SMS Magazine-Fall 2024, Stay on the Battlefield, It's Not Over! by 4JesusChrist

GOD

Glory to God in the highest, in the name of our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Sundie Morning Sistas Magazine It’s Not Over!

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.

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English Standard Version (ESV)

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t’s no secret that many of us have faced gut-wrenching heartbreak. We often keep our pain hidden, trying to hold our heads high even when we feel like we might shatter with the next breath. It can be especially tough when those we love have let us down, or when we feel overlooked and forgotten by the people that we thought truly cared about us. This kind of disappointment can shake our faith and leave us feeling lost and confused.

But here’s the truth: it’s not over! We have to remind ourselves that God is always with us, even in our darkest moments. As it says in Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Our pain isn’t a sign that God has abandoned us. On the contrary, He’s right there, ready to walk with us through every trial, tribulation, and trouble. We need the courage to hold on to our faith and trust Him completely.

We earnestly pray that this issue, titled “It’s Not Over!,” will serve as a beacon of encouragement and inspiration for you. Our hope is that through the pages of this magazine, you will find renewed strength and clarity by immersing yourself in the truth of God’s Word. We believe the teachings will help you to fortify your faith and deepen your trust in the remarkable and purposeful plan that our Heavenly Father has specifically designed for your life. As Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) assures us, God’s plan is “to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future.”

Through these pages, you’ll be inspired to view setbacks not as endings but as opportunities for growth and renewal. Our prayer is that you will be encouraged to embrace the hope and future God has promised, transforming challenges into steppingstones toward His purpose for your life. May you find the courage to press on with unwavering faith, knowing that every difficulty can lead you higher in Christ and bring you closer to the fulfillment of God’s divine plan.

Lovingly In Christ,

Reverend Fran Mack, President and Founder, SMS

PS: Thank you for your continued prayers and support!

"Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." Romans 8:37(NKJV)

“Then God gave the people all these instructions: “I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. You must not have any other god but me.””

Exodus 20:1-3 (NLT)

have known Mrs. Esther Stoddard for many years. She is a striking, statuesque 55-year-old beauty who sported dramatic false eyelashes long before they became fashionable. Standing slightly over six feet tall, she towered over her husband, Henry. Despite this physical contrast, Henry possessed such epic personality and charisma that you hardly noticed the difference in height. In my experience, I have seldom encountered a couple more perfectly suited for one another. Their love and mutual respect were truly inspiring.

Mrs. Stoddard is remarkably humble, wonderfully witty, and incredibly savvy. Raised by her parents, both ministers who doted on her, she often spoke of them as the kindest people she had ever known, a trait she clearly inherited. Being in her presence evokes a sense that all is right in the world. However, one cold and rainy morning, sadness unexpectedly visited Esther’s doorsteps. Her husband, Henry, expressed a desire for a break from their marriage, and she confided in me that she had never experienced heartbreak until those words spilled from his lips.

“It’s

Henry left their home, and Esther crumbled, experiencing a state completely foreign to her. Faith in God through the Lord Jesus Christ was a given in her family, and hers had always been strong, or so she had believed, but now she found herself struggling. Through tearful words and palpable brokenness, she adamantly refused to speak ill of Henry, choosing instead to preserve the memory of the man he had been throughout their 20-year marriage. "I know what people say—that deep down we all know when something is wrong in a marriage, but few admit it to themselves. That's just not true with me and Henry. We were as happy as we've always been. Nothing was wrong. There were no signs—no hint that he was unhappy. I just don't understand how this happened."

Three weeks later, Esther was still beside herself with grief. The persistent ache in her heart seemed to be perpetually sinking to her stomach. Sometimes breathless from it all, she found herself with no appetite and unable to sleep or concentrate. Eventually, she made the difficult decision to leave her job of fifteen years. With no children of their own, she couldn’t bring herself to continue living in their home without Henry there. Entrusting it to her brother’s care,

she moved to another city to live with one of her best girlfriends for a while. Henry continued to send money to assist with expenses but for the most part, he remained distant and uncommunicative. A month after Esther’s relocation, she managed to secure a new job, which wasn’t a difficult task because of her specialized skills in medical billing. Despite the professional distraction, focusing remained a challenge. She had poured out her heart in fervent prayers to the Lord, grappling with the dissolution of her marriage and desperately longing to have Henry back. But eating away at her most was why—why did he leave? When life throws us into turmoil, our immediate impulse is to seek solutions. We meticulously dissect every detail, replaying scenarios in our minds, searching for what went wrong or what we could have done differently. This innate drive for resolution or a chance to mend a painful situation is deeply ingrained in us. These challenges go beyond practical or emotional dimensions—they are spiritual in nature and must be resolved through guidance and faith in God. Faith is the way we understand and navigate adversity and spiritual attacks. It gives hope and purpose, guiding us toward healing and growth through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. No matter the circumstance—the man leaves, the house or car is repossessed, nonsufficient funds are bouncing all over the place—it's not over. Faith is our response to all these things. It’s our sold-out, fully persuaded anchor in God’s goodness, and it requires some things from us. Three of those are focus, fight, and flexibility. Focus entails directing our thoughts and energies towards God and His Word despite distractions or doubts. Fight embodies the resilience and determination to persevere through challenges with courage and conviction. Flexibility means surrendering our will for God’s Will. We must be willing to change as the Father guides us to restoration and newness through His Holy Spirit. Together, these qualities create a strong foundation for navigating life's complexities and discovering meaning as we grow higher spiritually in our faith in God.

t’s often said that what we focus on expands, and this holds a profound truth. We invest a tremendous amount of energy and emotion into things that captivate us, yet we often neglect to direct that same intensity towards our relationship with God. When issues occur, many of us then proceed to focus on the problems rather than focusing our faith on our Heavenly Father. This is one of the biggest mistakes we can make. More than anything else, failing to prioritize our relationship with God and placing Him above all else derails our faith and damages our fellowship with Him. To understand this better, a journey back to the Old Testament reveals both the peril of not wholeheartedly focusing our hearts and minds on our Heavenly Father, and the blessing He be-

stows when we do.

Exodus 20 has profound significance in God’s Word because it marks the delivery of the Ten Commandments by God to Moses, the leader of the Israelites; God’s chosen people in the Old Testament. The first four commandments focus on the relationship between God and humanity; and the very first commandment is the foundation upon which all the others rest. Exodus 20:1-3 (NLT) states: “1 Then God gave the people all these instructions: 2 “I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. 3 You must not have any other god but me.”” Adhering to this foundational commandment is indispensable for all who love God and honor their relationship with Him.

Like an arrow, from the very beginning, Exodus 20:3 shoots straight to the heart of our faith, calling upon us to focus our hearts and minds on God, making Him our highest priority. Loyalty and commitment to Him aren’t merely surface realities; they entail deep and abiding adoration and devotion that transform all that we do, think, and say. Consider, for instance, our own personal desires and aspirations in relationships. The fact that we define them by the quality of love we receive isn’t coincidental. We desire to give and receive quality love because our Heavenly Father created us this way, and we’re made in His image.

It’s no secret that in our modern times, many singles express frustration over what they perceive as a scarcity of suitable partners. However, the issue isn’t about 'slim pickings.' What people truly seek is a love that is genuine and enduring. They want to invest in someone with the capacity to love them with honesty, loyalty, commitment, and persistence. This kind of love is trustworthy and unwavering. It provides assurance and conviction in its depth and sincerity. All of us are wired for love; it comes standard with our packaging. We yearn for a love that is lasting and authentic, and we understand on a fundamental level that if it isn’t authentic, it isn’t worth having; it will not meet our needs.

There’s no room in life for trying to define what love is for ourselves. 1 John 4:8 tells us that God is love—He is the ultimate definition of love itself. As we navigate through life, we are called to be conduits of His perfect love by imitating Him in

all that we do. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT) vividly portrays God's standard for authentic love: “4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” This profound passage not only defines how God loves us and expects us to love others, but more importantly, it emphasizes how we should love Him.

God’s heart is to have a family and we’re it! Genesis 1:26 tells us that He made us in His very own image, and Romans 8:29 (NLT) says, “For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” From the very beginning, we were shaped from God’s perfect love to share His perfect love and to receive it in return.

This is a glorious standard that is filled with all the blessings of heaven. Inviting those blessings into our lives begins with loving God preeminently and authentically. Our love for Him must be deeply rooted in our hearts and minds. The foremost hallmark of our deep affection for Him is that we will place no other god before Him. This foundational commitment ensures our alignment with His divine Will. It opens the way for us to experience the fullness of His blessings.

Without the extraordinary example of Jesus Christ and the infilling of the Holy Spirit, we are incapable of a love that is lasting and true. However, through the example of Christ and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, we gain the capacity for enduring and genuine love. Romans 5:5 (NLT) tells us, “And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” Just as we cherish receiving authentic love from those close to us, we must understand that God expects nothing less. He is the Source of genuine, unconditional, limitless, and everlasting love. He’s placed this love in us through His Holy Spirit, and He also desires us to reciprocate this quality love to Him, as His children.

Our love for God is not only foundational, but it also determines the depth of richness and fulfillment we experience in life. Far too often, we prioritize and elevate material wealth, other relationships, popularity, and physical appearance as idols in our lives. These pursuits become habitual patterns that signify our worship of these earthly things, overshadowing our relationship with our Heavenly Father. This is not the way love behaves. These misplaced priorities lead us away from God’s love and reroute us down a destructive path that betrays our purpose.

It’s a distortion that reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of love. True love is exemplified by God's unconditional and sacrificial love for us through Christ. Our love for Him calls upon us to prioritize our Heavenly Father above all else. This aligns with the command of Jesus Christ in Matthew 6:33 (NLT): “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” We are misled by darkness if we believe that pursuing worldly priorities will yield the same blessings as obedience and reverence towards God. It simply will not happen.

Our love for God should surpass all other loves, ambitions, and desires, anchoring us in eternal truth and purpose. Underestimating the commitment and magnitude of loving Him with the honor and reverence He deserves is the biggest mistake any of us can make in life. We must align our hearts with His Will and seek His Kingdom above all else. When we do, we’ll discover the true abundance and fulfillment that only He can provide.

Idolatry is a huge no-no!

The sin of idolatry is a significant issue in the Old Testament, and some argue that it is just as prevalent today as it was then. Idolatry is described as the worship of idols, images, or anything as god other than the one true God, Yahweh, the Great I Am. In Exodus 20:4-6 (ESV), God explicitly commands: “4 You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.” This passage illustrates God’s firm stance against the creation and worship of idols, emphasizing that He alone deserves our worship and allegiance.

Idolatry is a huge no-no, especially in the life of a believer, and it isn’t limited to physical images or statues; it also encompasses anything that takes the place of God in our hearts and minds. In modern times, idolatry can manifest through the pursuit of wealth, power, fame, relationships, or personal ambitions when these pursuits become more significant than our devotion to God. Idolatry occurs whenever our focus shifts from God to these secondary objects of desire.

Idolatry slowly crept into Esther’s heart

as she began to confuse devotion to her husband with the worship of him. What started as a natural admiration and affection soon evolved into an unhealthy preoccupation with his approval and success. Esther’s every thought became consumed with his needs and desires, and she began to measure her own worth through his achievements and validation. As this fixation deepened, she found herself prioritizing his happiness over her relationship with God, subtly shifting her loyalty from God to the idealized image of her husband. This shift didn't happen overnight, but through countless moments of allowing her husband’s desires to overshadow her relationship with Heavenly Father. She had unknowingly elevated him to a place of divine significance in her life. Many of us do this with other things as well. We might place our careers, relationships, or personal ambitions on pedestals, making them more important than our spiritual life. Whether it’s chasing after professional success, seeking validation from others, or letting our own dreams become the center of our attention, we risk letting these pursuits become the focal point of our lives, pushing our relationship with God to the side. Just like Esther, we might not realize we’re doing it until it’s too late, and we end up putting these things in the place where God should be. The key is to notice when this shift is happening and take a step back to make sure we’re keeping God at the center of our lives.

n 1 Timothy 6:12 (NLT), the Apostle Paul gives a powerful message through his encouragement to his apprentice, Timothy: “Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses.” Paul is urging Timothy—and us—to stay strong in our faith and keep pressing forward, no matter how tough things get. He’s encouraging us to stick with Jesus Christ, because he’s our foundation. We should hold on to our faith in him through trials, temptations, and persecutions that come our way because we follow the example of our blessed Lord.

Understanding the Spiritual Battle

We have a spiritual enemy, satan, who seeks to destroy our relationship with God. Ephesians 6:11 -12 (NLT) helps us understand this struggle: “11 Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 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.” Paul tells us that our fight isn’t against other people but against spiritual forces that work in the shadows. These forces try to lead us away from God and convince us that the battle is over so that we’ll give up. That’s why it’s crucial that we put on all God’s armor; the salvation, truth, righteousness, peace, and faith He freely offers us.

We are never to walk in fear of the evil one, but we are to be as wise and sharp as possible about his tactics and devices. Romans 8:37 tells us that God has declared us more than conquerors, but the enemy doesn’t want us to trust this truth. It should come as no surprise to us that he is relentless, trying to undermine and demolish our relationship with God by attacking our marriages, relationships, finances, health and total well-being. We must also recognize that the enemy looks for an opening, a vulnerability in our armor, to launch his attacks.

Vulnerabilities arise when we haven't prioritized our relationship with Heavenly Father properly. James 1:5 (NLT) tells us, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” When we face challenges in these areas, our first instinct should be to turn to the Father. We should ask Him for the wisdom and knowledge to strengthen our commitment and devotion to Him. For many of us, this isn’t a natural habit. Instead of seeking His guidance to deepen our love and enhance our lives through His wisdom, we might blame God or think He is punishing us. Neither of these responses demonstrates faith and both can cause us to regress rather than progress.

God is light!

Psalm 84:11 (NLT) tells us, “For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.” And 1John 1:5 (NLT) declares, “This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.” God is all love and light, and He only wants what is best for us. He doesn’t punish us; rather, He loves us and teaches us to live with His love, power, peace, and wisdom. If our faith isn’t built on the reality of God’s sovereignty and His absolute love for us, we’re not fighting the good fight of faith.

We struggle to let our lights shine when we fail to trust and believe in the light of God. Often, we underestimate the shock and devastation of a spiritual attack on our way of life. Our inclination is to cower and allow fear and doubt to rule our hearts.

Many women have lost their significant relationships this way, and it’s because they have refused to fight the good fight of faith to get them back. We often forget that our way to victory was paved through Jesus Christ. It’s his light shining both in and through us that illuminates victory in every aspect of life.

Faith never gives up!

In 2Corinthians 4:1 (NLT), the Apostle Paul said, “Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up.” He is emphasizing that this “new way” is the call of God upon our lives to submit to His purpose and embrace the transformative power of the new covenant through Jesus Christ. This new way is not merely a set of religious practices but a radical shift in how we handle spiritual attacks through our faith in God. Through Paul, our Heavenly Father encourages us to keep pressing forward, anchored in His mercy and convinced of His empowerment to stand strong in Christ. Romans 10:17 tells us that faith comes by hearing the Word of God. So, when we hit these vulnerable spots, our best move is to keep our faith strong, and it’s impossible to do this without staying in God’s Word. We can’t do things our way and expect the victory of Christ. We must turn to God for guidance. Instead of giving in to doubt or frustration, we should reach out to Him for wisdom, deeper love, and peace. Embracing the “new way” that Paul speaks of involves staying close to God and relying on His grace for guidance. We can break through the pain of devastating heartbreak, and everything we’ve lost can be restored by strengthening our faith in our Heavenly Father and being assured that He is with us every step of the way.

e need to know and trust that there is a glorious alternative to giving up and allowing the enemy to steal health, wealth, relationships, and well-being from our lives. God promises us hope and a future filled with His blessings. Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) reminds us, “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” We are encouraged in Isaiah 41:10 (NLT) where God says, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” When we place our trust in Heavenly Father’s promises, we find strength to persevere and experience His peace and joy. But not only this, we can have confidence that overwhelming is ours when we place our total faith in Him.

The degree to which we trust in the victory of Christ will be tested by the enemy. As we face these trials, our spiritual strength and maturity grow, and this brings restoration and greater blessings. James 1:2-4 (NLT) encourages us, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” However, in areas where our faith isn’t as strong as it should be, we must fortify it before witnessing elevation and rewards. We are reminded in 1 Peter 5:10 (NLT), “In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.”

In the aftermath of an attack, we often struggle emotionally, but we can’t overlook the reality that the attack often points to a vulnerability in our relationship with God that we must address. Esther spent almost a year reeling from the shock of Henry’s abandonment. Rather than clinging to God with greater intensity, she acquiesced into a mindset of defeat and self-condemnation.

The flexibility that God requires prompts us to release our will for His will. We must be willing to change as the Father guides us to restoration and newness through His Holy Spirit. This process of surrender involves trusting that God’s plans are better than our own, even when we don't fully understand them, and even when it feels our lives are falling apart. As Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) instructs, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

This passage in Proverbs 3 answers the question, “What does God want from me?” There can be no doubt that the answer is: Everything! God wants our complete trust, our total surrender, and our willingness to follow His guidance. When we give God everything, we tap into His glorious alternative of love and power. We allow Him to transform us and shift from pursuing our wills to pursuing His.

Many of us haven’t done this, but we must wake up and strengthen what remains as Jesus Christ said in Revelation 3:2 (NLT): “Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God.” We must connect the disruption in our contentment and well-being to a need to go higher in Christ. And this can’t be because we want the man back, more money, or whatever it is we may have lost. Our eyes must be opened wider to the deeper spiritual growth and communion with God that He desires for us. We must seek a closer relationship with Christ, realizing that true fulfillment and restoration come from him alone. As he teaches in Matthew 6:33 (NLT), “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

We grossly underestimate how close to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we must be. Reading the Word, praying as often as we possibly can, following his example, and meditating on the scriptures are all required of us. If these are not a habit pattern, we must grow in them to increase

spiritual responsiveness to God. Romans 12:2 (The Message) tells us, “Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” By prioritizing these practices, we draw closer to God, allowing the transformative power of Christ to introduce the miraculous into our lives.

God tells us in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that His power works best in weakness, and His grace is all we need. We must show ourselves willing and committed to submit to the Will of God and to do all that we can to follow His guidance. Surrendering to God means acknowledging that His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9, NLT). It means letting go of our own plans and desires and embracing the journey that He has set before us, trusting that He is leading us toward a future filled with hope and purpose. There is no one more powerful than our Creator, the Great I Am, and One True Living God. It’s not over because He has the final Word, and He has given us the victory through Jesus Christ, who died on the cross and paid the price for our sins with his precious blood. Never give up! Instead, walk in obedience and faith, experiencing the fullness of His blessings and the profound peace that comes from knowing we are in His hands. So, let’s be wise, as well as tenacious about God’s Will. Move only as He leads, make sure you hear His voice clearly, and do all that you can to grow closer to Him. ■

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Thank you for helping us strive for excellence for the Kingdom of God.

buse 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

“God

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.

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By Fran Mack

ach of us must ask ourselves what we want out of life—a fundamental question whose answer is often simpler than we realize, yet it requires us to dig a little deeper to uncover. Our spiritual teachers and mentors guide us to trust that Jesus Christ is the ultimate answer, a truth more profound than our very existence. However, understanding the enormous treasure of all the ways in which he is indeed the answer to all our questions requires more of us. God tells us in Proverbs 4:7 to seek the wisdom of His Word and do all we can to understand it. If navigating all of life's challenges with clarity and purpose is our goal, we must aspire to walk wisely and know Jesus Christ as deeply as we can.

Our faith in God

Using simplicity and authority, Jesus Christ said to the disciples in Mark 11:22 (NLT), "Have faith in God." You don't get any plainer than this, and this command is deeply embedded in the foundation of our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. In Hebrews 11:6 (NLT), God's Word tells us "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." These verses emphasize the fundamental truth that faith is not just a belief but an active trust and confidence in God's existence and His promises. It's the rock-solid foundation of our faith journey in Christ. Faith shapes our understanding of God's character and demonstrates our reliance on His guidance in every aspect of our lives.

Our faith in God is the bedrock upon which every ounce of fulfillment, purpose, and contentment is gained. When we’re struggling in our minds to make sense of why we find ourselves in disappointment and despair, Jesus Christ is the answer. When we feel like we’re trapped in nothingness and can’t see any meaning in life; Jesus Christ is the answer. And when we’re bombarded with problems and feeling isolated and alone; Jesus Christ is the answer for all that ails us. We can be confident that whenever life feels as though it’s in the pits, even the smallest step toward improvement begins with having faith in God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We must believe in the sacrifice and resurrection of God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and we must believe that through him, we are saved. We are empowered and victorious, and not only this, but God has a plan and purpose for our lives. As we walk in His plan and purpose, we see His blessings beautifully unfold.

Our purpose in His plan

Romans 8:29 (NLT) explains: “For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” Our Heavenly Father has foreknowledge, and this doesn’t only mean that He knows about everything beforehand; He has ordained and ordered all that exists. He

not only knows how the pieces come together, He is indeed the Creator of all the pieces, and causes them to fit together according to the purpose of His own Will. Romans 8:30 (NLT) reaffirms this truth, stating: “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.” Therefore, every believer can be encouraged in knowing that God has a predetermined, perfect plan for each person who turns to Him in faith. This knowledge is profoundly comforting and assures us that His purpose for our lives is ultimately for our highest good in every possible way.

The definition of misery is attempting to live according to our own agendas. When we stray away from God’s purpose, we find ourselves in barren places. But pursuing God’s purpose by following the example of Christ is the path of life. While switching from what we know to a mindset of faith may seem daunting, the reality is that changing course is not just possible but inevitable for those seeking a relationship with God through Christ.

Jesus Christ teaches in Matthew 6:33 (NLT): “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Home base for us is God’s Kingdom. It’s making His Will our highest priority and seeking it with all that we are. This is a literal shift in the way that we see our lives and our approach to them.

Many of us are struggling with deep dissatisfaction. We might feel trapped in a prison of sameness and sadness, but there is hope if we’ll reach out and grab it. The truth of Matthew 6:33 challenges us to examine our priorities, and if they’re not aligned with God’s purpose, we desperately need to make a shift in our minds and hearts. Although we cannot perceive him with our physical eyes, we must summon the courage to wholeheartedly place our faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He’s the answer! Following his example and surrendering to his guidance along the path of God’s purpose opens the door to profound transformation. As we fix our gaze on Jesus, all the pieces of our lives fall into place, bringing fulfillment and contentment according to God’s perfect plan. ■

I come before You with a humble heart, acknowledging Your greatness, perfection, righteousness, and power. Please forgive me for all my sins and shortcomings—for all the things I have said, thought, felt, and done that has been contrary to Your Word and Will. Please reveal the areas in my life that I need to change, Dear Father, so that I may better represent Christ and follow his example. I am grateful for Your continual guidance through Your precious Holy Spirit and for Your unconditional love despite my imperfections.

Lord, I am grateful for Your boundless grace and mercy that cover me and my family each day. As we move forward, may Your Holy Spirit remind us of our identity in Christ and the secure future You hold in Your powerful hands. We recognize that we are unworthy of Your blessings, yet we are profoundly grateful for Your love and salvation, and for the transformation You have brought into our lives through Jesus Christ. Thank You for blessing us with Your bounty, provision, and protection as we seek You first in all things.

By A.Ayala, P.Brown, K. Lizzie, Kim Times

In the powerful name of Jesus Christ, I lift up my children to You, thanking You for blessing them with health and wisdom. I pray for Your guidance in raising them according to Your Word. May they grow up with hearts full of praise, worship, and honor for You. Let their lives reflect Your love and light, and may they always place You first in everything they do. I ask for their continued spiritual growth and a deepening intimacy with You. Thank You for protecting them and granting them long, blessed lives.

Lord, You know me better than I know myself; even the number of hairs on my head is known to You. As Your child, I am honored and grateful for Your transformative work in my life. I thank You for the progress I have made and ask for Your help in becoming more of the person You have called me to be. Please remove any barriers hindering my relationship with You. Thank You for the gift of salvation and the privilege of being Yours. I invite You to work within me through Your precious Holy Spirit, as he continually guides me towards the truth and greater intimacy in my relationship with You.

Lord, I honor You and thank You for Your grace. I ask for Your protection over my home. Thank You for surrounding it with Your angels, protecting and covering it with the blood of Jesus. Thank You for filling our home with Your warmth, love, and peace, and for guarding it against any plot of the enemy. We dedicate our home and everything in it to You, Lord, and thank You for Your love and protection.

In the precious name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen ■

Sent from Heaven to help us:

(1 Peter 1:12 NLT) 12 They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.

(Acts 2:38 NLT) 38 Peter replied, "Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

He lives in us:

(1 John 4:4 NLT) 4 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.

(1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT) 19 Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

(1 John 3:24 NLT) 24 Those who obey God's commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us.

He is a Gift from God:

(Luke 11:13 NLT) 13 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him."

He's our Helper:

(John 14:16 ESV) 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,

He's our Teacher:

(John 14:26 ESV) 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you..

He helps us speak the truth:

(1 Corinthians 2:13 NLT) 13 When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit's words to explain spiritual truths.

He bears witness of Jesus Christ

(John 15:26 ESV) 26 "But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.

He helps us increase in hope:

(Romans 15:13 NLT) 13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

He shows us things to come:

(John 16:13 NLT) 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.

He identifies us as God's children:

(Ephesians 1:13 NLT) 13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.

He gives us access to our Heavenly Father:

(Ephesians 2:18 NLT) 18 Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.

He gives the manifestation of tongues:

(Acts 2:4 NLT) 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

He gives direction and guidance

(1 Timothy 4:1 NLT) 1 Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons

(Romans 8:14 ESV) 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

He gives us power to kill-off deeds of our sinful nature:

(Romans 8:13 NLT) 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.

He gives life to us:

(Romans 8:11 NLT) 11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.

He regenerates our human spirit:

(Titus 3:5-7 ESV) 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

He intercedes for us

(Romans 8:27 ESV) 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. “Scripture Focus: The Holy Spirit, Our

hrough His Word, and the availability of it, God has made every provision to ensure that we can obtain knowledge about Him and His plan for us. One of the things that we learn from the very beginning, in the Book of Genesis, is that God is Holy, and everything He does is created out of His holiness and love.

Genesis 2:1-3(NLT) tells us, “1 So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. 2 On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.” His declaration of purity, perfection, and power is woven throughout His entire creation, and it gives

us assurance that when we put on His nature, His blessings cannot help but follow.

1Peter 1:16(NLT) tells us, “For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” When we confessed Jesus Christ as Lord and believed that God raised him from the dead, our faith in God was expressed to Him through this confession and belief. Our faith in God and His finished work for us through Christ transferred us from death to life. Colossians 1:1314(NLT) says, “13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.” Jesus Christ made it possible for us to put on God's nature and live in it every moment of our lives. Our Heavenly Father

has placed His Holy Spirit within us, and because of the Spirit’s power, we can do all the good things that God planned for us as we follow the example of Jesus Christ. This is our highest and greatest privilege, and it is God's expectation and desire for us all.

This is Good News indeed! God has given us a place in His Kingdom, and because we are united with Christ through the new birth experience, we are blessed with all spiritual blessings. Someone might ask, “If all this has been done for me through Jesus Christ, and I've been blessed with all spiritual blessings, why am I having such a hard time in life?” Our journeys on this earth can be very challenging, this is true. And sometimes we endure tribulations, but our individual circumstances will never diminish the reality of God's justice, power, righteousness, holiness, and perfection.

God never has to do a do-over, take-back, or back-track. He does everything perfect from the very beginning. God has blessed us all exceedingly, abundantly above all that we could ever ask or think, and He requires us to apply our faith and put on the newness we have received in Christ. He has united us with Christ and made us His children.

2Corinthians 5:17(NLT) says, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” We’ve received the faith and power to be more than conquerors. We’ve been blessed with every spiritual blessing, and we have received God’s fail-proof armor against anything tribulation or trouble the enemy throws our way. Our problem is that we're very slow to put on all that God has provided. We don’t fully digest the heft of His provision, and because of this, we may not have the spiritual maturity to strengthen our relationships when they are at their weakest.

Romans 5:5(NLT) tells us, “And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” The love

of God is powerful, and it is expressed through our commitment to live holy lives that please Him. This is the glue that holds our relationships together. It encompasses the forgiveness, compassion, gentleness, honesty, and loyalty that preserves them. Sadly, many of us don’t consistently practice the discipline of the love of Christ and renew our minds to what God says. We become easily offended because we are not relying on our faith in Christ, but we are participating in our relationships based on feelings rather than the actions of love.

Love is infinitely more than feelings. Love is actions that are expressed through the holiness of Christ. So, true and genuine love will always require us to dig deeper into the Spirit’s reservoir within. Through the Spirit, God has empowered us to handle the disagreements, disappointments, unreasonable expectations, selfishness, and all the other issues that relationships bring to the surface. He commands us in 1Peter 3:8(NLT), “Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.” He means for us to get this done. As Spirit-filled brothers and sisters of Christ, we should be supporting and caring for all our relationships in this holy and tender way.

Holiness is a quality that is beautifully unique to our omnipotent, omniscient and sovereign God. He created us in His image, and through Christ, He has restored, redeemed, and made us holy. To preserve our relationships in the holiness of God in Christ, we must study His Word, renew our minds, and be diligent to pray for the individuals as well as the unity of our marriages and other relationships. We simply must change the way we think and follow the Spirit as he leads us in holiness. When we make this our commitment and practice, our relationships will be continually energized by God's love and preserved by our humility and obedience to Him.■

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