"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)

BE OPEN TO THE NEW & UNEXPECTED

Life isn’t over; it’s just different. If we are stuck on the past, we can’t live fully in the present. We can pray, “Lord, I’m available in this new place, whether it is small or great. Write your message of love in my life, that I may freely share it.”

We will hold onto the truth in Isaiah 41:13, which says, 'For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you.' That is all we need.

Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

I challenge each one of us to become women of radical thankfulness. If we want to stand out and be a light as Christ followers, it can start out with a simple “thank you.” Your faith will make you well.

We are instructed in Hebrews to, “run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (12:1b-2 NIV).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we reflect on the story of the women at the tomb and the miraculous rolling away of the stone, we are reminded of Your unfailing power and presence in our lives. In moments of despair and uncertainty, help us to turn our eyes towards You, knowing that You are the ultimate source of hope and strength. Amen.

“I prayed to my God for help… my cry to him reached his ears.” What follows is a powerful drama of God moving heaven and earth to rescue one of his children. (Psalms 18:4-19 NLT)

God has a calling for each of us and I’m convinced leadership becomes a by-product of the way we live. Before you insist, “I am not a leader,” remember that each of us has influence. Leadership is what we do with that influence.

"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." ISAIAH 55:9

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

As we travel through life, we carry suitcases. What we have stored in those suitcases usually determines where we go. When I travel on a trip, I sometimes buy souvenirs for my family or friends. The funniest thing of all is that my suitcase must transport all these gifts regardless of the amount of space!

“Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. 6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well” (Romans 12:4-6 NLT).

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

“Lift your eyes to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.” (Isaiah 40:26)

Somehow, in the mysterious ways of the Kingdom, when we acknowledge, “the truth is I’m so weak!”, then His grace facilitates His own super-abundant power to steadily equip us with all we need!

Christ's sovereign presence will go with us as we walk the path being forged for His purpose. It would do us well to remember what the Lord has already spoken and accept the truth when it comes. After all, one of the most beloved carols we sing to celebrate the Christmas season is one that paints a picture of a silent night.

Beyond every border, God has purposefully called us to love and care for one another. We have been called to carry each other’s burdens…just like we read in Galatians 6:2.

It’s in the fires that God does His greatest work and reveals the treasures and wealth hidden in the darkness of our sorrows.

Paul knew that even the most painful circumstances would work to his good and in the process, he would be made more like Christ.