“Without a heart transformed by the grace of Christ, we just continue to manage external and internal darkness.” - Matt Chandler, The Explicit Gospel
Meaning of Grace: The word grace in biblical parlance can, like forgiveness, repentance, regeneration, and salvation, mean something as broad as describing the whole of God’s activity toward man or as narrow as describing one segment of that activity. An accurate, common definition describes grace as the unmerited favor of God toward man.
The word grace is in the King James Version of the Bible 170 times. It is in 159 verses.
Wow—just wow. How do we wrap our head around this word grace? It truly is nothing short of amazing. Why would our Heavenly Father extend such a beautiful gift? I do believe it’s His undying love for His children—each and every one of us!
Imagine… this gift is the unmerited favor of God toward you and me. Doesn’t that blow your mind? What a beautiful gift!
But wait—once we receive this grace, what do we do with it? Do we wear it? Eat it? Or keep it in the closet for a rainy day?
Let's do it all. Wear it so others can see Him in our lives. Eat His Word and become familiar with His teachings so we can share His wisdom with others. And yes—keep it in the closet for a rainy day. We all need that extra portion of grace when we fall short.
There will be moments in our lives when our human frailties will get in the way of our mission, our purpose, and our love for the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. We are all a work in progress, and we must continue the race to know more of Him and His beautiful gift of grace.
It’s Him. It’s always Him.
I thank Him for His gift of Grace
He has saved us and called us to a holy life, not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 2 Timothy 1:9
“Proclaim the truth and do not be silent through fear.” - St. Catherine of Siena
In Scripture, toproclaimmeans to announce, declare, or make something known boldly and publicly—often the truth of God and the good news of Jesus Christ.
Well, I do declare—how does He lead my heart through so many trails that all point back to Him? He continues to blow my mind!
As I stand in this word, I can’t help but reflect on my baptism—the moment I proclaimed before family and friends that I would follow Him. But I wonder… how many of us, after making that beautiful proclamation, let the water dry and then quietly return to life as usual? Do we truly dive into Him? Do we live the words we spoke with our lips?
Baptism is not the finish line—it is only the beginning. It marks the starting point of the greatest race we will ever run. The question is: where are we in that race? Are we running ahead with passion and devotion? Are we somewhere in the middle, striving but sometimes distracted? Or are we still lingering at the starting line, unsure if we’re ready to move forward?
Let us run with endurance, eyes fixed on Jesus, the prize of our hearts. Let us proclaim with every step—boldly and without hesitation—I love Him!He fills my days with joy, He whispers to my soul in the quiet of night, and He alone is the treasure I chase in this spiritual race of a lifetime.
Oh my… Jesus, It’s You. It has always been You. You are my infinite Love. No time, no space, no earthly boundary can contain the depth of Your love.
It's Him! It will always be HIM!
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”— Romans 10:9 (KJV)
“Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.”— Hebrews 12:1- 2 (KJV)
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Watch your step." ~ Thomas S. Monson
In Scripture, procure (or procureth) means to obtain, to seek after with diligence, to pursue until received. It carries the sense of human initiative and effort—but always with the acknowledgment that every good thing comes from the hand of God.
What a curious word to surface in my mind. Why this word?
Perhaps it ties directly to my journey with Elohim. For years now, I have been chasing Him—pursuing every tidbit of knowledge He shares. Sometimes He awakens me at the strangest hours, just to plant a thought in my heart. I believe He drops a seed, retreats into the shadows, and watches with bated breath to see what I will do with the morsel of truth He entrusted to me.
To procure in the Spirit takes a leap of faith. It is not just passive waiting—it is an intentional reaching, a stretching of the soul toward Him. And in that pursuit, He has been my inspiration.
From the outside, my life may look like a burst of creativity. But I know the truth: everything I create was sparked in the fire of chasing Him. All my work points back to Him. Always Him. Am I merely a vessel? Perhaps. But oh, what a joy to be filled with His love, to be moved by His Spirit, to let His whispers become my motivation.
I fall before Him in gratitude, knowing that without Him my soul would still be bound in insecurity. Yet He places me in moments designed to stretch me, to call me higher, to deepen my understanding of who He is. How did I find such a treasure? How did I get so lucky to find this wealth of love and inspiration? How did I fall in love with HIM ??
There is just something in Him that draws us in, and once we surrender, life on earth will never be the same.. There is a beauty that engulfs our spirit... and I am undone...
“It’s not the will to win that matters. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters.” – Paul “Bear” Bryant
Meaning of fan: an enthusiastic devotee (as of a sport or a performing art), usually as a spectator. 2: an ardent admirer or enthusiast (as of a celebrity or a pursuit), science-fiction fan.
The word fan is in the bible approximately 8 times. However, it seems to be utilized differently than where this word seems to be taking me today.
When I think of a fan, I see an image of an over-zealous person who can behave over the top when they get excited about an entertainer, a sporting event, or a popular person, or for that matter, a subject that they have a passion for and love. I find this display of excitement amazing. I love seeing the passion the love for something that can bring joy to our lives.
However, it is very perplexing to me how this excitement and passion do not seem to spill over when we speak of God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit?? Is it because, as Christians, we call ourselves followers instead of fans? I would like to explore the differences. I do believe a fan can buy in on the surface. They can even study facts, and truly understand the subject matter, and they even begin to think they know this person. But it truly is on a superficial level. This person can even become an “idol”; some may even seem to worship this person… I have witnessed this at concerts full of young teens who clamor to get close to the entertainer. Some scream. Some cry. Some jump up and down… and shout accolades.
What is the attraction? At the end of the day. This person knows nothing about you. They don’t know your name. They have not been there for you to see your victories, and they have not held you in your darkest hour? I wholeheartedly believe they would not give up their life for you?? Sadly, I believe many would follow their “idol” if they were given the chance. There is a place in our lives for our entertainment... But possibly we have lost our real purpose.
Where is our value system? Has it eroded? This erosion has always been man’s downfall. “Idols” and their fans are not a new thing. They have been around since the beginning of time. But history has proven that they come and go like the days on a calendar.
So, what makes a follower different? I am not sure about you. But for me to follow, I must trust. I must get to know them. I must spend many hours getting to know their values. They must know me by name. An admiration, mutual love, and respect will be shared. And relationships will be built.
To summarize, a fan seems to be superficial and one-sided. A follower has more depth and definitely has more stake and heart in the game.
So when we speak of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, why do we not show this over-the-top LOVE and excitement? Many are comfortable showing these emotions at an event. But sit on the sidelines in the most important game of their lives. Why are we afraid of what others may think? I do believe it's time… Time to wake up… the coin is being flipped. Pick a side…. A shallow existence in a fleeting moment of time of an “idol … Or a life for eternity that is much richer than we even deserve?? Who are you, a fan or a follower?? Jesus is calling us by name and sharing His heart. He is asking us to follow Him. Trust Him. And be introduced to a love that is beyond this world.
It’s Him. It’s always HIM!!
Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12
“Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it. “If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him. Deuteronomy 12:32-13:18 ESV
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalms 51:10
The meaning of Circumcision: The action or practice of circumcising a young boy or man. It’s a procedure that has been used for centuries. Many view this subject as one that requires special care to discuss and execute.
Circumcisions are normally done for medical or religious reasons. And this type of circumcision can be studied by individuals at another time and place.
As my curiosity wanted to know more about this word and why, in the early part of my journey, I prayed multiple times and stated that God circumcised my heart. But why would I use this word to describe this light-hearted feeling? As many of you know, I journal my prayers so I can revisit them and know where this incredible walk with God has taken me. So, I will share a peek into my heart where I actually used this curious word.
“Teach me how to touch hearts in my world. Help me understand my past hurts. I know they have helped You mold my heart. You have circumcised the layers of my heart and made me truly FEEL… The rawness is beautifully painful but necessary for growth. I understand this, but it does not diminish the pain that I have felt. But on the flip side, I have also felt Your great LOVE. It’s like no other.
You are an amazing teacher of LOVE and LIFE. I am grateful for You!!!”
A circumcised heart is an amazing cleansing and freedom of the heart! Many of you have witnessed these changes in me over the years. Now you know what you were seeing was an outward view of God’s beautiful work from within. I won’t lie—it has had some low, sad times, but it has had some of the most amazing high times of my life. I am a work in progress, and I feel He is not finished with me yet. Every day is quite a spiritual adventure.
To further help me understand the meaning of a circumcised heart, I will share the scripture I found in the Bible:
“Also, because you are united with Christ, you truly belong to God’s people. No person has circumcised you to show this. It is like Christ himself has circumcised you, to show that you belong to God. It is like he has cut off your old nature, which made you do bad things.”
—Colossians 2:11 EASY
Are you surprised that this is in the Bible? I am not. It’s been an amazing eye- and heart-opening experience.
It’s His Fault!!! And I love Him for it!
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26 KJV
“Not everyone who seems to be a Jew is really a Jew who belongs to God. God does not accept a man just because someone has circumcised that man's body. No! A true Jew is someone who belongs to God in his spirit. He belongs to God because God's Spirit has changed his life. It is like God has circumcised him in his spirit, not in his body. The rules in God's Law cannot do that work in a person. Other people may not praise a person like that, but God will praise him.” Romans 2:28-29 EASY
“Not what I have, but what I have not, is the first point of contact between my soul and God.”―Charles Haddon Spurgeon...
This word fell into my heart today… and honestly, I had no clue what it even meant.
But as I began to search, what I discovered brought me to tears.
The Beatitudes, found in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1–12), are introduced by the Hebrew word “Ashrei” (אַשְׁרֵי)—a word typically translated as blessed,fortunate, or happy. Yet it carries a deeper meaning: a state of blessedness, prosperity, and God’s favor—especially for those who walk in righteousness and faithfulness. It is more than a feeling; it’s a public declaration of a life connected to God’s blessing.
Each Beatitude begins with “Blessed are” and reveals a virtue or condition that draws us nearer to His heart:
• The poor in spirit who know their need for Him.
• Those who mourn and find comfort in His presence.
• The meek who walk humbly.
• Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
• The merciful who extend grace.
• The pure in heart who will see God.
• The peacemakers called children of God.
• The persecuted who cling to righteousness and inherit the kingdom of heaven.
When I look at the word itself, I see BE–attitude.
Could it be that simple? That our attitude—the way we live, love, and surrender—shapes who we are becoming in Him?
I can only pray that pieces of my life are found within each Beatitude… and if not, may I have the courage to ask why not? and invite His Spirit to shape me into one who truly lives His words.
The Sermon on the Mount is primarily found inMatthew 5-7
Become the person you were meant to be, light your inner fire and follow your heart’s desire. Leon Brown…
Meaning of stoke .. add coal or other solid fuel to (a fire, furnace, boiler, etc.).
The word stoke is only used one time in the Bible.
It's 3 am and I can not sleep… as I close my eyes and begin to pray the word stoke nudged my mind and stirred the smoldering fire within…
What sets our souls on fire? What is this pull God has placed within my soul to chase this greater existence? This greater peace? This greater LOVE…
Has this kindling been placed in our souls before birth… Does it sit dormant just waiting for that golden opportunity? That date with destiny, when our Heavenly Father has preordained the exact moment-in-time of when He will remind us of who we are… and how our story began… ??
We are all His children … When He created us He placed His seal of ownership on our heads. And sprinkled His love into our hearts. He lovingly kissed our tender souls…And then gently placed us in our mother's womb…
I believe this precious kindling sits waiting in silence… Waiting like combustible atoms of light! All waiting for God to unlock and ignite the fire of heaven's light.
This is what I consider the rebirth of the soul. Many call it an awakening… However, I find it odd that there are those that claim an awakening of the spirit … and they may find many gifts!! However, they miss the most important ingredient, the reason, the main event… and our true purpose...
Even when it's our Heavenly Father’s very breath that has stirred up that primal craving to search for more… Some still do not get it ...It is sad that many do not cherish this gift or for that matter even acknowledge where it came from.
He gently blows His heavenly breath into our smoldering souls… the fire within our hearts begins to spark and the flutter of new life can be felt. He lovingly stokes the coals with such care and He sings a love song that resonates with the most intimate places in our souls. His love is the purest love that we could ever be blessed to feel.
The coals react with the oxygen in the air and the glowing red heat turns into a flame. This fire can be equated to birth and resurrection…
This portion of His heavenly love has had our name on it since the beginning of time.
The power of this love is beyond our human understanding. It is a beautiful process of reconnecting with our Creator… Our mission in this life is to find our way Home so we can reunite with our first love.
It is our destiny to fall madly in love with the greatest soul that I have ever grown to know…
It's Him, it will always be Him.
Breathe on me… your sweet breath of LOVE🔥it contains enough octane to blow the human mind… He is the eternal breath of life…
The Spirit of God hath made me, And the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. Job 33:4 KJV
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah 1:5
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God John 3:5
The moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever. Psalm 136:9
In the King James version, the word - commit - appears 75 times the word - committed - appears 92 times the word - committest - appears once.
Meaning of commit. pledge or bind (a person or an organization) to a certain course or policy:
The word commit touches all our lives in some way. Some people, when they give you their word and possibly their heart, will go the distance and keep the commitment made until death if necessary. They are true and genuine souls ... I have been blessed to know a few of these beautiful, rare gems. I love them for who they are and how they touch my soul.
However, unfortunately, I have had the misfortune of knowing a few who do not take those commitments seriously. They callously leave scars on the hearts of others. They live a fearful, shallow existence. They cannot even be true to themselves. Sadly, because they don’t know how to give that level of commitment. They are self-centered and lack substance. They are so focused on self, they cannot see that keeping their commitments can only enrich their own life...
I have found that there are levels of commitment. We commit our time, our love, and our lives to something every day. Do you ever stop the think? Where do we commit our energy? Family? Friends? Work? Sports? Trinity? In this life, we should commit to giving our very best to every relationship. So I ask you, is that even possible? Well, I will share my thoughts.
A few years ago, I cracked open the Bible. A book I never managed to take the time to read, nor did I want to. But it was then that I made the commitment to learn as much as possible about this amazing book and the beautiful story of the Trinity. The melodic words written contain a love story like no other. This exercise has opened my heart to a new understanding of the word commitment. It’s teaching me so much about life, love, and the ultimate sacrifice. It has everlasting results.
What I discovered is that Jesus has been a part of my life for a long time. Actually, since birth, but I was too busy with life to even realize it was His presence that I felt. I am sad to say it was me who let Him down. I did not make the time. But I am happy to report all of this has changed... However, I must share with you that I will not make shallow statements. Nor will I commit my heart. Nor will I commit my soul to Jesus. Unless I am ready to take it seriously and not waver. I am sure you think this is impossible. How could this be? She loves Jesus! How could she not commit her heart and soul to Him?
You see, that is not that difficult. When He already owns them both!!
I can commit to always learn more every day and to loving him beyond my own understanding. It is a commitment that yields many great rewards. I am a work in progress! And I thank him for His grace!
It’s Him! It’s always Him!
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14
For this reason, I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. 2 Timothy 1:12
Photography, Design & Written by Lori Garner Bible Collaboration - Joann Turnbul Bible Verses From KJV, / Sinner's Prayer
Inspiring Music: YouTube
ED SHEERAN'S 'PERFECT' AS A WORSHIP SONG!! Philippa Hanna
“The fears we don’t face become our limits.” – Amy Elizabeth
Meaning of lost: unable to find one's way; not knowing one's whereabouts.
The word lost is in the Bible forty-nine times.
Lost, have you ever felt lost? Have you ever witnessed a child when they have lost sight of their parent and panic sets in… They are afraid, tears stream… cries can be heard!! I do believe we still can feel that panic and anxiety as adults. However, as adults, we learn to internalize those emotions or choose to suffer in silence.
The lost feeling can manifest within for many reasons. This life can be unpredictable and difficult at best. Each day is a difficult hill to climb. But how do we cope? How do we hold on to a rope that seems to be unraveling? Darkness and doubt can overcome our very existence.
Where do we turn when our hearts are longing for relief? Where do we go when our souls are aching for answers? It sometimes seems to hurt so bad that we bleed.
I am not a doctor or even qualified to give medical or clinical advice. But I can share my heart. I have found a healer, a therapist, a friend and a lover of our souls. That if you will open your heart and let His light in He will heal every scar. He will fill every void. He will bring peace to your soul that you will have difficulty in understanding. Where there was once darkness, you will feel a warmth from the love that will glow from within.
There is no medical insurance needed, no copay. His heart is open 365 days a year, rain or shine… I can’t recommend Him enough.
So, how do you contact His office? Go to a quiet place. Close your eyes and call His name and wait on Him… Open the life manual He provided. It’s a best seller and holds a wealth of information…It’s called the Bible. Meditate on the words between the pages day and night. The most important action is to chase Him with all you are worth. Never give up, the rewards are endless…
The only true cost is to LOVE Him… He will return love to you, far greater than you ever knew could exist. So, now I will ask you who in our troubled world could not use this type of LOVE.
It’s Him, It's Always Him!!
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. Psalm 62:5-6 ESV
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 ESV
Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops. Luke 12:3 ESV
Love leaves legacy. How you treated other people, not your wealth or accomplishments, is the most enduring impact you can leave on earth.
- Rick Warren
The meaning of wealth is an abundance of valuable possessions or money.
We have located eighteen verses in the Bible that touch on the word wealth...
As I sit in a darkened room at 1:34 am and contemplate on the word wealth, my heart and mind began the struggle... What is wealth? Is it a beautiful house on a hill? Is it a new flashy car?? Is it fancy designer clothes?? Is it a successful job? Many of us are so label-driven. We are sucked up into the world's definition of wealth... We seem to be a restless unsatisfied bunch...
But what if I tell you I have found the most amazing treasure on earth??? It’s not made of gold... It’s not a tangible item. I can not wrap it in beautiful shiny paper. It’s beyond our world...It is the most beautiful soul you will ever encounter... He can not even be adequately described .. He possesses the most powerful presence. His beauty has made the strongest of men quiver and fall to their knees... He has romanced hearts from the beginning of time... His heart is so big it can not be contained...
He restores weary souls. He loves without boundaries!!! He engulfs lost souls with a peace that surpasses human understanding. He is not of our world... But He is the creator of all things... His artistic talent can be witnessed with each new miracle of birth.
He came from humble beginnings and is now a loving King... He measures the wealth of His Children by how they share and love others... You see wealth is not measured by possessions ... You may collect items in your journey of life. But, there will be the day you will leave this earthly existence and your possessions will be left behind. Your life will be measured by the hearts you have touched and the love you have shared ...
He is the greatest teacher of life and love. He has promised His children that they will live with Him in paradise... Many think of paradise and feel they will finally hit the jackpot!! They envision a room in His mansion, streets of gold, inlaid with precious stones...
But my friends, I believe that the most precious gift we will receive is Him... There is nothing in heaven or on earth to compare... You may ask where can I buy this priceless gift.. How can I give Him to my friends and family?
He is here waiting with open arms.. He has already paid for your portion of this gift... You just need to open your heart to His Love and Love Him back with the same vigor that He loves you!!!
It’s Him! It’s always been Him...
Knowing Him.. Loving Him ... makes His children possess the riches souls.. Because they have found a treasure that can not be measured! It can not be contained..
His love is mind blowing.. Yes He is my heart! My treasure! My perfect love from Heaven above ... I call Him by many names... God, My Heavenly Father, Jesus, Yeshua, the Holy Spirit...
Elohim my three in one...
He has touched my soul and my life will never be the same...
It is rich with His love ...and I am sharing His wealth of love with you... I pray you open your heart !!! Find Him and fall in love!!! It will be the best investment you will ever make!!! And I hear the dividends are endless...
Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. Proverbs 23:4-5
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14:3
"The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald,the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass." – Revelation 21:19 -21
