Receive Jesus

I’m not sure how you feel about it, but it seems to me like time goes by a little faster every year. I remember thinking around June that I couldn’t believe we were about half way through the year. Now, we are just a few days away from the new year.

As you reflect on the past year, you have probably experienced various ups and downs. And as the year comes to an end, you may have mixed emotions depending on what you have been through or what you are currently going through. 

As we go through the challenges of life, they can make us feel closer to Christ as we press into Him for the provision we need, and trust Him to be who He promised to be in our lives. However, there are also times where the weight of the challenges we face can leave us feeling discouraged or wondering why God would allow us to go through certain situations.

The joy in all of this, is that God never stops being God. As a co-worker reminded me recently, His presence is always with us. So, no matter where we find ourselves in life, we can rest assured that God is still God. He is still in control. And He still loves us. And I pray those truths will bring you comfort today. 

Photo by: Tima Miroshnichenko

At the beginning of the year, I mentioned that my word for 2025 was, “receive.” I did not post about it as much as I initially thought I would, but God was continuously teaching me about receiving throughout the year. When God first revealed that receive would be my word, I was excited. But I also remembered, based on past experience, that the words God gives me are usually not without challenge. He uses them to stretch my faith so I can continue to grow up in Him. Plus, I know that receiving is closely linked to giving and I wondered, “What will God require me to give so that I may receive?” 

Although God taught me to give in various ways, I discovered that what He desired most from me was surrender. He simply wanted me to give myself to Him. It is through daily surrender to God that we are able to receive from God.

We often struggle to surrender because we find it hard to give up control or should I say, the illusion of control. Somehow, we feel better when we believe we are in control. But needless to say, we are not really in control. And life has a way of reminding us of that because it can change so quickly. We are better off, when we learn to rely on God. And learning to rely on God is a daily process. But as we go through the process, He is walking with us. He freely extends His goodness and mercy to us, His joy which is our strength, His forgiveness when we repent, and His discipline, which He administers with love to keep us on the right path. God is patient with us, as we learn to live the surrendered life. 

As I focused on surrendering to God, I was able to better receive His rest (both spiritual and physical), His provision so He could care for me, His courage so I could obey His will and His perspective on the situations life brought my way that were difficult to understand. Surrendering enabled me to receive God’s wisdom and instruction as I read His Word and learned to apply it to my life one day at a time, with the help of His Holy Spirit.

Is surrendering easy? No it isn’t. In fact, the Bible tells us in Matthew 7:13-14 NLT that choosing to surrender to Jesus is a difficult road.

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

Photo by:
Tobias Bjørkli of Norway 🇳🇴

“Only a few ever find it.” That hits hard but at the same time it makes sense when we consider the current state of the world. The greatest thing we can do as born again believers is receive the gift of Jesus daily. Each day, we must wake up with a renewed commitment to receive not only what He gives, but who He is. God always wants to show us more of who He is but we must be willing to surrender ourselves to Him, and commit our ways and our plans to Him. Proverbs 16:3 NIV says to, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we close out 2025, thank you for carrying us safely through another year. There have been joys during the year, but there have also been pains. You know what each one of us stands in need of today and you promised to supply our every need. Show us areas where we need to repent and live according to your Word so that we may experience the intimacy with you that Jesus came to give us. 

Help us to surrender ourselves to you daily so that we may receive all you have for us each day. As we grow in you, help us to better see your perspective and understand your plans for us. It is not always easy to receive your truth because in most cases, the world we live in is contrary to your truth plus we are sometimes torn between Your Spirit and our own desires. But empower us to rise above any lies and deception the enemy brings our way so that we may receive your truth and live in victory. 

Thank you for giving us the Spirit of power, love and sound mind that we may go forth courageously, choosing You instead of fear. May your Word light our path, and your Spirit lead us on level ground as we walk into this new year with You.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.  

Psalm 143:10 NIV, “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”

I will continue to pray for you. Thank you for your love and support, may God bless you and your family in the coming year. Dawn

Merry Christmas, Jesus is the Light!

On Christmas Eve, I attended a Candlelight Service and it was beautiful to see all the candles glowing across the sanctuary. It was a vivid reminder of the light that Jesus brings to our world and our lives.

John 8:12 NLT, “Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus, and reflect on the precious gift that He is, we can also rejoice over the countless blessings we have received because of His light that has overcome the darkness. Remembering that the light of Jesus has overcome the darkness, gives us hope each day.

I pray that you will have a peaceful and joyous Christmas and that God’s presence, light and love would surround you.

Merry Christmas!

Dawn

Happy Thanksgiving!

Psalm 107:1 NLT, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.”

Wishing you and your family a happy & blessed Thanksgiving! I am thankful for you and I pray you have safe and healthy Thanksgiving day and weekend. 🧡🤎

Love & Blessings, Dawn.

Finding Common Ground With Others

1 Corinthians 9:22 NLT

When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.

This verse is one that will quickly bring us back to the purpose the Lord has given us to bring Him glory and help expand His kingdom. It also reminds us of the selflessness that is required to walk in the love of Christ. Our faith is not just about us individually gaining eternal salvation and reaping the benefits that it brings, but it is also about having the opportunity to share the gift of salvation that we have received with others. 

You may have noticed that establishing common ground does not always come easy. Especially since there seems to be so much division in the world today. But in actuality, we as people generally have more in common than we realize. But focus is often shifted from what we have in common to what we don’t have in common. And that keeps us from establishing common ground.

This verse also gives us some insight into what can cause problems, when it comes to establishing common ground. It indicates that an inability to become weak in order to help those who are weak, can hinder our progress in winning souls to Christ. 

Sharing in someone’s weakness can be something as simple as having a listening ear or lending a helping hand in times of need. The word humility also comes to my mind. Because in order to meet people where they are and share in their weakness, we must humble ourselves. Humility is given to us through the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

I think this day in age, humility can be a challenge for even the kindest people. But nevertheless, it is part of establishing common ground with others. Being mindful of the Holy Spirit’s gentle nudgings to share  the love of Jesus Christ, can truly make a difference as we partner with the Lord in helping “to save some” as the verse says. The seeds we plant can take root and help to lead someone to Jesus Christ.

We live in a world that encourages us to focus mainly on ourselves and how we can store up earthly treasures. We are made to feel like our greatest accomplishments will be the ones we achieve here on Earth and our worth is often tied to what we acquire in this life. But in the kingdom of God, that is not the case. He tells us to store up treasures in heaven. The work we do here on Earth for God’s kingdom will have an eternal impact that goes beyond our natural lives and stretches into eternity, and what impacts eternity, is what matters most.

Matthew 6:19-20 NLT

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.

We are living in a time now more than ever where people are hurting and looking for answers. As followers of Jesus Christ, we can overcome the odds by making sure we are spending adequate time in His Word so that we are growing in our relationship with Him and receiving the daily strength and instruction we need. Doing so will enable us to share Jesus with those around us in the ways He leads us to. If our cups are empty, we can not pour into others so we must replenish ourselves daily with God’s Word and presence. 

In our weakness, God’s strength is made perfect (2 Corinthians 12:9)! So let’s allow Him to be our strength in our times of weakness so that we may go out and tell others who are weak and in need of God’s strength about the blessings we have through the blood of Jesus Christ!

Father,

Thank you for the gift we have through Jesus and the eternal blessings we have inherited through His sacrifice. Teach us how to walk in humility and establish common ground, even when it seems there is no way. Give us the discernment and wisdom we need to represent you well and share you love with others. Thank you for faithfully loving us, even when we struggle to do and say what is right. May your love and truth be our guide. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Small Bites

In my Bible reading, the Lord has been impressing upon me the importance of taking my time and choosing quality over quantity. I have found this to be very beneficial as it allows me the golden opportunity to take in the small details that I would otherwise overlook.

If I feel pressure to race through my daily reading, in an effort to complete a chapter or two, I will miss many of the simple truths that God wanted to speak to me that day through His Word. God’s Word is so full of the refreshment and nourishment that we so desperately need and I have found that consuming it in small bites has really helped me not to miss what matters most.

I am sure you have experienced those moments in your Bible reading where you have been reading and all of a sudden the words you read, jumped right off the page and captured your heart. And the crazy thing is that it is often something that we have read many times before. I have been finding that to happen more often, as I have been taking my time to hear what the Lord is saying to me by taking small bites of His Word, journaling, repenting and praying about what I have read. 

I have been going through the book of Genesis, and about a week ago, my reading for the day was Genesis 4:13-16. Chapter 4 in Genesis shares the story of Cain and Abel. In the previous verses of that chapter, we learn that Cain killed His brother Abel and the Lord told Cain that when he worked the ground, it would no longer produce crops and that he would be a wanderer. Cain’s response/plea is below in verses 13-14. But God’s astounding response is in verse 15.

Genesis 4:13-16 NIV

13 Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is more than I can bear. 14 Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”

15 But the Lord said to him, “Not so; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him. 16 So Cain went out from the Lord’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

When I got to verse 15, GOD’S MERCY struck me, it jumped off the page and captured my heart! It was massive and hard to comprehend, but real. There was no way I could miss it and it caused me to examine my own heart, repent of my pride and realize how I, like Cain, have received God’s mercy, not once, not twice but time and time again. Here was a man who committed murder, yet the loving God we serve was willing to spare his life. God marked Cain so that no one would kill him, even though he had killed his brother, Abel. 

Through Christ, we too have been marked by God’s mercy. He often withholds the punishment we deserve and the punishment we think others deserve. Realizing this, gives us the ability to trust Him with justice, after all, He has said that vengeance belongs to Him. 

Romans 12:19 NIV

12 “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.”

When we see others do wrong and it seems that they are getting away with it, justice belongs to the Lord. He has promised to work all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).

Vengeance can take on many forms. And in the times we live in, that vengeance often can come through the things that are being posted on social media. Many people often use their social media platforms to speak harsh words, post divisive things, hurt others, or insist upon their own way.

So, it’s even more important to make sure that what we post is coming from a place of love and God’s truth instead of vengeance, since we have a responsibility as Christians to bring glory to God and help expand His kingdom, not divide it. We know that God is not the author of confusion, but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33).

I am thankful God used these verses in Genesis to remind me of the greatness of His mercy. I love how the Word of God brings humility, conviction, and instruction to all who are willing to receive it. 

James 2:13 NIV

13 “For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

Consistency in the Christian Life

I know firsthand that staying consistent in your commitment to the Lord can seem tough at times. But remember you are not alone. 1 Peter 5:9 says that the family of believers throughout the world are going through the same types of suffering as you are.

Ephesians 5:15-21 CSB, gives us some excellent instructions about how to remain consistent in our walk with the Lord:

15 Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk-not as unwise people but as wise-

16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil.

17 So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

18 And don’t get drunk with wine, which [leads to] reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit:

19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music to the Lord in your heart,

20 giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

21 submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.

As we meditate on these verses, may we ask God for understanding and guidance to help us apply these instructions to our lives and strive to remain consistent in our commitment to Jesus. Even when our faith is tested by life’s trials, may we be steadfast and trust God for strength each day. Pray continually about everything (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and spend adequate time in God’s Word as you listen for His voice.

Too Busy?!!


I recently remembered a visit I had to a nursing home as a child. There was a lady in a wheelchair sitting in the hallway. I remember a nurse saying that it was the lady’s birthday and she told the lady to tell the little girl (me) how old she was. The lady in the wheelchair immediately became agitated, put a frown on her face and quickly said, “I’m busy, I don’t have time!”

Photo by: Patrick De Boeck

 As an adult reflecting back on that visit to the nursing home, it seems quite comical. To think, here’s a person who is now confined to a nursing home, possibly to live out her final days, sitting in her wheelchair in the hallway, yet she thought she was too busy to share how old she was. I’m guessing this lady, probably had many hectic days in her life, prior to arriving at the nursing home. Days when she felt so busy she couldn’t even catch her breath or find adequate time to rest. Over the years, she probably got really good at saying, “I’m busy!”

 This memory caused me to consider my own life. It made me ask the question, “What is it that I think I am too busy to do?” And if I am too busy, “why?” Am I really too busy or are my priorities just out of order? Am I really too busy or are there just things I need to eliminate from my schedule?

 Remembering my encounter with this lady many years ago, taught me a couple of lessons about life that I can understand now as an adult.

1.) Don’t allow myself to become so busy (or think I’m so busy) that I no longer have time for the simple things in life that mean so much.

2.) Make sure the things I am doing, are fruitful things that God really does intend for me to do, especially if I plan to tell someone, “I’m busy!”

 Many of us can probably relate to the overwhelming feeling of being busy, especially with the world we live in today. Although we can’t change the world, we can certainly ask God to show us areas of our own lives where we have become too busy. And we can ask Him to help us prioritize according to His will, and He will guide us.

There are many things we can fill our days with to keep busy. But what is most important? And how can we best serve God and bring Him glory as we go about our daily tasks?

 May God grant us wisdom and discernment as we surrender our work/tasks, goals and schedules to Him. When we surrender, He will be faithful to give us the perspective we need.

 Romans 12:2 ESV, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

 1 John 2:17 ESV, “And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”

 Colossians 3:23-24 ESV, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”