like a lot, so let’s unpack it!
First, this command in Philippians shows us that the way in which we live is important! Our ability to witness to others through the way we live is one of the best tools we can use in sharing the Gospel.
Second, the Gospel is deep and beautiful. It’s jam packed with forgiveness, love, grace, mercy, empathy, justice, and redemption. In order to follow this instruction then, we would need to mirror those things in the way we live. Yes…this can look like a lot, but hang with me.
While I honestly find this task to be daunting at times, I’m honored that Christ has given it to you and me. It’s a gift to be instructed to live in a way that shows what Christ did on the cross for us was and is of immeasurable worth.
I believe that as we are sanctified (the process of becoming more like Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit) we are faced with decisions about how to live. What do we decide to prioritize? What do we decide to put in our bodies, our schedules, and our brains? What do we decide to watch, read, listen to, or participate in? These decisions declare the manner of life in which we live. These decisions show everyone what we value, and what we live by.
So – what do you live by? Who do you advertise with your life? What do you promote?
Are the answers to these questions worthy of the Gospel and do they point to Him?
If they do, great, and if they don’t, adjust! My prayer is that on this very day, God is honored by the way we live.
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