In Exodus Israel’s first battle ends in victory, defeating Amalek. In return, Moses built an altar and named it Yahweh Nissi, the Lord is my banner, symbolizing the victory came from God’s power and not military strength. Israel’s success depended greatly on God’s divine intervention.
The word banner really grabbed a hold of me. A banner represents identity, more than just a name, it’s what you stand for. We live in enemy occupied territory. We need to be soldiers in a spiritual battle. As Christians, we need to raise our banner. It’s a broken world out there, thankfully we have a risen savior who has already fought and won the battle for us. So where is your banner and who needs to see it? Is it put away in the closet just to come out on Sunday morning or maybe even just for Easter and Christmas?
That is not enough.
The people we interact with every day, on a daily basis or even just a stranger, should see our banner clearly labeled Yahweh Nissi, The Lord Is My Banner.
So many of us need to see that banner, me included! Because like I said it’s a crazy world we live in and I need to know who will go to battle for me, who will go to the foot of the cross for me? If that’s you, Thank You! If you need someone to go to battle for you, I’d be happy to be that person for you! If you’re reading this, know that you were prayed for and you are loved. Now go out and raise that banner for Yahweh!
I had to get real with the Lord on what to write this time. It was coming down to the wire, or what I consider the wire, and I did not have anything on my heart. This was last week.
He came through, like always.
I was getting ready for work and listening to a fitness creator that goes live on TikTok with how to be healthy in your 40s. I’m unsure whether this was the Lord being funny or not, but He got my attention and poured this devotion into my heart, and I mean it hit me square in the heart.
This fitness creator was talking about how our bodies have algorithms, just like the algorithms used on social media platforms and other technological things. Even my insulin pump has an algorithm.
One definition Google gives for algorithm is: a data-tracking system in which an individual’s internet search history and browsing habits are used to present them with similar or related material on social media or other platforms.
The creator was saying that when lifting weights, we need to do the same exercises every week but add weight each week. Our body algorithm can’t figure out the pattern when our weightlifting routine is inconsistent. We can’t achieve the results we want because we are so inconsistent in our health journey. Most likely not counting those hidden snacks we eat when no one is watching. Maybe we make excuses to the point we have excessive rest days. Also, we’re probably trying to add 25lbs instead of 5lbs of lifting each week because we are impatient with the process.
While I’m listening to the creator and the Lord at the same time, I’m thinking I want to be in the Word more, workout in the mornings, eat breakfast, pack my lunch, and get a head start on supper each night. Also, get 8 hours of sleep.
Here is where the Lord dealt with me. You gotta get consistent and quit playing games, like sneaking in an unnecessary snack when no one is looking. The Lord knows when you’re doom scrolling when you can be doing something productive to take care of your relationship with the Lord. You gotta show your spiritual algorithm what the pattern is. You gotta dress for the occasion.
See, we wake up and take the Lord for granted most times. He allows me to wake up and each day I’m given breath I’m also given 24 hours to do all the things.
I can’t keep saying yes to all the snacks that I don’t have time for. I can’t be at all the places for all the things. We have to say no to some things. Our spiritual algorithm matters and it’s us who controls the pattern.
Instead of me scrolling social media the 3 hours I’m awake before work, I could get up and get dressed to work out, but designate 30 mins to read the Word, 30 mins to workout, 30 mins to make breakfast, prepare my lunch and get supper defrosting. The consistency in the patterns would allow my algorithm to stay stable when plans change, life falls apart, or I must make an unplanned stop after work.
Galations 5:22-26 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passion and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Now, I’m not saying we are going to have this perfect schedule, but for the most part we control the algorithm of our life. We decide if we can fit something else on our plate or not. We decide if reading the Word and taking care of our temple is more important than doom scrolling.
If we aren’t careful, we won’t be able to express the fruit of the Spirit. We are too busy, unfocused, stressed, don’t have enough time to think, allow things to slide through the cracks, end up making excuses of why we were able to accomplish what we committed to.
Lately, I keep hearing the word joy — in songs, devotionals, and conversations. I don’t think it’s by coincidence. I believe when God keeps putting a word on your heart, it’s usually because He’s trying to remind you of something.
For me, He’s been reminding me that joy isn’t the same as happiness. Happiness changes with our circumstances, but joy stays, even when life feels heavy. Joy comes from knowing that God is still good, still faithful, and still with us always.
As I was looking back at some of my notes in my church journal from the message a couple of weeks ago I found where I wrote: Joy — Together in Christ for His glory. Our joy is found in Jesus and sharing Him with others. The things of this world will never bring you eternal joy. You can find happiness in doing the things of this world, but happiness and joy are not the same.
In Nehemiah 8:10 it says, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” That means real strength doesn’t come from having it all together; it comes from trusting the One who does. Life can be heavy at times. You may be juggling all the things life keeps you busy with, but we should always try to remember to find the joy within the everyday busy tasks.
When the word joy keeps showing up all around me, I can’t help but think maybe God’s reminding me that no matter what today looks like, there’s still joy to be found in Him. I pray you have those simple yet huge reminders that pop up in your life, too. When you find yourself caught up in the what if’s and “can I do this?” moments, remember to find your joy that comes from the Lord.
“You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures.” Psalm 16:11
Galatians 5:16 says, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” We are human, we are going to sin and be tempted by what the world has to offer. There is something much better than the worldly desires and that is Jesus Christ our Lord and savior.
After my MiMi passed away my sophomore year of high school I was angry with God for two years. I had an encounter with him during a basketball game, and I started working on my relationship with him then. You see, up until then I was sitting in the back of the youth group, playing my phone, and not paying attention in church at all. In my first and second semester of college I partied, and I partied hard. I was drinking alcohol, smoking weed, sleeping with girls, and not living for Christ one bit. I was living in the mindset of, “It is okay God will forgive me.”
Also during my first year of school I met one of my best friends in the world, Lincoln Edwards. Linc pushed me to be great and was a huge influence in my life.
One summer night in 2023 I was bragging about how crazy this party I went to the night before was to Lincoln and another friend. He just started shaking his head, and when I asked him what was wrong, and I will never forget the words he said to me. He looked me in my eyes and said, “You think you’re cool doing all this? You say you’re a Christian but you’re not walking the walk, you’re just talking the talk.”
My heart sank, and I felt conviction I had never felt before in my life. I stayed up until 4 AM that night just staring at my ceiling, and then I heard God speaking to me. “Give it all to me.” I knew what He was saying to me, and I decided to make a change right then and right there.
Once I prayed and decided to change my life I decided to get baptized for the second time in my life. I was baptized when I was 8 years old, but I didn’t understand being a Christian then. On October 8, 2023 I walked down in front of my church, surrounded by my family and friends, and I was baptized again. I have seen Kelanie walk down the aisle, and I have seen the heartbeat of my daughter, but when I went under water and came back up a born again Christian, let me tell you that was the greatest moment of my life.
I am not perfect. I still struggle with sin, but I live my life for Christ now. My sister in law Kera sings a song for our church called “I’ve witnessed it.” One of the verses says, “To the broken I’ve witnessed it, to the hurt and I’ve witnessed it, to the lost I will witness it.” Those verses always touch my heart because I remember being lost and finding Jesus. I encourage everyone to surround themselves with people like Lincoln who challenge them to be better people and Christians.
Colossians 2:6 says, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him.”
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.
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