Today is my birthday! I’m another year older, another year “wiser.” As I’ve thought about the past year, I can see many places where God placed His hand and His Holy Spirit over me. These are points in my life when I used to say, “We got lucky” instead of “God provided.”

Changing my stance to focusing on God’s provision instead of trusting my circumstances to luck has made it much easier to see how He works in all areas of my life. This has made me thankful to serve a God who loves and cares about us. When others examine our lives and see praise for the Lord in startling places, it’s hard for them to understand.

Believe it or not, we aren’t the first to face this. Paul writes, “If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for? So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:30-31 ESV). Those around him didn’t understand many things Paul did. People didn’t know how he could go from a life of wealth and status to a life of prison and rags, all for Jesus. Paul didn’t worry about that. He didn’t show embarrassment or start to claim “luck” when chains broke from him in prison. Paul continued to praise God as his Lord and Savior.

Today, I invite you to investigate your life as we wrap up one holiday and move into another Christmas season. As we move towards celebrating the birth of our Savior, take a deep dive into places in your life where you have attributed success to your own works. Pause and say a prayer of thanks that the Lord had His hand in providing for you.

Thank you, Jesus, for your abundant provision in my life!

Sometimes, life can feel like a rat race! Our plates can quickly become full as we juggle numerous responsibilities and duties. Before we realize it, enjoying life can be daunting due to exhaustion and over-exertion. Therefore, during this season of thanksgiving, I decided to be thankful for our Heavenly Father, who makes us rest. Yes, he makes us rest!

 Psalms 23:2 (KJV) declares, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.” Enjoying your family when your days are filled with busyness isn't easy. It is much easier to enjoy the beauty and holiness of this season with a rested spirit. My heart is overwhelmed with thanksgiving for a God who will make us lie down in a place of comfort.

My youngest daughter has a much earlier bedtime in comparison to her siblings. At her younger age, she needs more rest to be her best the next day. She doesn’t always like the fact that I make her lie down. She wants to keep going, but I know rest is in her best interest. Sometimes, we may push our bodies, minds, and spirits beyond what we can bear, but our Heavenly Father is a perfect parent, and, in his goodness, he makes us rest. As I think about my daughter, I see myself pushing to keep going and, thus, become even more thankful for the perfect God who knows my limits. His son, Jesus, declared in Mark 2: 27 (KJV), “…The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” How amazing is our God for creating the Sabbath for us to rest?

As I take inventory of the abundance of blessings God has bestowed upon me, this is the first time rest has come to mind. But this Thanksgiving, I am thankful for rest. And even more grateful for God, who cares so intensely for me that he would make me lie down in a place of comfort! I pray that this holiday season, you will embrace God and his rest.

To be thankful takes a certain amount of remembering. Looking back at the past few months of my life, I can genuinely say I’m thankful. Not that my situation is any better, but God's blessings have been abundant.

If you don’t know my story, my husband has Alzheimer’s and Lewy body disease. This past June, I placed him at the VA Center in our town. It was a tough decision; it’s still rough, even after three months. But I’m thankful he made the plan by signing up for the wait list six years ago. My husband knew life would get hard for me as his caregiver, and he didn’t want that for me. I’m thankful that God provided four people to confirm that I was doing the right thing. I’m grateful that he adapted quickly and fairly easily. I’m also thankful for everyone who prayed for me as I adjusted.

Max Lucado said this about thankfulness; “Gratitude comes from having the right perspective. It’s being able to look at what you have and being thankful for that, rather than longing for what you don’t have.”

I don’t have my life partner at home with me anymore. The disease stole that person away months ago. I would love to have him back, but I must be appreciative of what we had. I must be grateful for the blessing of a place that takes excellent care of him. I am thankful that God is always with both of us.

There is a song called Blessings with this chorus, “What if Your blessings come through raindrops? What if Your healing comes through tears? And what if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near? And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?”

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (CEV) says, “Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do.”

I will continue to be thankful and look for God in my situation because He is faithful and has good plans for my life. He will be with me and with my sweet husband.

Is it just me, or has Thanksgiving become more about food and football than being thankful?  OHSOFREE  wants to change that focus with the theme “thankful.” So many things come to mind, but I want to say I am thankful for my car.

What do I drive? Well, it’s not a Maserati or a Corvette. It’s not a Lincoln or a Cadilac. It is the most ridiculed car in Hollywood movies for some strange reason. I drive a Toyota Prius that is over 15 years old with 140K miles on it.

“Giving thanks always for ALL THINGS unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20 KJV).

Giving thanks and bringing prayer requests to our Heavenly Father keeps us from thinking only about ourselves and our needs. Thanksgiving goes along with worship and the Lord is honored in both. Our relationship with Him is strengthened when we thank Him.

Since the age of 16, I have considered cars a source of freedom. Riding down the street on a cool fall day with the windows down brings a sense of joy and renewal. So often I see people without cars hailing cabs or walking home from the market with a baby in one hand and grocery bags in the other. This makes me realize how blessed I am to have my little Prius, which, by the way, gets 43 miles per gallon of gas. Praise God!

Our attitude improves when we try to live with a thankful heart and give thanks for everything. Even when a tire blows up on the highway, we can be thankful (in ALL things) and learn to appreciate God’s provision for us.

What are you thankful for today in this month of Thanksgiving?

I was the Director of Outreach and Care Ministries at a mega-church. This was an amazing position managing thousands of Christian volunteers in hundreds of local outreach needs. I was able to call upon volunteers in an instant during local events and emergencies. Second to God, I loved my church family more than anything.

 The associate pastor and the church secretary called me into his office one day. I was told my hours would be immediately reduced from 60+ per week to only 6, and I would be demoted from my current position to a clerical one. I was stunned and crushed. I asked what I had done wrong. The secretary spoke up and said I was the least important part of the staff. She said there was nothing for me to do but to step aside quietly. I thought only my managing pastors could have done this, and all my reviews had been positive. My tears came, and I had no control over them as I staggered out. I suffered a massive breakdown, landing me in the hospital for two weeks. Because of church confidentiality, I couldn’t talk to anyone about what had happened. I later heard that the church secretary had become jealous of me and convinced the associate pastor to affect this outcome. I felt like someone I loved had died.

Even in the worst of circumstances, God wants us to be thankful. The Bible says we need to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV). The word “ALL” is key.

It isn’t easy to give thanks when we’re hurting during hard times. The more we focus on things to be thankful for each day, the happier we become. To start, we have a God who has loved us since before time began. He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins and save us from an eternity of torment. With this thankful outlook, suddenly, my own trials seem very small.

Have you ever let your emotions take control and lost sight of God? Recently, I went back on my promise to God and got entangled in a situation I should have left alone. My lack of commitment gave Satan a foothold, and I ended up feeling emotionally distraught. I began to question the strength of my faith and wondered why I continued to open doors that led to heartache. Breaking my promise to God left me feeling ashamed. Despite being thankful for all the blessings God gave me, I repeatedly tried to fix things I had already entrusted to Him.

For the next few days, my mind was consumed by thoughts of the situation. I realized I needed to seek forgiveness from God, so I prayed to Him to clear my mind and focus my thoughts on Him. I asked for His help in handling these thoughts in a healthy way. I felt God telling me this: "When those thoughts come, give them to me and then pray about it." I have been following this advice, which has transformed my perspective on the situation.

In this life, we are going to get hurt. What we do with the hurt will define how we feel. When we give our pain to Christ, he is faithful to restore our joy. By keeping our eyes on the things from above and living our lives from Christ's perspective, we can regain a positive mindset.  

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things” (Philippians 4-8 NIV).

I am thankful we have a God who helps us when we keep our eyes focused on him. Have you had times when you took your eyes off Christ by taking back a situation you had given to him?

Life is both spectacular and crushing. On the dark days, I clamber to praise my Jesus, who was light before the sun, moon, and stars hung in the sky.

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV. To be honest, the weight of what my family has carried for over a decade, seems to be anything but light. Nor does it feel momentary. When things first got hard, it was easy to praise God and be thankful. We were confident our rescue was just around the corner. As time dragged on with no rescue in sight, these verses took root, producing new life in me that transcends my simple existence.

Life has forced me to learn to hold tightly to what is unseen. To know that despite what I see or feel, Jesus loves me. He is at work to do what is best for me. He is faithful, gentle, and beautiful. He is powerful, gracious, and kind. He sees beyond what I see. He is a healer even when I am hurting. He is peace in the midst of chaos even when I don’t think I’ll survive. He is sure and true. He is just. He is steady and unmoving. He still brings life out of the darkness. He renews and restores. He is the creator. He is good. He is God.

I have found hope in Him because He is unchanging. Even if my troubles don’t end before I leave Earth, they end. They are not eternal, but He is. My sweet friend, on dark days, cling to Him, knowing He is also holding tightly to you. Thank Him for who He is, and find hope in Him.

“You make known to me the path of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,
    with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:11 NIV).

During an overwhelmed and out-of-control season, I signed up for an online study on spiritual disciplines, where I learned the importance of silence, solitude, gratitude, and prayer.
One of the habits taught was the Daily Examen, a prayer exercise created by Ignatius of Loyola, a Spanish Priest born in 1491 and the founder of the Jesuits. It is “…a technique of prayerful reflection on the events of the day in order to detect God’s presence and discern his direction for us.” (From www.ignatianspirituality.com)

The Daily Examen is a set of five introspective prompts to follow. No equipment is needed; it only takes a few minutes of your day. It can be done as you wake, take a drive, or go to sleep. Here are the five steps (Dan Wilt, 2020):
1.Be Still – become aware of the presence of God.
2.Give Thanks – review the past hours with thankfulness.
3.Reflect – become aware of your emotions.
4.Pray – Choose one feature of the day and pray.
5.Hope – look toward the following hours with expectation.

There are great benefits when the Examen is incorporated into daily life, especially during times of distraction, disorientation, or distress. I became more aware of God’s presence and experienced deeper intimacy. Through prayerful reflection, an attitude of gratitude was cultivated, helping me recognize greater opportunities to express thankfulness. Instead of grumbling, I looked forward with hope! Worry and anxiety decreased, and I even slept more soundly!

Prayerful reflection helped keep my mind on Christ and developed gratitude for God’s constant presence with me and in the circumstances of my day! I pray it helps you, too!

Expressing thankfulness can be easy when life is good, but God calls us to be thankful in ALL circumstances. How can we show gratitude when life becomes challenging?

In Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV), Paul the Apostle writes, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I have so much to be thankful for. I have a precious family, the most amazing friends, a great job, and a church family I am proud to be part of. Counting all my blessings comes easily, and the list of good things in my life could go on and on.  

However, when I reflect on all I have been through in life, I can clearly see there were things to be thankful for when times were difficult.  During those challenging times, I experienced spiritual growth and came to know the Lord in a different way. Those trials taught me life lessons that helped shape me into who God called me to be.

My parents’ divorce taught me to understand the importance of faithfulness and family. My diagnosis of a chronic illness at a young age taught me to have hope and believe in God’s healing. Rejection and disappointments in my relationships and friendships over the years led me to find my self-worth in Christ Jesus and understand His unfailing love for me. And grieving over the loss of my husband revealed the sweetest intimacy with my Savior, as I had to cling to Him and trust that He was working all things for good. I honestly can say that I am thankful for how the Lord used each of these times in my life to draw me closer to Him.  

As Christians, we are not promised that God will shield us from life’s hardships. But the Lord blesses us in the midst of it all. Knowing how deeply God loves us can help create a heart of gratitude in any circumstance we face. Today, ask God to reveal to you the blessings He has poured over you amid your struggles.  
 

Have you ever experienced a “night” moment in life? A time when you felt joy was gone, and darkness surrounded you. Maybe the death of a loved one, a sickness in your body, or a wayward child has led you to weep. Will the weeping ever stop?

It will stop! Psalm 30:5 (NKJV) declares, “…weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” This scripture has encouraged me in some of the darkest moments of my life and has stood the test of time. For every gloomy night I have experienced, there was a greater joy waiting in the morning.

No matter how difficult the circumstances, a new day will always come. Just as in the physical world, it is the same in the spiritual world. Your “night” season will not last forever. Unfortunately, we cannot control how long the pain will last. But we can wait eagerly for the Lord to refresh our souls with the promised joy.

I pray that your faith carries you during your time of weeping. Hold on and rest in His arms. Permit yourself to cry during this nighttime hour. Don’t feel guilty, but also don’t lose hope. The good news is that these troubles won’t last forever. The darkness will soon pass; morning is on the horizon!

How can we pray for you specifically if you are in a “night” season of weeping?

Scriptures sustain us, guide us, and provide assurance; they comfort us in troubled times and make us feel loved. I have found one piece of scripture, an entire psalm, that gives me all the provisions I just listed. It’s Psalm 139 in its entirety.

I once memorized all 24 verses and recited them at church before singing the song “He Knows Your Name.” Let me share some examples of how this Psalm helped me through hard days.

Verses 1-6 would come to mind when I felt unseen or alone.
“O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know what I’m going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand” (Psalms 139:1-6 NLT)!

On days when I questioned the path that seemed to be laid out for me, I would recall verses 16-18.
“You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me” (Psalms 139:16-18 NLT)!

These two verses comforted me even though the path didn’t seem fair. Why must I lose my husband to Alzheimer’s and Lewy body disease? Why must I be alone? This verse confirms that God is never surprised; he knew this day would come, and I would turn to Him for help. This Psalm reminds me of God's deep love and helps me trust Him to guide me. Many verses bless and sustain my soul, but Psalms 139 does it all for me.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6. NKJV).

At this stage of my life, I know that eventually, things will happen that will be hard to deal with and out of my control. It may look like losing the loves of my life, family, friends, and pets that are like family. I could go to a nursing home, meaning I would lose my home. What would I do without Jesus during those times? I would sink into despair. He is my hope here on earth and will carry me through to eternal life.

Trusting my life to God brings me peace. I acknowledge that Jesus walks with me on this path. He allows me to enjoy my life while preparing me with opportunities to share the love of Christ. God has shown me ways to demonstrate his love through simple acts of kindness. Daily, God guides me down the path he wants me to take, and I follow. He led me to start a card ministry, write for OHSOFREE Ministries, and help with meals for people leaving the hospital. God continues to reveal more paths that allow me to honor him.

This selection from Proverbs is my favorite because I have found that when I trust in Christ and acknowledge that I need him, he leads me down those roads of kindness. Christ is living in me, and I cannot live any other way.    

 What scripture keeps you trusting in God? How has God directed your path as you trusted in Him?  

When I learned the topic this month is “favorite scripture,” I thought that’s difficult. It’s like trying to determine your favorite candy bar. There are just so many choices.

One of my most loved scriptures is Romans 11: 33, 34 and 36 (KJV). The poetic King James version reads, “Oh the depths of the riches of both the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out. For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?” (Romans 11:33-34 KJV).

We sometimes strive to figure everything out independently by over-analyzing every problem. We resort to worry and human emotions to solve a life crisis rather than trusting God’s knowledge and wisdom. His ways are past finding out, and we don’t need to tell Him what to do. After all, do we know what the creator of the universe is thinking? Are we His counselor? Trusting Him is a better choice.

Over the past few years, I have observed three young men arguing scripture on social media. Their comments have been interesting on a high theological level, but their theology strayed slightly from foundational Biblical teachings. These young men were trying to prove themselves more knowledgeable and important than what they read. Sadly, one is now a proclaimed atheist, and another is in jail awaiting trial on serious charges.

I think it is good to read the Bible and have discussions. But at times, I believe we set ourselves up as more knowledgeable than the authors who wrote the Bible. Yes, writers of the scriptures were human too, but God inspired them.  

Verse 36 in this passage says, “For of him, and through him and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen.”

What scripture has inspired you in your relationship with the Lord?

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things.

This is just the first verse of “My Favorite Things,” as Julie Andrews sang in The Sound of Music. This was one of my daughter’s favorite movies. She loved the dancing and singing in this movie and others as she grew up. I, too, have my favorite movies, songs, music, etc. I am sure you have many favorites as well.

The Bible has many beautiful stories that I learned growing up. One interesting story is when Jesus visits the sisters, Mary, and Martha. Martha is very busy in the house and discovers that her sister Mary is sitting at Jesus' feet instead of helping her. Martha complains to Jesus. Jesus responds in Luke 10:42 (ESV), “but one thing is necessary. [a] Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Sitting at Jesus’ feet was the good portion, and Mary had chosen this. She was sitting and learning from the Rabbi, our savior! That is where I would want to be.

How can I do this today? My favorite verse tells me exactly how to do this: “Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10 (ESV). I, too, can sit at Jesus' feet and learn from him. Whatever mood I find myself in, I know I can be still, and God will be there for me, just as Jesus was for Mary. I will choose the good portion!

Sometimes, I find myself singing Be Still and Know. I like to imagine that I am Julie Andrews singing about my favorite things.

When I first starting reading God’s word, I wasn’t looking to find a favorite verse. I was reading the Bible to learn more about who God was and what Christ did for me. As trials came, and there were many trials, I began to understand the need to lean in and listen to the Holy Spirit.

One scripture that continued to be revealed to me was Phil 4:13(NIV) “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” I learned to repeat it in times of trouble and I also learned to believe that my strength I needed in times of trouble was only through Christ. This strength wasn’t something I could do on my own.

Three years ago I had open heart surgery. This surgery came up fast and without much preparation. I was anxious about what would happen during surgery, how I would recover, if I’d recover, and what my life would look like after the surgery. I was scared. In the midst of this situation, the memory verse I learned a few years back came to my remembrance. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me:” It’s His strength that would give me the courage to let go and allow Jesus to be my all powerful redeemer.

There’s something supernatural that happens when you lay everything down at the feet of Jesus and truly allow Him to take over any situation. It’s not always easy to let go and let God, but when you do it’s amazing to see the mighty hands of God at work.

The verses I cling to change with the seasons of life. However, there are verses that I return to again and again, like Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV), “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

 For decades, I prayed, “Lord, help me take hold of everything you took hold of me for. I don’t want to miss anything you have for me.” I didn’t expect His answer to include such deep pain. I wanted to do great things for God. He had a bigger plan.

Some of God’s lessons aren’t fun. By necessity, I have learned to lean into God when I’d rather hide. I’ve repeatedly reminded myself that what God desires for me isn’t found in this life. I want Him to take away the pain, but my current comfort is not His most significant concern.  

Life can be harsh! But, when we press into (literally to stretch toward) God, He has an amazing way of making beautiful things grow in the middle of our ugly, painful messes. His idea of beauty isn’t always what I want, but it is eternal, outlasting my selfish desires.

If you’re in a difficult season, pray that not one moment of your suffering will be wasted. Pray God would use it all for your good and His glory. Pray to walk with integrity, staying close to Him through whatever comes. Then, you can tell the whole story without embarrassment. Pray that you will take hold of everything He took hold of you for. Pray for His comfort and strength, then press on, dear friend.

Do you believe all scripture has a purpose and place in our lives? Knowing that each word of scripture was written and God-breathed for a specific intention should make His word more sacred to us. What bible verse means the most to you?  

Choosing a favorite verse was difficult because so many different ones have touched me through my life journey. There have been verses that were for encouragement and instruction, as well as conviction and correction. All of which have a specific purpose and time that were most significant to me. This struggle to narrow it down to one favorite verse revealed how much scripture means in my walk as a Christian woman.  

I chose a verse in Micah 6:8 (NIV) that says, “And 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 walk humbly with your God.”  This verse encompasses how God would ask that we live our daily lives. It is straightforward. I think we sometimes make our mission of following Jesus too complicated. God requires us to simply love others in this way.  

This verse in Micah calls us to act justly or honorably. Meaning everything about who we are should bring honor to who God is. Our words, our actions, our decisions, all of it should be set apart. We also are called to show mercy to others. Our hearts should overflow with love for all of God’s people. Those that are easy to love and, even more so, those that are difficult. Our hearts should see others the way God sees them and love them the same. To find success in this, we must humble ourselves before God. When we put ourselves second and seek only His will, being what God called us to be is easy.  

I challenge you to search scripture for your favorite verse and journal about what it means to you. I believe God will speak directly to you in just the way you need today.

In the 1970s/1980s, there were Christian comic books that made the stories of foreign missionaries easier for children to read and understand. I loved these as a girl! One issue grabbed my attention more than the rest. It was titled “God’s Smuggler.” It was about a courageous Dutch Christian called “Brother Andrew” whose mission was to smuggle Bibles across Russian borders through the “Iron Curtain.” I was scared on his behalf, but I also admired him and his willingness to follow God wherever He might lead, even at the risk of his own life. For my Sweet Sixteen Birthday, I only asked for one thing: a Russian Bible. I determined that I, too, would be an epic superhero missionary to Russia!

My favorite Bible verse is Acts 13:47 (ESV), which says, “For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,
‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

I had the right idea, but the problem was that I wasn’t called to foreign missions at all; I only thought I was because of an exciting comic book. Instead of listening to God and following Him, I married too young to someone I thought would please my family and who seemed to be heading to foreign missions in Russia and Eastern Europe. Because I wasn’t tracking with God, my choices as a young adult led to disastrous consequences.

I’ve attended and worked for many Evangelical churches in the decades since. Along the way, my walk with God continued to mature. At long last, I was able to place the Russian Bible I asked for all those years ago into the hands of a Russian in need- Not in foreign missions, but in Alaska, USA. I have learned that while some are certainly called to missions in foreign lands, God brings the mission field directly to the rest of us right here at home. If we listen to the wisdom and teachings of the Holy Spirit, we’ll inevitably find ourselves in God’s ministry wherever we are.

I love to learn and have a great desire to improve continuously. The process of learning, rather than the outcome, excites me most. That steady and intentional journey from ignorance to competence energizes me! I know firsthand the value of wise and Godly instruction.

The Bible is the most significant source of wisdom I know, and it continually points to God’s love and my salvation through Jesus. As I study Scripture, I discover invaluable lessons. God is always faithful to provide wisdom and show me what His Word means for my life.

My favorite Bible verses are found in Proverbs 4:20-22 (NLT). Do you hear the Father's gentle voice speaking lovingly to a child? These verses echo my daily prayer for the posture I want to hold when seeking Godly wisdom:

“My child, pay attention to what I say.
Listen carefully to my words.
Don’t lose sight of them.
Let them penetrate deep into your heart,
for they bring life to those who find them,
and healing to their whole body.”

If I take a highlighter and mark the words indicating an action, I immediately see the behaviors that will help me receive the wisdom I need. Let’s look at these words together:

1.Pay attention.
2.Listen carefully.
3.Don’t lose sight.
4.Let them penetrate deep.

These wise words of instruction are not just for you to ponder. They are actions you perform with your body – your ears, eyes, heart, all of you. You are not passive. God needs you to be actively participating in receiving wisdom from Scripture while learning and obeying the Word!

God’s Word brings life and health, the reward for our pursuit of wisdom. Let’s not sit back, wait, or wonder. Press in, pay attention and keep God’s Word deep in your heart.

Do you sometimes wonder if the Jesus of the Bible still performs miracles today? If we genuinely believed that he still performs miracles, do you think it would deepen our prayer lives?

As I read Matthew 15:22 (RSV), “And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon.’" I could relate to this mother. This mother is petitioning Jesus to heal her daughter. Reflecting on this mother’s anguish, I am reminded of a time I petitioned Jesus to heal my daughter.

In October 2018, at my daughter’s two-year-old check-up, the doctor realized she was anemic. However, the doctor was alarmed because the anemia wasn’t due to iron deficiency. We were sent to a hematologist who was perplexed by her condition. They couldn’t find the source of her anemia, even after numerous appointments and tests. However, her condition worsened, and her numbers became dangerously low.

The hematologist stated that she needed a blood transfusion within 24 hours, followed by a bone marrow aspiration, a few days later to assist in determining what was causing her condition. I remember leaving the hospital, strapping my baby in her car seat, and driving home. As I drove, I prayed like I had never prayed before. My husband and I sent texts to other believers asking them to pray for our baby.

We returned to the hospital the next day for her blood transfusion. They had her all prepped and ready, but before the transfusion, they rechecked her levels. Her levels had increased overnight! No blood transfusion was needed. Our baby girl is now six years old and has never suffered from anemia again! Jesus healed my daughter, just as he healed the woman’s daughter in Matthew 15:21-28.

I encourage you to trust that Jesus is still alive and performing miracles. How can we pray on your behalf today?

I was not raised in church; I was 20 years old when I finally attended a revival and found myself at the altar of a little country church. My life was miserable, and that night my heart was so broken. Jesus picked me up and started putting me back together.

Years later, I was divorced and once again broken.  Finally, in 1994 I married the love of my life, and we had 22 beautiful years with each other. I became his caregiver when he developed Alzheimer’s.

You might be thinking, what a tragic, terrible story! However, I have always loved the verse found in 2 Corinthians 1:4 (NLT), "He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us."

God has used me and continues to use me to minister to others. I understand the path of a caregiver because I've walked it. In our brokenness, we learn to rely even more on strength only God can provide.  OHSOFREE has given me an outlet to write and share my experiences of how the Lord held me close.  

Now my husband is in memory care, and once again, God is putting my life back in place and giving me opportunities to grow and share what He has done for me.

This past spring, some friends and I did a Bible study together. We dove deep into the Old Testament, specifically Exodus. We learned about God’s plan for His people and His covenant with man.  We also studied a lot about sin.

I typically would tell you I didn’t have any big sins. I’m a decent person most of the time. As we did this study, I examined my heart and asked the Lord to show me where to deepen my relationship with Him. What was happening in my life that was holding me back from sitting in His presence?

In His goodness, God began to show me things like anger, resentment, division, jealousy, and more. I attributed these things to ordinary human feelings and didn’t want to face them as sins. I spent nights in prayer and deep conversation, questioning how I got so far from the Lord and how I could get back by His side.

This Psalm, which I remembered from a song I sang as a child, comes to mind, “Create in me a clean heart, God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10 NASB 1995). This scripture became my prayer that God would be willing to do a spiritual cleanout in my life.

Let me tell you, when you pray big prayers, you get big answers. Our Father did as I asked. He lifted a blanket of shame and disappointment off me and clothed me in redemption. He did this in a way I had never felt before, in a way that can only happen by somebody who loves you deeply and whom you love in return.

The Lord took my heart, which I thought was turned towards Him, stripped it down, and revitalized it to beat only for Him.

I promise you, friend, whether today is your first day as a follower of Him or you’re on day 23,000, He can make you clean again.

Have you ever felt shame because of how you lived before you surrendered your life to Christ? I look back and think about the time spent doing things of no value. I started drinking and smoking at fourteen and later used more potent substances. I did what everyone else did and became a follower and a functioning partier.

At this time in my life, I sometimes worked two jobs while caring for my elderly mother. My problem was that I felt lost. My dad had died, my mom was sick, and I was very sad.
I always believed in God and told myself, “I’m a good person; I’m just having fun. Surely God wouldn’t send me to Hell, would He?” Deep inside, I knew the answer was probably yes.

Later when I was seriously dating, I didn’t think the relationship would make it. I decided to live with my brother and started reading the Bible while staying there. That was when I asked Jesus to take control of my life. I asked the Lord to help me and told Him I would do whatever He wanted me to do with my life and relationship. If my boyfriend and I were meant to be, I would love that, but please do not allow it if it wasn’t Your will. That is when everything changed.

We married, had two children, and we’ve been together for thirty-two years. Christ did that for me! Jesus was there all that time, just waiting for me, a sinner, to tell Him how much I needed Him.
 “But God demonstrates his love for us in this: While we were sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 NIV).

Can you put your name in this statement? “While ______ was a sinner, Christ died for me.” Eternal life is an amazing gift from The Lord who bore no sin yet freed us from ours. The LORD IS WAITING! I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO TELL JESUS THAT THEY NEED HIM.

I don’t have a riveting story of the day I turned from a former life of depravity to begin a new journey with Christ. Recently our pastor verbally painted such a picture. He described bullets ricocheting off furniture in his trailer house from a gunman named Jimmy zipping up his driveway. Pastor Scott belly-crawled to his bedroom, grabbing a gun with the intention of shooting to kill. But God had a different plan.

No, my early years on the outside look very innocent and picture-perfect. I was the youngest of six. We all dressed up pretty and went to church every Sunday and Wednesday. But we had many secrets. As the old country song says, No One Knows What Goes on Behind Closed Doors.

My testimony is one of God’s grace and protection. During my childhood and in my marriage, I have had many challenges. God miraculously showed His faithfulness through abuse, illness, and financial bankruptcy. In every trial, the Lord proved that He was bigger than any situation. One of my many favorite scriptures is Romans 8:28 (KJV), “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

OHSOFREE recently started the fall Bible study in which several of our writers share stories of women in the Bible and parallel those stories with their own. I invite those reading today to join the free study and chat, which will give you more details of my testimony and others. Just know that God has taken many negatives in my life and worked them all for good.  

How about you? Can you share when God took something tragic and worked it out for your good?

Are you living on a prayer or from prayer to prayer? Do you know who God is? Is God the magic genie in a bottle? These thoughts used to plague my mind as I am an overthinker.

Growing up in church and learning about him, I thought I knew who God was. God was always a part of my life, so much so that I took him for granted. I did whatever I wanted while still participating in my church community.

I became immune to this life I led. My overthinking brain had shut down my connection to God. But he was reaching out to me. I knew who he was, but I didn’t KNOW HIM. I did not have a relationship with him. God got my attention one night by slamming a door. I was sitting in a dark room lit only by candlelight at a women's retreat. The Lay Director read a passage from the bible and asked us to meditate on the words. My overthinking brain was overworking that night. The door to the chapel that was right in front of me opened and slammed shut. No one was there, but God! God gave me my verse, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 ESV)! I stilled my mind and listened to Him.

Anytime life gets in my way; I repeat this verse to myself. It reminds me that God is in control. God is everywhere, even in the silence. In the silence, I can get to know Him better!

Another verse I rely on is Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV), “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

When my brain takes over, and I start overthinking, I remember to trust in the Lord. By trusting in Him, I am putting God first and relinquishing all control to Him. He will make my paths straight. I no longer have just to survive this life but live it in worship to Him!

Blessings to you!