Tag: bible

Matthew 7:24–25 (NIV) ~ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”

After you’ve run into God as your refuge and discovered that He is your peace, you are now invited to walk in a new revelation: He makes you steady in the storm. Day 1 reminded you that God is your shelter, your place of protection and strength when life becomes overwhelming. Day 2 assured you that peace is not the absence of trouble, but the Presence of a steady God. Today, we build on those truths and declare that the same God who covers you and calms you is also the One who anchors you. In Matthew 7, Jesus gives us a picture of two houses, both exposed to the same storm. One collapses, and the other stands. The difference is not in what hit them, but in what held them. The wise builder, like you, chose the rock. And when Christ is your foundation, no storm can take you under.

God is your refuge, so you do not run in fear, you run in faith. Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” You are never without covering, never without help, never without hope. In the middle of pressure, pain, and spiritual warfare, you can hide in Him and be renewed. You are not exposed; you are enclosed in His presence. God is also your peace, which means you don’t have to wait for the storm to end before you rest. Isaiah 26:3 reminds us, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” You may hear the wind and feel the waves, but His peace steadies your soul like a quiet stream running beneath the chaos. It’s the kind of peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7); and it guards your mind and heart.

But what happens when the storm lingers? When the breakthrough is delayed? When the report doesn’t change, the pressure intensifies, or the prayers seem unanswered? That’s when God invites you to stand. Not just to wait it out, but to walk through it with strength, endurance, and spiritual authority. You are not just surviving, you are overcoming. The enemy wants you to believe that storms mean God has abandoned you. But Scripture shows us again and again: God meets us in the storm. He stood in the fire with the three Hebrew boys. He walked on the water toward the disciples. He slept in the boat because He wasn’t worried, and He’s not worried about your storm either. Why? Because He has already declared the outcome.

Jesus didn’t just endure storms; He spoke to them. In Mark 4:39, He declared, “Peace, be still!”, and creation obeyed. That same Spirit now lives in you (Romans 8:11). You have the authority to speak peace, to command fear to go, to worship before the wind settles. You’re not helpless in the storm, you’re empowered. And remember, some storms are refining you. James 1:2–4 reminds us to count it all joy when trials come, because they produce perseverance. What you’re walking through is strengthening your spiritual muscles. The shaking isn’t meant to break you, it’s meant to build you. You are being fortified with every gust of wind. You are learning how to stand firm in seasons that used to take you out. To be steady also means to surrender. Sometimes what causes us to shake is what we refuse to release. Hebrews 12:1 tells us to lay aside every weight. What are you carrying that God never asked you to hold? Let it go. You cannot run freely in a storm while holding burdens He’s already promised to bear.

Finally, lean into the power of worship. When Paul and Silas praised in prison, the earth shook. Chains fell. Doors opened. Your praise still carries that kind of power. Praise shifts atmospheres. It reminds your soul of who your God is. It doesn’t deny the storm; it declares victory in spite of it. So today, be reminded, God is your refuge—so you are safe! God is your peace—so you are calm! God is your foundation—so you are steady! The storm may still rage, but you’re not shaken. You’re standing on the Rock, and that Rock is Christ. You were not built to collapse, but you were built to conquer. Storms strengthen what’s rooted in God. Today, breathe deep. You are covered! You are kept! You are equipped! This storm is not your end, it’s your elevation. Stay planted in the truth and let peace speak louder than panic. And don’t just brace yourself, build yourself up in faith.

Let’s Pray:
Father, You are my Rock and my Refuge. Thank You for being my place of strength, peace, and safety. Even when life shakes and circumstances shift, You never change. You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. I choose today to place my full weight on You, my thoughts, my emotions, and my future. You are my steady place when everything around me feels uncertain. Thank You for being my hiding place when life becomes too much. Thank You for being my calm in the middle of chaos and my unshakable Rock when the world feels unsteady. I run to You now, not in fear, but in full faith that You are present, near, and more than enough. Father, teach me to build my life on Your Word and not my own understanding. Help me to not just hear the truth, but to live it out. Let every part of me, my decisions, my relationships, my reactions, be anchored in who You are. Strengthen me to stand when I feel weak. Fortify me to fight with faith when fear tries to take over. Lord, I speak peace over the storms around me and stillness over the winds in my soul. Let the waters settle and let Your presence rise. Help me to release every weight, disappointment, doubt, anxiety, frustration, and fear. I lay them all down at Your feet, and I lift my hands to You. Teach me to worship while I wait and to rest while I trust. Even in the unknown, let my spirit be still because I know You’re in control. Father, Thank You for walking with me in the storm; not just waiting for me on the other side. You are working all things for my good, shaping me through what was meant to shake me. This storm won’t last forever, but what You’re building in me will. Let this season grow my roots deeper and my praise louder. Father, I declare today by faith, I will not fall. I will not drown. I am steady because You are my foundation. I am safe because You are my refuge. I am at peace because You are present. And I am victorious because You are my God. In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

Blessings…
Love, Minister Jean

Micah 6:8 ~ “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

As you journey through life, you often focus on two things: where you are going and how fast you are getting there. You measure success by movement, progress by speed, by fulfillment by and by what you have accomplished. But God’s rhythm is different. His pace is not dictated by urgency but by purpose. To walk in step with God means not only to move when He moves but to walk at His pace, not yours. There are times when He leads you swiftly, calling you into seasons of acceleration, and there are times when He slows you down to teach you, patience, trust, and endurance.

If you are truly in rhythm with Him, you will recognize that His timing is always perfect, even when it doesn’t match your own expectations. In the scripture today, you are reminded that God calls you to walk humbly with Him, not to run ahead, not to drag behind, but to walk with Him. Walking implies consistency, faithfulness, and trust. It is not about rushing to the finish line but about staying aligned with His Will each step of the way.

Are you allowing God to set the pace of your life? Or are you trying to force progress on your own? True peace is found when you surrender your timing to His and trust that every step, whether fast or slow, is leading you toward His divine purpose. Imagine walking through a thick fog where visibility is limited. You can only see a few steps ahead, yet you hear the voice of a trusted guide directing your path. You don’t need to see the entire journey; you simply need to listen and follow each instruction as it comes.

This is how your walk with God often feels. You may not always see what’s ahead, but when you listen for His voice and follow His lead, you can trust that He is guiding you safely toward His intended destination. As John 10:27 reminds us, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” Even when the path is uncertain, even when you feel like you are moving too slowly or too quickly, you can trust that God’s navigation is never wrong.

God sees what you cannot see and leads you with love, wisdom, and perfect timing. So, today are you willing to trust Him even when the next step isn’t clear to you?

Let’s Pray:
Father, I come before You today with a heart that longs to walk in step with You. So often, I rush ahead, trying to force my own way. Other times, I hesitate, afraid to move forward. But today, Lord, I surrender my pace to Yours. Teach me to trust Your timing over my own. When You call me to step forward, give me the courage to move. When You ask me to wait, give me the patience to remain steadfast. Help me to recognize the rhythm of Your Will and to walk humbly with You, neither running ahead nor lagging behind. Father, when the path is unclear, help me to listen for Your voice. When I feel weary, strengthen me to keep going. When I am tempted to compare my journey to others, remind me that You have set a unique pace and purpose for my life. Father, I fix my eyes on You, the author and perfecter of my faith. Align my heart with Yours, steady my steps, and lead me in the way everlasting. I trust that every step, whether fast or slow, is leading me closer to Your perfect plan for my life. Father, Thank You for being my guide, my strength, and my source of peace. I choose today to walk in rhythm with You, knowing that as long as I follow Your lead, I will never be out of place or out of time and I will arrive at my purpose at the pace and on the path that You set me on. In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

Blessings…
Love, Minister Jean

Psalm 24:1 ~ “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”

Everything you have, everything you see, and everything you possess belongs to God! You are not the owner of anything; you are the steward of what He allows you to have. Too often, you cling tightly to what you have, fearing lack, worrying about the future, and hoarding blessings as if they are scarce. But the truth is, there is no shortage of blessings from God. He is not a God of scarcity; He is a God of abundance! According to Philippians 4:19, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

When God blesses you, it is not just for your own benefit, He blesses you so that you can bless others and advance His Kingdom. Holding onto His gifts selfishly contradicts His purpose. Jesus teaches that generosity is a reflection of your trust in Him. “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38, it’s amazing you can quote this scripture, but you never put it into practice. Please try it today!

Hoarding wealth, time, resources, or even love is a sign that you do not fully trust in God’s ability to provide. When you withhold from others, you are essentially saying you don’t believe God can replenish what you gave. But God’s Word reminds us, “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” 2 Corinthians 9:6. True blessings come not in how much you keep, but in how much you pour out!

Check out this lesson from creation that I saw today on Facebook from Jerry Flowers Ministry. I am going to title it, “A Heart of Sharing.” It’s about a bird! He put a birdhouse out with food, and he saw the most amazing thing. The bird that found the food stood on the fence and whistled, calling out to others, he didn’t just signal for his own kind to come and share in the food, he made a general call for all to come and get the food that he found. Isn’t this amazing. God set this up for nature teach you about the power of generosity! Animals instinctively share in ways that will often put others to shame. That bird did not hoard the provision; he recognized that there was enough to go around for all. He did not let his selfishness or greed get in the way of helping another bird.

Contrast that with how you as a human being sometimes act. You can see someone in need and look the other way. You hoard resources, fearing that there won’t be enough left for yourself. You hesitate to help others unless you know you will get something in return. But God never intended for you to live this way. He has provided more than enough for His children. The problem is not a lack of resources, it is a lack of willingness to share what He has given to you!

Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:26, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” If the birds trust that there is enough for everyone, why don’t you? If they call to one another to come and eat, why do you struggle to give freely? God’s blessings are never meant to be kept for yourself; they are meant to be shared so that all can experience His goodness!

You must do better. You must take a lesson from creation and recognize that there is enough for everyone. If God has blessed you, it is so that you can bless others. “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.” Proverbs 3:27! When you give freely, you reflect the heart of your Creator. Instead of living with a spirit of selfishness, let’s choose to live with a heart of generosity, knowing that as you bless others, God will continue to pour out His blessings and provision for you. Everything belongs to God, and He gives freely. When He blesses you, it’s not just for you, it’s for His Kingdom. Take a lesson from the birds today, and trust that there is more than enough for everyone. Let go of selfishness, embrace generosity, and watch as God continues to pour out His blessings on you and those around you.

Will you trust Him enough to share His blessings with someone else today?

Let’s Pray:

Father, I acknowledge today that the earth is Yours and everything in it. Nothing I have truly belongs to me, it is all a gift from You. Thank You for Your provision, for Your blessings, and for always meeting my needs. I repent for the times I have held onto things too tightly, fearing lack instead of trusting in Your abundance. Father, I confess that sometimes I worry, sometimes I hesitate, and sometimes I fail to share what You have freely given me. But today, I release that fear, that hesitation, and that selfishness into Your hands. Father, help me to have an open heart and open hands. Teach me to be generous with my time, my resources, my love, and my kindness. Remove any spirit of greed, pride, or selfishness that keeps me from being a blessing to others. Let me not live with a mindset of scarcity but with the assurance that You are my provider. Father, let me see my blessings not as something to hoard, but as something to give. Remind me that every good thing I have comes from You and that Your supply is limitless. Father, help me to be like the birds of the air, who do not worry about their provision but trust in You daily. May I be quick to call others to partake in the blessings You have given, just as they do. Let my heart be filled with joy when I see others flourish because of the generosity You’ve placed within me. Give me the wisdom to know when and where to give, and the discernment to bless in ways that bring glory to Your name. Father, use me as a vessel for Your Kingdom. Let my hands be an extension of Your love, my voice a source of encouragement, and my actions a reflection of Your grace. Whether it’s through financial giving, acts of kindness, words of encouragement, or simply being present for someone in need, let my life be a testament to Your goodness. When I see someone struggling, let my first instinct be to help, not to judge. When I see an opportunity to give, let me do it with a cheerful heart, expecting nothing in return. Father, I ask that You continue to work in my heart. If there is any place in me that resists generosity, expose it and transform it. Let me be a cheerful giver, knowing that what I give will return in ways I cannot even imagine. Fill me with the confidence that as I pour out, You will pour in. Your Word says in 2 Corinthians 9:8, “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” Father, I claim this promise today. May my generosity be a reflection of my trust in You. Thank You Father, for the countless ways You have provided for me, protected me, and blessed me. Let me never take Your blessings for granted or forget that I am called to be a steward, not just a recipient. Father, let my giving glorify You, let my sharing bring others to know You, and let my life be a testimony of Your never-ending faithfulness. Father, I surrender all that I am and all that I have to You, trusting that as I give, You will continue to take care of me.

In Jesus Christ Name. Amen!

Blessings…

Love, Minister Jean

Luke 6:44 ~ “Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers.”

Galatians 5:22-23 ~ “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

On Monday, we talked about “The Proof is in the Pudding” and on yesterday; “You Can’t Fake Your Fruit.” Well, today, we are going to dive in a little deeper and make this thing personal, it’s all about you and the truth that your fruit will give you away your actions, your words, you’re your attitudes will reveal what is truly inside of you. It is time to shift your focus to self-examination: What does your fruit look like?

It’s easy to look at the fruit of others and judge whether they are bearing good or bad fruit. But before you examine someone else’s tree, Jesus reminds us to look at our own. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Matthew 7:3. Instead of pointing fingers, you must first ask yourself: Is my life producing the kind of fruit that reflects Christ?

Jesus made it clear that you cannot fake good fruit. You may be able to put on a spiritual appearance for a while, but in time, what is inside of you will come out. (In the words of my grandmother, you might can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can’t fool God none of the time.) “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.”  Matthew 7:18! If you claim to follow Christ, but your life is filled with jealousy, hate, pride, bitterness, or dishonesty, then something in your spiritual foundation needs to change. The fruit of your life should be a reflection of the Holy Spirit at work within you. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”  Galatians 5:22-23!

The key to bearing good fruit is not in your own efforts, but in staying connected to the source. “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” John 15:4! A tree does not struggle to produce fruit; it happens naturally when it is planted in the right soil, watered, and given sunlight. In the same way, when you are rooted in Christ, spending time in His Word, seeking Him in prayer, and yielding to His Spirit, your life will naturally produce the fruit that glorifies God.

If you examine your life and realize your fruit is not what it should be, don’t be discouraged. God is the Master Gardener, and He is always working to prune and refine us. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” John 15:1-2. Pruning is not always easy, it can be painful, but it is necessary for greater growth.

If someone were to examine the fruit of your life today, what would they see? Would they see love, and humility flowing from you, or would they witness meanness, and pride? Sometimes, you don’t realize what kind of fruit you are producing because you justify your actions with excuses like, “That’s just how I am,” or “God knows my heart.” But Jesus reminds us that “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45! What comes out of you, your words, reactions, and habits, is a direct reflection of what’s inside of you.

If your fruit is not lining up with God’s Word, it’s time to take responsibility and allow Him to change you from the inside out. True spiritual maturity is not about how long you’ve been in church, but about how much your life looks like Christ. (stop using this same old story, I grew up in church and have been in church all my life, that is not what you need, you need to be growing in Jesus Christ!) Good fruit cannot be forced; it is the result of a heart that is continually submitted to God. The more you allow Him to work in you, the more your fruit will become a testimony of His Presence in your lives.

Take a moment today and do a self-examination by asking yourself these questions and then be honest with yourself for the answer. And the great thing is, if you don’t have an answer, you can repent right then and there and ask your God to help you!  What kind of fruit do you see in your life? Is it evidence of the Holy Spirit or the works of the flesh? Are you staying connected to Christ, the true Vine, in a way that allows you to grow spiritually? What areas of your life might God be pruning right now to help you bear more fruit? How can you focus more on your own growth instead of looking at the shortcomings of others? Your fruit will always give you away, and the truth of your walk with God will not be found in what you say, but in what your life consistently produces. The question is: Does your fruit reflect Christ?

Let’s Pray:

Father, today I choose to examine my own heart rather than looking at others. Help me to be honest about the fruit I am producing. If there is anything in my life that is not of You, any bitterness, selfishness, impatience, or sin, reveal it to me so that I may surrender it to You. Father, I desire to bear good fruit that reflects Your Presence in my life. Teach me to walk in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Let my words and actions be a testimony of Your transforming power. Father, I recognize that I cannot bear good fruit on my own, I need to remain connected to You. Father, keep me grounded in Your Word, devoted in prayer, and sensitive to the leading of Your Spirit. Prune away anything that is hindering my growth, even if the process is uncomfortable. I trust that You are shaping me into the person You created me to be. Father, forgive me for the times I have judged others while ignoring my own shortcomings. Help me to focus on my own spiritual growth and not compare my journey to anyone else’s. Let my life be a living example of Your grace, producing fruit that draws others to You. Father, I thank You for Your patience, Your Grace and Mercy, and Your love. Continue to work in me, Father, until my life fully reflects Your character in every way. In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

Blessings…

Love, Minister Jean

2 Corinthians 9:8 (KJV) ~ “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.”

This week, from Monday until now, I have been so in awe of all of God’s benefits and how He loves giving them to us! So here is one more day on His Benefits for you! These devotionals are all about God, and His love for you. You are a direct beneficiary of everything that He has! This is your shouting moment, To God be the Glory for the things that the Lord has done for you!

We have explored God’s divine benefits, starting with Monday and your unclaimed inheritance, recognizing that many believers fail to access the fullness of what God has freely given. Then we moved to Tuesday, stepping into the fullness of your benefits, understanding that you must seek first His Kingdom to receive what He desires for you. After that, you learned how to walk daily in His benefits, ensuring that you remain in alignment with His will so that you won’t miss out on His blessings. Then on yesterday, Wednesday, you progressed to overflowing in God’s benefits, discovering that His blessings are not just for you but are meant to flow through you to others.

Now today, Thursday, we will move to the final and most critical step: sustaining the overflow. Walking in divine benefits is not just about receiving a blessing once, it’s about learning how to maintain a life of continual abundance where God’s goodness remains an active, visible part of your daily experience. Sustaining the overflow requires stewardship, faithfulness, and continual connection to the Source.

To sustain God’s blessings, you must first be a faithful steward over what He has given you. Luke 16:10 says, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.” Many people pray for more but fail to manage what they already have. If you desire sustained overflow, you must handle your finances, time, relationships, and spiritual gifts wisely, always using them for God’s glory and not your personal pleasure.

Second, you must keep your hearts aligned with God’s Will. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” When you stop seeking God’s guidance, you risk stepping out of alignment, which can block the flow of His benefits in your life.

Third, you must continually sow into others. That’s right, you need to sow, this is where your blessings come from. Stop being stingy, it’s not yours anyway. (And just a side note, you can’t take it with you!) So, serve and sow according to how God leads you! Overflow is not meant to be stored up selfishly but shared. 2 Corinthians 9:8 promises that God will provide abundantly so that we “may abound to every good work.” Giving, whether financially, emotionally, or spiritually, keeps the cycle of God’s blessings flowing. The more you pour out, the more God pours back in.

Fourth, you must remain connected to the Source. (This is where your power comes from, it’s like you have a lamp and you said it won’t come on, it’s become you didn’t have it plugged in, but once you plugged it into the source, everything got brighter. Same thing applies to you spiritually, you have to stay plugged into God, He is the Source!) Just as a river dries up when it is cut off from its source, so will you dry up. You cannot sustain overflow if you neglect Prayer, Worship, and the Word. John 15:5 states, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit.” When you stay close to God, the blessings will not only continue, but they will grow!

Finally, you must trust God at every intersection, junction and in every season. There will be times when it seems like the overflow slows down or challenges arise. But Galatians 6:9 encourages us: “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season, we shall reap, if we faint not.” God’s blessings do not stop because of a dry season, sometimes, He is stretching your faith, teaching you endurance, or positioning you for a greater overflow ahead.

God does not want you to experience temporary blessings, He desires for you to live in continual overflow. But sustaining that overflow requires stewardship, alignment with His Will, generosity, staying connected to Him, and trusting Him even in uncertain times and seasons. But be encouraged, your cup will never run dry because your Source Supplier is unlimited. Keep walking in faith, keep giving, and keep trusting, the overflow is here to stay!

Let’s Pray:
Father, I thank You for the abundance of blessings You have poured into my life. You are the giver of every good thing, and I am grateful for Your daily benefits. Thank You for teaching me not only how to receive but also how to walk in Your blessings and let them overflow. Now, Lord, I ask that You help me sustain the overflow so that I may continue to walk in all that You have for me. Father teach me to be a faithful steward of everything You have entrusted to me. Whether it is my finances, time, talents, or relationships, help me manage them with wisdom and obedience. I do not want to waste what You have given but instead use it in ways that honor and glorify You. Show me where I need to improve and give me the discipline to make the necessary changes. Father, I align my heart with Your will. I do not lean on my own understanding but acknowledge You in all my ways. Direct my paths, Father, and keep me in step with Your perfect plan. Let nothing distract me from seeking Your Kingdom first. May I always be obedient to Your guidance and knowing that Your way leads to continued blessings and divine favor. Father, I pray for a heart that is always generous, knowing that as I give to others, You will give back to me in greater measure. I do not want to be a reservoir but a flowing river of Your blessings. Use me to bless others, Lord. Let my words, my resources, and my actions be an extension of Your love and provision. Father, keep me connected to You, Father, for I know that apart from You, I can do nothing. Let me never become so consumed by the blessings that I forget the Blesser. Keep me in a posture of prayer, worship, and constant communion with You, so that my spirit remains filled, and my cup continues to run over. Father, in times when it seems like the overflow slows down, I will trust You. I know that even in dry seasons, You are still working in my life. I will not grow weary, but I will stand firm, believing that Your blessings are continual and that my due season is always coming. Strengthen my faith, O Lord, so that I do not waver or doubt but instead remain confident in Your perfect provision. Thank You for sustaining me, for keeping me, and for ensuring that the overflow continues in my life. I declare that I will walk in sustained abundance, not just for myself, but so that I may bless others and bring glory to Your name. My cup will never run dry because You are my Source, and You are more than enough. In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

Blessings…
Love, Minister Jean