Author: Travail and Transform Ministry

Psalm 91:1 (NKJV) – “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”

Yesterday, you feasted on the truth of Psalm 34:8, learning to taste and see the goodness of God. But the Spirit does not stop with tasting, He calls you to dwell. Tasting is an entry point; dwelling is a lifestyle. It is one thing to have a moment in His Presence, but it is another to make His Presence your permanent address.

Dwelling means staying, abiding, and resting. It is more than an occasional visit or a Sunday morning experience. To dwell in God’s Presence is to make Him your home. David, who knew both palaces and caves, discovered that the safest and sweetest dwelling place was always the shadow of the Almighty.

The secret place of God is not hidden from you but hidden for you. It is a place of intimacy where distractions fade, fears are calmed, and hearts are stilled. You don’t stumble into this place by accident, it is entered by choice, by desire, and by surrender. Think of the difference between visiting a friend’s house and living in your own home. When you visit, you’re a guest, careful and mindful of boundaries. But when you live there, you rest, settle in, and breathe with ease. God does not want you to remain a guest in His Presence; He desires you to dwell, to settle, and to live fully at home with Him.

The shadow of the Almighty is not a dark place but a covering place. Shadows follow you wherever you go, and in the same way, God’s shadow covers those who choose to abide. It is protection, peace, and promise all wrapped into one. When you choose to dwell, you choose stability. Life will still bring storms, but your dwelling is not shaken by shifting winds. Your stability is anchored not in circumstances but in the unchanging Presence of God. Dwelling also means prioritizing. You make time for what matters most, and if God’s Presence is truly our home, then it becomes the center of our schedules, our decisions, and our daily rhythms.

In the hidden place of His Presence, strength is renewed. Fear loses its grip. Doubt melts into trust. Like Elijah by the brook, like David in the caves, like Jesus withdrawing to pray, you discover that the secret place is not an escape from reality but the empowerment to face it. This is the progression God has been leading you through: from jars and jugs, to tasting His goodness, to now choosing to dwell. He has been preparing us not just to experience Him in moments but to abide in Him continually. Jesus said in John 15:4, “Abide in me, and I in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in me.” Dwelling produces fruit. It transforms survival into overflow, tasting into transformation, and Presence into power.

The invitation today is not just to stop by His Presence but to stay. Make His Presence your permanent home. Don’t just visit the shadow of the Almighty, abide there. In doing so, you’ll discover peace that surpasses understanding, joy that outlasts trials, and strength that carries you through every storm.

Let’s Pray:

Father, thank You for calling me deeper into Your Presence. Thank You for inviting me not just to taste but to dwell, not just to encounter but to abide. Lord, I repent for the times I treated Your Presence as a quick visit instead of a permanent home. Forgive me for rushing in and out when You longed for me to stay. I ask that You teach me to make Your Presence my dwelling place. Let me abide under the shadow of Your wings, where I find safety, peace, and rest. Lord, I declare today that Your Presence is my home. I will not be a guest; I will be a dweller. I will stay, rest, and abide in the secret place of the Most High. Father, strengthen me to prioritize time with You. Remove distractions that keep me from seeking You daily. Teach me to walk in constant awareness of Your nearness. Thank You that Your shadow covers me wherever I go. Thank You that Your Presence protects me from dangers seen and unseen. Thank You that I can rest secure in You. Lord, let Your Presence transform me. Let abiding in You produce fruit in my life, love, peace, patience, and power. Let others see the evidence of dwelling with You. Father, I yield myself fully to You. Let me not move ahead of You, nor lag behind, but remain in step with Your Spirit. May Your Presence guide my every step. Thank You for this dwelling place, Lord. Thank You that You have made me welcome in Your secret place. May I never take this invitation lightly. In Jesus Christ Name, Amen.

Nugget: “Don’t just visit His Presence, make it your home.”

Blessings…

Love, Dr. Jean

Psalm 34:8 (NIV) – “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”

The table of God’s provision is never meant to end at survival; it leads you to the banquet of His Presence. Yesterday, you stood with Elijah and the widow, witnessing the miracle of jars and jugs that never ran dry. That miracle pointed you forward, but today, the Spirit invites you deeper, into a more intimate encounter with God Himself. Psalm 34:8 is not simply an invitation to observe; it is a call to experience God in a personal, undeniable way.

Think about your taste buds for a moment. These tiny, unseen receptors play a huge role in how you experience food. They help you know what is sweet, sour, salty, or bitter. Without them, food would simply fill your stomach but never bring delight. They help you enjoy what is good; and warn you when something is off. In the same way, God has given you spiritual “taste buds.” Just as physical taste buds awaken your senses to enjoy food, spiritual taste awakens your soul to enjoy God’s Presence. When the psalmist says, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8), this is an invitation to go beyond knowing about God to experiencing Him fully. Like taste buds that tell you when something is sweet or bitter touches your tongue, the Spirit of God alerts your heart to what is nourishing and what is harmful. Every time you lean into His Presence, your spiritual taste grows sharper. And just as a good meal satisfies hunger, so the goodness of God satisfies your soul.

Now you should see taste in a different light, oh to taste and see is to move beyond knowledge into an encounter. Knowledge says, “I believe God is good.” Encounter says, “I have experienced His goodness for myself.” The difference is profound. Provision may point you to Him, but His Presence allows you to taste the richness of who He is. David penned these words in a season where he had fled danger, hidden in caves, and lived on the run. His proclamation was not birth in comfort but in chaos. And yet, from a place of hiding, he declared, “Oh, taste and see.” The goodness of God is not confined to seasons of plenty; it is revealed most deeply in times of need.

Taste is personal. No one can taste for you. You may hear testimonies of God’s goodness, but until you taste Him for yourself, the experience remains secondhand. David wanted his readers to encounter God personally, to savor His Presence like bread on the tongue, sweet and sustaining. Seeing flows from tasting. When you taste His goodness, your spiritual eyes open to see His hand at work. Suddenly, the oil that hasn’t run dry is not just a resource, it’s a revelation. The prayer He answered is not just a solution; it’s a sign of His nearness. The provision becomes proof of His Presence!

When David says, “Blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him,” he points you to the true result of tasting God’s goodness and security in His Presence. Refuge means more than a hiding place; it is safety, shelter, and peace. To take refuge in Him is to say, “God is my portion, my protector, and my provider.” This verse is the bridge between the jars and jugs that sustained you yesterday. Today, God says, “I am your portion. I am the bread you taste. I am the living water you drink. I am your covering.” The miracle has shifted from what you have to who you have, and you have God!

Think of it like being invited to a feast. You can admire the table, see the spread, and even acknowledge how beautiful it looks. But until you sit down, pick up the bread, and taste it, you haven’t truly experienced the feast. God is inviting you today not just to admire Him from a distance but to taste His goodness up close. The invitation to taste and see is also an invitation to trust. You cannot taste without opening your mouth. You cannot see without opening your eyes. Trust opens you up to experience God’s Presence in ways you have never known before.

Maybe you’ve been content with surviving on yesterday’s miracle, holding tight to jars and jugs. But today, the Spirit is saying, “Come taste. Come see. Come into My Presence.” What sustained you yesterday was meant to prepare you for a deeper revelation for today. God is calling you to shift from gratitude for provision to delight in His Presence. Provision fills you for a moment; but His Presence satisfies you forever. Provision quiets your hunger temporarily; but His Presence is the bread of life that never leaves you empty! This is why Jesus said in John 6:35, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” The jars and jugs were a shadow; Jesus is the substance. The widow fed Elijah, but God feeds you with Himself.

Today, let Psalm 34:8 be your prayer and your proclamation. Don’t just admire the feast. Taste it! Don’t just acknowledge God’s goodness. Experience it! Open your heart to His Presence and discover that He is better than bread, better than oil, better than any provision you have or can get! He is your refuge, your portion, and your satisfaction. And in that you will be full!

Let’s Pray:

Father, thank You for inviting me to taste and see that You are good. Thank You for moving me from jars and jugs into Your very Presence, where I can encounter You in a deeper way. Lord, I confess that sometimes I’ve been content just to admire Your goodness from a distance, hearing about it through others but not fully experiencing it for myself. Today, I open my heart to taste, to see, and to know You personally. I thank You for every provision that has sustained me, but I declare today that I will not stop at provision. I long for Your Presence, for You are my bread of life and my living water. Father, just as You were with David in the caves and Elijah at the widow’s house, be with me in every hidden place. Let me encounter You not just in abundance but in the midst of lack, not just in comfort but in the middle of challenges. Teach me to trust You enough to open my mouth and taste, to open my eyes and see. Remove every fear, every doubt, every hesitation that keeps me from fully stepping into Your Presence. Thank You, Lord, that Your goodness is not confined to one season. It is unchanging, constant, and everlasting. When I taste of You, I taste of eternity. When I see You, I see beyond my circumstances into the glory of who You are. Father, I take refuge in You today, Lord. I declare that You are my shelter, my covering, my protector, and my provider. I do not run to resources for refuge; I run to You. You are my safety and my strength. Father, let this week be marked not just by provision but by Your Presence. Let me encounter You in my prayers, in my worship, in my daily steps. Let every part of my life be flavored by the sweetness of Your Presence. Thank You, Lord, for inviting me to Your table. Thank You for the blessing of tasting Your goodness and seeing Your faithfulness. May I never settle for anything less than You. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen!

Nugget: “Provision may fill you for a moment, but His Presence will satisfy you forever and ever.”

Blessings…

Love, Dr. Jean

1 Kings 17:15–16 (NIV) – “So she went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah.”

Today’s devotional is the bridge connection from last week. Last week was about God’s provision, your obedience, and the hidden places, droughts, and overflow. This week, the theme will shift from provision to His Presence, reminding you that even greater than what God provides for you, is that this is who He is! The story of Elijah and the widow at Zarephath is to remind you of the faithfulness of God’s provision. Last week, you leaned deeply into the truth that when God hides you in a place of drought, He has already prepared a way of provision in the hidden spaces. The brook and the ravens taught you obedience, the jar and the jug is showing you God’s overflow.

But today, as you move into this new week, the Spirit is calling you to see that provision is not the end, it is the bridge that leads you into His Presence. Elijah obeyed God’s word to go to Zarephath, and the widow obeyed Elijah’s instruction to feed him first. That act of faith was not simply about food, but was about aligning with the Presence of God, who sustains life itself. Her jar and jug never ran dry because she encountered the God of abundance. Provision was the evidence, but His Presence was the true miracle. Often, when you think about survival, you measure it by what you have, what’s left in the jar, what’s still in the jug, how much resource there is around us. But the Word here shows you that survival is not the absence of need; it is about the Presence of God sustaining you in the need. That transition, from focusing on what you see to focusing on the God who sees you, is what turns survival into overflow.

Last week, your heart may have been in the hidden place, leaning on God’s daily bread to keep you through. And it was there you learned that obedience is the doorway to overflow. This week, the Lord is saying, “Do not stop at the provision. Come into My Presence, because I Myself am the bread of life.” The widow did not just feed Elijah; she became a participant in God’s miracle. Her household experienced daily evidence that God was with them. The oil and the flour did not run dry, not because of her own hand but because of God’s sustaining Presence. When God steps in, what looks empty keeps pouring, what looks finished keeps flowing.

From survival to overflow is not just about more resources, it is about a deeper revelation. The jar and jug could have filled once and that alone would have been miraculous. But the overflow was continuous because it was meant to point her eyes not to the resource, but to the Source! God does not want you to just taste His provision; He wants you to taste and see His Presence. This is why Psalm 34:8 says, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good.” It’s not just about provision; it’s about experiencing Him. His goodness is not limited to what He gives; His goodness is who He is. The miracle of provision is always meant to lead you to the miracle of His Presence.

If you only stop at the provision, you will keep looking for the next jar and the next jug. But when you step into His Presence, you discover that He Himself is your sustainer. He is the Living Water, the Bread of Life, the true Oil that never runs dry. Provision points us forward, but Presence anchors us forever. The widow’s story is your story. God moves you from moments of desperation into testimonies of abundance, but then He draws you deeper, into Himself. This is the bridge into your new week; God wants you to know that greater than His gifts is His Glory, greater than His provision is His Presence.

Maybe last week you were praying for God to meet your need. This week, He is inviting you into a higher prayer: “Lord, let me dwell in Your Presence. Let me see You beyond what You do for me.” That prayer will take you beyond jars and jugs into the joy of His Presence. The bridge between survival and overflow is the recognition that God is with you. And when God is with you, no jar will ever be truly empty, and no jug will ever truly run dry. The supply may look small, but His Presence is infinite.

This week, step into His Presence, and let the story of Elijah and the widow remind you that your testimony is not just in what you have received, but in who you are walking with. From survival to overflow, the true blessing is not just that your needs are met but that the God of Heaven is dwelling with you. Let this bridge carry you into a deeper hunger for Him. From provision to Presence, from jars and jugs to tasting and seeing that the Lord is good, God is leading you into more than enough, not because of what He gives but because of who He is.

Let’s Pray:

Father, thank You for the reminder that You are not only the God who provides but the God who is present. Thank You for carrying me through the hidden places of drought and overflow, teaching me obedience, faith, and trust. Lord, I confess that too often I focus on the jar and the jug, on what I see in my hands, instead of lifting my eyes to see You. Teach me this week to look beyond the provision to Your Presence, for You are the true sustainer of my life. I thank You for every season of survival, for in those seasons I learned dependence. I thank You for every season of overflow, for in those moments I learned Your abundance. But now, Lord, teach me to rest in You, the Giver, the Source, the One who never runs dry. Father, just as You sustained Elijah and the widow, sustain me daily by Your Presence. Let me hunger not only for bread but for every word that proceeds from Your mouth. Let me thirst not only for water but for the Living Water that satisfies my soul. Father, I ask that You shift my perspective from survival to overflow, from what I can count in my jar to the immeasurable riches of Your glory. Let me recognize that You are with me, and that is my true treasure. Lord, I thank You that Your Presence is enough to fill every empty place in me. Even when resources look small, remind me that You are infinite, and in You, I will never lack. Teach me to taste and see Your goodness this week, not just in what You provide but in who You are. Let my testimony be that I encountered the Living God, and that His Presence became my portion. I pray that this week my steps will be guided not by fear of lack but by faith in Your Presence. May I carry Your peace, Your joy, and Your strength into every space I enter. Father, align my heart with Yours so that provision will always point me back to Presence. Let me never idolize the gift over the Giver, but always recognize that every good and perfect gift comes from You. Thank You, Lord, for being more than enough. Thank You for jars that never run out, jugs that never go empty, and a Presence that never departs. May I walk this week in the fullness of Your Presence, tasting and seeing that You are good. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen!

Nugget: “Provision may sustain you, but His Presence will transform you.”

Blessings…

Love Dr. Jean

1 Kings 17:4 (NIV) ~ “You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.” 

 1 Kings 17:7–9 (NIV) ~ “Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. Then the word of the LORD came to him: ‘Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.’”

Every season in Elijah’s life was intentional. His time at the brook was not wasted; it was preparation. God was teaching him to obey quickly, trust unusual provision, and remain faithful in hidden seasons. The hidden place is where God strips away distractions and draws you into dependence on Him. Elijah’s survival didn’t depend on his own resources; it depended on God’s voice and timing.

On Day 1, you saw how quick obedience opened the door to provision. On Day 2, you learned that God uses unlikely sources to bless you. On Day 3, you recognized that location matters. On Day 4, you learned how to trust God in drought. Now today, you see how God transitions you from one provision to another. The brook provided water during the drought, but eventually, it dried up. This was not failure, it was timing. God allowed the brook to dry to move Elijah forward. God is so specific and strategic when it comes to you, He won’t let you stay where you are at!

Sometimes you might think a dried-up brook means God has abandoned you, but often it means God has prepared something new and if He didn’t dry up the place that you were in, you would never move or launch out into the deep! What ended was only making room for what was next. Notice the sequence: the brook dried, then the Word of the Lord came. God didn’t leave Elijah without direction; He immediately revealed the next assignment.

The widow woman was already in place before Elijah left the brook. God had spoken to her, even if she didn’t fully understand what was coming. Provision was prepared before Elijah even arrived. This is to remind you that while one door is closing, God is already opening another. What looks like an ending to you is often a bridge into His next miracle.

The hidden place trained Elijah to depend on God daily so that he would trust Him in the next place. Without the brook, Elijah might not have had the faith to believe for the widow’s endless jar of oil and flour. Hidden seasons are there to prepare you for your greater assignments. They build endurance, refine character, and develop the trust that you will need when God elevates you to bigger battles.

Psalm 84:11 is a great reminder for you: “The LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” If the brook dries up, it’s because God has something better waiting! God doesn’t just prepare a place; He prepares people. Just as He commanded ravens, He also commanded a widow. Provision is never random; it is always orchestrated by His Hand. The hidden place is also there to remind you that transitions are part of the journey. You are not meant to stay in one brook forever; God moves you from season to season and level to level and faith to faith and it is all for His Glory and your good!

Trusting God means not clinging to yesterday’s brook when He is calling you to today’s Zarephath. Some of you are grieving dry brooks when God is pointing you towards new widows, new assignments, new opportunities, new provision. It is time to let go and move on. The God of the brook is also the God of the widow’s house. He is consistent in every season. Elijah’s story assures you that provision doesn’t stop when seasons shift. God simply changes the method while keeping His promise intact. As you step into a new week, remember this, God’s provision is already waiting for you. The brook may dry up, but the widow is already in place!

Let’s Pray:

Father, I thank You for hidden places where You train and prepare me for what’s next. Father, teach me to trust You when the brook dries up, knowing You have already prepared another source. Father, thank You that Your provision is always ahead of me, waiting in the place You have called me to go. Father, forgive me for clinging to old seasons when You are trying to move me into new ones. Remind me that a dried-up brook is not abandonment; it is transition. Father, strengthen me with faith to leave what is comfortable and step into what is next. Open my eyes to see the “widows” You have already appointed to sustain me. Father, align my steps with Your perfect timing so I will not miss what You have ordained. Teach me to carry the lessons of the hidden place into the next season of my life. Father, prepare my heart for transitions so I move with peace instead of fear. Help me to trust that You are always at work, even when resources run dry. Father, let me be a vessel like the widow, willing to provide for others even in my lack. Thank You Father, that You are the God of both the brook and the widow’s house. I declare that I will not mourn the brook, but rejoice in the new provision You have prepared for me. In Jesus Christ Name, Amen.

Nugget:“When the brook dries up, the widow is already in place, God’s provision is always ahead of you.”

Blessings, Have A Great Weekend…

Love, Dr. Jean

1 Kings 17:4 (NIV) ~ “You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.” 

A teacher once shared about a season when her paycheck was delayed for two months. With bills piling up and no clear solution, she found herself down to a few dollars. One evening, while worrying about groceries, a neighbor unexpectedly knocked on her door with a bag of food, saying, “I just felt like I should bring this to you.” In that moment, she realized God was teaching her that even in dry seasons, He could still make streams appear in the wilderness.

Elijah’s brook became a symbol of God’s provision during a national drought. When the world around him was drying up, God had already secured a stream of water for His prophet. Dry seasons are inevitable in life. They may come in the form of financial hardship, health battles, broken relationships, or unanswered prayers. But in those seasons, God is here to remind you that, I AM is still your source.

Notice that God didn’t remove the drought from Israel. Instead, He preserved Elijah in the middle of it. Sometimes God doesn’t stop the storm; He shelters you in it. The brook teaches you that God’s provision may not be abundant, but it will always be sufficient. Elijah didn’t drink from a river; he drank from a brook. God meets uour needs, not always your wants.

Dry seasons test whether you truly trust God or simply trust comfort. When luxuries are stripped away, your faith is refined, and you learn to rely on God alone. Psalm 37:19 says, “In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.” God knows how to keep His people alive in scarcity. The fact that Elijah had to drink from a brook is a reminder to you to be humble. In dry seasons, you are reminded that you are not self-sufficient. Dependence on God becomes your greatest strength.

Even in the drought, the ravens never failed to arrive. God’s faithfulness does not bow to circumstances. The economy, politics, or environment cannot cancel His promises. Sometimes God allows the brook to remain just long enough to show you His faithfulness. Later in the chapter, it dried up, signaling a new assignment. Seasons shift, but God’s Presence doesn’t.

Dry seasons stretch you. They strip away idols, distractions, and false securities. They bring you face-to-face with the truth that God is your only true source. Isaiah 43:19 declares, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” God doesn’t need perfect conditions to provide, He creates provision out of nothing.

The brook is also a reminder of God’s timing. He knows how long to keep you in one place before transitioning you to the next. Trust His timing in the drought. When resources run low, fear often tries to creep in. But God says, “Do not be afraid, for I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10). Faith must outweigh fear in dry seasons.

God’s provision in the brook points you to Jesus, the Living Water. Even when everything else dries up, His Presence satisfies the soul. Elijah’s story assures you, as long as God has an assignment for you, He will sustain you. The drought cannot kill what God has ordained to live.  Dry seasons are not permanent. They are classrooms of trust. What you learn at the brook will prepare you for your miracles in the future.

God uses dry seasons to prove His faithfulness. They are not punishments; they are invitations to deeper intimacy with Him. Remember, if God can keep Elijah alive in a drought with a brook and birds, He can sustain you too. Trust Him in the dry seasons.

Let’s Pray:

Father, I thank You that You are faithful even in dry seasons. Lord, when everything around me feels barren, remind me that You are still my source. Teach me to drink from the brook of Your presence, even when resources seem scarce. Forgive me for the times I doubted You when I faced lack or limitation. Replace my fear of drought with confidence in Your daily provision. Father, humble me to receive what You provide, even if it is simple or small. Thank You that Your provision may not always be abundant, but it is always enough. Father, guard my heart from complaining and instead fill it with gratitude for every drop of blessing. Help me to recognize that dry seasons refine my faith and strip away false security. Father, may I always remember that You are the God who makes streams in the wilderness. Teach me to hold onto You when the brook dries up, trusting that You have another plan. Remind me that nothing can stop Your faithfulness, not drought, famine, or scarcity. Let my testimony be that even in the driest places, I found You to be faithful and true. Lord, strengthen me to encourage others who are walking through their own dry seasons. I declare that I will trust You in every season, knowing You will never leave me thirsty. In Jesus Christ Name, Amen.

Nugget: “Even in the drought, God is still your source, trust Him at the brook.”

Blessings…

Love, Dr. Jean

1 Kings 17:4 (NIV) ~ “You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.” 

When God instructed Elijah, the word was specific. He didn’t say “any brook” or “a general place eastward.” He said “the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan.” God’s provision wasn’t everywhere; it was tied to a specific location. This truth teaches you that provision is always linked to obedience. Your “there” matters. The place where God sends you is the place where His resources are waiting. Many believers miss their supply not because God failed, but because they settled in a place, He never called them to. They stayed in comfort when God called them to courage.

Elijah’s survival depended on being in the exact place God commanded. If he had gone anywhere else, the brook would not have been there, and the ravens would not have come. Think about Jonah. His disobedience landed him in the belly of a fish because he chose to go somewhere God had not appointed. Wrong places bring unnecessary storms. Your “there” could be a city, a ministry, a career, or even a relationship. It may not always look like a place of abundance; it may look like a hidden ravine, but it will hold the key to what you need. Sometimes God calls you to a “there” that feels uncomfortable. Elijah’s brook was in hiding, a place of solitude and dependence. But it was the exact place of God’s protection and supply.

Your “there” is also a place of testing. God uses it to strip away distractions and teach you reliance on Him alone. Hidden places refine character. Notice that God had already commanded the ravens before Elijah arrived. This means provision is set in motion before you get there, but you must show up to receive it. Delayed obedience or missteps can cause you to miss what is already waiting. The ravens weren’t going to chase Elijah; they were commanded to meet him in a set place.

Some of you want God’s blessings to find you wherever you go, but obedience requires movement toward the coordinates of God’s will. It may take courage to move, but the blessing is “there.” Abraham’s story echoes this truth. He was told to go to the land God would show him. It was in the journey and destination that his inheritance unfolded. God is too intentional to bless disobedience. He doesn’t chase after your preferences; He calls you into His purpose. His supply is always in His will.

Your “there” may also shift in seasons. The brook eventually dried up, and God told Elijah to go to Zarephath. Don’t cling to yesterday’s “there” when God is calling you to a new one. This is why spiritual discernment is essential. Ask God daily: “Lord, am I still in the place You called me to be?” He will confirm when it is time to stay or when it is time to move. Being “there” also means being in position spiritually. It’s not just geography; it’s posture. Prayer, faith, and obedience align you with the place of God’s blessing. If you feel lack or dryness, ask yourself, “Am I in my ‘there’?” Sometimes provision is not missing, it’s misplaced because you are out of position.

Remember, your “there” matters. The blessing, the brook, and the bread are tied to your obedience. Stay where God says, move when He speaks, and trust that everything you need will meet you in His appointed place.

Let’s Pray:

Father, I thank You that You are a God of order, intention, and precision. You do not move randomly; You move with purpose. Lord, forgive me for the times I tried to create my own “there,” instead of following Your leading. Align my steps with Your word so I will not miss the place of provision You have prepared. Teach me to trust that Your chosen place is better than my preferred place. Help me to embrace even the hidden places, knowing that if You called me there, it carries my supply. I declare that I will not miss my blessing by rejecting an unlikely source. I will honor You as the Giver, no matter how You choose to give., open my spiritual eyes to discern where I need to be in this season. Remove distractions and detours that would lure me away from my appointed place. Remind me that my provision, protection, and purpose are tied to Your will, not my comfort. Give me the courage to move when You say move, and the patience to stay when You say stay. Father, let me not despise small or hidden places, for they are often the ground of preparation. Help me to release old seasons when You are calling me into new ones. May I never miss Your blessing because of pride, fear, or stubbornness. Father, just as You directed Elijah to the brook, direct me daily to the place where Your grace flows. Let my life be a testimony of being in the right place at the right time, walking in the fullness of Your will. I declare that I will be found in my “there,” and that I will not miss the blessings You have appointed for me. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Nugget: “Your provision is waiting at your ‘there’, don’t settle for anywhere else.”

Blessings…

Love, Dr. Jean

1 Kings 17:4 (NIV) ~ “You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.” 

“A farmer once told of how, during a difficult season, he lost nearly everything to a flood. He prayed desperately for help but expected that support would come from his relatives or the government. Instead, his provision came from a group of strangers who drove from another town with food, supplies, and money raised at their local church. “I never thought people I didn’t even know would be the ones God used to keep me standing,” he said. “It taught me that God doesn’t always use familiar hands, He uses willing ones.””

Elijah’s provision came from an unlikely source, ravens. These birds were considered unclean under Jewish law; scavengers unfit for God’s people. Yet God chose them as His delivery system. This reveals something vital about God, He is not limited by your expectations. He will use anything and anyone to accomplish His purposes.Sometimes the blessing you need will come wrapped in a package you would never expect. God delights in reminding you that He alone is the source; people and circumstances are just channels. 

If Elijah had been too proud to accept food from ravens; he would have starved. The lesson? Don’t reject provision because it looks different than you imagined. God has a history of using unlikely vessels. He used a shepherd boy to defeat a giant (David). He used a stuttering man to confront Pharaoh (Moses). He used fishermen to build His church (the disciples).In 2 Kings 5, Naaman almost missed his healing because the instruction to dip in the Jordan River seemed beneath him. Yet his miracle was hidden in the ordinary. Unlikely provision stretches your faith. It forces you to focus on the Giver, not the gift. God can send financial help through an unbeliever, comfort through a stranger, or wisdom through a child. When you box God into your preferences, you risk missing His blessings. The Israelites complained about manna because it wasn’t what they wanted, even though it was God’s supernatural supply.

Elijah’s obedience teaches you that when God says, “I have directed the ravens,” you don’t need to question the method, you need to trust the Provider. The ravens’ obedience to God’s command is striking. If even birds listen to God’s voice, how much more should you? Their faithfulness should convict you to respond quickly when He directs you. Sometimes provision looks “dirty,” but the bread was clean. God is capable of bringing pure supply out of impure vessels.

Think about this, the same God who fed thousands with a little boy’s lunch is the same God who commanded ravens to feed His prophet. He is the God of creative provision. If you are waiting for a blessing, don’t limit how God can deliver it. Keep your eyes open. The very person you least expect may become the instrument of your miracle. Trust God’s process even when it seems unconventional. Remember Isaiah 55:8: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” The takeaway is simple: God will sometimes send “dirty birds” to bring you “clean bread.” Don’t despise the vessel. Honor the Source.

Let’s Pray:

Father, I thank You that You are Jehovah Jireh, my provider, and that You never run out of creative ways to care for me. Father, open my heart to trust You even when the provision comes through unlikely means.  Father, forgive me for the times I rejected Your blessings because they didn’t match my expectations. Teach me to see You as the source of every good and perfect gift, regardless of the vessel that You use. Father, Thank You for showing me through Elijah’s story that nothing is too unclean or too unworthy for You to use for Your Glory. Father, humble me so that pride will not block my ability to receive from unusual places. Keep me from boxing You into my limited imagination. Expand my faith to trust in Your limitless creativity. Help me to recognize Your hand in both big and small provisions. Let me not despise the day of small beginnings. Father, teach me to celebrate Your provision instead of complaining about how it comes. Father, may I never forget that it is You who commands the blessing, not the vessel that carries it. Strengthen my trust so that I can accept provision even when it feels uncomfortable or unexpected. Remind me that if You can use ravens, You can use anything in creation to accomplish Your will for my life. Father, help me to not only receive provision but also to become an unlikely vessel of provision for others. May my testimony encourage others to see that You are the God of surprising supply. I declare that I will not miss my blessing by rejecting an unlikely source. I will honor You as the Giver, no matter how You choose to give. In the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Nugget:“Don’t despise the vessel, God’s provision can flow through the most unlikely hands.”

Blessings…

Love, Dr. Jean

I’M BACK!

Dear Devotional Family,

I thank God for the last two months of surrender and submission to Him. It has been a season of quieting myself before the Lord, and I am so glad to be back with you to share the Word once again. My prayer is that while I was away, you took full advantage of the devotions already available to you through this ministry, letting the Word continue to speak and strengthen you.

God is truly Amazing, and there is no one else like Him! I am humbled and grateful that this is the fifth year of our devotional ministry. To God be the Glory, what began as a simple act of obedience with 40 people has grown into a global ministry, where thousands of people all around the world are reading and receiving the Word of God through these devotions.

Thank you for being such a faithful part of this journey. Your presence, your prayers, and your hunger for God’s Word bless me deeply. My desire remains the same: that each one of you will draw closer to God and be rooted more firmly in His Word, so that you can share the Word with someone else.

Blessings and love,
Dr. Jean

Now Let’s get to the Devotional!

1 Kings 17:2–4 (NIV) ~ “Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah: ‘Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.’” 

A young woman once told me about a day she missed her train because she lingered just a few minutes too long at home. The moment she arrived at the station, she saw the train pulling away. Later, she learned that the person she was meant to meet had been waiting in that very train car with an important opportunity that could have opened doors for her career. “If I had just left when I was supposed to, I would have been right on time,” she said with regret. That missed moment taught her that timing matters, and sometimes, being in the right place at the right time depends on moving when you’re told.

Obedience is not a suggestion in the kingdom of God; it is a lifeline. For Elijah, one act of obedience set the course for his survival, his ministry, and his testimony. The Word of the Lord came, and Elijah responded. Quick obedience opened the door to provision. Notice the order in the text, first came the Word, then came the command, then came the promise! God never issues a command without also attaching provision. The instruction may not make sense in the moment, but it always carries the seed of sustenance within it.

Elijah could have hesitated. He could have debated with God about leaving his current place. He could have questioned how ravens, unclean, scavenging birds, could possibly bring him food. But he didn’t. Scripture simply tells us that he went. That simple act of obedience became the hinge for his survival in the drought. Quick obedience matters because provision has an address. God told Elijah exactly where to go: “the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan.” If Elijah had gone west, or delayed, or settled somewhere more comfortable, he would have missed the place where God had commanded provision to meet him.

The lesson is clear; delay can be disobedience. When God speaks, He expects a response that matches the urgency of His instruction. Delayed obedience can cost you the timing of your blessing. Think about the widow at Zarephath later in Elijah’s story (1 Kings 17:8–16). Her quick obedience in baking bread for the prophet unlocked the miracle of oil and flour that never ran out. Obedience doesn’t just open the door for you; it often opens the door for others as well.

Obedience often looks like risk. For Elijah, leaving meant walking away from what was familiar into the unknown. But risk in God’s hands is never wasted, it becomes the soil where miracles are planted. Sometimes you want the provision without the obedience. You want the ravens to bring bread, but you don’t want to go to the brook. You want the blessing without the step of faith. But God has tied provision to position. Where He sends you, He sustains you.

Quick obedience is also an act of trust. It says, “God, I believe You know better than I do.” Proverbs 3:5–6 tells us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding. Leaning on your understanding often delays your obedience. What if Elijah had delayed and argued with God? The brook may still have flowed, and the ravens may still have flown, but Elijah would have been in the wrong place to receive. Your disobedience doesn’t cancel God’s faithfulness; it only causes you to miss it.

In your life, God may be asking you to move, whether physically, spiritually, or emotionally. Quick obedience is not about rushing blindly; it is about aligning swiftly with God’s direction. Think of Peter casting the net again in Luke 5:5. He said, “But because You say so, I will let down the nets.” That one act of obedience produced a catch so great that the nets began to break. Obedience often precedes overflow.

Elijah’s obedience didn’t just provide food and water; it prepared him for the next chapter of his calling. Private obedience will strengthen you for public ministry. Before Mount Carmel came Kerith Ravine. Ask yourself today, where is God calling me to obey quickly? What “ravens” are already on the way, but waiting for me to get to my “there”? The quicker you obey, the quicker you encounter His provision. Remember this truth; when you obey God quickly, He will cause even the “dirty bird” to carry clean bread to your table. What doesn’t make sense in the natural will reveal God’s supernatural care for His children.

Let’s Pray: 

Father, I thank You that Your Word is alive and active, and that it speaks direction into my life. Lord, forgive me for the times I delayed obedience or ignored Your leading because it didn’t make sense to me. Father, teach me to move swiftly when You speak, knowing that my provision is tied to my position. Just as You led Elijah to the brook, lead me to the exact place where Your blessing has already been commanded. Father, remove from me the spirit of hesitation that questions Your timing. Replace it with a spirit of quick obedience. Father, I ask You to align my ears with Your voice so I can discern Your instructions clearly. Father, give me courage to trust Your unusual methods. If You can use ravens to bring bread, You can use unexpected people and situations to bless me. Help me not to miss my “there.” Keep my feet from wandering outside of Your will. Strengthen me in the hidden seasons of obedience, knowing that they prepare me for greater assignments. Father may my obedience not only bless me but also unlock blessings for others around me. Father, teach me to see obedience as worship, an act of love and surrender to Your perfect wisdom. Surround me with reminders of Your faithfulness so I do not grow weary in waiting for provision. Father, I dedicate my will, my steps, and my decisions to You. Guide me to align them with Your purposes daily. May my obedience testify to others of Your power and encourage them to follow You with trust. I declare that I will move quickly when You speak, trust You when I don’t understand, and receive every provision You have ordained for me.  In Jesus Christ Name, Amen! 

Nugget: “Provision is waiting at the place of obedience, move quickly, for your ‘THERE’ is already prepared.”

Blessings…

Love, Dr. Jean

Greetings Blessed People Of God! Thank You for being such a blessing and allowing me into your day to share the fresh manna that God gives me daily! I will not be sending out new devotionals during this time, Monday, July 7th – Sunday, August 31st, 2025.

I need to spend some time in consecration with God. I will restart the new devotions on Monday, September 1st, 2025. Please spend some time reviewing and re-reading some of the previous devotions, there are 439 devotions in this blog. May God bless you and may you continue to grow in His Grace.

Blessings…

Dr. Jean

Jude 1:25 NKJV ~ “To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.”

The doxology in Jude is more than a benediction, it is a battle cry of victory, a hymn of hope, and a final declaration of divine reign. These words don’t just close a letter; they seal a revelation. After reminding you of the God who keeps you, presents you, and rejoices over you, Jude brings you to the altar of adoration. All of it, every step, every struggle, every story, finds its fulfillment in this, To God our Savior… be glory, majesty, dominion, and power, both now and forever. Amen.

This isn’t simply poetic, it’s prophetic. It is a call to return all the credit, all the worship, all the honor, and all the control to the only One who deserves it. God! The longer you walk with God, the more you come to understand that every breakthrough, every healing, every deliverance, and every answered prayer is stamped with His signature. 

There is nothing in your journey that Grace hasn’t touched. Nothing in your lives that His Hand hasn’t held. And nothing in your future that His power won’t carry. Glory belongs to Him because He reveals Himself even in the hidden places. Majesty is His because He rules with both holiness and humility. Dominion is His because He reigns over kingdoms and heartbeats alike. Power is His because there is nothing too hard for Him, not in the heavens, not in the earth, not even in the depths of your pain. These four expressions are not separate, they are one continuous stream of divine authority.

And Jude anchors this with one final phrase, both now and forever. Amen. It means that what God did, He is still doing. And what He is doing, He will continue. He didn’t stop keeping you when you stumbled. He didn’t stop presenting you when you doubted. He didn’t stop rejoicing over you when you felt unworthy. And He didn’t stop leading you when you got lost. His keeping is eternal. His joy is everlasting. His wisdom is unchanging. His dominion is forever. And your response is simple, just say, Amen. So be it. Let it be done. Let it remain.

To declare “Amen” at the end of Jude’s doxology is to agree not just with the text, but with your life. It is to say, I will give Him the Glory. I will Crown Him with Majesty. I will surrender to His Dominion. I will trust His Power. And I will do so not only in the sanctuary, but in my scars. Not only in the public victories, but in the private valleys. Not just when I feel strong, but especially when I feel weak. Because the Amen is not a period, it’s a promise.

Let your life be a living amen. Let your journey echo this praise. Let every moment you’ve endured be redeemed into worship. And let your final word not be fear, failure, or fatigue, but faith. Jude didn’t write a survival story. He wrote a glory story. And so will you.

Let’s Pray:

Father, You are the Most-High God, To You belongs everything. To You belongs my breath, my journey, my calling, my becoming. To You belongs my worship, not just in word, but in the way I live. I bow in reverence to the truth that You have kept me when I could not keep myself. You held me through every storm. You covered me when I felt exposed. You restored me when I felt ruined. And today, I give You glory. You are the God who presented me faultless, not because I was flawless, but because You are faithful. You wrapped me in Christ. You carried me with compassion. You called me beloved when I felt broken. And instead of shame, You placed honor on my head. Instead of rejection, You gave me rejoicing. You found joy in presenting me, and now I find joy in praising You. God, You alone are wise. You knew where to lead me when I had no direction. You ordered my steps even when I wandered off the path. You turned my detours into divine appointments. Your wisdom has never failed. And when I look back over my life, all I see is the fingerprint of grace and the shadow of Your wisdom guiding me through every unknown. So, Lord, I return it all to You. Glory, because You revealed Yourself even in the fire. Majesty, because Your Presence is still overwhelming and Holy. Dominion, because You rule over my chaos and calm my storms. Power, because You alone have carried me from then to now. And I declare, both now and forever, You are worthy. Father, let my life reflect this worship. Let my walk carry this weight of praise. Let my decisions, my words, my posture, and my purpose all testify to the greatness of the God who saved me. Let nothing steal the glory that belongs to You. Not fear. Not pride. Not pain. Not people. You are worthy of it all. So, I lift up a final “Amen.” Not as a conclusion, but as a continuation. Let it be so, Lord. Let my yes echo Yours. Let my heart remain in rhythm with Your holiness. Let my surrender remain sealed by Your sovereignty. Let my past be a testimony, and my future be a canvas for Your glory. To You, God my Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. And let everything in me say in the Name of Jesus Christ, 
Amen! 

Blessings…

Love, Dr. Jean…

Have A Blessed Weekend…