You may call her mother, mommie, mama, mom, or ma. Whatever you call her, she is the face of love. Celebrate today and every day that God blesses you with the gift of a mom. A mother’s love is a gift that keeps on giving, even when she is resting in peace. Even if the flesh is no longer with us, the spirit is always with us. The memories will forever be with us. The love will forever be with us. Today is bittersweet for some, I pray that it gives some comfort to know that those in Christ will meet again. For those that are still blessed to have their mama with them now, make everyday count! Today I remember my ma whose hand I held as she transitioned to her eternal home. I realize I am blessed to have a son who shows me love everyday. I am blessed with a wonderful bonus daughter, 3 beautiful grandchildren, and my adorable great grandson. Today I celebrate Mother’s Day with gratefulness. I am truly blessed! Happy Mother’s Day! Love and Blessings…

“Then the mother of the child said, ‘As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.’ So he arose and followed her.” (2 Kings 4:30)

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” (Ephesians 6:2-3)

I want to share with you my morning devotion. It talked about experiencing God’s kind of peace in the midst of fearful circumstances.

Peace is not the absence of trouble in your life. It is not the absence of turmoil, challenges, or things that are not harmonious in your physical environment. It is possible to be in the midst of the biggest crisis in your life and still experience peace. That’s the true kind of peace that you can experience with Jesus—peace that surpasses understanding. Naturally speaking, it does not make sense for you to feel completely at rest and at peace when you are in dire straits, but supernaturally, you can be filled with peace! The world defines peace, harmony, and tranquility based on what is happening in the sensory realm. The world’s notion of peace would look something like this: A man lying in a hammock on a white sandy beach in Hawaii with luau music playing softly in the cabana, coconut trees swaying in perfect unison, and warm, blue waves rolling languidly along the shoreline. The world calls that peace—until reality kicks in and the transient peace that was experienced just moments ago dissipates into thin air! You see, my friend, you cannot use your external surroundings to permanently influence the turmoil that you are feeling inside. Only Jesus can touch what you are feeling inside and turn that turmoil into His peace. With the Lord by your side, and from that abiding peace within, you can influence your external surroundings. It’s not the other way round. With Jesus, transformation is always from inside out and not outside in. He puts a peace and rest in your heart that is so secure, you can face any challenge without worry or stress, regardless of your negative circumstances and environment.

This devotional is taken from the book 100 Days of Favor—Daily Readings from Unmerited Favor. Joseph Prince Ministries…

We all can give advice based on our opinions, experience, and our perspective of the truth. But should we? We have to be careful when we are receiving or giving advice. Is this advice coming from the voice of God? Is it coming from the Word of God? Did you consult with the Holy Spirit? We must understand that in the New Covenant, it is all about hearing the voice of the resurrected Son of God.

As His children, God said we should know His voice. Why does the Father want us to hear only the Lord Jesus? Hearing God speak is a blessing we receive as his children! The voice of God will give us direction. When He speaks, we will receive an answer to something we have asked, or a request we didn’t even know we needed. When God speaks to us, we will gain clarity. Why is it important we focus on hearing the Holy Spirit and being led by Him? Because we grow in the knowledge of His grace. Because neither this world or the prophets of the Old Testament hold the answer to our deepest cry for intimacy and peace with God, or the enjoyment of His presence and power in every area of our lives. Only Jesus can do that. His way is the only way out of darkness. His voice is the only truth.We can learn from Moses and Elijah, who did mighty things through God, but both great men of God still fell short in the end. Toward the end of his life, Moses hit the rock twice in disobedience, and yelled at the people out of anger and impatience. Despite his years of service, Moses’s disobedience kept him from entering the promised land. (Numbers 20). Why were the consequences of Moses’s actions so severe? Because he misrepresented God. He did what he wanted not what God told him to do. In his anger, he represented God as angry and judgmental toward His people, when God actually loved and cared for them. This tells us that as children of God, we must seek the voice of God and then obey what we hear. When we give advice it should come from a place of love and always be based on God’s Word, not our opinions or emotions. Moses teaches us that we need to be very accurate in how we represent God. And what about Elijah? Despite amazing victories and evidence of the power of God in his ministry, in his last days, Elijah thought Jezebel was greater than God and fled from her. After all he saw God do, he still lost faith and became discouraged. (1 Kings 19). We learn from Elijah to not lose faith or get discouraged. We know God is greater than any circumstance or situation. When we seek spiritual advice from a friend or spiritual leader, we must make sure that person is in tuned with God and is given you God’s truth and not just their truth.

We can learn from Moses and Elijah, who did mighty things through God, but both great men of God still fell short in the end. Toward the end of his life, Moses hit the rock twice in disobedience, and yelled at the people out of anger and impatience. Despite his years of service, Moses’s disobedience kept him from entering the promised land. (Numbers 20). Why were the consequences of Moses’s actions so severe? Because he misrepresented God. He did what he wanted not what God told him to do. In his anger, he represented God as angry and judgmental toward His people, when God actually loved and cared for them. This tells us that as children of God, we must seek the voice of God and then obey what we hear. When we give advice it should come from a place of love and always be based on God’s Word, not our opinions or emotions. Moses teaches us that we need to be very accurate in how we represent God. And what about Elijah? Despite amazing victories and evidence of the power of God in his ministry, in his last days, Elijah thought Jezebel was greater than God and fled from her. After all he saw God do, he still lost faith and became discouraged. (1 Kings 19). We learn from Elijah to not lose faith or get discouraged. We know God is greater than any circumstance or situation. When we seek spiritual advice from a friend or spiritual leader, we must make sure that person is in tuned with God and is given you God’s truth and not their truth.

Sometimes we may not want to hear godly advice. We want to hear what we want to hear, to make us feel better or to feel justified. And it may help us feel better temporary, but when we receive the truth as it comes from God, we are forever set free. God’s truth will set you free! Love and Blessings…

“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,” (2 Corinthians 10:5)

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,” (Ephesians 4:15)

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27)

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:16)

“We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” (1John 4:6)

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippines 4:8)

“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:33)

I read that religion is humanity’s attempt to reach out to God. It said that religion involves human effort to become acceptable to God or to give meaning to one’s life. Christianity does not involve humanity’s attempt to reach God, but rather God’s attempt to reach humanity. Christianity is centered on a personal relationship between our creator God and His human creation. It’s about a loving God who initiates the relationship by revealing who He is to His human creation by coming to us in the person of Jesus. The number one enemy of Christianity today is religion. It was so from the very beginning. Jesus did not offend sinners, He offended the religious men of His day. In the person of Jesus, religion and Christianity tackled head-on. How can you distinguish religion from authentic Christianity? First, religion loves ritual. Religion delights in the status quo. Change makes it uncomfortable. Religion is a commitment to a system of beliefs, attitudes and practices. Second, religion responds to challenge with intimidation. Challenge religion, and it will attempt to intimidate you into submission. What does an attorney do when he suspects that truth may not be on his side? He buys time, attacks procedure and assassinates character. Religion is defended the same way. What about Christianity? Christianity loves the truth. Aristotle defined the truth as “saying of what is that it is, and of what is not that it is not.” In other words, truth has a standard, and is not relative. Also, Christianity responds to challenge with boldness. Why? Because knowing the truth and embracing it gives you courage. When religion and Christianity clash, what happens? Many times, people come to know Christ. When Peter and John were arrested for the first time, five thousand people were saved! Don’t be afraid when your faith is challenged by religion. It could be your opportunity to save a soul! While the religions of the world falsely require you to do something, be a good person, or observe certain rituals or traditions to get right with God, we Christians know that Jesus already did what was necessary for our Salvation. What He did was pay the penalty that God, who is holy, justly requires for sin which is death. Because of the death and resurrection of Christ, we can have eternal life. But being a Christian is more than being assured of God’s forgiveness and going to Heaven. We should not use the grace of God to indulge in sin. God wants to work with us so we can live life as He originally designed us to live. Living life by His design is the only true pathway to the purpose, meaning and significance we all desire. Religion keeps you in chains, but Christ has set us free! Love and Blessings…

John 14:6 of the Bible, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Romans 11:6 “And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.”

Romans 4:4-5 “Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.”

Deuteronomy 4:29 “But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

Don’t let what the world calls a failure be the end of your story. When we walk with Jesus, His power lives within us. The Word shows us that sometimes success only comes after failure. Moses, Elijah, Paul, Peter, David, and Rehab all failed forward. But they, as we must do, continued to walk with the Lord. Jesus is our power source. You can’t say you have faith when you give up after one failed attempt. Pick yourself up and try again! Plug into your source by studying the Word, praying, fasting, and worshiping. The truth is we can’t lose as long as we are walking with Jesus. Thanks to our God, we have the victory through Jesus Christ. When we walk with Jesus, His power lives within us. When it’s your season, no giant can defeat you! No fire can burn you! No battle can turn you! No mountain can stop you! No situations or circumstances can stop you. They may slow you down, but they cannot stop you! Scripture tells us that there is a name above all other names. That name is Jesus. He has the power! All we have to do is tap into it. Whatever circumstances, trials or tribulations we are facing, they are just names which are all under one greater name, Jesus Christ! I don’t know about you but I know where my power comes from. There is power in the name of Jesus! Love and Blessings…

“Therefore God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, that at the mention of the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of those in heaven, those on earth and those under the earth and that every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

Visit emanne.org to receive more food for the soul!

It does not matter what emotional or physical battles we face, when we tap into the wisdom of the Word of God, and the power of the Holy Spirit, we are guaranteed victory! Our test becomes a testimony. Our ashes turn into beauty. Our faith overcomes our fear. Then we experience real freedom!! Love and Blessings…

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1)

Visit emanne.org to receive more food for the soul!

Something I read in one of my devotions last week resonated in my soul. So I have been pondering on it and talking with God about it. I am thankful because I have become steadfast in standing on God’s promises and what He speaks to me, no matter what the enemy throws my way. I know His voice. That is a good thing, but what the devotion was teaching is how we should always fight the enemy with God’s written Word, not just what we think God said to us. Because there is no mistaken what is written. That’s what Jesus did. “It is written”, He said when the devil tried to tempt Him. Jesus also knew the voice of God He stayed in communion with Him. But in His time of temptation, He declared, “It is written.” In the first temptation, the devil challenged our Lord Jesus to prove His identity, saying, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread” (Matt. 4:3). It is interesting that our Lord did not rely on what His Father had audibly spoken over Him at the River Jordan? A voice had come from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17). Yet, the Lord did not point satan to the spoken word of God. Over and over again, He declared, “It is written.” Now, if the Son of God used “it is written” to defeat the devil, how much more do you and I need to use it. Our Lord Jesus Himself showed us what to do when we are under attack by the devil. Three times He was tempted by satan in the wilderness. Each time, His response was the same, He quoted the written Word of God. Against each attack, His response was to say, “It is written” (Matt. 4:1–11).

When negative thoughts come our way, we must not give them time to take root in our heart. This correlates with the wise saying that you can’t stop birds from flying over your head, but you can surely stop them from building a nest on your head. We can’t stop the enemy from attacking our minds, but we can surely defend ourselves with the written Word. God’s Word is infallible, unshakable, and everlasting (Isa. 40:8, 1 Pet. 1:25). We can combat the enemy’s attacks, by sticking to the pattern our Lord Jesus shows us in the Bible.

Discouragement, weariness, disillusionment, shattered dreams, and unrealized goals are some of the devils favorite weapons he uses to disturb our peace. But the truth is that the enemy can only use what we allow him to use. We can go to the written Word, where God tells us that He left us with peace. No devil, you cannot have my peace, for it is written! Speak it and satan will flee just as he fled from Jesus! Love and Blessings…

“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.” (John 14:27)

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

Some may wonder why there are people born with challenges. The world calls them disabilities or handicap. But are they? This much is clear, every human being is perfectly made by God. God is sovereign over all the earth, including the womb. He has orchestrated our very conception and existence, and every child born is fearfully and wonderfully crafted by Him. Scripture is actually filled with those who are physically handicapped. Jacob walked with a limp for the rest of his life after his midnight wrestling match with an angel. (Genesis 32:22-31). Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan was lame in both feet. (2 Samuel 9:1-12). Even Paul suffered from an unnamed “thorn” in his flesh. (2 Corinthians 12:1-10). In addition to their challenges, all of these had something else in common: not one of them was miraculously healed. So many times we gravitate toward the miracles of the Bible, and there were many. But there were many more who lived day to day with all kinds of indignities, pains and disabilities. A lot of people live today without a miraculous healing. But who is to say that the power of God cannot be even more dramatically displayed in the life of one who struggles and despite their challenges still remain steadfast. I believe the power of God is displayed all around us, in the lives of exceptional people who never experience a life-changing miracle, but are examples of godliness. They are exceptional because they are patient, kind, and treats others graciously. They love others with the love of Christ, all while enduring their challenges. That is exceptional! We know God is a God of miracles, nothing is impossible for Him. However these people are not changed. I believe there is a reason because we serve an intentional God. He makes no mistakes. Everything and everyone has a purpose. Could it be they are not changed because their purpose is to change us? They are examples of how we should live no matter our temporary setbacks. Maybe their purpose is to change how we react, feel, help, and think about others that are different from what we call normal. Think about it. Love and blessings…

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:14)

Father God, although we may not always understand our circumstances, you do. You are glorified in every situation and season. Nothing is to difficult for you. So today, we just want to rest in that. We acknowledge that you are in control, and because of that, we don’t have to fear tomorrow. Today, we choose to sit in your presence and marinate in your goodness. We give you all the praise and the glory. We worship You. In the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

The world we live in is full of uncertainties. We are overwhelmed by health issues, financial disasters, relationship crisis, or unexpected grief. Someone we love is suffering from drug abuse or battling some type of addiction. As I write someone has lost their job, and do not know how they are going to feed their family or keep a roof over their heads. The struggles are real. These are not good things. They are unwelcome realities, and sometimes our emotions take over as we process them. But we must not give in to our emotions. We still have our hope which comes from the Lord. Romans 8:28 begins with “We know”. In this scripture, God is not only telling us that all things will work out for our good, but He begins by telling us that we should know this. So no matter what is going on around us, we must claim God’s promise with total confidence and hope.  
Hope in the Bible does not mean maybe. Biblical hope refers to sure and certain expectations, which because they are still in the future, create in us a sense of belief that may not make sense to everyone. It may not even make sense to us. We just know it’s going to work out for our good. We may not know when or how, we simply know. We know this because God’s Word says so in Romans 8:28. We know this because our Redeemer lives. We know this because we have eternal life. We know Him. We know His truth no matter what lies satan, the world, or our flesh tries to feed us. We Christians should not live on might or maybes, but the Word of God. Faith and hope gives us the ability to tackle life with confidence no matter what the circumstances, because we know that the trustworthy promises of God are just as real and even greater than the circumstances surrounding us. We may not get to choose our crisis or problem, but we can choose our attitude and how we respond. Instead of giving up, we can speak that things may appear to be against me, but God’s Word said “all things” will work out for my good. We can say that simply because “we know”. Love and Blessings…

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28)  

“But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” (Romans 8:25)

---