Voice of Truth: 24th Edition, Quarter 2 2026

OUR MISSION

EMPOWERING LIVES WITH PURPOSE

A unified, global women’s ministry empowering one another to follow Christ and to love in abundance; cultivating women warriors in their purpose by His promise and power.

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Visit our website at womenworldleaders.com to find out how you can get involved!

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Enjoy our daily devotionals shared by Kimberly on our Facebook page, website, and email list!

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Speaking

Our Global Office Team is willing to speak at women’s events or conferences. We are a team unified in His love and will intentionally pray about any presented opportunities to speak at your next event.

Contact: connie@womenworldleaders.com

Seasonal Events

Join us at Keiser University in West Palm Beach, FL for our seasonal events for a time of praise and worship, prayer, guest speakers, and gathering.

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Experience God’s extravagant love and your exquisite purpose through the Women World Leaders’ podcast that focuses on teaching, inspiration, and encouragement. Our prayer is that as your intimacy with God grows, your love for one another will flourish, enabling you to live out a courageous, purpose-driven life, fueled by the Word, led by the Spirit, and propelled forward into your God-given destiny through fearless faith! From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders!

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Letter Founder from the

by Kimberly Ann Hobbs — FOUNDER, WOMEN WORLD LEADERS

Dear Woman of God,

It is with immense pleasure that I come to welcome you to this edition of Voice of Truth. I pray that through reading this magazine as a woman of God and a woman who desires to seek God deeper and know Him greater, your heart will be ministered to.

Our desire as a Women World Leaders ministry is to offer hope, truth, and guidance by directing you to follow Jesus, the light of the world. Jesus Christ is the true light that dispels all darkness.

As women of God, we are called to walk in His light— not our own—reflecting His goodness in a murky world and sharing His life-giving truth to illuminate the path for others.

In a world that can often feel overwhelmed by uncertainty, fear, or spiritual gloom, I want to encourage you with the profound truth of who Jesus is: He is the light of the world. He is the ONE who will brighten your way.

John 8:12 (NIV) tells us: When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

This is a promise for us today: When we walk with Jesus, we do not have to stumble in the darkness of anxiety, confusion, or even despair. His light shines through the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it.

We are called to be different, to be women of the light.

Jesus tells us,

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven.”

MATTHEW 5:16 KJV

We are called to be different, to be women of the light, the true light of God, the Lamb of God who died for us. Please don’t turn your light down to fit in. Stay connected in the body of Christ. Let us all walk confidently, together as women of this day, the day the Lord has made, allowing Jesus Christ to make us whole and use our lives to show others the way that they, too, can find Him.

As you scan through the different columns while reading this publication, you may find kindness, a display of wisdom, or another way that you can personally reflect the radiant light of your Savior more brightly and more profoundly. The ONE who IS the spotless Lamb, gave Himself for YOU, and He desires you to come even closer to Him so He can reveal even more of Who He is to you. I pray that you experience this as you read on.

With love and prayer,

Kimberly Hobbs

Carta Fundadora de la

by Kimberly Ann Hobbs — FOUNDER, WOMEN WORLD LEADERS

Estamos llamadas a ser diferentes, a ser mujeres de la luz.

Querida mujer de Dios:

Escon inmenso placer que te doy la bienvenida a esta edición de *Voice of Truth* (Voz de la Verdad). Oro para que, al leer esta revista —como mujer de Dios y como mujer que anhela buscar a Dios con mayor profundidad y conocerlo más plenamente—, tu corazón sea ministrado.

Nuestro deseo, como ministerio *Women World Leaders*, es ofrecer esperanza, verdad y guía, dirigiéndote a seguir a Jesús, la luz del mundo. Jesucristo es la verdadera luz que disipa toda oscuridad.

Como mujeres de Dios, somos llamadas a caminar en Su luz —no en la nuestra propia—, reflejando Su bondad en un mundo turbio y compartiendo Su verdad vivificante para iluminar el camino de los demás.

En un mundo que a menudo puede sentirse abrumado por la incertidumbre, el temor o la penumbra espiritual, quiero animarte con la profunda verdad acerca de quién es Jesús: Él es la luz del mundo. Él es AQUEL que iluminará tu camino.

Juan 8:12 (NVI) nos dice: «Cuando Jesús volvió a hablarle a la gente, dijo: "Yo soy la luz del mundo. El que me sigue nunca andará en la oscuridad, sino que tendrá la luz de la vida"».

Esta es una promesa para nosotras hoy: cuando caminamos con Jesús, no tenemos que tropezar en la oscuridad de la ansiedad, la confusión o incluso la desesperación. Su luz

resplandece a través de la oscuridad, y la oscuridad no puede vencerla.

Jesús nos dice: «Así alumbre vuestra luz delante de los hombres, para que vean vuestras buenas obras, y glorifiquen a vuestro Padre que está en los cielos» (Mateo 5:16).

Estamos llamadas a ser diferentes, a ser mujeres de la luz: la verdadera luz de Dios, el Cordero de Dios que murió por nosotras. Por favor, no atenúes tu luz para encajar. Mantente conectada al cuerpo de Cristo. Caminemos todas con confianza, juntas como mujeres de este día —el día que el Señor ha hecho—, permitiendo que Jesucristo nos restaure plenamente y use nuestras vidas para mostrar a otros el camino, para que ellos también puedan hallarlo a Él.

Al recorrer las distintas columnas mientras lees esta publicación, tal vez encuentres bondad, una muestra de sabiduría o alguna otra manera en la que puedas reflejar personalmente —con mayor brillo y profundidad— la radiante luz de tu Salvador. Aquel que ES el Cordero sin mancha se entregó por TI; y Él desea que te acerques aún más a Él, para así revelarte todavía más de Quién es Él. Oro para que experimentes esto a medida que continúas leyendo.

Con amor y oración, Kimberly Hobbs

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Gospel Grace

AMANDA ZERILLI (WITH SPANISH VERSION)

Love Like Jesus

DEE MILLER

From Hurting to Healing Now

CRISTA ALBRITTON MEADOWS

Empowering Lives with Purpose

KIMBERLY ANN HOBBS

Following the Son

MICHELE HUGHES

Beside Still Waters

RUSANNE CAROLE

Recovery Reflections (WITH SPANISH VERSION)

MELISSA GISSY

Chasing

CONNIE A. VANHORN

Dear Sister DR. JIA RICHARDSON

Impacted

Nonna’s kNOWledge

CAROLYN JOY

Faith and Family

DONNA WHARTENBY

Musings on the Book of John

CONNIE HECKER

A Focus on Him

LILLIAN CUCUZZA

Through a Mother’s Eyes

DIANE CHEVELDAYOFF

KELLY WILLIAMS HALE

Sons of the King

DR. JIA RICHARDSON

Voice of Truth Cover Story

BEVERLY BRAY

Young Voices: The Next Generation

KAYLEY PRUKNER

Healing Heart and Soul

ALICIA RENEE ROBERTS

A Beautiful Mess

JESSICA PRUKNER

Ever Interceding

DIANA BROWN

More of You, Lord

SHARON HOBBS

General of Joy DEANN ALAINE

Powerpoints: God at Work Through Women Leaders Yesterday and Today

LEECY BARNETT

VOT Stories

Contributor Spotlight

DIANA BROWN

Global Connections

AMANDA ZERILLI

Women World Leaders CREDITS

EMPOWERING LIVES WITH PURPOSE

VOT Founder, WWL Founder and CEO

Kimberly Ann Hobbs

Executive Assistant, WWL Ambassador

Connie Van Horn

Graphic Designer

Kelly Williams Hale

Spanish Translator

Johana Torres

Editor

Kelley Rene

Editor, Proofreader

Sharon Hobbs

Editor

Kerri Bridges

Proofreader

Jo Anne McKinney

Proofreader

Shelly Haas

Giving Acknowledgments

Arlene Salas

Women World Leaders

Ministry Coordinators

CEO

Kimberly Ann Hobbs

Executive Assistant, WWL Ambassador

Connie Van Horn

Business & Finance

Lisa Hathaway

Prayer

Diana Brown

Connection Coordinator

Janet Berrong

Events

Jessica Morneault

Graphic Designer

Kelly Williams Hale

by Amanda Zerilli

There are moments in life that stay with you for ever—not because they were planned or easy, but because God shows up in a way that changes how you see everything. Let me share with you one of those moments.

I was leading a team of executives to one of our Hope Zones with Kids Around the World. We were there to build a playground for a local school, serve the families, and partner with the church and pastors in the community. We also brought in our food program to help meet very real, physical needs.

Our Panama staff had only been working in this community for a couple of months, and everything was still new. Relationships were still being built, and trust was still forming. Then something happened that could have easily broken that trust. At the end of a long, exhausting day of building, one of the women

The moment everything changed You don’t need perfect words—just an open heart.

on our team realized her phone was missing. She had left her backpack on the ground, and someone had taken it. You could feel the shift immediately. Disappointment. Frustration. Confusion. It’s one of those moments where you think, We came here to serve… and this is what happens?

Only God could have orchestrated what unfolded next. The school immediately took action. They began calling mothers in the community, asking if their children had seen or taken the phone. About an hour later, a teenage girl showed up. Holding the phone. She explained that her younger brother had taken it. This girl stood out for another reason: She was the only Christian in her family. She would leave her home and go to church by herself, choosing to follow Jesus even when no one around her did. And in that moment, she chose to do what was right.

The next day, the school principal called a meeting. She brought together the in-country staff, along with the team member whose phone had been taken, and me. As the principal began to apologize for what had happened, the door opened. The mother walked in…

with her son. You could see it on their faces immediately. The little boy looked terrified. The weight of what he had done was written all over him. His mom carried a visible sense of shame, as if she had failed.

Before anyone else could speak, something powerful happened. Melissa, the woman whose phone had been taken, got down on her knees in front of that little boy. She looked him in the eyes and, in Spanish, said, “I forgive you.”

Just like that. No lecture. No shame. No conditions.

“I forgive you.”

Then she said something I will never forget: “God loves you, so I love you. And I completely forgive you.” She pulled him into a hug. And the little boy broke in the best way. He started crying deep, real, emotional tears. The kind of tears that don’t just come from getting caught… but from being seen, being known, and being met with something you didn’t expect: grace.

Melissa stood up, turned to the mother, and said, “This is not your fault. You’re doing a great job. Things like this happen.” In that moment, everything shifted. What could have been a story of theft became a moment of redemption. We had the opportunity to pray over

that mother and her son. And right there, in that school office, that little boy gave his life to Jesus.

Later, we learned more of his story. The little boy had run away from home for an entire year when he was only 8 years old. The community searched for him, but couldn’t find him. He had recently come back. He had mental challenges and rarely showed emotion, so for him to be crying… to be soft… to receive love… and to respond to Jesus… was nothing short of a miracle. We also learned that the boy’s mom had been working at the school for a year with no salary. She had asked if she could work in exchange for food for her seven children. That was her reality.

The next day, our team noticed that many of the children didn’t have shoes. Without hesitation, they pooled their money together and decided to buy shoes for every child. But they didn’t stop there. One by one, they washed the children’s feet before placing new shoes on them. And I watched Melissa kneel down and wash the feet of the little boy who had taken her phone; she laughed with him, hugged him, and loved him like he was her own.

That image is burned into my memory. That family was

We’ve all made mistakes. We’ve all fallen short.

BY AMANDA ZERILLI

Jesus didn’t come to shame you.

transformed. That little boy’s life will never be the same. And all of it points to one thing: the power of God’s grace.

What I witnessed in Panama wasn’t just a powerful moment; it was a living picture of the gospel. Because the truth is, we are each that little boy: We’ve all made mistakes. We’ve all fallen short. We’ve all made choices that separate us from God. And yet… instead of condemnation, Jesus kneels down, looks us in the eyes, and says, “I forgive you.” Not because we’ve earned it, not because we deserve it, but because of His love.

Romans 5:8 (NIV) says, But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

That’s grace. It’s unearned, undeserved, and changes everything. Jesus didn’t come to shame you. He came to

restore you. To forgive you. To give you a new life and an everlasting hope. And just like with that little boy, it only takes a moment of surrender. Maybe this is your moment, friend. If you’ve never given your life to Jesus, or if you’ve walked away and are ready to come back, this is your moment. You don’t need perfect words—just an open heart.

Pray this with me:

“Jesus, I know I’ve messed up and fallen short. But today, I’m choosing Your grace. Thank You for loving me, for forgiving me, and for going to the cross for me. I believe You rose again and that You are Lord. Come into my life and make me new. I’m giving You everything. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

If you just prayed that, your life has changed forever. This is the power of gospel grace.

La Gracia delEvangelio

Por Amanda Zerilli

EL MOMENTO EN QUE TODO CAMBIÓ

Haymomentos en la vida que se quedan contigo para siempre; no porque fueran planeados o fáciles, sino porque Dios se manifiesta de una manera que cambia tu forma de ver todo. Permítanme compartir con ustedes uno de esos momentos.

Yo dirigía un equipo de ejecutivos hacia una de nuestras «Zonas de Esperanza» con la organización *Kids Around the World*. Estábamos allí para construir un parque infantil para una escuela local, servir a las familias y colaborar con la iglesia y los pastores de la comunidad. También implementamos nuestro programa de alimentos para ayudar a suplir necesidades físicas muy reales.

Nuestro equipo en Panamá llevaba trabajando en esta comunidad apenas un par de meses, y todo era todavía muy nuevo. Las relaciones aún se estaban construyendo y la confianza todavía se estaba forjando. Entonces ocurrió algo que fácilmente podría haber roto esa confianza. Al final de un día largo y agotador de construcción, una de las mujeres de nuestro equipo se dio cuenta de que le faltaba

NO NECESITAS PALABRAS PERFECTAS, SOLO UN CORAZÓN ABIERTO.

su teléfono. Había dejado su mochila en el suelo y alguien se la había llevado. Se podía sentir el cambio en el ambiente de inmediato: decepción, frustración, confusión. Es uno de esos momentos en los que piensas: «Vinimos aquí para servir... ¿y esto es lo que sucede?».

Solo Dios pudo haber orquestado lo que sucedió a continuación. La escuela actuó de inmediato. Comenzaron a llamar a las madres de la comunidad, preguntándoles si sus hijos habían visto o tomado el teléfono. Aproximadamente una hora después, apareció una a dolescente. Con el teléfono en la mano. Explicó que su hermano menor lo había tomado. Esta joven destacaba por otra razón: era la única cristiana en su familia. Salía de su casa e iba a la iglesia sola, eligiendo seguir a Jesús incluso cuando nadie a su alrededor lo hacía. Y, en ese momento, eligió hacer lo correcto.

Al día siguiente, la directora de la escuela convocó a una reunión. Reunió al personal local, junto con la integrante del equipo a quien le habían robado el teléfono, y a mí. Justo cuando la directora comenzaba a disculparse por lo

sucedido, la puerta se abrió. Entró la madre... con su hijo. Se podía ver de inmediato en sus rostros. El niño pequeño parecía aterrorizado. El peso de lo que había hecho se reflejaba en todo su ser. Su madre cargaba con una vergüenza visible, como si hubiera fallado.

Antes de que nadie más pudiera hablar, sucedió algo poderoso. Melissa, la mujer a quien le habían robado el teléfono, se puso de rodillas frente al niño. Lo miró a los ojos y, en español, le dijo: «Te perdono».

Así, sin más. Sin sermones. Sin avergonzarlo. Sin condiciones.

«Te perdono».

Luego dijo algo que nunca olvidaré: “Dios te ama, por eso yo te amo. Y te perdono por completo”. Lo atrajo hacia sí para darle un abrazo. Y el niño se quebró, de la mejor manera posible. Comenzó a llorar; eran lágrimas profundas, genuinas y cargadas de emoción. El tipo de

lágrimas que no brotan simplemente por haber sido descubierto... sino por ser visto, por ser comprendido y por encontrarse con algo que no se esperaba: la gracia.

Melissa se puso de pie, se volvió hacia la madre y le dijo: «Esto no es culpa tuya. Estás haciendo un gran trabajo. Cosas así suceden». En ese instante, todo cambió. Lo que podría haber sido una historia de robo se convirtió en un momento de redención. Tuvimos la oportunidad de orar por esa madre y su hijo. Y justo allí, en la oficina de esa escuela, aquel niño entregó su vida a Jesús.

Más tarde, conocimos más detalles de su historia. El niño se había escapado de casa durante todo un año cuando apenas tenía ocho años de edad. La comunidad lo buscó, pero no logró encontrarlo. Hacía poco que había regresado. Tenía dificultades de salud mental y rara vez mostraba emociones; por eso, el hecho de que llorara... de que se mostrará vulnerable... de que recibiera amor... y de que respondiera

al llamado de Jesús... fue, sin duda alguna, un milagro. También nos enteramos de que la madre del niño llevaba un año trabajando en la escuela sin percibir salario alguno. Había pedido si podía trabajar a cambio de comida para sus siete hijos. Esa era su realidad.

Al día siguiente, nuestro equipo notó que muchos de los niños no llevaban calzado. Sin dudarlo, juntaron su dinero y decidieron comprar zapatos para cada uno de ellos. Pero no se detuvieron ahí. Uno por uno, lavaron los pies de los niños antes de calzarles los zapatos nuevos. Y vi a Melissa arrodillarse y lavar los pies del niño que le había robado el teléfono; rió con él, lo abrazó y lo amó como si fuera su propio hijo.

Esa imagen ha quedado grabada en mi memoria. Aquella familia fue transformada. La vida de ese niño nunca volverá a ser la misma. Y todo ello apunta a una sola cosa: el poder de la gracia de Dios.

Lo que presencié en Panamá no fue solo un momento impactante; fue una imagen viva del Evangelio. Porque la verdad es que cada uno de nosotros es, en esencia, ese niño: todos hemos cometido errores. Todos nos hemos quedado cortos. Todos hemos tomado decisiones que nos separan de Dios. Y, sin embargo... en lugar de condenarnos, Jesús se arrodilla, nos mira a los ojos y nos dice: «Te perdono». No porque nos lo hayamos ganado, no porque lo merezcamos, sino por Su amor.

Todos hemos cometido errores.

Todos nos hemos quedado cortos.

BY AMANDA ZERILLI

Romanos 5:8 (NVI) dice: Pero Dios demuestra su propio amor por nosotros en esto: en que, cuando todavía éramos pecadores, Cristo murió por nosotros.

Eso es gracia. Es inmerecida, no se gana y lo cambia todo. Jesús no vino para avergonzarte; vino para restaurarte. Para perdonarte. Para darte una vida nueva y una esperanza eterna. Y, tal como sucedió con aquel niño pequeño, solo hace falta un momento de rendición.

Amiga quizás este sea tu momento. Si nunca le has entregado tu vida a Jesús, o si te has alejado y estás lista para regresar, este es tu momento. No necesitas palabras perfectas; solo un corazón abierto.

Ora esto conmigo: “Jesús, sé que he cometido errores y me he quedado corta. Pero hoy elijo Tu gracia. Gracias por amarme, por perdonarme y por ir a la cruz por mí. Creo que resucitaste y que eres el Señor. Entra en mi vida y hazme nueva. Te entrego todo. En el nombre de Jesús, amén”.

Si acabas de hacer esa oración, tu vida ha cambiado para siempre. Este es el poder de la gracia del evangelio.

Jesús no vino a avergonzarte.

JESUS LoveLike

by Dee Miller

TRUSTING GOD’S BOUNDARIES

Iam the proud owner of two rescue cats.

One of them, I named Missy, short for mischievous. She is the most strong-willed cat I have ever owned. Compared to dogs, most cats are unenthusiastic about training. Even after owning her for ten years, Missy still consistently pushes my boundaries.

Late one night as I was walking through my dark dining room, she was proudly perched in the middle of the dining room table! She was as still as a statue, hoping I would not notice her since she knew she was not allowed on the table. Our eyes locked, and the silent staring contest began.

To clarify, my cats have not been and never will be allowed on the table. This is a clear, nonnegotiable boundary, and I had never seen her there before. She is not a gifted jumper, making me question how she got up there. Truly, if she were a gifted jumper, I would expect to see her swinging from the chandelier daily.

MY OBEDIENCE CAME OUT OF LOVE FOR HIM.

She clearly knew she was being disobedient. It was late, I was tired, and I knew anything I said or did would be forgotten in her little cat brain. In the morning, I would assess how she gained access to the tabletop.

It made me wonder how often I do this to God. He sets clear boundaries for me that are for my benefit. Do I stare across the fence before me and wonder what it would be like in another field? Am I envious of another’s giftings, personality, or looks and wish that were me? Will that envy stir an unhealthy desire within me?

Let’s consider the Israelites’ journey. While they were in captivity, being abused, they yearned to be free from their enslavement. Their release from Egyptian bondage was dramatic. I cannot imagine watching the Red Sea part! Yet, they were always looking back at what they missed about Egypt. They had not yet built a firm relationship with God, so their trust in Him was fleeting with every circumstance.

When I accepted Jesus as my Lord, I had to make a conscious decision to leave my captivity. I had to be obedient to the ways in which God was leading me. There were painful choices to be made. Once I made them, I could not look back at what I perceived I was missing out on in my old life. Our desire to be obedient needs to be greater than our need to feel comfortable. I had to embrace a new normal.

When you came to Christ, you were "circumcised," but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature.

COLOSSIANS 2:11 NLT

Building trust with my heavenly Father was a slow process. I had to learn to trust that His ways were better than mine. One of the greatest challenges was that many people felt the need to vocalize their opinions about my choices. It was a slow process to find the right church body for me, where I knew I belonged, surrounding myself with believers who would encourage me.

The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.

JOHN 15:19 NLT

It took years to fully let go of my desire to be male. On the outside, my appearance was changing and still is. With time, my heart softened toward God’s

desires for me. I prayed for God to help me become the woman that He created me to be. His will, not mine, be done. My obedience came out of love for Him. A love to please Him.

As God proved His faithfulness to me, my trust in Him grew. His grace enabled me to distance myself further from my sinful past. Now I look back and laugh at the life I lived. I am still learning to embrace being the woman He created. But I no longer yearn to be back in Egypt, enslaved to the thoughts of having to find my own path in life. I am free from the false, perceived protection that presenting as male gave me.

I choose to resist that urge to sit in the middle of a table, hoping God will not see me. I am content to run free in the territory allotted me on the side of the fence that He has set for my protection. I am embracing the life He has given me, rejoicing in the freedom that Jesus paid the price for me to have, rather than looking back or complaining. Are you finding that same place of trust in your Redeemer?

AS GOD PROVED HIS FAITHFULNESS TO ME, MY TRUST IN HIM GREW.

Dee Miller was rescued from a transgender identity by Jesus Christ. She resides in St. Louis, MO where she founded MJM Ministry to help individuals, parents and churches navigate the landscape of transgenderism. Everyone knows someone affected by transgenderism. MJM Ministry was born out of a passion to see others find freedom. Visit mjmministry.com for additional information or to contact Dee.

BIO

Hurting Healing TO NOW FROM

by Crista Albritton Meadows

My Journey from Brokenness to Healing

In2015, I published my first book, My Brokenness but His Greatness: A Journey of Hope & Healing, the story of my emotional healing from the childhood rejection and fear resulting from my parents’ divorce. Little did I know I would personally face divorce six years later. I thought I knew and understood brokenness, but I had no idea what real brokenness could look or feel like until I was faced with the greatest grief and hurt of my life in 2021.

After 28 years of marriage, I faced an unexpected divorce that literally broke me to pieces, leaving me shattered on the floor of devastation. I really did not know how I would or could go on with my life. The life I had known for over 30 years disappeared right before my eyes, and I felt so hopeless and helpless. I had been

serving God in the ministry of my local church and community with my former spouse for almost 20 years. I had more questions than I had answers, and I did not understand how this could be happening to me. But what I did know was that somehow and some way, God would not leave me in my devastation. I knew that if I trusted Him, He would begin to give me personal insight and revelation into how my own brokenness had led me to this place and how He would use it to bring the greatest healing my soul had ever longed for.

So, I began pursuing my healing journey one day at a time with Jesus.

On my healing journey, the first revelation God showed me was His definition of brokenness versus what I thought it meant. I had always felt

Even with my life lying shattered on the floor, God began to give me new insights and wisdom about my own brokenness.

and sensed that being “broken” meant I was damaged, worthless, and a failure. God showed me that, to Him, being broken was being in a position poised to see His glory.

As I was on the floor, devastated and crying out to God to heal my broken heart, I sensed Him telling me that He would not leave me lying broken on that floor. He reminded me that even though I felt like my life was over, it was not; He would put the broken pieces of my heart back together again.

Even with my life lying shattered on the floor, God began to give me new insights and wisdom about my own brokenness. Psalm 51:17 tells us that God does not despise a broken and contrite spirit. This helped me to see and understand that God was attracted to my brokenness; He saw my brokenness as an opportunity for me to surrender to Him completely. When we come to Him with all the broken pieces of our hearts, surrendering our pain, rejection, betrayal, abuse, grief, fear, and trauma to Him, He can begin to heal our brokenness one piece at a time.

Brokenness is about humility. We are all broken humans who need God to heal us. In our state of brokenness, we can choose total surrender to God, seeing our need for Him in a way we have never seen it before. The frailty of the human spirit needs a supernatural God. In our broken heartedness resides an opportunity for God to purify our hearts. Both good and bad parts of my life lay amid the crushed and shattered pieces on the floor. I chose to allow God to put me back together again, trusting Him to use only the transformed pieces of His Holy Spirit. I asked Him to sift out all the bad pieces of my broken heart that were not of Him.

Psalm 34:18 (NIV), The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit, became my life verse

for my healing journey. I would meditate on and recite that verse over and over to get me through my day. I knew my God was with me in my pain and suffering and that He was close to me. He was for me, in me, and with me. I found much comfort in knowing His presence was very near to me and that He was going to deliver me from the crushing pain I felt. His closeness became my comfort and sustaining power to endure the process of healing. I pray as you are reading this that if you have experienced or are currently experiencing this type of heartbreak, you will find God’s comfort as you know and feel His tangible presence with you.

Will you allow yourself to embrace your own brokenness?

To embrace the Lord’s presence to bring comfort to your broken heart? And to save and deliver your crushed spirit? I challenge you to look at brokenness in a new way. Embrace your brokenness as a need for healing.

You are not damaged, worthless, or a failure; you just need your heart to be healed.

Until I saw my own brokenness as a beautiful surrender in the hands of God, embracing my brokenness and trusting God, my healing could not start. I love to say we are all broken until God heals us. Brokenness is no longer a bad or ugly word for me. Seeing my own brokenness through the eyes of God has given me a perspective that has shifted the trajectory of my life from a place of hurting to a place of healing.

Come, join the healing journey and shift from a place of hurting to a place of healing with us as we hold hands with God and each other!

Blessings and love,Crista

Crista has spent over 20 years ministering to women through small groups in her church, teaching ladies’ Bible studies, preaching from the pulpit, and speaking at women’s conferences. She is a published author and a podcast host of the Beautifully Broken Bride podcast that will be launched in May 2026. Relying on her own personal testimony and years of experience and training with inner healing, she is passionate to see emotionally wounded women receive and walk in their healing.

BIO

Empowering Lives Purpose with

by Kimberly Ann Hobbs — FOUNDER, WOMEN WORLD LEADERS

THE SPOTLESS LAMB—THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Years ago, and way before I ever envisioned this ministry, I visited Israel four separate times. My second trip there was a life-changing journey. When I went, I was praying that the man I was living with, who was Jewish and did not believe his Messiah had come yet, would accept Jesus as his Savior. But while we were there on that pilgrimage journey, God radically changed my heart. On that trip, I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ completely.

As we left one of the stops during our stay, a man came onto our bus to sell beautiful, handmade gold jewelry. He was specifically taking orders for engraved, solid 18K gold rings. Even though I did not yet know the decision I would make days later and that God had consecrated this trip, I wanted something that could remind me of this time for the rest of my life. God knew.

I ordered a ring, and when the man asked if I wanted it engraved, I quickly said yes. Without a moment to think of what to put on it, I blurted out, “Jesus, light of the world.” To this day, I know that God placed those words on the tip of my tongue to be engraved in Hebrew as a reminder of the work He was yet to do for me during the rest of that trip. As you can see in the photo, those Hebrew words were intricately cut out into the ring.

The final morning of our stay in Israel, my ring was delivered before we left the hotel. I had such joy in my heart over the meaning of the engraved words God had prompted me to request. He knew the significance of the decision I would make on that trip. I FULLY SURRENDERED MY HEART TO JESUS. Of course, no one around me could read Hebrew; I couldn’t verify what was actually written on the ring, but I trusted God that it said what I asked them to write. I wear this beautiful piece of jewelry to this day, reminding me of the spotless Lamb who died for me and is my light in this world. Just a couple of years ago, a friend of mine told me he could read Hebrew, so I asked him to read my ring. He said, “Jesus, light of the world.” My heart was blessed, and I smiled so big at the confirmation of what God did.

Jesus is the spotless Lamb, who sacrifices Himself to wash away our sins, and He is the light of the world guiding us through darkness. By trusting in His redemptive work, just as I did on that special evening in Jerusalem, we can be empowered to ask for forgiveness, leave our guilt behind, walk in His truth, and draw close to Him for eternal life.

Whenever I get lost in the shadows, navigating through a world filled with anxiety, guilt, or uncertainty, looking at my ring reminds me that Jesus tells me to follow Him, seek Him deeper, and trust Him more than my own understanding. I will not walk in darkness, but I will have the light of life in Him. His light is not merely a distant lighthouse to me; His bright light is fueled by the profound, intimate sacrifice that He made for me so that I can follow Him. As I’ve walked my journey of life since then, drawing closer to my Savior with each passing day, I recognize Jesus as the ultimate, spotless Lamb of God. Just as when John the Baptist saw, he knew.

The very next day, John saw Jesus coming to him to be baptized, and John cried out, “Look! There he is—God’s Lamb! He takes away the sin of the entire world!”

JOHN 1:29 TPT

As I was in Israel, I was also able to see a tabernacle, where the lambs of old were sacrificed. I learned that Jesus was the perfect substitute on the cross, taking upon Himself every stain and blemish of our humanity. He is spotless. He was completely sinless, which allowed Him to pay my debt. He paid a debt that He knew I could never pay myself, and He did it for me. Because of the sacrifice that Jesus made for both you and me, we are not just forgiven; we are made new.

I now know that the blood of the Lamb, my Savior, acts as a divine covering, shielding me from judgment that I once had, but He has brought me into a new covenant of grace that only He could have brought to me. I see it all so clearly now, but back then, I had to see my sin and accept it as wrong, confess it,

HE KNEW THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE DECISION I WOULD MAKE ON THAT TRIP.

then turn from it. Jesus did not stop at forgiving me and clearing away my past. He is now my light that illuminates my present. He will do that for anyone who lets Him into their heart.

Jesus brings clarity to our world full of different types of chaos. To walk in His light is to follow Him completely! By following the teachings of our Lord and allowing His truth to guide your decisions, relationships, and heart, His light will shine even into the darkest parts of your life. YOU WILL CHANGE, even if you haven’t done so yet. He won’t stop knocking at your door. He will reach your insecurities, as He did mine. He will calm your fears and cease your failures. Jesus will replace them with His perfect peace—the peace of God that passes all our understanding.

Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

PHILIPPIANS 4:7 NLT

Jesus is not only the spotless Lamb that brings us into relationship with God, but He is also the light that shines on us and the light that shines within us. I empower you to draw close to Jesus and acknowledge your need for Him. Tell Him you can’t live without Him. Spend time in His Word, let His light illuminate truth to you, talk to Him in prayer, and allow His voice to silence any chaos that surrounds you.

When I wear my ring from Israel, it’s a reminder to me to draw close to my Lamb. My ugly, sinful stains are washed away, and I am empowered to live in His light. I no longer need to walk in fear or shame of my past. The same light that conquered the grave now shines in my heart, and this wonderful, beautiful light guides me toward a future filled with hope, intimacy, victory, and a ministry in which I can thrive.

You may not need a ring to remind you, but I pray that you will step out of any shadows today and walk with the Lamb, who is the light of the world. He is Jesus!

THE SAME LIGHT THAT CONQUERED THE GRAVE NOW SHINES IN MY HEART.

FOLLOWING the SON

photo and writing by Michele Hughes

YOUR WORTH

Itwas another beautiful ocean sunrise at the Worth Avenue Clock Tower in Palm Beach, Florida. My husband dropped me off and quickly drove to his men’s group that meets in the heart of Worth Avenue.

Worth Avenue is named in honor of Major General William Worth. It was once a quiet dirt road that ran from the Atlantic Ocean to Lake Worth Lagoon. Now it is known as the ultimate luxury shopping experience destination nicknamed the “Rodeo Drive of the East.” Here you will see names like Sherry Frankel, Charlotte Kellogg, Lilly Pulitzer, Elizabeth Arden, Aerin Lauder, Carolina Herrera, Gabrielle Chanel, Daniella Ortiz, to name a few.

Isaiah

43 tells me God knows my name and I am His.

The storefronts are stunning! Everything is perfectly placed. Glamour and bling grab the attention of even the most uninterested shoppers. Scents and sounds lure patrons into every nook and cranny.

After watching the sun come up over the ocean, I strolled down the avenue and turned around to see this incredible view!

Have you ever heard “We see what we want to see?” Or “We hear what we want to hear?”

I see a strong tower. Proverbs 18:10 (ESV) says,

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

The question is, what are we seeing and hearing? I choose to see Jesus. I choose to hear Jesus. Does it come naturally? No! It takes training.

I hear Him telling me I am worthy of His love. I am precious in His sight. I am chosen. I am a masterpiece. He has clothed me with garments of salvation and a robe of His righteousness.

Have you ever struggled with knowing your value or your worth? You are valuable to God because He created you in His image. You have been purchased at the high price of Christ’s blood. You are valuable simply because you exist. Period. You are an original. Irreplaceable. You do not have to prove your worth. It is not earned.

God views your worth as immense, unconditional, and inherent, not based on performance, appearance, or status. You are created in His image, and He loves you deeply.

You are considered a royal priesthood, God’s special possession, and valuable enough that Jesus gave His life for you, confirming your worth is defined by Him. Do you believe it?

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

2 TIMOTHY 4:8 NIV

Michele Hughes, a #1 best-selling author, resides in Jupiter, Florida, with her husband. They own and operate GoLifeSavers.com, where Michele has taught CPR classes since 2011 as the lead instructor. Michele holds a master’s degree in education and serves on the Leadership Development team in Women World Leaders. She loves the Son/sun, family, paddle boarding, travel, and encouraging others.

Beside Still Waters

by Rusanne Carole

THE RIVER OF HIS GRACE

I am never alone

Whether on land or sea, You are with me I float on the river of Your amazing grace

Your Hands hold me up when I cannot go forward Your Feet I follow, the path You have set for me, lit by Your light

You carry me when I can’t see what is ahead

The river is calm some days, but lately the waters have been full of currents that threaten to take me under

Be still

Be silent

Float in Your mighty Arms and presence I know You are with me

Turn off the noises and voices around me Distractions Divisiveness Divisions

I will float in the water of Your love and forgiveness I am Yours

You will guide me to the living waters when I am lost or when I can’t hold my breath any longer

I float in the rivers of Your amazing grace

My arms held high Worshipping You

Praising You Trusting You

The storms will be calmed by You

In Your way, Your time

My feet follow Your footsteps

Solid and sturdy

Yet I see the tired, sore, and bloodied feet where You took every step for me to the Cross

For my salvation

For my eternal life with You—may I reflect You now and forevermore

I float in the rivers of Your amazing grace

Whether I am in deep waters that challenge my stride

Or smooth waters where I can glide easily and be at rest

You have me in Your capable Hands

No matter what happens in this crazy world, or no matter what waves are thrown my way I keep my focus on You

I hold Your Hand each morning I awake

And I climb in Your Lap as I slumber each night

I am never alone

All my day and nights I will float in the rivers of Your amazing grace

I reflect You now and forevermore.

Recovery

by Melissa Gissy Witherspoon

Dialectical Living: The Dance Between Joy & Grief

There is a tension in healing and spiritual growth that I didn’t expect when I first got sober twelve years ago. I assumed healing would be more linear. That once I stepped into a new way of living, the hard things would begin to fade and the good things would start settling into place. I believed joy would come without heavy weight, peace would feel steady, and growth would be uncomplicated.

But recovery, and life itself, has shown me something very different. It has shown me that two things can be true at the same time. I can be deeply grateful and deeply grieving. I can be proud of how far I’ve come and still feel the sting of where I’ve been. I can stand in a moment of victory and feel a quiet ache sitting right beside it. This, my friend, is the space of dialectical living. And whether we have language for it or not, many of us are living it every single day.

Two thousand years ago, the apostle Paul captured this tension in a way that feels just as real today: As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing… as having nothing, yet possessing everything (2 Corinthians 6:10 ESV). This verse doesn’t resolve the tension or try to fix it. It simply confirms and affirms the truth of it. And there is something freeing to me about that kind of honesty. Right there in Scripture, we are reminded that these conflicting emotions are not new to us; they have been part of the human experience for generations.

I can be deeply grateful and deeply grieving.

Some of my proudest moments have come wrapped in guilt, standing on a stage and sharing hope with thousands. Moments where I’ve watched something beautiful grow out of the ashes of my past. These were moments when I’ve felt, even if just briefly, like I am becoming the woman God designed me to be.

And then, almost in the same moment, I think of my mom. I think of the slow, cruel unraveling of Alzheimer’s. The way it steals words, memories, connection… piece by piece. I see how the disease doesn’t just take lives, but leaves a wake of hardship that can strain and fracture families. And I sit with the reality that while my life is expanding, my mother’s is quietly closing in. And somewhere inside of me, the question manically swirls in my head: How can I feel joy with so much suffering in me and around me?

There is a kind of guilt that lingers there in those jumbled thoughts and feelings. A quiet whisper that says I shouldn’t be celebrating while something so painful is unfolding. That, maybe, my happiness is somehow out of place.

But scripture gently challenges that way of thinking. In Ecclesiastes, we are reminded, For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to

break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 ESV).

What strikes me about this verse is that it doesn’t tell us these seasons will be neatly separated. In real life, whether you are in recovery or not, seasons often overlap. There are days when I have laughed and then cried in the same hour… maybe even the very next moment. Times when I have felt incredibly blessed and incredibly burdened in the same moment. Seasons when I have had to learn how to hold both joy and sorrow in the same set of hands.

That is not selfishness, failure, or having feelings that are out of place. That is dialectical living.

Dialectical behavior therapy gave me language for this long before I fully understood it spiritually. It taught me that I don’t have to choose one emotion over another to validate it, that two opposing feelings can coexist without canceling each other out. Putting this into practice, though…that’s the hard part, and that’s where a relationship with God helps it make sense. And Scripture confirms it. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning (Psalm 30:5 ESV).

Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

PSALM 30:5 ESV

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues or a substance use disorder, there is hope! Recovery is possible, and, as Jesus taught, “With God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26 NIV). For information on mental health issues or substance use disorder, visit the national website for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at www.samhsa.gov/ or call the national hotline at 1-800-662-HELP.

Jesus didn’t rush past the grief to get to the miracle; He fully entered into both.

But what if the night and the morning overlap? What if we are living in a space where both are present? Maybe the invitation isn’t to rush through the night to get to the morning, but to trust that God is present in both.

There have been moments recently where I’ve had to sit with this in a very real way. Watching my mom decline while simultaneously stepping into opportunities I once only dreamed about. Experiencing growth that I prayed for, while grieving loss I never asked for. I’ve had to remind myself repeatedly that I am allowed to feel both.

Jesus Himself shows us this kind of emotional depth in the shortest verse in the Bible, Jesus wept (John 11:35 ESV). We see Him standing in the middle of loss, knowing that He will shortly stand in one of His greatest moments of power and glory. Just verses later, He brings life where there was death. Jesus didn’t rush past the grief to get to the miracle; He fully entered into both.

That has changed the way I see my own journey. Recovery has not removed the hard parts of life; it has given me the capacity to face them while staying present, to feel what is real without numbing it or running from it. It has also given me the ability to experience joy more fully than I ever could before. And sometimes, those two things meet in the same moment. When they do, I lean into the understanding that this is how God has aligned it.

There is a quiet strength that comes from learning how to live there. Not pretending that everything is okay when it’s not. Not dismissing the good because of the bad. But allowing both to exist, trusting that neither one is wasted.

Paul writes in Romans, Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15 ESV). Sometimes, we are both of those people. We are the ones rejoicing over what God has done in our lives, and we are the ones weeping over what is being lost right in front of us.

God’s grace meets us in that space.

If you find yourself there today, holding joy in one hand and sorrow in the other, I want you to know that you are not doing it wrong, and you are certainly not doing it alone. You are living honestly. You are growing. You are learning how to walk through life on life’s terms without escaping it. And that is what recovery has always been about— not a life free from pain, but a life where we no longer have to face that pain alone. A life where we can celebrate what is good without denying what is hard. A life where we can keep moving forward, even when our hearts feel stretched between two very real places. At the center of it all, God is present, gently guiding us through it.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

ROMANS 12:12 ESV

Keep your eyes fixed on the Lord, my friend, for He is the source of your joy, steadying your heart through the ups, downs, and in-betweens. All are part of a dialectical dance, where joy and burden move together, and yet His presence helps that joy rise even as life carries its weight. I pray for your peace and send you my love as you learn to carry both joy and burden, one day at a time.

In loving memory of my mother, Linda Hall Gissy April 17, 1949 — April 13, 2026

Melissa is Founder/CEO of nonprofit Sober-Now, a motivational speaker, social media influencer (@Sober-Now on FB and IG), bestselling 4X award-winning author of I’m Sober…So Now What? series (A Journey of Hope and Healing & Unity in Recovery), co-author of bestseller Faith Unchained, contributing author of international bestseller Miracle Mindset and Hope Alive with two new titles in the works—stay tuned! To connect, visit: www.sober-now.org or email melissa@sober-now.com.

Reflexiones

sobre la recuperación

by Melissa Gissy Witherspoon

Existe

una tensión en la sanación y el crecimiento espiritual que no esperaba cuando logré la sobriedad por primera vez, hace doce años. Supuse que la sanación sería más lineal; que, una vez que adoptara una nueva forma de vida, las cosas difíciles comenzarían a desvanecerse y las cosas buenas empezarían a encajar en su lugar. Creía que la alegría llegaría sin cargas pesadas, que la paz se sentiría firme y que el crecimiento sería sencillo.

Pero la recuperación —y la vida misma— me ha mostrado algo muy diferente. Me ha enseñado que dos cosas pueden ser ciertas al mismo tiempo: puedo sentir una profunda gratitud y, a la vez, estar sumida en un profundo duelo. Puedo sentirme orgullosa del camino recorrido y, aun así, sentir el punzante recuerdo de dónde estuve. Puedo vivir un momento de victoria y sentir, justo a su lado, un dolor silencioso. Este, amigo mío, es el espacio de la vida dialéctica. Y, tengamos o no palabras para describirlo, muchos de nosotros lo vivimos día tras día.

no resuelve la tensión ni intenta arreglarla; simplemente confirma y afirma su veracidad. Y hay algo liberador para mí en ese tipo de honestidad. Justo ahí, en las Escrituras, se nos recuerda que estas emociones contradictorias no son algo nuevo para nosotros; han formado parte de la experiencia humana durante generaciones.

Algunos de mis momentos de mayor orgullo han llegado envueltos en culpa: de pie sobre un escenario, compartiendo esperanza con miles de personas. Momentos en los que he visto brotar algo hermoso de las cenizas de mi pasado. Fueron instantes en los que sentí —aunque fuera solo brevemente— que me estaba convirtiendo en la mujer que Dios diseñó que yo fuera.

Y entonces, casi en ese mismo instante, pienso en mi madre. Pienso en el lento y cruel desmoronamiento provocado por el alzhéimer; en la forma en que roba las palabras, los recuerdos, la conexión... pieza a pieza. Veo cómo esta enfermedad no solo arrebata vidas, sino que deja tras de sí una estela de adversidad capaz de tensar y fracturar a las familias. Y me siento a confrontar la realidad Vida dialéctica:

Hace dos mil años, el apóstol Pablo plasmó esta tensión de una manera que se siente tan real hoy como entonces: «Como entristecidos, pero siempre gozosos; como pobres, pero enriqueciendo a muchos; como no teniendo nada, pero poseyéndolo todo» (2 Corintios 6:10). Este versículo

Si usted o alguien que conoce está luchando contra problemas de salud mental o un trastorno por uso de sustancias, ¡hay esperanza! La recuperación es posible y, tal como enseñó Jesús: «Para Dios todo es posible» (Mateo 19:26). Para obtener información sobre problemas de salud mental o trastornos por uso de sustancias, visite el sitio web nacional de la Administración de Servicios de Salud Mental y Abuso de Sustancias (SAMHSA) en www.samhsa.gov/ o llame a la línea de ayuda nacional al 1-800-662-HELP.

Puedo estar profundamente agradecida y profundamente afligida.

de que, mientras mi vida se expande, la de mi madre se va cerrando silenciosamente. Y, en algún lugar de mi interior, una pregunta gira frenéticamente en mi cabeza:

¿Cómo puedo sentir alegría habiendo tanto sufrimiento en mí y a mi alrededor?

Existe un tipo de culpa que persiste allí, entre esos pensamientos y sentimientos confusos. Un susurro quedo que me dice que no debería estar celebrando mientras se desarrolla algo tan doloroso. Que, tal vez, mi felicidad esté, de algún modo, fuera de lugar.

Sin embargo, las Escrituras desafían con suavidad esa forma de pensar. En Eclesiastés se nos recuerda: «Para todo hay una temporada, y un tiempo para cada asunto bajo el cielo: un tiempo para nacer, y un tiempo para morir; un tiempo para plantar, y un tiempo para arrancar lo plantado; un tiempo para matar, y un tiempo para sanar; un tiempo para derribar, y un tiempo para edificar; un tiempo para llorar, y un tiempo para reír; un tiempo para guardar luto, y un tiempo para bailar» (Eclesiastés 3:1-4).

Lo que me llama la atención de este versículo es que no nos dice que estas temporadas estarán nítidamente separadas. En la vida real —ya sea que uno esté en recuperación o no— las temporadas a menudo se superponen. Hay días en los que he reído y luego he llorado en la misma hora... tal vez incluso en el momento inmediatamente siguiente. Momentos en los que me he sentido increíblemente bendecida e increíblemente agobiada al mismo tiempo. Temporadas en las que he tenido que aprender a sostener tanto la alegría como la tristeza en las mismas manos.

Eso no es egoísmo, ni fracaso, ni tener sentimientos fuera de lugar. Eso es vivir de manera dialéctica.

La Terapia Dialéctica Conductual me proporcionó el lenguaje para describir esto mucho antes de que lograra comprenderlo plenamente desde una perspectiva espiritual. Me enseñó que no tengo que elegir una emoción por encima de otra para validarla; que dos sentimientos opuestos pueden coexistir sin anularse mutuamente. Sin embargo, poner esto en práctica... esa es la parte difícil, y ahí es donde una relación con Dios ayuda a que todo cobre sentido. Y las Escrituras lo confirman: «El llanto puede durar toda la noche, pero la alegría llega con la mañana» (Salmos 30:5).

Pero, ¿qué sucede si la noche y la mañana se superponen? ¿Qué ocurre si estamos viviendo en un espacio donde ambas están presentes? Quizás la invitación no sea apresurarnos a atravesar la noche para llegar a la mañana, sino confiar en que Dios está presente en ambas.

Ha habido momentos recientemente en los que he tenido que sentarme a procesar esto de una manera muy real: ver el deterioro de mi madre mientras, simultáneamente, acceder a oportunidades con las que

En memoria de mi madre, Linda Hall Gissy 17 de abril de 1949 — 13 de abril de 2026

antes solo soñaba; experimentar un crecimiento por el que oré, mientras lloro una pérdida que nunca pedí. He tenido que recordarme repetidamente que tengo permiso para sentir ambas cosas.

El propio Jesús nos muestra este tipo de profundidad emocional en el versículo más breve de la Biblia: «Jesús lloró» (Juan 11:35). Lo vemos de pie en medio de la pérdida, sabiendo que, poco después, se manifestará en uno de sus momentos de mayor poder y gloria. Apenas unos versículos más adelante, Él trae vida allí donde había muerte. Jesús no pasó de largo ante el dolor para llegar al milagro; se adentró plenamente en ambos.

Eso ha cambiado la forma en que veo mi propio camino. La recuperación no ha eliminado las partes difíciles de la vida; me ha dado la capacidad de enfrentarlas manteniéndome presente, de sentir lo que es real sin adormecerlo ni huir de ello. También me ha otorgado la habilidad de experimentar la alegría con mucha más plenitud de lo que jamás pude hacerlo antes. Y a veces, esas dos cosas coinciden en el mismo instante. Cuando eso sucede, me apoyo en la certeza de que así es como Dios lo ha dispuesto.

Existe una fortaleza serena que surge de aprender a habitar en ese lugar. No fingir que todo está bien cuando no lo está. No descartar lo bueno a causa de lo malo. Sino permitir que ambas cosas coexistan, confiando en que ninguna de las dos es en vano.

Pablo escribe en Romanos: «Alégrense con los que se alegran; lloren con los que lloran» (Romanos 12:15). A veces, nosotros somos ambas personas a la vez: somos aquellos que se alegran por lo que Dios ha hecho en nuestras vidas, y somos aquellos que lloran por lo que se está perdiendo justo ante nuestros ojos.

La gracia de Dios nos sale al encuentro precisamente en ese espacio.

BIOGRAFÍA DE LA AUTORA:

Si hoy te encuentras en ese lugar —sosteniendo la alegría en una mano y el dolor en la otra—, quiero que sepas que no lo estás haciendo mal; y, ciertamente, no lo estás haciendo solo. Estás viviendo con honestidad. Estás creciendo. Estás aprendiendo a transitar por la vida en sus propios términos, sin intentar escapar de ella. Y de eso se trata siempre la recuperación: no de una vida libre de dolor, sino de una vida en la que ya no tengamos que afrontar ese dolor solos. Una vida en la que podemos celebrar lo bueno sin negar lo difícil. Una vida en la que podemos seguir avanzando, incluso cuando sentimos que nuestro corazón se encuentra dividido entre dos realidades muy tangibles. En el centro de todo ello, Dios está presente, guiándonos con ternura a través de este proceso.

«Alégrense en la esperanza, sean pacientes en la tribulación, sean constantes en la oración» (Romanos 12:12). Mantén tus ojos fijos en el Señor, amigo mío, pues Él es la fuente de tu alegría; Él es quien da firmeza a tu corazón a través de los altibajos y de los momentos intermedios de la vida. Todos formamos parte de una danza dialéctica, donde la alegría y la carga se mueven juntas, y sin embargo, Su presencia ayuda a que esa alegría surja incluso cuando la vida lleva su peso. Oro por tu paz y te envío mi amor mientras aprendes a sobrellevar tanto la alegría como la carga, un día a la vez.

Melissa es la fundadora y directora ejecutiva de la organización sin fines de lucro Sober-Now; es oradora motivacional, *influencer* en redes sociales (@Sober-Now en FB e IG), autora superventas y cuatro veces galardonada por la serie *I’m Sober…So Now What?* (*A Journey of Hope and Healing* y *Unity in Recovery*); es coautora del superventas *Faith Unchained* y autora colaboradora de los éxitos internacionales *Miracle Mindset* y *Hope Alive*, con dos nuevos títulos en preparación. ¡Manténganse al tanto! Para conectar con ella, visite: www.sober-now.org o envíe un correo electrónico a melissa@sober-now.com.

Have you heard?

Experience God’s extravagant love and your exquisite purpose through the Women World Leaders’ Podcast that focuses on teaching, inspiration, and encouragement.

Our prayer is that as your intimacy with God grows, your love for one another will flourish, enabling you to live out a courageous, purpose-driven life, fueled by the Word, led by the Spirit, and propelled forward into your God-given destiny through fearless faith!

Chasing Butterflies JOURNALS

by Connie A. VanHorn

A God-Shaped Hole!

I spent most of my life with a quiet hollow hole deep within me. It was an ache that nothing made by human hands could fix or fill. For years, I tried to numb that ache with people and things and by giving all of myself, hoping someone somewhere would finally make me feel whole. The problem is that those things are not lasting, leaving me with the same emptiness. The truth is that the world can never fill what only God can.

I want to spur you onto one, single action today:

Let God fill the spaces that the world fills with lies!

This is not easy to do! Before I got saved in August 2014, I searched everywhere for what I thought I lacked. I looked to relationships for worth and to achievements for identity. I looked for comfort in small things that offered very little relief… praise, approval, companionship. But all the temporary

fixes only showed me how deep my hollow hole and the emptiness I felt were.

I expected people to complete me, and when they couldn’t, I felt used and disappointed. It never occurred to me that my longing was not a thing to be fixed by the world or others, but instead pointed toward my need for something far greater.

Even after I got saved, it took me a while to realize that God was waiting for me to look to Him for everything. I was still chasing the world and trying to fix myself. When I finally surrendered my heart to Jesus, the process of healing began, and little by little, that hole began to close.

I felt His love pour into places I had attempted to stuff with so many substitutes. My constant need for acceptance evaporated as I learned that my worth is rooted in my Maker, not in anyone’s praise. I stopped hoping the next person or the next thing would make me feel worthy.

Instead, I began to sit in the presence of a God who knew me from before I took my first breath and loves me anyway. Wow! He loves me just as I am. He is and always has been after my heart. He is not seeking a perfect person; He wants a heart set on Him, and He calls it out and claims it as His own.

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.

PSALM 42:1 NIV

Our souls were created with a hunger only God can satisfy! Walking with God is not a one-time decision; it’s a daily practice of true surrender that begins with honest admission and facing the emptiness rather than disguising it with everything else. Confession is the doorway to grace; walking through it allows us to replace the lies with the truth of who God says we are: LOVED, VALUABLE, WORTHY, and DESERVING of a relationship with Him.

The world whispered that I wasn’t good enough! God countered that lie with a different story for us all: We are His children, accepted by grace, complete in Christ, and true daughters of God!

Filling that God-shaped hole requires feeding on what is true: prayer, Scripture, worship, and community. For me, music was an escape into His presence. Singing simple songs of praise in the kitchen while I washed dishes, sitting quietly with the Lord before the house woke up, and having the sweetest friends (in this ministry) who prayed for and with me. These small rhythms rewired my heart and mind and dissolved the lies and fears I’d been swallowing for years.

As I learned to lean into God’s presence, the thirst for what the world had to offer left me. My journey hasn’t always been easy. There are days when I still reach for what is safe or for the familiar comforts that never satisfy. But every time I turn back to Jesus, I find Him waiting, patiently and kindly, offering His perfect love. This life is not about achieving perfection or flawless holiness but about a constant turning toward the One who makes us whole.

If you are reading this and have that same hole and ache, know this: You are not too broken for God. Your hunger for something more has a purpose; it’s not meaningless. Jesus invites you to bring your emptiness to Him and let Him fill it with his love, presence, and truth.

I can now look back at the past when I was walking alone with a big God-sized hole in me with so much gratitude. Those memories remind me of how God perfectly rescued me. He met me in my darkest moments and showed me the new life I could have in Him. He gave me a constant reminder to keep my heart and eyes on Him. He showed me butterflies, and now I never have to feel empty or alone in this world.

Come as you are. Let God fill the spaces the world tries to fill with lies. Chase down the light of the world (or butterflies) and shine bright!

In Him, we find our true home and the fullness our hearts were always meant to hold. Never stop chasing God or telling others what He has done for you!

Until all have heard, let’s tell them all!

Shine BRIGHT!

Let God fill the spaces the world tries to fill with lies.

You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.

PSALM 139:3 NKJV

Dear Sister

Dear Sister,

by Dr. Jia Richardson

The very design of your being rests in the hands of the almighty God. He has known every detail of who you are before anyone else knew of your existence.

There is nothing about you that is new to God. You cannot recreate that which has already been created, but you can perfect her. It is a perfection beyond the scope of your make-up, the clothes you wear, or the car you drive. It is a divine perfection that sculpts you from the inside out. It is a mental transformation that brings you into alignment with the thoughts of God. Align your thoughts and actions with those of God, the God who knows your sitting down and rising up.

You don't need anyone else's permission. God understands you! He knows every step you desire to take and will take, and He has your back. He shares a place of intimacy with you that is irreplaceable. The very course of your life is being directed by a god who knows you inside and out. Trust the God of your hopes, dreams, talents, and gifts. Trust in the faithfulness of God. To Him who alone does great wonders, His mercy endures forever.

Love you, Dr.Jia

Women World Leaders and World Publishing and Productions presents:

IMPACTED

Women World Leaders books are touching lives around the world by creating a burning flame of positive change.

True impact ignites a fire that cannot be extinguished, a burning desire that spreads to others encouraging them to go out into the world and make a difference.

You are in place for a purpose. God has purposes that He is accomplishing through your life and He will sovereignly put you in places for the spread of His glory.

We invite you to read testimonials of personal encounters with God through powerful stories courageously shared. Esther 2:17 reminds us as He placed Esther in position to be queen, God has a purpose for us to do more than we can imagine!

This edition's IMPACTED stories include:

n Kaitlyn McMillan with Kingdom LeadHERship: Stepping Joyfully Into God’s Calling

n Natalie Keith with Faith Unchained: Climbing to Freedom by God’s Grace

n Melissa Gissy Witherspoon with Miracle Mindset: Pressing Forward with Power

Please contact us if you have read any of our books and would like to share how you have been impacted through a story or a teaching.

Email us at: Connie@womenworldleaders.com

SCAN QR CODE TO SHARE YOUR STORY

IMPACTED

Story

Recently, I have been praying a lot about my calling. I could feel the Lord pulling me deeper—higher. I sensed a shift happening in my life, but I wasn’t exactly sure what He wanted me to do with it. I felt like I was in this strange middle ground: knowing that God was calling me to something more, but not yet understanding what that “something” was.

One Sunday, Allison Bramlett and Crista Meadows were handing out copies of a book they had co-authored called Kingdom LeadHERship. I picked up a copy, not really knowing what to expect, but certainly not for it to captivate me the way it did.

It is amazing what God can do through one testimony—let alone 24 powerful testimonies from different leadHERs with different backgrounds and different stories. Every single chapter had something in it that spoke to me. Each story awakened something deep inside of me and stirred my heart in a powerful way.

Reading the book reminded me of the kingdom desires God had placed on my heart when I first got saved. It brought back memories of the ministries He showed me and the gifts He had given me— things I once walked in but had slowly set aside over time.

I was reminded that the gifts God gives us are not just tools to be used for ministry, spreading the gospel, or even making a living. Each gift is an invitation to enter into partnership with Him. In the same way that these incredible women co-authored Kingdom LeadHERship together, God co-authors our dreams and giftings with us to create something beautiful.

He doesn’t just want to use us—He wants to walk with us.

After three years, God used this book to remind me that when I write, I am not simply writing—I am spending time with Him. I am co-authoring with Him. Writing is one of the ways I walk in the anointing He has placed on my life; it is not work to me, but is something I deeply enjoy.

Like these amazing women, I am learning that walking in my calling and being obedient when the Lord asks me to step out in faith opens doors that no man can shut. This journey has inspired me to continue writing a devotional focusing on renewing the mind through God’s truth, which I had started three years ago, but never finished. I am so excited to see how the Lord continues to lead.

Kingdom LeadHERship

Stepping Joyfully Into God’s Calling

God’s calling for your life is far greater than you can imagine. Being a kingdom leadHER begins with an awareness that God placed something valuable inside you. Kingdom LeadHERship: Stepping Joyfully Into God’s Calling is a collection of voices of women who have said yes to God in various seasons and circumstances, which will encourage and propel you into your calling.

You were born with purpose and designed with intention. Whether your leadHER ship unfolds in ministry, your home, the marketplace, or the quiet spaces where no one else sees, God will guide and sustain you, and all of heaven will celebrate your yes.

We invite you to learn and grow from our stories as you joyfully step into your own calling to Kingdom LeadHERship.

Natalie Keith n Faith Unchained

IMPACTED

WStory

hen there was a call to authors for Faith Unchained, the title itself felt highlighted to me by the Lord. It was as if the Holy Spirit whispered, “This is the season you are living in.”

Every day, we are given opportunities to live with unchained faith. For dreamers and creators like me, that often means stepping into visions that seem far bigger than ourselves. When I have dreams that feel almost impossible—visions of healing centers, creative projects, or ministries that could impact lives around the world, I sense Jesus whispering gently, “Why not start? Why do you think you are too small?”

So I take the first step.

And almost immediately, I realize that dreams come with a cost, and faith is the first deposit.

At times, faith is believing God will make a way for us to pay the light bill. Sometimes, it is believing for healing, a restored relationship, or a prodigal child to come home. My own journey of faith deepened when the Lord restored my marriage. What felt broken became whole again through trusting Him.

Jesus said that faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. But that tiny seed does more than move obstacles—it grows. When planted, it becomes a tree with branches stretching wide. New areas of life begin to grow from that original seed of faith.

That is the season I find myself in now. The tree is growing, and the branches are stretching in ways that can feel uncomfortable. Yet growth often requires stretching. Faith invites us to become who God originally called us to be.

Why not live with unchained faith? Why not take bold steps with the Lord and see what He will do? Peter could never have walked on water if he had stayed in the boat. Faith required that first step.

I dedicate this reflection to the life of Natalie Barnhard-Castrogiovanni. Natalie, one of the authors of Faith Unchained, survived a devastating spinal cord injury when a 600-pound machine fell on her. Many people might have turned away from God in the midst of such suffering, but Natalie’s faith never wavered. Instead, she lived with perseverance, endurance, and unwavering trust in the Lord. She refused to let the accident define her. Though it tried to delay her, it revealed her extraordinary strength—mental, spiritual, and emotional.

Even while navigating her own healing journey, Natalie was determined to help change the world one person at a time. Her story reminds me that we are all called

to help others grow in their relationship with Christ, each through the unique avenues God gives us.

Natalie’s life was a miracle, and her legacy of faith will continue to inspire generations. Her life proves that purpose does not have to be buried by tragedy, and faith does not have to be chained by circumstance.

What the enemy tries to use for delay, God transforms into destiny.

Natalie’s story, which is published in Faith Unchained, will continue to awaken a generation of believers who refuse to live small. May her legacy remind us that the seed of faith God plants in each of us is not meant to stay buried, but is meant to grow into something that changes the world.

The question is not whether God can move mountains. The question is whether we are willing to take the first step of faith and watch Him do the impossible.

God is not finished with you. He sees every chain wrapped around your heart—shame, fear, grief, addiction, regret—and He’s longing to set you free.

With raw, honest stories and biblical teachings, this book speaks to the modern-day battles of identity, worth, forgiveness, and healing. The words within don’t present a quick fix; they offer hope—real, lasting hope that you will rise from the weight of the past and walk in Christ’s promised freedom.

You don’t have to have it all together to be released from the pain of what was. Freedom is closer than you think; grace is already reaching for you. Now is your moment to lay it all down and step boldly into the life God has prepared for you.

Melissa Gissy Witherspoon n Miracle Mindset

StoryIMPACTED

“And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled’” (Luke 14:23 RSV).

Ididn’t find Women World Leaders because I was looking for one more thing to add to my already full life. I found it because my friend Connie was persistent that I look into what they had to offer. At the time, I was juggling my recovery, social media, writing a book, working, and trying to be a present mom and wife. You know the drill. My plate was overflowing, and my first thought was honestly, How do I possibly have time for one more commitment?

But my friend felt a nudge from the Holy Spirit, and she never wavered. Eventually, she reached out to me privately through my recovery page, Sober-Now. She opened her heart and shared some of her own growing pains. She told me how Women World Leaders had given her purpose during a difficult season and how the ministry had brought her closer to the Lord when she needed Him most. Then she invited me to write alongside her and other women in the anthology, Miracle Mindset.

What she didn’t know was that I had been quietly praying, asking God how I could grow closer to Him. James 4:8 teaches us to Draw near to God and he will draw near to you (RSV). I was doing well outwardly, sharing hope in the recovery community and building a nonprofit, but inwardly, I was longing for deeper intimacy with Jesus. And, I was very lonely.

That might sound strange: being lonely while surrounded by so many people, being lonely while experiencing success. But that was my truth. I didn’t yet realize how much I needed spiritual companionship.

So, I took a chance and gave my first yes to God and to Women World Leaders... a wobbly and unsure yes at best.

The first Zoom calls were uncomfortable, and I often felt out of place. I didn’t pray like the other women, and I had barely cracked open a Bible. When Scripture was quoted, I quietly wrote it down so I could look it up later. I showed up, unsure and awkward, acutely aware of how much I didn’t know. Still, I stayed. I honored my commitment and kept showing up.

I wrote my chapter, and I began attending more of the online opportunities the ministry offered. Slowly, something shifted. In that first year with Women World Leaders,

I learned that God hadn’t invited me into the international bestselling Miracle Mindset just to share my recovery story; He invited me so I could grow closer to Him through His Word and community. Faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ (Romans 10:17 RSV).

After the book launched, Connie asked if I would join her next book project, Hope Alive. My yes was immediate. Proverbs tells us, Trust in the Lord with all your heart… and he will make straight your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6 RSV).

I didn’t know where the path was leading, but I trusted the One who was guiding it.

At first, my intention was simple: to write again as an offering of gratitude. Gratitude to God, to Connie for making room for me at a table I didn’t yet know I needed, to the ministry for modeling unity, and to the women who walked beside me as my faith took root. Writing from that place felt like the next natural step. What I hadn’t yet realized was that God was once again inviting me into something much bigger.

After Hope Alive launched, I received a clear and immediate vision to lead Faith Unchained. I knew Connie was the perfect person to coauthor and help gather women who were ready to experience what I had experienced when I first stepped into the ministry. Scripture says, For we are God’s fellow workers (1 Corinthians 3:9 RSV). That truth came alive as Faith Unchained was conceived. Lives were changed before the book was even published, and the impact hasn’t slowed down.

During this same season, I joined Voice of Truth as a columnist of “Recovery Reflections.” Once again, God opened another door to share hope through writing for His glory. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16 RSV).

And He didn’t stop there…

My mission to share hope in recovery continued to expand, eventually growing into my nonprofit, Sober-Now, which now reaches people around the globe. Along the way, I began intentionally sharing Women World Leaders both online and at every in-person engagement, wanting others to see the

same opportunities that had once been extended to me. Through that connection, I launched another bestselling book, I’m Sober…So Now What?: Unity in Recovery, and I had the opportunity to join the founder of Women World Leaders, Kimberly Hobbs, on her podcast. Over time, our relationship has deepened into a genuine sisterhood in Christ, marked by honest, meaningful conversations that continue to shape and strengthen my faith. And just when I thought God had finished stretching me, He called again, inviting Kimberly and me to coauthor yet another upcoming anthology, Rescued.

Through it all, my relationship with God has continued to grow and is woven into every part of my life.

He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.

PHILIPPIANS 1:6 RSV

All because one friend obeyed the Spirit and never let up on her pursuit of me. That single act of faithful leadership opened a world that enriched my recovery, my faith, my work, and my personal life, and now allows me to do the same for others.

There are countless ways this ministry has impacted me and those around me. But at the heart of it is this: A seat was made for me at the table. And my repeated yes and obedience led to the abundance Scripture promises. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20 RSV).

When I was asked to share an “Impacted” story, I had a vision. Somewhere, a woman would flip through the beautiful magazine pages and read this article. A woman who needs to know there is a seat for her at the table, too, and that unity and community through the Holy Spirit await her.

Whether your next step is sharing your “Impacted” story, writing in an upcoming anthology, joining a monthly prayer Zoom, or simply dipping your toe in the water like I once did, answer the call. God is waiting for you with open arms. And so are your sisters at Women World Leaders. There are so many opportunities to grow together and serve the Lord.

I look forward to meeting you and learning what brought you to Women World Leaders and building a long-lasting sisterhood together as we serve the One who designed just the right opportunity. Until that time comes, know that you are loved, your Miracle Mindset has now shifted, there is Hope Alive in you, and your Faith Unchained is leading you to abundant blessings for you and for others. Come, take a seat at the table!

Blessings, Melissa

God is about to do a miracle in your life. He is going before you with His sword of Truth, cutting through the chaos to bring you hope. With His sovereign authority over all creation, God can miraculously turn your wreckage into restoration, your turmoil into triumph, and your mayhem into majesty.

As we walk this earth, we can live with a Miracle Mindset by choosing an activated faith that trusts beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is sovereign. He remains in control even when circumstances seem out of control. He’s always watching, always protecting, and always directing us. Even when life makes absolutely no sense, we can remain focused on Him with a heart of gratitude, knowing He is faithful to lead us.

Order your copy today!

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2 NLT

Nonna' s kNOWledge

by Carolyn Joy

The End of the Story

Things are not always as they seem…

But as believers, we know the end of the story!

Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him— even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him.

Yes! Amen!

“I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.” (Revelation 1:7-8 NLT)

Nonna

' s Chuckle:

As believers, we know the end of the story. Jesus—the Lord of lords and King of kings—will return to save those who have a relationship with Him. In the final book of the Bible, Revelation, God gives us insight into the second coming of Christ and the end of the world as we know it.

Because of this, we have no need to fear or be anxious about our lives or the state of the world. God is in control—yesterday, today, and forever. Thousands of years ago, He promised to send a Messiah to save us from the sin of the world… and He did.

I was walking through a parking lot with my daughter and two granddaughters, who were 3 and 5 years old. To save a little time, we cut between parked cars. As we did, my 5-year-old granddaughter accidentally bumped her head on a side-view mirror and immediately burst into tears.

My daughter tried to comfort her, and seeing that she wasn’t seriously hurt, gently encouraged her to keep walking, assuring her she would be okay. Through her tears, my granddaughter looked up and said, “How can you say it’s not that bad when I just got hit by a car?”

Things are not always as they seem.

In Luke 2:9-11 (NLT), we read, Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!”

The world was not expecting the Messiah to be born as a baby in a manger, but He was. Things are not always as they seem. Many did not believe and missed this prophetic foretelling of the Messiah.

Unique among all books ever written, the Bible accurately foretells specific events in detail many years, sometimes centuries, before they occur. Approximately 2,500 prophecies appear in the pages of the Bible, about 2,000 of which have already been fulfilled to the letter—with no errors.

The remaining 500 or so prophecies reach into the future and may be seen unfolding in our world today.

The book of Revelation begins with these words:

This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near (Revelation 1:1-3 NLT).

God wants us to read His Word. In fact, the Bible says He blesses those who read and obey.

John writes to the church:

This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia.

Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne; and from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world.

All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen (Revelation 1: 4-6 NLT).

Then John writes in Revelation 19:11-16 (NLT):

God is in control—yesterday, today, and forever.

Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. From his

mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.

We do not know when the Lord will return, but we know, without a shadow of a doubt, that He will. Just as people thousands of years ago did not know when the Messiah would come, yet He did, we can trust that His return is certain.

Do not be among those who miss Jesus’ second coming. Put your faith and trust in Him. Believe that He is the Messiah, and confess your sin.

As we watch the unfolding of end-times prophecy, we want to be ready. Keep watch. Read your Bible. Pray. Seek the Lord. Study the Scriptures. Go to church. Live in community. Be generous. Love others.

Things are not always as they seem, but when you seek the Lord diligently, He will open your eyes, give you direction, and guide your path.

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path (Psalm 119:105 NIV).

Carolyn Joy is a Southwest Florida Real Estate Agent, mother of three married children, and Nonna to eleven grandchildren. She serves in her church and helps lead a women’s Bible study in her community. She’s also a published author. The Overflow of the Heart and Let Your Heart Overflow with Joy are both devotional journals that encourage scripture memorization and writing prayers. Her fiction novel, Out of the Grey Zone, demonstrates God’s grace, mercy, forgiveness, and unconditional love.

BIO

Faith and Family

by Donna Whartenby

What Is God Really Like?

Have you pondered what God is really like? Do you think you know Him from seeing movies? Or from a Vacation Bible School experience? What about through an evangelist’s message? I am doing a Read-the-Bible-in-a-Year study and have learned so much about who God is. Let me share some of the things I’ve discovered so far.

God is the creator of heaven and earth. Scripture states: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…God saw all that he had made, and it was very good (Genesis 1:1, 31 NIV). God’s single purpose is to have a personal relationship with humanity. In His design, He gave humans their role and purpose in this new creation. He also gave humans the dignity and freedom of choice as to whether they will follow His design for their lives.

God is holy, set apart, and perfect. He is good, loving, pure, just, merciful, and so much more. God is gracious even though humans rebel and turn their backs on Him. The Bible calls this turning away, sin. Because God is perfect, He cannot tolerate sinfulness, so our sin must be paid for. Romans 6:23 (NIV) tells us For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

You can be set apart from this dark and wicked world when you claim Jesus as the Light of the World.

When Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden, they turned their backs on God. Even though God told them they would die, He showed compassion and mercy and let them

experience life. God used the blood of an animal to temporarily cover Adam and Eve’s sin debt. In His compassion, He then provided the perfect lamb of God, Jesus, who would be sacrificed for the sins of mankind once and for all time; it was a rescue plan that offered rebellious people a chance to turn back to Him. Since the time of Noah and the Great Flood, God continues to pursue a relationship with people even to today. Unfortunately, humans continue to rebel and turn away from God’s love.

God is the sovereign LORD over all things. Scripture states He who lives in the safe place of the Most High will be in the shadow of the All-powerful (Psalm 91:1 NLV). He knows all and sees all. Nothing surprises Him or throws Him off. He is LORD over everything. He is perfect in strength and might, and protects and provides for His children.

God is the creator of heaven and earth.

Over the centuries, Satan has pursued those who do not know God or have turned away from Him. They fight worldly battles such as alcohol and substance abuse, promiscuity, shame, guilt, rejection, and so much more. Satan’s temptations for you to turn away and rebel against God always point to a wicked life of sin. Satan tries to destroy God’s plan to rescue and redeem us. Satan loses the battle. God cannot tolerate wickedness and sin.

With His rescue plan in place, God desires to clothe us in righteousness. He calls us His children. Not because we are “good” but because of His great love for us. We are precious to Him. He wants to have a relationship with each of us.

DONNA WHARTENBY

In His plan, God sent His Son, Jesus, to earth to save us from our wicked ways. You can be set apart from this dark and wicked world when you claim Jesus as the Light of the World. He paid for our sin debt once and for all by dying on a cross. Your sinful life can be saved if you believe Jesus came to earth to pay for your sins and rose from death three days later.

If you have never done so, tell God you are sorry for your sins. Belief in God and repentance of sin are a lifestyle in God’s plan. Belief in Jesus Christ’s sacrifice redeems us from our sin and gives us hope and eternal life. He will forgive your sin so you can live eternally with Him. God empowers you to follow Him to live a life that He designed. You can speak personally to Him as a friend and be set apart from this dark world. You can trust Him as your heavenly Father.

Trust in His rescue plan of hope, joy, and eternal life with Him. That is what God is really like!

Donna is an Amazon #1 best-selling author of Unshakable: God Will Sustain You. With her education degree, she taught public school and corporate education. Now retired, Donna leads women’s ministry in their walk with Jesus. She loves teaching Bible studies, playing the piano, and singing. Donna lives in Florida with her loving husband, Keith, of 42 years. Their son, Bill, and wife have three wonderful grandchildren with whom they love to vacation together.

Love Note

Of all the magazines I get, this one is the only one I keep. Whenever I want to be encouraged or motivated with Jesus, I pick up one of my copies of the magazine that touches my heart every time Voice of Truth.

God gives me a wink and I know He is speaking in my life through these fantastic articles. He points me to His Word every time.

Thank you to each person who makes this read possible and for your efforts to continue to get this publication out there. Our world needs more of this type of messaging. I love the Voice of Truth.

Kristen • Palm Beach , FL

BIO

Musings on the Book of John

by Connie Hecker

THE WORK OF BELIEVING

JOHN 6:22-29 NIV

by Connie Hecker

The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.

When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

It’s an earthy crowd. In their selfish desire for more, the crowds decide that Jesus must have traveled further away, and so they go on a Jesus hunt. Surprisingly, they find Him in Capernaum. They don’t know how or when He got there. And they ask.

Yet Jesus does not answer the question they asked; He responds to what they really want. They want food for their stomachs. (That last meal they got from Jesus must have been some really good tasting fish and bread! John 6:1-14, Feeding the 5,000.)

YOU HAVE TO BOTH HEAR AND LEARN.

YOU CAN HEAR SOMETHING AND NOT LEARN IT.

Jesus teaches them. He has given time and distance between the miracle meal and His teaching. He tells them what to work for: Imperishable food. The food that only He can give them. This food is sealed and marked by God the Father.

This remark leads to a question about works. What to do?

Believe.

Believe Jesus is sent by God the Father.

When people want more signs, more miracles, more works of healing and change, Jesus says it is time to believe.

Has God done a miracle in my life?

Do I believe?

Believing is an action, a verb, a doing thing.

Believing is work. What work of believing am I doing?

YOU CAN SIT IN CHURCH AND NOT LEARN. YOU CAN LIVE LIFE AND REPEAT MISTAKES—AND JUST GRUMBLE THROUGH IT.

DANGEROUS GRUMBLING

JOHN 6:30-51 NIV

So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”

Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

“Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

At this the Jews there began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”

“Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered. “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me. No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

CONNIE

I’m a grumbler. I confess. I have this terrible habit of grumbling my way through my most difficult and stressful situations. It’s from a lack of confidence. Misplaced confidence. I see it in this chapter as Jesus has just spoken the most clear and emphatic truths, eternal truths about Himself.

To the hungry crowds, He tells them He is the Bread of Life.

Come to Him and never be hungry.

Believe in Him and never thirst.

He shall never reject those who come.

He does the will of God, His Father, who sent Him. That will is to lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.

What is the will of God? “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day”!

Wow, now that’s a mouthful. Jesus clearly reveals Himself, who He is, and what the hungry crowd must do to have eternal life. He sees the internal hunger reflected in the physical. He sees the spiritual problem of sustaining life. And He offers them that food. How do they respond?

They grumble—because of bread.

Because they knew His parents.

Because they cannot make physical sense of what He is saying.

Because Jesus called Himself the bread of life.

Jesus, whose miracle meal just fed them bread in the wilderness. (Was this better than manna?)

They did not understand. They did not believe. They doubted His word from the simple, first part and thus rejected the entire message.

The miracle meal is a miracle metaphor just like the manna in their flight out of Egypt.

Their grumbling indicated they may not be among those drawn by the Father to Him. You have to both hear and learn. You can hear something and not learn it. You can sit in church and not learn. You can live life and repeat mistakes—and just grumble through it.

Jesus does not back down (thank You, Jesus!). He continues to declare the message they cannot grasp. He stirs up their emotions. They are feeling cut out. They want the free food, but they don’t want to believe. They want the miracles but not the beliefs. Just like their ancestors who ate manna in the desert died, if they reject the Bread of Life—reject Jesus—they will die.

There is no lack of clarity here. This is the day Jesus comes out. He tells the whole truth. “I am the bread of life.” “The bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

He gets specific: “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves.”

Communion with God.

Abiding in God.

Jesus lives; the living Father sent Him, so we live as we abide in Jesus.

Stop grumbling and eat.

Connie Hecker, MFA, is a Scenic Designer, recently retired from teaching at Liberty University. She is a mom, stepmom, and grandmother. Her “first career” was in interior and industrial design. Her “second” was as Manager of Operations and Maneuvers (note initials) in her extended family. Her “third” was as a professor. Now she is discovering what God has in store as her “fourth.”

A FOCUS ON HIM

What Are You Focused On?

Political discussions can be very divisive. Honestly, I try to avoid them. But recently, a co-worker unleashed a very negative political rant: world events, the state of our government, the direction of our country, the world’s feelings towards Americans. The person dumped it all onto me, without my consent, and even quoted the Bible—out of context—to support their position.

“I am not glued to the news all day. I’m trying to be a F.R.O.G. – Fully Relying On God,” I politely replied in an effort to stop the conversation. “As much as governments think they are in control, and there are faults on all sides, God has the final say and master plan. He is still on the throne, and He is in control. I know who wins

photo and writing by Lillian Cucuzza

in the end. I am not going to let the news media and world events steal my joy. God predicted these events and warned us about them. I know I can fully trust God and His Word. Even when I can’t see His hand, I trust His heart! Therefore, I am going to continue to travel and enjoy the wonders and majesty of His creation, point people to God at every opportunity, and give Him all the glory and honor and praise that He so richly deserves!”

The truth is, this conversation really bothered me. The individual was trying to transfer their angst to me. They wanted me to be as disturbed and as fearful as they were. But the less disturbed I was, the madder they got. I am very secure in my worldview and especially comforted by the promise of God in John 16:33 (NIV), “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

How could this person’s beliefs be so distorted? I was reminded of the principle “What you focus on grows.” When you concentrate on goals, solutions, and positive things— especially on the truthful Word of God—you cultivate a better outlook on life. Fixating on problems, fears, or negatives tends to amplify them and make them worse.

What are you focused on? Are you consumed with what the world thinks, or what God says? Do you align with what the world says, or the truths God speaks in His Word? I’ve certainly been guilty of listening to the world many times in the past. It’s a daily battle to discern truth that can only be fought by putting on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-17) to stand your ground and extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one!

The enemy loves to put fear and doubt in our minds because he comes to steal, kill, and destroy our hopes, peace, and joy. His plan is to take our attention off of God and Jesus. If we allow our focus to wander, we become ineffective for Christ as a result. Fear and doubt do not come from God but from the enemy. God is not a God of confusion. The apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIRV), God gave us His Spirit. And the Spirit doesn’t make us weak and fearful. Instead, the Spirit gives us power and love. He helps us control ourselves.

I know I can fully trust God and His Word. Even when I can’t see His hand, I trust His heart!

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:8-9 NIV). Our outlook on life would be so much richer, and the world a better place, if we concentrated on these principles in God’s Word and the goodness of God!

In order to have the peace of God, we need to saturate our minds, hearts, and souls with the Word of God and the things of God. Absorbing His Word gives us discernment and wisdom, and allows us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. It keeps the spirit of fear at bay and gives us power over the enemy, supernatural peace, and a well-balanced mind. Romans 12:2 (NIV) tells us, Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. The renewing of our mind is assured when we spend time in the Bible!

Focusing on God’s Word and prayer also gives us the peace of God beyond all understanding, guarding our hearts and minds from the bad influences of the world. Paul encourages us in Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV), Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Want less stress and fear and more tranquility in your life? Turn your eyes upon Jesus! Study His Word with all your heart, mind, and soul so that the peace of God guards your hearts and minds.

Finally, Jesus gives us these comforting words in John 14:27 (NIV): “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

ROMANS

15:13 NIV

Lillian’s passions are nature photography and serving God. She is an international award-winning photographer, a best-selling author, illustrator, and a regular contributor to Voice of Truth magazine. Lillian uses her photography and writing talents to glorify and honor God for His beautiful creation.

Visit, like, and follow her websites: www.LillianCucuzzaPhotography.com, www.HisCreationsLLC.com, Facebook and Instagram: @HISCreationsLLC, or email her at Lillian@HisCreationsllc.com.

LOVE NOTE

Reading the 14th edition of Voice of Truth—given to me by a friend—has changed my life forever. I was drifting for the past couple years and seeking fulfillment in things that ended in failure. Voice of Truth encouraged me and helped me to realize that I was not putting God first in my life.

After all the help in daily reading, it gave me things to focus on for each day. The last article in the magazine made me think and then pray about “God first,” always. Thank you for letting me share.

Judith • Orlando, FL

BIO

Through a Mother’s Eyes

by Diane Cheveldayoff

Who Am I Attracting?

We are called to strive to love like Christ.

Awhile back, one of my daughters shared an experience that still resonates with me. She was reflecting on her past relationships and praying for a future spouse who was a Christian man and a godly spiritual leader—“God’s best,” when God spoke to her. He flipped the question, asking her, “Are you ‘God’s best’ for the man I am preparing to send you?”

This prompted her to ask herself if her own walk and relationship with God was where it should be in order to attract the type of man she prayed for and desired. Would she be considered “God’s best”?

Perhaps we should all be asking, Who am I attracting?

When single and asking God to bring that prince or princess into our life, the questions become, Am I that person for him? Do I exhibit the qualities of “God’s best”? Our tendency should be to go to places and do things that attract like-minded people. Things in common can draw people together. Ask yourself, Am I going to places where “God’s best” would be? Am I doing things they would do?

Recently, my daughter also realized that looking for a so-called “Christian man” wasn’t enough. Many proclaim to be a Christian, but when choosing those who will be in our inner circle, we must be aware of whether they live the life of a Christian. Do those you surround yourself with truly desire to be “God’s best”? If so, they should be living by

and exhibiting the fruits of the Spirit. It’s not enough to simply ask someone, “Are you a Christian?” Get to know them and discern what their daily walk with Jesus looks like in a typical week. Do they make Jesus a priority? The answers might reveal their heart.

Married or single, this principle applies. Are we creating an atmosphere that nurtures the kind of attitude and responses we desire? Do we approach conversations and situations the way we expect to be approached? The answer, if we are honest, might not be easy to accept.

When we truly show the attributes of the fruits of the Spirit, it is easier to find others who are like-minded. Do we show the kind of love God so clearly outlines in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8? Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails (NIV).

Think deeper about each of these attributes of love. Ask yourself:

Are you…

• Patient in all situations?

• Kind, even to those closest to you?

• Envious of others, what they have, what they do, and how you perceive their environment and family life?

• Prideful, thinking you are better than others? Is everything all about you and what you want?

• Honorable, not self-seeking, thinking more of yourself.

• Angry, living with all the past regrets and hurts? Refusing to surrender?

• Evil on any level? In thoughts or actions? God sees all equally, not one worse than another.

• Living by truth and honesty? Not partial truth, which is a lie.

• Protecting yourself and those around you, not only physically but also emotionally and spiritually?

• Trusting others and your own decisions?

• Carrying hope for the present and future?

• Persevering through the hard times?

We are called to strive to love like Christ; after all, He IS love.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

JAMES 1:12 NIV

Diane is a professional meeting planner with over 40 years of experience in the hospitality industry—planning, contracting, and executing meetings and events worldwide. (www.ExecutiveDiamond.com) She and her husband Les have been married 31 years, have three beautiful adult girls, and work together in their ministry, HALO - Highway, Healing Arts Life’s Oxygen (www.HALOHighway.com). Although she never envisioned being a writer, Diane loves the impact made on lives in the various ministries of Women World Leaders and World Publishing and Productions.

BIO

KINGDOM PROMISE:

ABUNDANCE, HOPE, AND A FUTURE

by Kelly Williams Hale

God’s Plan, Not Mine

(excerpt from Surrendered: Yielded With Purpose)

You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

PSALM 139: 16 NLT

Looking at my phone, I saw that I had missed a call from my mom and two calls from my brother, Tim. Heart in my throat, I called Tim back.

When he answered, I could tell he had been crying.

“Oh, Tim, is it Dad?” I asked. My dad had been in the hospital for a week with some health issues.

“No, not Dad. It’s Scott.” My heart began racing.

“He died this morning, Kelly. Car accident, on his way to work.”

My whole world tilted. Scott was a cop and the middle boy of my three brothers. The one sibling everyone loved and who connected us all.

What do you do when you suddenly realize this is not how the story is supposed to end? Scott was only 46. I cried out to God, “Why, Lord? Is this really happening?”

In that moment, I had no other choice than to surrender to God’s plan. Not mine. Surrender.

The world tells us that surrendering is weak.

I’ve learned that God often allows obstacles and adversity in our lives to see how we will navigate the disappointment. Will we lean on Him and surrender to what is in that moment? Or will we—like the Israelites who experienced God’s mercy yet still complained about not having choice food—look at our trials from a purely self-centered point of view? (Numbers 11:4).

We WILL experience times in our lives when everything we hoped for or dreamed of vanishes, disappearing like mist in the morning. These moments are when we get to exercise our faith muscles.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1 KJV).

When we can’t see what’s ahead of us, we must trust the One who does. God sees the big picture, and while we may feel like He’s forgotten us, He is always working. For us.

On the morning of October 31, 2016, Scott was in his cruiser driving to work. He received a call from dispatch that required his attention. He was on the job. It was Halloween, and the girls at the office were excitedly looking forward to showing him their costumes. They knew Scott would be the one to appreciate them. Scott looked for any opportunity to tease and have fun. He had only been a Taylor County Sheriff’s Deputy for about 18 months but quickly became a fixture in the community. He would never make it to the office.

He was traveling north on US 19 and hit a logging truck from behind. Once his vehicle was loose from hitting the hanging logs, he veered to the left and came to a stop on the southbound shoulder. We don’t know if Scott was trying to pass the logging truck or if the logging truck was stopped. It’s still unclear.

What we do know is we lost a good one that tragic Halloween day.

I’ve often said to leave it to Scott to go on April Fool’s Day or Halloween. That’s who he was—the kid who loved the holidays, pulling pranks, and making people laugh. He was one hundred percent genuine, the real deal, and people felt it.

In law enforcement, it’s not difficult to gain a few enemies. But Scott had that special something that, even when he was arresting someone, he was endearing.

It became clear to me that Scott’s life—and career— ended exactly where he was supposed to be. See, God knew all along what was best for Scott. Scott knew that God knew too! He loved his job, he loved being close to his son, and he had made some very close friends. He would come back home to attend church with Mom every chance he had, thinking nothing of driving two hours each way to spend the weekends with family (and probably get his laundry done!). Scott also loved music. Rascal Flatts—a country band—was his favorite. He also loved contemporary Christian artist Lauren Daigle. We would both belt out her hit song, Trust in You, during worship at my mom’s church.

And he did.

Scott trusted the Lord.

He surrendered to God’s plan for him and, despite all the obstacles, never lost his faith.

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.

PROVERBS 3:5-6 NLT

Kelly Williams Hale is a speaker, author, and life coach. Her teaching and online courses help Christian women walk in their unique calling to bring God glory. Her speaking topics include spiritual growth, emotional resilience, and leadership. Kelly is known for her ability to connect with audiences on a deep and meaningful level, and for creating a safe and supportive space for women to share their stories and experiences. She is happily married (third time’s a charm!), a mom of three – all born a decade apart. Kelly is living proof that past mistakes don’t define future success. You’re invited to visit thebebravelife.com for more information.

BIO

SONS OF THE KING

by Dr. Jia Richardson

One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”

“Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”

JOHN 5:5-8 NIV

PICK UP YOUR MAT AND MOVE

There are times in life when everything seems to be moving and passing you by while you are just sitting. Sons of the King, I know that there have been moments you may have felt like the man sitting at the pool of Bethesda.

The man in this passage was sitting by that pool for 38 years, watching everyone pass him by. There must have been moments when he felt overlooked, dismissed, and maybe even invisible. He was depending on everyone else to help him get where he either needed or desired to be—either way, he placed his fate in the hands of others who were focused on themselves.

Do you ever feel like no one sees you? No one sees what you need or long for? Ever feel like there is no use in trying anything new because the outcome will be the same, no matter what you attempt?

Well, if the answer is “Yes!” then, Sons of the King, Jesus is saying to you today that you have been sitting and waiting way too long in what appears not to be for you. Now it is time to pick up your mat and move! It is time to stop sitting by the pool, watching the waves pass you

by for one more year. TODAY YOU MUST PICK UP YOUR MAT AND MOVE!

Today is the day that Jesus is charging you with shifting the condition of, not just the physical, but the mental. Today is the day that Jesus is reminding you that you have become defined by the condition by which you sit, even if it truly does not exist. The pool has been the desire. The pool has been your imagery of what the future holds. The pool has represented the abundance of life, yet it has seemed to be unreachable, untouchable, unattainable. Sons of the King, the water is your portion, but you can only get to it once you believe that you can and will get up off your mat and move!

Move on purpose and in purpose.

Move without motive but with motivation. Move with the intention to become stronger, wiser, and more sound in your decisions. Move because Jesus has reminded you that you can do this. You don’t need permission to level up to your next in God. So, Sons of the King, please take your rightful position, PICK UP YOUR MAT AND MOVE!

Women World Leaders COVER STORY

VOICE OF TRUTH

Light of the World

Apainting and writing by Beverly Bray

t the beginning of this year, I began praying and asking the Lord to give me a word to study and meditate on in 2026. He gave me the word “Light.”

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

JOHN 1:1-5 NKJV

What does this mean that Jesus is the light that shines in the darkness? Later in this passage (John 1:8), we are warned that we are walking in darkness when we live the way the world lives. And during the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt, the pillar of fire was God’s symbol of protection through the wilderness and His guidance in that dark world: The LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night (Exodus 13:21-22 NKJV). In addition to being the light, the Scripture tells us that Jesus is the bread from heaven and the living water, pointing to the fact that He is the ultimate life-giving source for His people.

Even as I have focused on Jesus as the Light of the world, this year has presented me with some very challenging situations. My husband and I have faced many changes: we retired, endured four surgeries, and moved—selling a house and buying another home on land in a small rural

community. We are now what you call homesteaders and raise sheep. All these transitions substantially impacted our financial situation, plummeting us into dire straits. Complicating our precarious circumstances, my husband Gene recently injured his back and required another surgery that has greatly restricted his ability to work our homestead. Of course, this leaves me to run the new farming business alone, leaving me not only overwhelmed but in fear.

One morning, while bottle feeding one of the lambs, God highlighted a little lamb standing in the sun looking back at me. The Lord was trying to get my attention. I was reminded of all the miracles that have happened in the midst of our struggles. We have good friends who have pitched in to help; others have provided financial support. God has also blessed my art business to help fill in the gaps. We have never run out of food. In fact, one day I reminded God that I was out of eggs, and a friend brought eggs for us when we met for coffee that day. Our vehicles that broke down are miraculously still running. So many stories tell of God’s faithfulness.

The day I noticed that little lamb, he stood still in the light for the longest time, looking so pure, white, and pretty. He didn’t move until God was done talking to me. God is working an attitude change in me, calling me to yield my anger to Him. This season, just like all the rest, has purpose, which God is orchestrating through His grace.

“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12 NKJV). We are not the source of light; we simply reflect the light of Jesus.

What does this verse teach us as Christ’s disciples? If I am living in the world the way the world does, I am walking in darkness. But God has graciously provided light for us. In Exodus 13:21-22, the light from the pillar of fire provided protection in the wilderness and guidance in the darkness. And the Lord’s cloud went before the Israelites by day to lead the way. In this season, God repeatedly reminds me that He is our life-giving and life-sustaining source. All our light and provisions come from Him. God did not need to create the universe; He chose to—because God is love, and His light and love are best expressed when shared with other people. Today, I am praising Him for His Light!

Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.

ISAIAH 60:1 NKJV

If you’d like to share your big dream with us and learn more about Women World Leaders, please contact Connie at connie@womenworldleaders.com

Young Voices

THE NEXT GENERATION

by Kayley Prukner

For God hath not given us the Spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Growing up, I was always religious. Faith was a constant in my life, something I clung to even when everything else felt unstable. Yet, despite my devotion, I often felt invisible—like no one truly saw me for who I was. My childhood and adolescence were marked by feelings of helplessness, confusion, and isolation. I was the black sheep, the one who never quite fit into the neatly drawn lines that others seemed to follow effortlessly.

Part of what made growing up so challenging was my mental health. Living with ADHD, anxiety, and depression made daily life feel like navigating a stormy sea with no compass. I often felt misunderstood. My mind moved faster than my body could keep up

with, and my emotions often seemed like they were running wild, untamed and unpredictable. Teachers, peers, even family members didn’t always understand why I struggled with focus, why I felt intense waves of anxiety, or why sadness could settle over me like a shadow I couldn’t shake.

Adding to this turmoil was the constant moving between Florida and Michigan. Every few months, I would have to pack up my life and start over. New schools, new neighborhoods, new people—it was exhausting. While other kids were forming lifelong friendships and routines, I was learning how to be a stranger in every new place. The instability of my surroundings mirrored the chaos I often felt inside.

2 TIMOTHY 1:7 BRG

WHY DID BEING DIFFERENT FEEL LIKE A CURSE INSTEAD

OF A GIFT?

There were moments when I thought I would never find a place where I truly belonged, a community that understood me.

Through all of this, faith was a small lifeline. I prayed, went to church, and tried to live according to what I believed God wanted of me. But even faith could not shield me from the loneliness and frustration I felt. I often wondered why God had made me this way—why I couldn’t be like everyone else. Why did being different feel like a curse instead of a gift?

It has taken years to understand that being different is not a flaw; it is a unique strength. The traits that once made me feel out of place—the intensity, sensitivity, curiosity, and restlessness— are now part of what shapes my perspective and my creativity. I’ve learned that the very things that made me struggle as a child can also become my greatest tools for growth and empathy.

could be managed. Therapy, mindfulness, and self-reflection became ways for me to reconnect with myself and find stability within the chaos. I started to believe that God made me exactly as I was meant to be, and that my being “wild” or “different” was part of His plan.

To honor this realization, I’m about to get a horse tattoo—a symbol of freedom, strength, and individuality. Horses are often wild, untamed, and majestic; they embody the beauty of being oneself without apology. This tattoo will serve as a daily reminder that my differences are not flaws but gifts. They are part of my identity and a testament to the resilience and grace that have carried me through hardship. It is also a promise to myself: to use my experiences, struggles, and faith to make a positive impact—whether it’s helping others feel seen or simply living authentically.

Mental health struggles can feel isolating, especially when compounded by the feeling of being unseen or misunderstood. I want everyone reading this to know that there is hope on the other side. The journey is not easy, and the road is rarely straight, but healing, growth, and self-acceptance are possible. There is beauty in embracing your uniqueness, in recognizing that being “different” is not something to hide but something to celebrate.

Hope began to emerge when I started to see my life as a story I could shape rather than a sentence I had to endure. I began to understand that ADHD, anxiety, and depression were not marks of failure but challenges that, with the right support and self-care,

Looking back, I see now that every challenge, every move, every struggle with mental health, and every moment of feeling like an outsider have shaped who I am today. I am learning to see myself as God sees me: whole, valuable, and wonderfully made. And I hope that by sharing my story, others who feel lost or unseen can find comfort, strength, and inspiration to embrace their own journey. Your wildness, your differences, your struggles—they can become your greatest source of power.

I will give thanks unto thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Wonderful are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well.

Voice of Truth

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Healing Heart and Soul

by Alicia Renee Roberts

In the Stillness of It All

PSALM 46:10 (NIV):

He says, “Be

still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Lifehas a way of draining your energy and leaving you feeling like you have little left to give. The plans, the effort, the constant push against resistance—and suddenly, you’re running on empty. You may feel the need to slow down, but with so many responsibilities pulling at you and expectations pressing in, it feels nearly impossible. Yet when life hits hard, sometimes you have no choice but to pause. And maybe… just maybe, that pause is God’s gentle nudge, inviting you to be still and let Him work.

I personally know what it’s like to always be on the go. I had become skilled at pushing through obstacles and making a way out of no way. As a single, working mother, I convinced myself that this was simply how life had to be. Yes, there were

moments when I felt exhausted and depleted— physically, mentally, and spiritually—but I would regroup and keep moving, believing I had no other option.

But then came a season when the pushing became heavier than ever. On top of the usual struggles, new challenges began to pile up—my parents’ health started to decline, unexpected expenses hit without warning, and work became more demanding than I could manage. The weight of it all made even the simplest tasks feel overwhelming. And though I tried over and over to get life back to “normal,” deep down I was quietly longing for a break I didn’t know how to ask for.

What a comfort it is to know that God hears every prayer—even the ones we never speak out loud. He knows the hidden longings of our hearts, the desires we’re afraid to admit, and

the needs we can’t quite put into words. In His wisdom, He will sometimes allow life to slow us down, creating a pause we never would have chosen but desperately needed.

In my case, the very job that had become so demanding was restructured, and suddenly I had more time than I’d had in years. Time to be present with my family. Time to nurture my personal business. Time to finally embrace the rest and care my soul had been craving. Even the financial pressures I feared began to ease in unexpected ways, reminding me that God was still providing.

Yet even with these hidden blessings, my heart still wrestled with worry. The unanswered questions about my future lingered, and though life had grown quieter, the stillness sometimes brought moments of sadness and uncertainty. But it was in those very moments that I learned to lean on God in a deeper way—not because I had the answers, but because He did. Trusting Him in the unknown became the anchor that steadied my heart and allowed me to move forward with hope.

In the middle of my uncertainty, God’s answer to me was simple: Be still.

To trust that He is God over all things. To lay down my burdens and allow Him to carry what I could not. To find true rest for my weary soul in His presence.

The instructions had been there all along, but in my desire to control everything, I had almost missed the very gift He was offering—the blessing found in the stillness of it all.

If you find yourself in a season where you need to slow down and surrender, this prayer is for you. Take a deep breath, and let these words guide your heart back to Him:

“Lord, thank You for being my peace in the middle of life’s storms. When my heart is restless and the weight of my cares feels too heavy, remind me that You are calling me to be still. Teach me to lay down my worries, release my need to control, and rest in the safety of Your presence. Help me to trust that You are working even in the quiet, and that in the stillness I will find strength, renewal, and hope in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

When you surrender the need to control, you make room for God to move—in the stillness of it all. Don’t be afraid of change or a slower pace. God often does His deepest, most transformative work in the quiet moments we’re tempted to resist.

Alicia has faced her fair share of obstacles but perseveres in the face of adversity and empowers other women to do the same. She has successfully balanced life as a single mom, working as a Corporate America executive, entrepreneur, and serving her community through church work and as a member of her sorority. Her commitment to helping others achieve their goals inspired her to become a best-selling author, speaker, and certified confidence and inner-healing coach. In 2020, she founded The Confident Lily, a personal development company that equips women all over the world to heal emotionally, be more faithful, find their personal power, and live their best life confidently. If you are in need of putting the pieces of your life back together, visit www.confidentlily.com/pieces for free resources and support.

BIO

A Beautiful Mess

by Jessica Prukner

I still remember the day we made the decision that kindergarten would be our daughter’s last grade in the school system. Both my husband and I attended public schools and colleges. When we started discussing children, we swore that our kids would never be those “weird homeschool kids,” yet there we were making the big, audacious decision to pull our children and become a homeschooling family. It didn’t fully make sense in that moment, the details were really fuzzy, and I had no clue what I was taking on, but we had the peace of God in our hearts to know we were making the right decision for us.

Spurring on our decision, the school system had introduced Common Core Learning and state standardized testing for kindergartners; it just didn’t sit right with me. Also, we were blessed with the ability to travel, and after taking our daughter out of school for two weeks to go to Hawaii, we were reprimanded by the school and told that in the future she would receive zeros for her work when she missed school, even if I was willing to keep her up to date with the schoolwork while gone. I once read something by Mark Twain that said, “I have never

let my schooling interfere with my education.” In that moment, I knew that what our kids could gain from travel and experiences far outweighed what the education system offered, so we sent our letter of intent and began our journey as a homeschooling family.

That was 2016. My daughter, 6, was full of questions and wiggles, and I was, in equal parts, determined and terrified. I was grateful she had at least learned to read in kindergarten, but I also had her brother and sister staring at me with big eyes full of excitement as I took on preschool along with my first-grade endeavors. I didn’t know then that this small, uncertain decision would grow into something that would shape not only my kids’ childhoods, but my entire life calling.

At the time, homeschooling was still not a very popular or common path. When I was a kid, my cousins were homeschooled; I remember them watching some strange VHS tapes and doing a workbook in their basement. I couldn’t settle for

We had the peace of God in our hearts to know we were making the right decision for us.

that. So I did a lot of research and went to conventions, where I would touch and flip through all the books and curriculum. I came home with more things than I could ever use. I had frogs and real dog sharks to dissect, microscopes, musical instruments, and arts and craft supplies. I was fully engaged and overly excited! I think I actually still have some of those science kits in our closet after many house moves and good intentions. The options were so exciting.

Then, thanks to the pandemic, homeschooling became a mandatory temporary event for most everyone, which led to it getting a lot more funding and support. These advancements allowed for many options and opportunities that weren’t around when we began. Even now, it is very common for the local school system to offer virtual learning if a student desires to stay at home and not attend in person. These advancements in our culture and society have opened up a wide range of learning options, including different kinds of classes, curricula, and co-ops that embrace all types of learning styles and desires.

It has truly been a blessing to see how far the homeschooling community has grown and expanded over the years.

Now my oldest is almost 18, and somehow we’ve reached the end of this chapter, leaving me filled with so many emotions. “Senior Sunday” is a social media trend where parents post pictures taken through the years of their soon-to-be graduate. Every Sunday, I experience so much nostalgia as I go through the thousands of photos I have collected from my daughter’s first grade through senior year. I created a yearbook for every school year; flipping through these pages filled with an education that our family created and experienced together always ends with happy tears streaming down my face. We

all have so many smiles, laughs, and tears as we recall the moments we shared—from the highs of exciting field trips, to the laughs of messes or art projects gone wrong, or the thrills of science projects exploding or failing. All of those memories are mine! I am so very thankful we took the chance to obey that fuzzy, uncertain calling to trust our peace and pull our kids from school to embrace an alternative, God-gifted, ordained path for our family.

They say the days are long but the years are short, and as I near the end of the journey, I would have to agree with this statement. I remember days that dragged on forever; still, now that they will soon be gone, I would pay money to go back and relive them. I would take more notice of the moments that were the “lasts,” try to freeze them and capture them forever, memorizing the details of the kids’ smells, the freckles on their faces, their messy hair, and their little, high-pitched voices. All of these memories I hold so dear to my heart, and I will be forever thankful that God gave me the gift of 365 days x 12 years, so I wouldn’t have to miss a thing.

People often ask me to give them advice or direction on homeschooling. Through this

column, messages, and in-person meetings, I have had the honor to encourage and inspire other parents to choose this adventure and journey for their kids and family. I am so grateful I have been able to influence and inspire so many people to encounter one of the greatest joys of my life: being a homeschooling family. I took this position very seriously and believe it was a God-given calling to not only train and raise up my children but to inspire others to do the same.

I appreciate all of the years many of you have flipped to my column, looking to share in my family’s experiences or journey while finding some inspiration for yourself to continue down this selfless and rewarding path called homeschooling. I am forever grateful for this “Beautiful Mess” that I have lived and shared with you all.

When we started homeschooling, we felt like a name was needed so the kids could say where they went to school. We named our school “Soaring Arrows Academy” based on Psalm 127:4-5.

Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.

(PSALM 127:4–5 NIV)

My “arrows” have made me proud. Now they are ready to soar!

Love Note

I want to share this with you. Voice of Truth has been an uplifting read in my office. I see clients for my profession and I chose to lay your publication on a table in my waiting room.

I’ve had many women ask if they could take the copy. I know this inspiring magazine brings hope to a world that needs it.

Thank you for sharing it with so many.

Christine • Dayton, OH

Ever Interceding

by Diana Brown

When Prayer Becomes a Movement

Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV)

As I was reading recently, I came across this story that challenged me. Let me share some thoughts that spoke to my heart. It has been 298 years since a beautiful and unexpected move of God began in a quiet corner of Herrnhut, Germany. On August 27, 1727, a small group of Moravian believers gathered in a simple prayer tower. They didn’t have elaborate plans or a vision for global revival; they simply committed to pray, hour by hour, without stopping.

What they couldn’t have imagined was that their obedience would ignite a prayer meeting that continued unbroken for 125 years. Out of that stream of prayer came revival, mission, and a fresh zeal for God that touched nations.

Their story reminds me of a powerful truth: When God’s people pray, God’s purposes move forward.

1. Prayer Awakens God’s Purposes

Call to me and I will answer you and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known (Jeremiah 33:3 ESV).

The Moravians didn’t begin with a plan for impact—they began with a cry for God. They showed up. They prayed. They listened. And God revealed His heart for the world.

Sometimes we think prayer is small. But God often starts His greatest works in the quietest places.

DOESN’T JUST CHANGE US. IT SENDS US INTO THE WORLD.

PAUSE AND REFLECT:

LET GOD DO AS HE WISHES IN YOUR LIFE IN EACH SEASON

• When has God revealed something to you through prayer that you had not seen before?

• What helps you stay consistent in prayer—and what challenges you?

TO GUIDE YOU AS YOU LEARN AND GROW IN HIM.

2. Prayer Unites the Church

All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer (Acts 1:14 ESV).

The Moravians were a divided community before revival fell. But through prayer, God knit them together. Unity didn’t precede prayer—unity came through prayer.

When a church prays together, hearts soften, burdens are shared, and God creates a family.

PAUSE AND REFLECT:

• How have you experienced unity through praying with others?

• What might God heal or strengthen in our church through more shared prayer?

3. Prayer Fuels Mission

“Therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:38 ESV).

From that 125-year prayer meeting came some of the first modern missionaries. They prayed—and God sent.

They prayed—and God opened nations. They prayed—and the gospel advanced.

Prayer doesn’t just change us. It sends us into the world.

PAUSE AND REFLECT:

• Why do you think prayer so often comes before mission?

• How can our group pray with more kingdom intention—beyond personal requests?

Consider This in Your Spirit

What could God do in your church, in your family, or in your own life if you committed to a rhythm of steady, kingdom-focused prayer?

Not just prayer for comfort or convenience, but prayer that says:

“Lord, let Your kingdom come. Use us. Move among us.”

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10 ESV).

You may not start a century-long prayer chain. But you can ask God:

“How can I be a spark of prayer in my circle, church, WWL?”

PAUSE AND REFLECT:

What role do you sense God inviting you to play in the prayer life of Women World Leaders?

A few ideas:

– Join our monthly prayer gathering (4th Monday of the month).

– Pray regularly for the ministry of WWL.

– Be ever interceding during the week for the daily needs of each other.

– Commit to a daily time of prayer.

Let’s Pray:

Lord, stir my heart the way You stirred the Moravians. Teach me to pray with faith, with persistence, and with a kingdom focus. Use my prayers—no matter how small—to partner with what You’re doing in my circle, church, and the world. Ignite a fresh passion for Your presence. Amen.

Share with us how you are operating in your prayer life. How is God at work? What spoke to your heart? How may we lift you up in prayer?

Send an email to: Diana@womenworldleaders.com

We love hearing your God stories!

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More You, Lord of

by Sharon Hobbs

Draw Nearer to God by Praying His Word

Is your heart’s cry, “I want to know you more deeply. Lord”? I don’t think we can ever have too much of a relationship with God. As I have spent time with Jesus, my Bridegroom, I have also drawn closer to knowing the Father, and the Comforter— Holy Spirit. John 5:19 assures us that Jesus did only what He saw His Father doing, so as we look at Jesus, we can know what the Father is like as well. Jesus also told us that He would send a Helper to dwell within us and that He, the Holy Spirit, would reveal Jesus more intimately to us. But

when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me (John 15:26 NKJV).

How does the Holy Spirit testify to us, so that we can know Jesus better? This happens in my life through a combination of fundamentals—prayer, Scripture, worship, and service to Him. These elements work in a partnership between my Lord and my spirit. I must do my part, and am assured that He will always do His part, because His greatest desire is to draw near to us. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13 NKJV).

Worship opens my spirit to the Lord, allowing me to listen to Him and reminding me of how good He is and has always been in my life. I find the most effective music for worship is songs focusing on His character and goodness that exalt and glorify Him. Music centered on me tends to orient me toward myself rather than God. Service also connects me to God’s heart for others, drawing me away from the self-centered walk of life.

But I have found that God draws me closest through a combination of prayer and Word. I love to study and teach His Word and greatly enjoy plumbing the depths of the Bible. Praying the Word has become my strongest pathway to Him. I often start with the following passages that Paul wrote to the Ephesians and Philippian churches:

n Ephesians 1:15-23

n Ephesians 3:14-21

n Philippians 3:8-16

The above verses from Ephesians are prayers that Paul prayed for the believers in Ephesus, and I think of the passage from Philippians as the essence of prayer that Paul prayed for himself.

An important key when praying the Word is to personalize the already written prayers as you adopt them for yourself. Change the pronouns to apply to yourself and even insert your name into the prayer. As you pray with a heart full of a desire to draw nearer to God, listen for how Jesus expands the prayer in your spirit with His specific desires for you and your relationship with Him.

Whether you are praying the prayers written in the Bible or turning other Scriptures from your daily reading into prayers, it can be far more powerful to pray out loud, in a true conversational style. As you do, tell God that you desire to have the same type of relationship with Him that the early disciples enjoyed, so you are praying as they might have.

Lord, I desire to know You and walk every day in the power of Your resurrection.

Let me offer an example from the passage.

Philippians 3:10-11 (NKJV) states: That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

I might pray this passage in the following manner. “Lord, I desire to know You and walk every day in the power of Your resurrection. I believe that Your resurrection power has brought me into eternal life right now, and I am asking You to make it work in every part of my daily life. I also ask You to give me the privilege and strength to share Your suffering. When suffering and challenges come in my life because I am Your disciple, help me to remember that I am sharing Your suffering and I can also share Your victory over suffering. I ask that You allow those sufferings to make me more like You, that my carnal nature be crucified with You, and that I can walk daily in Your overcoming, resurrection power. May I walk every day toward my eternal destination with You!”

I pray that as you sit with Jesus and His Word, He will activate a deep and meaningful conversation with you, drawing you nearer to Himself.

I want to know you more deeply, Lord.

Sharon Hobbs is a gifted Bible teacher and former pastor. She currently operates as the head elder in her local assembly and ministers in the five-fold giftings. She currently edits for Voice of Truth and regularly podcasts for her local church. She and her husband have been married for 50 years and live in Oklahoma with their dog Sebastian.

BIO

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As you sow, we are praying and believing that God will meet your needs according to His riches in glory. Together, we sow. Together, we believe. Together, we share in the harvest.

General of Joy

by DeAnn Alaine

DON’T KILL THE MESSENGER!

At 5:03 a.m., a bird outside my window decided it was time to testify. Not chirping, not singing, not gently suggesting that morning had arrived. No. This bird brought a full-volume sunrise sermon! Repeating one note like it had a bullhorn and a mission from heaven.

Now I want to be clear: I love God’s creation; I just don’t always love it before coffee. As that bird kept declaring its message with an enthusiasm I did not request, I found myself having a very honest spiritual thought: Lord… if I had better aim and fewer neighbors, this messenger would already be promoted to glory. And that’s when it hit me. Sometimes it’s not the message we dislike. It’s the timing, delivery, and the inconvenience of it all!

Let’s go to Numbers 22-24 and visit one of my favorite donkey stories, featuring Balaam, his donkey, and Balak. I used to make this story about the donkey, but it goes way beyond that!

Balaam was being summoned by Balak, the son of Zippor (the king of Moab), because he knew that Balaam was prophetic. Why was Balaam being summoned in the first place? Excellent question! The Israelites had just slaughtered the Amalekites and were moving on towards Moab, getting ready to do the same. So the Moabites were afraid, and rightly so. Balak knew that whoever Balaam blessed would be blessed and whoever Balaam cursed would be cursed.

Eventually, Balaam reported to Balak. That’s where the donkey comes into the story. On three different occasions, an angel with a drawn sword got in the way, preventing Balaam’s donkey from moving forward. As a result, Balaam beat the tar out of the donkey for

not moving. Balaam even suffered with a busted foot because, When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it (Numbers 22:25 NIV). So Balaam struck the donkey again. After the 3rd time, the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth and gobsmacked Balaam with the truth!

“What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?”

Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If only I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.”

NUMBERS 22:28-29 NIV

Don’t kill the messenger!

Balaam, after God opened his eyes to see the angel, responded with repentance, which was wise, especially with what was about to happen! God gave Balaam very specific instructions to only say to Balak (the bad guy) what God told him to. On seven occasions, Balaam spoke blessings to Israel rather than the curses Balak wanted him to speak against God’s people. Not one time, not two times, but seven times! It would have been well within Balak’s right to kill the messenger, but after it all, they both went their own ways. That is an absolute miracle! In fact, Balak got so irritated with Balaam because he kept blessing the Israelites rather than cursing them that he said, “Don’t curse them and don’t bless them!” (Numbers 23:25 CSB).

Again Balak said to Balaam, “Please come. I will take you to another place. Maybe it will be agreeable to God that you can put a curse on them for me there.”

NUMBERS 23:27 CSB

Here we go again. Then Balak became furious with Balaam, struck his hands together, and said to him, “I summoned you to put a curse on my enemies, but instead, you have blessed them these three times” (Numbers 24:10 CSB). Talk about adding insult to injury; God had Balaam bless Balak’s enemies three more times! I wonder if Balaam at this point is like, “Um, hey Lord, do you WANT me to die???”

And here’s where the story turns toward us.

Sometimes the messenger sounds like a loud bird at 5:03 a.m. Sometimes the messenger looks like a stubborn donkey refusing to move. Because God loves us, He sends an interruption as a warning. Balaam thought the donkey was the problem, but the donkey was the protection.

How many times have we been frustrated with the very thing God was using to keep our feet from walking into danger? How often have we been tempted to silence the voice that was actually saving us? Ladies, before we swat the bird, argue with the friend, ignore the warning, or dismiss the discomfort, let’s pause long enough to ask one powerful question: “Lord… is this You trying to get my attention?”

That untimely annoyance just might be heaven speaking. Whatever you do…don’t kill the messenger!

4 Star General of Joy,

DeAnn Alaine

DeAnn Alaine is a comedienne whose mandate from the Lord is to bring joy to the world. She's a contributing author of Miracle Mindset and the creator/director of the multi-award winning sitcom, Fade Away. If you’d like to view the trailer or book DeAnn for your next ladies event, go to www.deannalaine.com.

BALAAM THOUGHT THE DONKEY WAS THE PROBLEM, BUT THE DONKEY WAS THE PROTECTION.

BIO

Power Points: God at Work through Women Leaders

Yesterday and today

by Leecy Barnett

Paulina Unomguqo Dlamini

“The name my father gave me…was the rather significant name Unomguqo [the Kneeling One]. My father obviously did not realize the prophetic significance of this name……I learnt to start with to bend my knees before the mighty Zulu king, but later on before the King of all Kings, Jesus Christ, whose foremost servant I was about to become in the heart of Zululand.” ¹

WhenPaulina was born in mid-nineteenth-century South Africa, the Boers, Dutch colonists from Cape Town, had been encroaching on the lands of the Zulu Kingdom for twenty years. The Zulu themselves were also fighting with neighboring kingdoms. Paulina’s father was a Swazi prince who was captured as a boy by a Zulu chieftain. He grew up to be the chief’s most trusted manager, yet when the chief told him that his oldest daughter had to join the crown prince’s harem, he had no choice but to consent.

Paulina was in her mid-teens when she joined the household of the crown prince (who later became king). She waited on the King as a servant while also being considered part of his family. In 1879, war broke out between the British Empire, determined to annex the whole of South Africa, and the Zulu kingdom. While the King fled for his life, Paulina and other women from his household hid out in caves protecting the King’s young son. After several months, the British prevailed, destroying the King’s power but leaving his empty title.

After the war, Paulina reunited with her father and sought shelter with the van Rooyen family. The van Rooyens were devout Christians, and while working as their house servant, Paulina first heard the name of Jesus. After three years, Paulina had a dream in which an angel appeared to her and said, “Paulina, arise and accept this Bible. Go forth to where the sun rises and teach my people the old and the young.” 2 Although

PAULINA UNOMGUQO DLAMINI

Paulina had a dream in which an angel appeared to her and said, “Paulina, arise and accept this Bible. Go forth to where the sun rises and teach my people the old and the young.”

messages through visions and dreams were part of Zulu culture, Paulina was confused and afraid of this one. The next morning, she told her employer that she did not understand why she had this dream since she was not a Christian and did not even know what a Bible was. He told her, “It is Jesus. He knows what he intends to do with you. Go to Him for He is calling you.” 3

Van Rooyen arranged for Paulina to live with a missionary family, and for the months she learned to read and understand the Bible. On December 21, 1887, Paulina was baptized as a Christian. She remembered, “After my baptism a peace of mind came over me, and I was filled with the joy of a new life.” 4

Within a year, she traveled east to Zululand and started preaching the gospel. Paulina believed in the power of God’s Word and appropriated “it in the service of her broken people and she uses it fearlessly. When she comes across a much-feared farmer, Cas Badenhorst, who is whipping his Zulu workers like Pharoah and on a Sunday too, Nomguqo rebukes him and demands that he stop treating them like animals. He is converted and becomes a key figure in her mission... and as a result the attitude of the Zulu people towards her changes dramatically.” She later recalled, “The fire from

1 Fell, Filter, H. (1986). Paulina Dlamini, servant of two kings. University of Natal, p. 16.

2 Ibid, p. 82.

3 Ibid., p. 83.

4 Ibid., p. 85.

the word of the Lord spread and set many a heart alight.”

For the rest of her life, Paulina dedicated herself to declaring the praises of him who called [her} out of darkness into His wonderful light and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified [the Zulu] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light (1 Peter 2:9b and Colossians 1:12 NIV).

Father, I confess I take for granted the amazing power of Your Word to change lives. Let me be inspired by Paulina’s zeal to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave [me]...For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:6-7 NLT).

Voice of Truth STORIES

MEET Lou Ruffin FROM SOUTH FLORIDA

The closure of 2024 and the beginning of 2025 proved to be an extremely challenging time for me. With an invitation to a weekly Friday 8 AM prayer call, I began a healing journey upheld by prayer and the support of Stacy Jo Coffee-Thorne and other ladies who have a sincere and tender heart for those who are broken and hurting. These divine encounters led me down a path of surrender, redemption, healing, and much-needed restoration. The Lord gave me an exceptional group of ladies who have proven to be genuine and who truly care. It has been a process of learning to seek and find a redeemer who has been chasing me for a long time.

It has taken me decades to comprehend that God deserves my trust and wants to prove Himself trustworthy.

With great expectation, I immediately purchased the book Kingdom LeadHERship when it was released. As I read, each chapter revealed the love of the Father. Each story captivated me more; every life that was changed from hopelessness to optimism allowed me to desire better for myself. I was witnessing the work of God in each experience.

The testimonies of these wonderful ladies struck a chord with me; however, one story affected me more deeply. Dawn Connelly’s testimony regarding the injury one of her children sustained during football practice was particularly compelling. Upon reading the first few lines, I knew that this lady was truly special—she was intelligent, strong in the Lord, and ready to take up the full armor of God. This mighty woman of God is gifted with intelligence, courage, wisdom, and discernment, but she is also blessed to understand her duty as a parent. This mother demonstrated unwavering resolve to trust our almighty God, who gave her the victory. Dawn demonstrated faith in the face of fear, fear that could paralyze and lead to defeat.

Far too often, we are too quick to accept a bad report or a word curse spoken over our precious children or us, quickly accepting it as gospel. However, Dawn chose to trust that our God was not going to allow the enemy to defeat her. While How are you sharing Voice of Truth? Write us. We want to share your joy of spreading the gospel of Christ throughout the world.

Mayparentsspeaklifeovertheirprecious babiesandrefusetoreceivewordcurses.

faced with adversity, she demonstrated an unwavering resolve to trust God during her darkest hour. She rose up and showed faith, courage, strength, and tenacity. She armed herself with the Word of the Lord, for she knew He would see her through the valley of the shadow of death. The Lord gave her unobstructed vision and clarity. She knew where the attack was coming from; therefore, she arose and stood firm in God’s promises. She demonstrated faith, obedience, and assurance that the God of Abraham would never leave her nor forsake her.

I admire Dawn’s integrity, for she knows who she is in Christ and understands that His blood would speak for her child because he was created with a purpose, a divine destiny. Dawn was determined to fight the enemy for her son’s future. She chose faith over fear, and strength in the Lord over defeat, and she understood that the Creator of the heavens and earth dispatches His angel armies to assist, protect, fight oppression, and dismantle demonic assignments. Dawn serves a God who knows the plans He has for His children, and she knows that His plans are good—they are plans to protect, heal, and bring peace and prosperity.

Through the pages of her testimony, I took an interest in learning about the importance of communion. I have since initiated an earnest search to understand the value of communion, and I must say that I was not well-versed in this area. Since learning more about this, I have started partaking in communion and seen breakthroughs in areas where I previously had not made any progress.

Through communion, I now understand the value of forgiveness and releasing those who have harmed and failed me.

I am so grateful for Dawn’s reverence for the Lord and for sharing her experience and wisdom, which led to a transformational life experience for me.

I had the opportunity to personally meet Dawn and experience her empathetic nature. She and I had a conversation that deeply moved and ministered to me. The Lord used her experience and vulnerability to help me understand His compassion.

I pray that Dawn’s testimony reverberates throughout the earth and that because of her obedience to God, other parents may also seek the Lord for wisdom and courage. May Dawn’s son’s testimony of healing and restoration bring much hope and courage to other families. May parents speak life over their precious babies and refuse to receive word curses. And may the bodies of your children receive healing and be made whole.

Dear parents, speak life over your children; and may your trust in the Word be the end-all and be-all.

MEET Belinda Keiser FROM WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA

Belinda Keiser is a devoted Christian leader whose decades-long work in higher education flows from a deep commitment to service, faith, and community.

As Vice Chancellor of Community Relations and Student Advancement at Keiser University, West Palm Beach, Belinda brings a servant’s heart to every role as she advocates for access to education, supports students and families, and stewards resources so others can flourish.

Her leadership is rooted in biblical values as she exercises humility, generosity, and a passion for seeing people restored and equipped for purposeful lives.

A passion and purpose were planted in her by her parents at a young age, and you can see the proof of the hand of God in her every step!

Belinda plays a vital role in our ministry by generously opening Keiser University’s campuses for Women World Leaders gatherings and conferences. We are currently planning our next event with her ongoing support. Her beautiful hospitality, staff coordination, and encouragement have made in-person fellowship and community possible for women from around the world.

Beyond hosting events, Belinda is partnering with Women World Leaders in other meaningful ways, including as a contributing author in one of our upcoming books and her investment in time and wisdom to those in leadership.

We are deeply grateful for Belinda’s willingness to join in kingdom work, for her love of Jesus, and for the big ways her faith advances our mission to equip, educate, and empower women to lead for Christ.

MEET Jillian Buchman FROM WINSTON-SALEM , NORTH CAROLINA

My name is Jillian Buchman, and I am from Winston-Salem, NC. I am a wife, a mother, and a restored daughter of Christ. I learned about WWL through a dear friend, Connie VanHorn. Through this ministry and by the grace of God, my life has been transformed.

For years, I struggled with mental illness, trauma, and marital problems. I didn’t always handle things well or live for Christ as I should have. For much of my adult life, I chose my own way and failed. I wasn’t broken; I was shattered. The pain and suffering were so great that I attempted to take my own life more than once. I was in a deep, dark place and had hit rock bottom. I believed my life had no purpose and that my heart was beyond repair.

I was physically ill, mentally unwell, emotionally wrecked, financially broke, and on the verge of losing everything. I felt completely defeated and knew something had to change, but I didn’t know how. I believed in God and prayed occasionally, but I wasn’t actively living in the Word. I stumbled into a new church and was blessed when Connie invited me to the WWL Inner Healing series. That’s when everything changed.

I was reminded I have a Father who loves me and surrounds me with his peace. I began to pray and dive deeper into Scripture. I stopped trusting the lies the enemy whispered and focused on healing through God’s Word and fellowship. Gradually, I replaced trauma with triumph, emotional baggage with restoration, and chaos with peace. I was wrecked and then redeemed by God’s grace, renewed by faith. I was saved all over again. Christ transformed me from shattered stained glass into

a mosaic masterpiece. The beauty of Jesus is that He meets you exactly where you are. You are never too far for His arms to reach. From moments of joy to the deepest despair, call on Him; He will never fail to answer.

This ministry has changed my life and reminded me who I am as a daughter of God. I’m so grateful for Women World Leaders and all the work they do to transform lives like mine.

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

1 PETER 5:10 ESV

SPOTLIGHT

COLUMN: EVER INTERCEDING

Contributor:

diana brown

Q: Tell us about yourself.

I am lover of Jesus and my greatest joy is being a wife, and mom to my two grown children. I came to faith in Jesus at 14, and my walk with Him— especially through prayer—continues to shape every part of my life. I’ve served as a schoolteacher, prayer director and women’s ministry leader, and I love encouraging others to grow in faith. Born in Cuba, raised in South Florida, and now living in Grand Rapids, Michigan, I strive to live with joy and purpose.

Q: What stirred your heart to write for Voice of Truth?

I write my column, Ever Interceding, because prayer is close to my heart. Prayer is the foundation of all we do, yet so often it becomes a last resort instead of our starting point. For me, prayer isn’t separate from life—it is deeply woven into my heart.

Q: What is the core message you want readers to receive from your article?

What I want readers to walk away with is this truth: Prayer is VITAL. It is not optional—it is our lifeline. Prayer is deeply woven into my heart, and through this column, I hope to remind others that it is the connection that sustains, strengthens, and carries us through every season.

Q: How has your personal journey with God shaped what you write about?

My personal journey with God influences everything I write. Prayer has been my foundation and lifeline ever since I gave my life to Jesus. As a wife, mom, teacher, and ministry leader, I’ve learned that staying close to Him and trusting His guidance shapes how I live, how I serve, and how I love others—and that naturally flows into my writing.

Q: What does living out your faith look like?

Living out my faith looks like inviting God into my everyday life—not just the big moments. It means starting and ending my days in prayer, listening for His guidance, and trusting Him in each season. As woman in ministry, I try to live out my faith by loving people well, serving with joy, and pointing others to Christ through both my words and actions. For me, faith isn’t separate from daily life—it’s woven into everything I do.

Q: any last words?

Choose prayer daily; it is vital, life giving, and the lifeline that keeps us connected to God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

3:20 NIV

Women World Leaders

Investing in the lives of women to help them discover their lifework and purpose within God’s design. We welcome women all over the world to serve in God’s grace, a unity of fellowship among believers.

Empowering Lives With Purpose.

Visit womenworldleaders.com to learn more about our global ministry.

Facebook: @womenworldleaders

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YouTube: @womenworldleaders

EPHESIANS

global

Kenya connections

Hope, Healing, and Transformation in

by Amanda Zerilli

Irecently returned from a 10-day journey through Kenya with Elevation Church and Kids Around the World. I’m still processing all that I saw, felt, and experienced. Kenya is a beautiful country filled with vibrant culture and resilient people, yet it is also considered a developing nation where many communities face significant poverty and limited access to basic resources.

One of my favorite parts of the trip was revisiting a playground we built just one year ago through a partnership between four organizations. What I witnessed there was nothing short of remarkable.

Because of the playground, 170 new children have enrolled in the school since it was installed. That alone is powerful, but the ripple effects go even deeper: The children are healthier. Their attendance has improved. Their grades are rising. And perhaps most unexpectedly, this playground has unified a Muslim and Christian school that previously had no relationship with one another. Now, they share space, laughter, and opportunity.

Seeing these results was a reminder that something as simple as a safe place to play can become a bridge for unity, healing, and transformation. But that is only the beginning.

As a mother, I cannot imagine being told that my daughter might never walk and having no way to change that.

Throughout our time in Kenya, we had the opportunity to visit nine different global impact organizations, each doing incredible work to serve their communities. One that deeply impacted me is called Hope Walks, which operates 30 clinics across Kenya, partnering with hospitals to provide completely free treatment for children born with clubfoot. If you’re not familiar with clubfoot, it’s a condition where a baby is born with one or both feet turned inward. Without treatment, these children may never walk properly. In many parts of Kenya, families simply don’t have access to medical care or the financial means to afford treatment.

As a mother, I cannot imagine being told that my daughter might never walk and having no way to change that. But Hope Walks is changing that reality every single day. Since its beginning, this organization has helped over 20,000 children walk correctly, giving them not just mobility, but dignity, confidence, and a future.

The moment I walked into the Hope Walks clinic, I could feel something different. There was a quiet but undeniable joy. Parents sat with a sense of hope you could almost touch. I sat next to one mother in particular who shared her story with me. She had two healthy children, and then her daughter was born with both feet turned inward. She described the deep shame she felt. How she worried about what others would think and grieved the idea that her daughter might never run or play like her siblings. She had no money and no options. She truly believed this would be her daughter’s life.

Then a friend told her about Hope Walks. Now, her daughter is receiving completely free treatment; she

The moment I walked into the Hope Walks clinic, I could feel something different. There was a quiet but undeniable joy.

will walk fully and correctly by the time she reaches the age an unaffected child would walk. As this mother spoke, there was a light in her eyes I will never forget: Relief. Gratitude. Hope restored.

I found myself in tears walking through that clinic, watching miracles unfolding in real time. Children were being gently treated. Families were being cared for. Lives were being changed. It was the love of God in action.

What moved me even more is that the impact doesn’t stop at physical healing. Kids Around the World has partnered with other clinics like this to train their nurses in our trauma-informed curriculum, called KidStory. While children are receiving physical treatment, they and their families are also being supported emotionally and spiritually. Hope Walks has even developed a full psychological and mental health unit meant to walk parents through their pain, fear, and uncertainty using Bible stories and the truth of the gospel. In moments when they feel overwhelmed or want to give up, parents are met with encouragement, truth, and a reminder that they are not alone.

Body, mind, and spirit.

And it’s working.

Kids Around the World continues to see extraordinary transformation across Kenya. They have trained 3,225 pastors and leaders, discipled over 70,510 children through KidStory, built 33 playgrounds, and provided 2,896,992 meals and counting. As I reflect on this trip, I am overwhelmed by what God is doing—not just in one place, but across Kenya. Through playgrounds that bring unity, clinics that restore mobility, and programs that bring healing to hearts and minds.

Kenya will always have a special place in my heart. Not because of the need I saw, but because of the hope I witnessed. Even in the midst of hardship, God is always moving. Through people, through partnerships, and through simple acts of love that are changing lives forever.

THANK YOU

OUR PURE DEVOTION

As a ministry, we hereby dedicate this magazine unto the Lord almighty. He is our rock, our provider, our Savior, and the love of our life. This magazine thanks the Lord for providing all of the women, the finances, and the strength to complete a task such as this. All glory, dominion, and power praise His holy name. We bow down in complete reverence and love to our King of kings.

Praying for you, Daughter of Zion

Lifting you up, Sister, before the Lord of Hosts. Asking the Lord to bless you in all of your ways—to humble your heart that you may receive the ever-flowing love and mercy of Jesus. Praying His sacrificial care towards you would stir you on to do good works and that His tenderness towards you would allow your full, reverent commitment to Him. Asking for repentance tears, that your trust in Him may increase as you receive every ounce of soul-satisfying grace that He has to pour upon you. Praying living waters would well up in you richly, providing all of your needs with His abounding presence. Asking our Father God to carry you to the fountain of life. Praying you will run this race with His merciful heart, carrying His truth. May His Word fill you in abundance. In the powerful name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

To our sister and friend, Kelly Williams Hale. She has spent numerous hours laboring in love for our Savior to graphically design this magazine! Her heart of passion, creativity and love exude in everything she does! Thank you Kelly for the beauty you’ve made come alive through these pages! Much love to you!

A special thanks goes to Johana Torres, our translator for Voice of Truth and Women World Leaders.

Johana is a faithful Woman World Leader who has supported this ministry with her time, talents, and prayers not only for us all, but graciously for the Hispanic community who is close to her heart. She has a passionate desire to serve God first in all that He calls her to do at home, in the family business, and in ministry. Thank you Johana for being a committed volunteer of your time. We love you.

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