You Needed a Hard Shake to Wake Up

Posted on October 8, 2025 by daaorg1214

In James 1:2-4(NLT), the Apostle James encourages us to view our trials and tribulations not as mere burdens, but as opportunities for great joy. This passage states: “2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” This point of view might seem contradictory to our way of thinking about difficulties. However, if we consider the importance of growing in faith, we will discover that trials and tribulations help to open our eyes to the greatness of God’s love and grace.

Difficulties and painful circumstances are facts of life for everyone. But what really elevates our existence is not the absence of these trials; it’s our perspective and attitude towards them. We must remember that real transformation begins internally first, in our minds and hearts. This is why God directs us in Romans 12:2(NLT), “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” As we change our thoughts and attitudes to resemble the example of Christ, our outlook on every facet of life will be viewed through our faith in the power of God.

1John 4:18 (NLT) teaches: “Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.” God’s love is perfect love. He doesn’t punish us or cause us to be downtrodden and sad, going from one struggle to the next, but life on earth can be incredibly challenging at times. Our trials and tribulations shake us up, but James 1:2-4 is a wake-up call to face those tough times with a grin. This is a radical approach, and it may seem crazy, but not when we grasp that our faith is being purified and strengthened, so that it just gets stronger, and in our relationship with our Heavenly Father, we grow closer to Him continually.

Again, God doesn’t cause our trials and tribulations. He doesn’t desire us to endure suffering needlessly or trivialize our pain. Knowing the depth of our struggles, He wants us to lean on Him with all that we are—our trust, our doubts, our fears, and our hopes. Everything that we encounter in life offers us the choice to lean on God or rely solely on ourselves. In His omniscience, He already knows the outcomes of our choices and decisions. He understands the depths of our being more intimately than we do ourselves. Despite this, He grants us the freedom to choose our paths. It’s through this freedom that the true essence of our character is revealed. So, we must choose to navigate life’s challenges with faith in God because this is what sustains us.

Psalm 34:18-20 (NLT) “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; no one of them is broken!” God will always come to our aid and rescue us when we need Him, but we shouldn’t want struggle and strife to always be our teachers. Many of us face ongoing trouble because we rely too heavily on others for our happiness. In these instances, it takes a hard shake to wake up some of us to God love, power, and grace. Jesus Christ offers us a better way: to lean on God with all our being—heart, mind, soul, and strength. By loving and prioritizing Him in our lives, we ensure our steadfast journey on the path to His purpose, provision, and care. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Coping with Painful Circumstances

Posted on October 1, 2025 by daaorg1214

Proverbs 16:24 (NLT)
“Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”

Recently, I spoke with a woman who has been grappling with feelings of betrayal for nearly two years now. You’d think with time, healing would start to take hold, but it’s not always that simple – especially when children are involved, and faith hasn’t been a guiding force in the journey to healing. She’s reached out to countless people, hoping for encouragement and comfort for her shattered heart. Some of the advice she’s received has steered her towards anger and resentment. So, instead of finding comfort, she’s found bitterness creeping into her soul. She confided that she fears she’ll never be capable of loving again.

Dealing with tough times is something we all face but coping with the pain of a partner’s infidelity can be especially tough. It’s like a heavy weight you carry around, making even the simplest tasks feel impossible. I’ve seen it firsthand, women reeling from the shock of betrayal, desperately trying to lessen the pain any way they can. It’s a natural instinct, isn’t it? When you’re hurt, you want to shield yourself from more pain, just like you’d protect a physical wound.

Turning to those who do not know the Lord and haven’t given their lives to Him can sometimes worsen rather than alleviate pain. That’s why passages like Proverbs 16:24 resonate so deeply, highlighting the restorative effect of kind words on the soul and body. Our Master Jesus said in John 14:27(NLT): “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” The Words of Christ bring us a peace that passes all understanding. They instruct, edify, and heal us.

It’s our outlook and approach to challenges that truly shape our experiences as believers. We desperately need to hear the truth, especially when we’ve been attacked by the enemy, who tries to weaponize our relationships against us. Ephesians 6:12 (NLT) is a powerful reminder of the spiritual warfare that believers face: “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” This is a reality check for us, reminding us that life isn’t all about what our physical eyes see. There’s a spiritual battle going on behind the scenes, and it’s no joke!

Ephesians 6:13,18(NLT) states: “13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” Rather than succumbing to despair or resentment, this passage prompts us to equip ourselves with God’s spiritual armor of prayer, faith, and the truth of His Word to combat the schemes of the enemy. We can rely on the strength and protection that comes from our faith and stand strong continually.

Realizing that our battles extend beyond human conflicts, but are against spiritual powers, enables us to face difficulties with wisdom and discernment. God doesn’t want us to shut down emotionally due to hurt or betrayal. Instead of harboring bitterness and anger towards people, we’re encouraged to employ fail-proof weapons like prayer, faith, and truth. Whether it’s betrayal in marriage or any other relationship, relying on these tools helps us navigate with the authority and power of Christ, avoiding emotional paralysis and fostering forgiveness and growth.

Trust in God is pivotal to overcoming brokenness. Psalm 51:10 (NLT) beautifully invites God’s restorative work within us: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Our loving Heavenly Father desires the best for us, far beyond our own comprehension. So, stay steadfast in faith, facing challenges with courage, because nothing can hinder the reality that your inner strength of faith will always manifest the victory of Christ. Despite pain or adversity caused by others, God’s presence and power surpass all, guiding us to overcome with a renewed spirit. Take heart and trust in His unwavering strength. knowing that victory is within reach. ■

A Glad Heart Makes a Happy Face

Posted on September 24, 2025 by daaorg1214

Proverbs 15:13 (NLT)
“A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.”

Eric and Emma were MIA at Clara’s big shindig last weekend, and it wasn’t lost on anyone. These two are usually the first to arrive, with Emma staking her claim in the kitchen to keep tabs on Eric. They’ve been hitched for six years now, but what sticks out like a sore thumb is the tension between them.

Eric shattered Emma’s heart when she found out he’d been two-timing her a week before they tied the knot. The betrayal hit her hard, and she kicks herself for not spotting the signs earlier. “My marriage means the world to me, but sometimes I can’t shake off the hurt,” she admits.

When a marriage begins with feelings of insecurity and doubt in the other partner, those feelings don’t disappear. They linger and can intensify, bringing distrust into encounters and experiences that should be filled with joy. Our Heavenly Father advises us in Proverbs 4:23(NLT): “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” This verse tells us that we should prioritize guarding our hearts because it holds immense power over the direction our lives take. The heart is the seat of our being, driving our actions and decisions. It’s an internal reality, and as such, it’s our responsibility and privilege to protect this inner realm from influences that can harm us spiritually and emotionally.

God tells us in Ephesians 4:31-32(NLT): “31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Forgiveness is a benchmark in the example of Christ. It’s a profound virtue that can transform lives and relationships. At its core, it’s about letting go of resentment, vengeance, and anger toward someone that has wronged us. It’s grabbing onto faith, and releasing any fears and anxiety that we have. Emma found this very challenging to do.

Emma’s fear of being hurt again was not only damaging her relationship with Eric, but more concerning, it was also eroding her relationship with God. Her paranoia about Eric’s actions consumed her thoughts, infiltrating even the most mundane activities like trips to the grocery store, which became battlegrounds for accusations. Eric, constantly under Emma’s scrutiny, grew anxious about interacting with any women he knew, fearing her relentless questioning. Without realizing it, Emma had adopted a rigid stance against forgiveness, hindering both her own heart and the possibility of healing in their relationship.

Our powerful Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ teaches us in Mark 11:25 (NLT): “25 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” Forgiveness isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a display of strength and resilience. It takes guts to forgive someone who’s hurt us deeply. When we choose to forgive, we’re not just letting go of the past; we’re also reaffirming our faith and refusing to let pain dictate our lives.

Forgiveness isn’t just about us; it sets off a chain reaction that can break the cycle of hurt and retaliation. It paves the way for Christ to reign supreme in our relationships. Holding onto grudges can mess with our spiritual and emotional well-being, but when we choose love through forgiveness, it’s like flipping a switch! It transforms us, bringing smiles back to our faces and joy back to our hearts.

The State of Your Intimacy with God

Posted on September 17, 2025 by daaorg1214

Psalm 147:3 (NLT)
“He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.”

A close friend recently asked me what I would do if the person I loved the most betrayed me. She posed this question because it happened to her almost eleven years ago. While she has since recovered from the pain it caused, the memory remains a constant reminder of what was lost during the healing process and the price paid due to ignorance of the situation.

The sting of betrayal is something most people try to avoid at all costs. It’s not just about the person who causes the hurt but also the struggle of picking up the pieces. Once our hearts have been broken, the pain makes an imprint upon our memories that we will never forget, but there is also a lesson in our heartbreak. This lesson sheds light on the state of our intimacy with God.

In his epistle to the believers in Corinth, the Apostle Paul stated in 2 Corinthians 11:1-3 (MSG): “Will you put up with a little foolish aside from me? Please, just for a moment. The thing that has me so upset is that I care about you so much—this is the passion of God burning inside me! I promised your hand in marriage to Christ, presented you as a pure virgin to her husband. And now I’m afraid that exactly as the Snake seduced Eve with his smooth tongue, you are being lured away from the simple purity of your love for Christ.”

Our Heavenly Father is the ultimate, the ‘Great I Am!’ Revelation 1:8 paints the picture perfectly—He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. His glory, intelligence, and perfection surpass all comprehension. No one can compare to our extraordinary, all-powerful, all-knowing God! He is Everything, and in Matthew 6:33, Jesus Christ commands us to prioritize seeking God and His Kingdom above all else. You see, God can never take second place. It’s just not who He is. He is sovereign, and He reigns supremely. If we place anything or anyone above our Heavenly Father, it reflects a misunderstanding of His nature. In such a case, He holds us accountable for seeking Him out, for delving into His Word to grasp the truth.

A lot of women haven’t really taken the time to understand and know God intimately. They often prioritize their relationships with guys over their relationship with our Heavenly Father, and this will not turn out well. It’s like they’re all in when it comes to romance, but not so much when it comes to God. That’s not going to lead us on the right path. The psalmist said in Psalm 16:8(NIV): “I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” This verse is conveying to us that if we stay focused on God, sure, heartbreak might hurt, but it won’t knock us down completely. We won’t be left devastated just because a mere mortal decides not to be loyal.

God wants us to put Him first, above everything else. This isn’t a big ask, because He truly deserves our utmost devotion. He is our Creator and everything that we achieve and possess in this life is because of His grace. Sometimes, when we look back with a deeper understanding, we realize that we left ourselves open to hurt. Cheating happens, and it’s up to us whether we want to stay in a relationship after betrayal. But here’s the thing: if we don’t change ourselves and place our focus on God, we might find ourselves in the same painful situation again.

When our relationship is tight with Heavenly Father, our thoughts and actions start to change; we’re no longer who we used to be. As our faith grows and gets stronger, we begin to understand how our words, feelings, thoughts, and actions can either make tough situations easier or harder to handle. Progressing spiritually means realizing that we can’t escape pain entirely in life.

Never forget that life, as designed by our Heavenly Father, requires us to confront our obstacles; otherwise, they’ll hinder our progress. So, when someone hurts us, it’s like holding up a mirror. It reflects something we need to address to move forward and live a richer, more purposeful life. Trusting in God, prioritizing Him and His righteousness, allows Jesus Christ to tend to your heart. He’ll mend it, shield it, and transform it into one that forgives and empowers you.

Trust God in All Your Storms

Posted on September 10, 2025 by daaorg1214

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NLT)
“9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Most folks aren’t out there trying to prove how tough they are. If they’re anything like me, they’d rather dodge any rough patches if they can. And when the tough stuff does roll around, we’d rather have someone to lean on, right? Well, truth be told, only God is consistently in our corner, and we must be deeply grateful for His faithfulness. Life will throw some serious curveballs to test our resilience. So, who are you when you’ve got to make those hard calls? Do you crumble under the weight, or has life taught you to trust and lean on God in the storm?

For those that haven’t experienced life’s full range of ups and downs, surprises can catch you off guard and hit you like a ton of bricks. But guess what? God’s saying in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 that through it all, His grace is more than enough. Many of us have experienced firsthand that life is indeed full of ups and downs, right? But when your partner walks out, your job tanks, or your kids are driving you nuts, you don’t have to fall apart. Why? Because when you’re feeling weak, God is strong!

Isaiah 40:29 (NLT) states, “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.” As God’s kids, He’s given us power and authority through Jesus Christ. With it, we can tackle anything the enemy throws our way. But here’s the kicker, we’ve got to remain grounded in God’s Word. It keeps us steady when everything’s up in the air.

The psalmist’s words in Psalm 23:4(NLT), “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me,” provide tremendous comfort. As children of God, there’s no need to fear the future or what’s lurking around the corner. We have the privilege and the responsibility to place all our trust in God, just as Psalm 23:4 says. Our Heavenly Father is always there for us, through thick and thin. When you need a shoulder to cry on and a shield for protection, He’s right there, and He promises never to leave or forsake us.

1 John 4:4(NLT) declares, “But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.” Most of us have heard this wonderful truth taught many times, but a lot of us still clam up when it comes to handling the unexpected. We need to make a shift and adopt a new strategy for tackling the hiccups of life. Rather than forgetting God’s promises when things heat up, let’s make a commitment to visualize the Lord’s kind but strong face as he holds our hands and never lets them go. Then, literally hear him speaking the commandment of Mark 11:22 to you: “Have faith in God.”

Even when you feel life’s struggles trying to pull you down, resist it and be determined to keep your mind and heart stayed on Jesus Christ. God spoke it, and it is our reality, as His kids: His grace is all we need. We might feel weak, but with God, weakness is a chance for joy, a chance to find strength in the Lord. When you’re feeling down and out, when you’re ready to throw in the towel, that’s when you’ve got to press into the Father. He will bring us through the storm. Lean into Him, thank Him for seeing you through the rough patches. The power of Christ is within you, and don’t ever forget it. ■

An Urgent Cry for Help

Posted on September 3, 2025 by daaorg1214

Psalm 86:1-7(NLT)
“1 A prayer of David. Bend down, O LORD, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help. 2 Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God. 3 Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am calling on you constantly. 4 Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you. 5 O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. 6 Listen closely to my prayer, O LORD; hear my urgent cry. 7 I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble, and you will answer me.”

Have your circumstances ever been so dire that you cried out to God like never before? You knew in the depths of your heart that only our Heavenly Father could come to your rescue? This is King David’s urgent cry for help in Psalm 86:1-7. He was the king of a great nation and had many problems and enemies. The situations were overwhelming, and David understood that mere mortals could not rescue him and a nation. It had to be God. This is where he placed his trust, and God never disappointed him.

1Peter 5:9(NLT) tells us, “9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.” Standing firm against the devil is the charge God gives us in this verse, and the way to accomplish it is to be strong in our faith regarding God’s love and power.Many believers all over the world are suffering through really difficult times. All of us must pray for each other, and we must know that the only way we’re going to make it through is with God on our side.

Often, people come into the faith and become Christians because they think it means they won’t ever endure difficulty again. This isn’t true. Our Lord and Savior made it clear in John 16:33 that with life on earth, we will have troubles, but we should be courageous and brave when we face them. The reason we can be courageous and brave is because when Jesus Christ carried out God’s mission on earth, he overcame all the pressures, strife, and struggles that any of us will ever endure. He won the victory over those things, and because he did, we can live in his victory every moment of our lives.

1Corinthians 14:33 tells us that God is the not the author of chaos and confusion. He is a God of order and peace. Our Heavenly Father doesn’t orchestrate the difficulties we face, but we have an enemy, the devil, and he causes all the evil and darkness in this world. In John 10:10(NLT), Jesus Christ said, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.” And in John 8:44(NLT), Jesus says about the devil, “He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.” We are often deceived by the devil, and we make a huge mistake when we blame what he does on our Heavenly Father. This is exactly what the enemy wants. Coming between us and our relationship with God is his target, because he doesn’t want us to have faith in God. Instead, he wants us to be afraid of him. We should never give into his scare tactics.

Some are urgently crying out to God and saying they’ve never seen such heartache and despair in their lives. They are contemplating giving up on their relationship with Him altogether. This is something we must never do. Instead, we must understand that it is during our weakest and most vulnerable moments that the enemy tries to attack us, but God will always and forever have our backs. He tells us in 2Corinithans 12:9(NLT), “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”

God’s grace is our strategy for embracing the victory of Jesus Christ! God’s grace is the favor that He gives us even though we can’t do anything to earn it. We simply must have faith in God’s power and have faith in His willingness to use it on our behaves. Be assured that believing wholeheartedly in God is the practice that pleases Him. He tells us this in Hebrews 11:6. All relationships take time to develop and deepen, and faith is the way to go to develop and deepen our relationship with our Heavenly Father. You and I must desire a better relationship with Him, and then we must begin to build our lives around this. God hears our urgent cries for help, and when we have the faith to take His hand, 1Corinthians 10:13 tells us that He will deliver us and lead us to a way of escape. ■

Red Flag Alert

Posted on August 27, 2025 by daaorg1214

1 Peter 5:8-9 (NLT)
“8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.”

Imagine a strobing red siren flashing and sounding an alarm that danger is near. That is what this passage should represent for us. It’s a red flag alert from the Lord. He’s warning us that we have an enemy, and we should watch out for him, because he wants to pounce on our lives and devour them. At first glance of 1 Peter 5:8, we might become fearful but that isn’t what our loving and merciful Heavenly Father wants. In this passage, He not only gives us this warning about our great enemy; He instructs us regarding what we must do in order to remain on victory’s side. He tells us to stand firm against the enemy, and we do this by holding fast in the faith of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

It’s important that we understand that the devil is our spiritual enemy. We are not able to see him with physical sight, but we can most definitely see him at work in the lives of many people that try to come against us. We should never be asleep on the job when it comes to satan and his tricks. The diligence and wisdom of Christ are our weapons, and therefore we must study God’s Word, so that we are increasing continually in faith.

Our issue is that many of us haven’t been diligent to study God’s Word. Perhaps we’re concerned that we can’t connect it with the problems we’re dealing with, or that reading it will not impact us or our situations, but neither of these opinions are true. 2Peter 1:3-4(The Message) says, “Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust.” Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ tells us in John 14:6 that he is the way, the truth, and the life. God’s Will is for each of us to become intimately acquainted with Christ. When we know who Jesus Christ is, we know who we are, because Christ is everything that God created us to be!

God’s Word introduces us to ourselves. Many people live their whole lives ignoring this. They seek to know themselves by their talents, gifts, and abilities. We think we can find ourselves by attaching to others, but none of this will lead us to the truth of our identities. Our Heavenly Father has gifted us with all that we need to live a more than abundant reality through Christ. As we learn more about him, layer after layer, we’ll discover the excellence of God’s plan for our lives as the treasure of who He has made us in Christ is revealed.

Lies and deceit are the enemy’s tricks, and if we believe things that are not true about God and ourselves, the enemy will try to forge his way into our hearts and minds. We must heed the red flag alert that God has placed in His Word. Ephesians 6:10-11(NLT) tells us, “10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” Stay alert and recognize your strength in our Master Jesus. Our union with him is a limitless resource, so be confident that God has equipped you to stand firm against any strategy the enemy tries to use. Declare that you are who God says you are and be a representative of the authority and victory that Christ has given to us all. ■

God Knows the Hopes of the Helpless

Posted on August 20, 2025 by daaorg1214

Psalm 10:17-18 (NLT)
“17 LORD, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them. 18 You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so mere people can no longer terrify them.”

Abuse of any kind is never okay, and it never will be, but the reality is that it happens in many relationships and homes across this country and beyond. It has also happened to some of us and did so at a time in our lives when we were defenseless against it. Inexperienced and vulnerable, young people can be preyed upon. I grew up in a small town where domestic violence and abuse was often hushed and swept under the rug. There were students in my classes that were dealing with horrible situations at home, and lots of us knew about it but were powerless to help in any meaningful way.

While teaching the disciples, Mark 9:42(NKJV) tells us that Jesus Christ said, “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.” The millstone that Jesus is referring to in this verse is very heavy, and if it is tied around an individual’s neck, death by drowning was most likely imminent. This would be a horrible death for sure, and our blessed Lord tells us that this horror would be less than the one that awaits the person who injures the vulnerable and causes their trust in him to be diminished.

Over two thousand years ago, when our Lord and Savior walked the face of the earth, abuse in its many evil forms existed. It was on the scene even before he came, and it is indeed one of the reasons why he came. There were predators, manipulators, and perpetrators who abused others as a matter of sport, and sadly, this is happening in our world today. We need to know and trust that Jesus Christ did not come in vain. He said in John 10:10(NLT), “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” He came to earth to make a more than abundant life available to everyone that will have faith in him and accept the salvation that he offers.

Childhood does not hold fond memories for everyone, especially when domestic violence and abuse has a place in our younger years. We lacked the maturity to process what we were witnessing and experiencing, and many of us still carry the scars. Woe to the person that has caused us this level of pain, but our minds can’t be focused on the abuser. They must be focused on Jesus Christ. He understands what we’ve gone through better than any other human being. Hebrews 4:14-16(The Message) tells us, “Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.”

Love never hurts. It’s the complete opposite of hurt; love is kind and generous. This is the love God gives to us, and it is the kind of love that we should give and receive from others. When we’ve witnessed or experienced abuse at a young age, sometimes our thoughts and feelings around how to give and receive love become entangled with things like fear, insecurity, and confusion. In this state, we can make the wrong people, feelings, behaviors, and relationships the focus of our lives. If this happens, we will not give our relationship with God the focus and attention it deserves, and therefore, our faith in His power, love, and strength isn’t what it could and should be.

God’s Word teaches us in Hebrews 11:6(NLT), “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” Our Heavenly Father wants our faith in Him to be strong because faith is the path to all His blessings, and a lack of faith will hinder us in life. Our relationship with God can never be based on what we can do for Him. It is always based on what He can do for us, and our faith is what pleases Him most.

The pain of what we’ve gone through renders us helpless in ways that we can’t always identify, but we are not without refuge or help. Psalm 10:17 tells us that God knows the hopes of the helpless, and He will not disappoint us. So, as God’s beloved children that have been hurting a very long time because of abuse, He’s asking us to make a shift in the way we believe and think about Him. We must have total confidence that our Heavenly Father doesn’t want anyone to be abused. When we are committed to praying and talking to God often and to studying His Word, He will heal our hearts, and we will both give and receive His love with the joy and faith of the Lord Jesus Christ. ■

God Is the Glue that Holds Everything Together

Posted on August 13, 2025 by daaorg1214

Romans 8:28 (NLT)“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

2Corinthians 5:21(NKJV) tells us, “For He made Him who knew no sin [to be] sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” This is an extraordinary truth, one we mut be grateful for every moment of each day. Through Jesus Christ, our Heavenly Father has made us righteous and given us right standing in Him eternally! We are righteous in Christ this very moment, and God wants us to enjoy all the rights and privileges that come with being His children. He has placed His Holy Spirit in us, and Romans 8:15 makes it clear that we haven’t received a spirit that makes us fearful and afraid like slaves. No, no, no! We’ve have received God’s Spirit, and now we can cry out to Him as our beloved all-powerful Father!

Someone might think, “Well that sounds good, but I don’t feel righteous. I feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders and my life is falling apart.” It’s a fact that life can sometimes feel this way. It can be heavy, with problems that seem insurmountable, but the reality is that the gifts and calling that God has placed on us isn’t dependent on how we feel. It’s dependent on our faith in Him. God has given us His righteousness because it was His good pleasure to do so. He’s clothed us with it, and every morning that we get up and every night that we go to sleep, our standing with God will always be right. We should be celebrating this every moment of each day.

God’s Word says in Colossians 2:10(NKJV), “and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” The word “complete” in this verse means that we are completely, completely, complete in Christ, and in him, we lack nothing. God hasn’t held anything back. We’re packed to the full and running over with spiritual blessings. So, this word ‘complete’ describes who and what God has made us through Jesus Christ! This is a powerful truth, but many of us just don’t connect with it. We don’t think of ourselves as being empowered by God in this way, but we are, and it is our responsibility to change the way that we think so that our confessions, thoughts, conversations, behaviors, and attitudes mirror our completeness in Christ.

When we hear Good News like this, we might feel like we’re at the bottom of the ocean, and we can’t swim to the surface to breathe it in. Our problems and issues are blocking and preventing us from wading through. We want God to move everything out of our way so that we can see our way to the top. Our Heavenly Father is committed to helping us in every way possible. He will help us get to the top, but He requires us to open our eyes to see the way He’s made for us. In John 14:6(NLT), Jesus Christ said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is that way! He is the way to the Father. He is the way to every victory we can enjoy in life, and these victories must be won through our faith in him.

Our faith should overpower our tribulations and problems, but in order for this to happen, we must surrender to God. In 2Corinthians 12:9(NLT), when the Apostle Paul asked for God’s help three times because someone was causing him serious grief, God told him, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” Paul then said, “So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” We are nothing without God, so when we try to be the glue that holds our lives together, they fall apart. The truth is that we were never meant to be the glue. Our Heavenly Father is, and we must open our eyes to the greatness of this truth and have total faith in Him.

Colossians 1:15-17(NLT) tells us, “15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, 16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see–such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. 17 He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.”

Everything that exists belongs to God, including us. We were created by Him for Him, and if we refuse to acknowledge this, our lives will feel as if they are moving in reverse. This is not what he wants for us. From the very first hint of a difficulty or obstacle in life, God and the victory we have in Christ must be our first thought. The instinct of conquering adversity is one that is inside the heart of every born-again believer. We just have to release it by opening our eyes to faith in God and remain focused on Him because He is the glue that hold our lives together, and the greatest thing that any of us can do in life is to trust this with all our hearts.■

Breathing Room for My Soul

Posted on August 6, 2025 by daaorg1214

Psalm 62:5-6 (MSG)
“God, the one and only— I’ll wait as long as he says. Everything I hope for comes from him, so why not? He’s solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul, an impregnable castle: I’m set for life.”

Significant relationships is an area where most of us have the greatest challenges. We yearn in our hearts to find someone that is compatible; someone that loves God and is committed to love us in the same way that we will love them. Our desire for security and validation pushes us to put our best foot forward when we’re dating someone new. We try hard not to allow them to see our baggage and they do the same, but the truth is that we all have it; some more than others. Eventually, the walls will come down and a person’s real self is revealed. If it’s uglier than we could have imagined, the reality that we’ve committed ourselves to this person can make us feel trapped.

If we’ve made an ample emotional investment in a dating relationship, most of us will overlook certain things and try to make it work, but sometimes this isn’t the answer. If we’ve left God out of the equation from the very beginning, and we’re not following His Word in our relationships, the reservoir for real and lasting love is depleted before the relationship begins. 1John 4:8(AMP) tells us, “The one who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love. [He is the originator of love, and it is an enduring attribute of His nature.]” The love of God has to be in a person’s heart and on that person’s mind in order for them to be a conduit of His love. Sometimes we date individuals that are simply not interested in pursuing and giving God’s love in a way that pleases Him and fulfills us.

God’s love working in us will cause us to govern our lives by things like patience, generosity, kindness, honesty, peace, and joy. If there isn’t gratitude for God and His love, and if this isn’t the motivation for all that we do, there will be no breathing room for our souls. We can’t expand and increase in a way that brings light into all the situations and relationships of our lives.

1Peter 1:13-16(MSG) says, “So roll up your sleeves, get your head in the game, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.””

Our heads are in the game when our hearts are ever expanding with love and honor for our Creator. We are required and equipped to demonstrate our gratitude for what He has accomplished for us through Jesus Christ. The way that we do this is to be obedient to His Word. We can’t slip back to those old ways of trying to leave God out of our relationships. Everything we hope for comes from Him, as Psalm 62:5-6 tells us.

Significant relationships can add to our lives and increase them in wonderful ways, but every person we date doesn’t have the capacity to partner in this. Rather than giving us room to grow, they can stifle us, and God doesn’t want this. He’s the One with the plan for our existences, and He knows the person that is a gift to our journey forward and upward through Christ. So, let’s not takes risks with something as important as joining our lives to another. God knows our flaws and strengths, and if we place our faith in Him, He will connect us with the person that will help us grow stronger in His love and grace. Surrender this area of your life to Him, because only He can give comfort to our aching hearts and breathing room for our souls.■

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Breaking the chains of domestic abuse through the power of Jesus Christ.