May the Peace of the Lord be with you always, in every situation and circumstance. May the Lord’s Peace be your stabilizer and foundation.
I am always grateful for the opportunity to write each week. God has allowed me this special time with you all. I will never take this time for granted.
For those of you who have been with me from the very beginning, so many years ago, I thank you. For those who just started your journey with me, I thank you. It is the continual prayers and support from each of you that has changed my life. I take great pride in knowing that there are people praying for me and my well-being spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally.
I have been asked, by some of you, if it would be ok to send me donations and love offering. The reason I always say NO is because this devotional is my tithe of talent and time back to God.
I also take great comfort in knowing that God is always with me. Whether I’m facing joy or sorrow, happiness or pain, fear or courage, God is always with me and with you as well. Take comfort in knowing that you are never alone.
Scriptures of Comfort
Psalm 23
Modern English Version
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Song of Comfort and Peace
Piece of My Passion Album – Dr. Juanita Bynum
Family,
I know sometimes life and places on the path we have to walk through can be very scary, but trust and know that the God we serve is always with us. I have seen the faithfulness of God, first hand. He has proven himself over and over again.
Don’t be afraid, don’t let your heart quiver. May the peace of the Lord be with you. Rest in peace, knowing that it is ALREADY ok.
I’m so grateful to be able to write this letter to you. May the peace of the Lord rest, rule, and abide with you.
Family, have you been in a season of your life where it feels like you are going in the right direction, only to find out that you have been going off course? You’re not sure when it happened, but little by little, inch by inch, you have strayed from the path.
What happened? Was it a job, a relationship, a hobbie, social media, or whatever it was that got you off balance and caused you to slowly move God out? 🤔
The wonderful thing is this….God is never far away. Call out to God and ask to be drawn close. Ask God to restore your relationship and to restore you to your right mind. Pray every day, as often as you can throughout the day. Talk to God at every turn with every decision, so that you can get reminded of the sound and feeling of God’s voice.
I pray a prayer of protection and peace over you, in the name of Jesus. I pray that you will respond and recognize God’s voice. I pray that your ears would be closed to any voice that is trying to deceive you. I pray throughout the day, you will be able to clearly hear God tell you how much He loves you. He is our Father. Draw close. Be intentional in your prayers.
Scripturesof Repentance
James 4:1-10
Modern English Version
Friendship With the World
4 Where do wars and fights among you come from? Do they not come from your lusts that war in your body? 2 You lust and do not have, so you kill. You desire to have and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask, and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your passions.
4 You adulterers and adulteresses, do you not know that the friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 5 Do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “He yearns jealously for the spirit that lives in us”[a]? 6 But He gives more grace. For this reason it says:
“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”[b]
7 Therefore submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to dejection. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
Intimate Worship
Family, your relationship with God is too important. Do not take it for granted. Now that you are in your right mind….Stay there. Press toward the altar of God. Bow down and repent. Open your mouth and worship.
I am so blessed to be allowed to write to you this week. I am even more humbled and grateful that the Spirit of the Living God has allowed me to be a usable vessel. I wrote this devotional on Wednesday but was told to wait until I published it. I didn’t understand why, until I had a conversation with a dear family member.
There is nothing about me that makes me special or extraordinary. On the contrary, I have so many things in my life that God is trying to teach me. Sometimes, it feels like the lessons are never going to end. However, I rejoice with each lesson because it assures me that God is still working on me and that He is not finished yet.
One thing is always the same with each lesson. I can always feel the undercurrent of God’s love flowing through me, gracefully weaving its way into my heart, mind, and soul.
The fingerprint of God is so evident in those he loves, which is anyone willing to submit to the authority and power of God. God knows the person we are each called to be.
In the scripture passage for today, David is almost inconsolable because he know he sinned against God. Something happens on the inside of me when I know that I have let God down. God doesn’t rub my face in my mistake. God understands that the repercussion of the fact that I moved outside of his timing and will are going to be punishment enough.
In Psalm 51, when David committed adultery, it was his pain in knowing that he sinned against God. It was his sin against God that brought him to his knees. That is what sin does. It separates us from God. That is why Psalm 51 is so powerful. Separation from God, even if only for a short time, is one of the worst feelings anyone can experience, especially if you have a close intimate relationship with God.
Scripture of Repentance
Psalm 51:1-17
New International Version
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. 5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. 6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
7Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. 14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. 15 Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 My sacrifice, O God, is[b] a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.
Song of Worship and Grace
Tasha Cobbs Leonard official video for “Gracefully Broken” Taken from the album Heart. Passion. Pursuit.
Family, trust me, if there are any areas of your life that need to be fixed, realigned, or corrected, please submit to the will and authority of God. It may be uncomfortable for a little while, but in the end it will bring you closer to God and it will bring you Peace.
I pray this letter finds you dwelling in the perfect Peace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The same peace that God spoke over a storm is the same peace that dwells in you, if you know how to receive it.
Today is Wednesday, July 10, 2024. Today is special because it signifies that God has given us one more chance to learn, grow, and teach about living a life on fire for God.
Yesterday, out of nowhere, I started writing a Facebook post. I know that my hands were moving across the keyboard, and words were showing up on the screen, but the words were inspired by the Holy Spirit. I was simply the vessel being used to relay the message.
Side note: As we pray in the Spirit, using our heavenly language, God will provide interpretation at the exact moment that we need it.
This is what I wrote
I am putting this out in the atmosphere, Universe, and heaven and earth…
I thank God for supplying ALL of my needs.
I thank God for supernatural blessings of health, wealth, intelligence, understanding, and the knowledge of how to implement new ideas.
I thank God I can be trusted with monetary blessings and resources.
I welcome increase in financial blessings and ideas on how to make it grow.
I thank God for allowing me a season in the wilderness.
I thank God for covering and forgiving my sins, both known and unknown.
Lord, You are ENOUGH!!!
Song of Worship and Adoration
Family, why did I feel led to write that post? Why did God choose to share those words on that particular day and at that particular time?
God’s timing is perfect. The post contained a message that I needed to hear as I came out of my wilderness season. It felt like my spirit was crying out all that I had learned and also what I wanted to learn more about.
No matter what the reason for the post, the message was still the same. God, you are my All and All. You, Lord, are enough. You supply all of my needs according to your riches in glory, as noted, by the Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians.
As I close my letter, I think about how abundantly blessed I am to have the opportunity to reach each of you. I pray that you will read it at the ordained time, in God.
I pray the Peace of the Lord to ALWAYS be with each and every one of you. God’s peace is a peace that passes all understanding in any situation.
Hey, Family (waiving)
I’m my head, right now, I sound like Sherri Shepherd (American actress, comedian, and talk show host) when she is greeting her audience. She always says, “Hey, Family,” and they respond, “Hey Sherri.” LOL
SUGGESTON: Today’s letter is somewhat long. You may want to go and get some coffee, tea, or a little snack and then come back. I dont want you to rush through today’s letter and miss something that you may really need.
Family, can I ask you a question?
How well do you think you know yourself?
Are you in denial about any area(s) of your life? Are there areas of your life that you are pretending NOT to see? Is it because you know the work involved to fix it would be time-consuming and maybe even hard?
If I am honest, which I don’t want to be right now, I would have to say. “Yes.” I know that more than once, God has told me to become more disciplined in certain areas of my life.
For example, God will give me a little spiritual “nudge” to go study or read, but at that particular time, I may be watching something on tv or doing something that I really enjoy. It’s hard for me, at times, to break away from what I’m doing to go read, pray, or worship. Some days, the loudness of my human flesh is louder than my spiritual side, if I’m being completely honest.
Unfortunately, my decision not to listen to the “nudge” comes with consequences. Shortly after ignoring, without fail, I will find myself in a situation where I really could have used that study time, prayer time, alone time, cleaning time, or resting time that the Holy Spirit was trying to tell me that I needed.
I think of Moses, from the Old Testament, who was God’s chosen person to lead the people of Israel out of slavery from Pharaoh and into The Promised Land. What is heart-breaking is that after forty years of traveling, Moses would find himself not being allowed to step into the very Promised Land.
Moses was a man who loved God. God chose Moses to be His mouthpiece to the people by way of the Ten Commandments. Moses was God’s “Person” so to speak.
So why was he not allowed to step into the very Promised Land he journeyed to get to? Moses was using a previous word that God gave him, the last time the people were thirsty. Moses did not take the time to go back to God to ask what he should do now. That ONE DECISION cost him everything…
Ok, so here is what happened…
One day, while in the desert, God’s chosen people, who were being fed by God with manna from heaven (and sometimes meat), kept grumbling to Moses that they were thirsty. Moses followed God’s instructions to speak to the rock in one instance for water to come forth and to strike stone with his rod in the second instance, and water came from the stone.
A short time later, the people were grumbling again that they were still thirsty. Moses, out of frustration, just did what God told him to do the last time, but this time, he struck the struck the stone twice. Remember, with God, all things have meaning.
Holy Scriptures
Numbers 20:1-12
New International Version
Water From the Rock
20 In the first month the whole Israelite community arrived at the Desert of Zin, and they stayed at Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried.
2 Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron. 3 They quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the Lord! 4 Why did you bring the Lord’s community into this wilderness, that we and our livestock should die here? 5 Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!”
6 Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the tent of meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them. 7 The Lord said to Moses, 8 “Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.”
9 So Moses took the staff from the Lord’s presence, just as he commanded him. 10 He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” 11 Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.
12 But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”
Worship Song For Waiting
Family, I know some time we want the easiest and quickest way out of an uncomfortable situation, but we must learn to wait on the Lord. If we don’t, we could end up forfeiting our Promise. Don’t allow the enemy to steal your stuff. Wait on God.
I love you with the amazing love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Wait on Him. He our Rock and Supply.
I pray that you are abiding in the continual peace of our Lord and Redeeming Savior Jesus Christ. No matter what, we, as children of God, face when we have the Peace of God dwelling on the inside of us, we can and do face anything because we are never alone.
One of the other important aspects of being a child of God is being sure that you are fully armed and aware. Not just with our spiritual sword and shield but also with the wisdom that comes from the Word of God.
Holy Scriptures
Proverbs 4
The Message
Your Life Is at Stake
4 1-2 Listen, friends, to some fatherly advice; sit up and take notice so you’ll know how to live. I’m giving you good counsel; don’t let it go in one ear and out the other.
3-9 When I was a boy at my father’s knee, the pride and joy of my mother, He would sit me down and drill me: “Take this to heart. Do what I tell you—live! Sell everything and buy Wisdom! Forage for Understanding! Don’t forget one word! Don’t deviate an inch! Never walk away from Wisdom—she guards your life; love her—she keeps her eye on you. Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom! Write this at the top of your list: Get Understanding! Throw your arms around her—believe me, you won’t regret it; never let her go—she’ll make your life glorious. She’ll garland your life with grace, she’ll festoon your days with beauty.”
10-15 Dear friend, take my advice; it will add years to your life. I’m writing out clear directions to Wisdom Way, I’m drawing a map to Righteous Road. I don’t want you ending up in blind alleys, or wasting time making wrong turns. Hold tight to good advice; don’t relax your grip. Guard it well—your life is at stake! Don’t take Wicked Bypass; don’t so much as set foot on that road. Stay clear of it; give it a wide berth. Make a detour and be on your way.
16-17 Evil people are restless unless they’re making trouble; They can’t get a good night’s sleep unless they’ve made life miserable for somebody. Perversity is their food and drink, violence their drug of choice.
18-19 The ways of right-living people glow with light; the longer they live, the brighter they shine. But the road of wrongdoing gets darker and darker— travelers can’t see a thing; they fall flat on their faces.
Learn It by Heart
20-22 Dear friend, listen well to my words; tune your ears to my voice. Keep my message in plain view at all times. Concentrate! Learn it by heart! Those who discover these words live, really live; body and soul, they’re bursting with health.
23-27 Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts. Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust.
Worship and Wisdon
GettyMusic.com Keith & Kristyn Getty
I encourage reading the scripture passage, allowing it to settle in your heart. Family, may the peace of God be with you continually. Hold it close to your heart.
May the Peace of our Lord and Savior be with you. No matter what you may be facing, it is the Lord’s Peace that will keep you steady, in this season and every season after.
Family, it is so good to be able to write to you again. I’m always excited when the Lord gives me the opportunity to share in his inspired Word.
I know that I talk about the Lord’s Peace quite often, but the reason is that I know it can transform lives. The Lord’s Peace is a shield against the enemy. The Lord’s Peace is a stabilizer and it is our strength.
I pray that if you have not already that you would allow and invite the Holy Spirit of God to pour out His Peace on you, in a supernatural level, so that in any situation you my find yourself in, you will feel God’s Peace pulsating through you.
Our brother Paul says this about the Lord’s peace.
Holy Scriptures
Philippians 4:4-7
New International Version
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Worship Song of Peace
Always Peace by Brian Courtney Wilson
Family, I constantly pray for your strength in the Lord. May you always remember that you are never alone. I love you with the amazing and everlasting love of our Lord and Redeemer, Jesus the Christ.
I pray that this week’s letter finds you in the peace and stillness of God. No matter what each of us faces, as children of the Most High, please know that whatever we are going through, no matter what troubles or attacks, we may be facing, God is right there with us.
In the same way that the enemy asked God for permission to attack Job, God allowed it because he trusted that His servant Job would pass the test, just like God trusts me and you.
Job had so much thrown at him. The enemy took his children, his way of making money by destroying his flocks, and attacked his body with sickness and disease. The attacks were so bad that his friends just knew that Job did something to cause all of this. Even his wife was telling him just to write God off and die.
What was Job’s response to all of this?
Job essentially said:
The same way I came here is the same way I’m leaving. No, I will not curse God! Even though I’m going through something now, I remember how faithful God was before this season of hardship. I know how much God blessed me before this season. I saw how God enlarged my land and my family before this season. No, I will not curse God and die because I know him to be my Provider, my Sustainer, myHealer, my Peace, and my Lord.
Family, it’s only a test. Keep pushing and keep pressing. Fight your way to the Throne Room of God. Stay in a posture of worship, even when you hear the enemy telling you to curse God. No!!!! We are children of God. We know that if we keep our eyes on God, we will make it to the other side, where our blessings are waiting.
Holy Scriptures
Job 2:1-10
Easy-to-Read Version
Satan Bothers Job Again
2 Then another day came for the angels[a] to meet with the Lord. Satan joined them for this meeting with the Lord. 2 The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you been?”
Satan answered the Lord, “I have been roaming around the earth, going from place to place.”
3 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him. He is a good, faithful man. He respects God and refuses to do evil. He is still faithful, even though you asked me to let you destroy, without reason, everything he has.”
4 Satan answered, “Skin for skin![b] A man will give everything he has to protect himself. 5 I swear, if you attack his flesh and bones, he will curse you to your face!”
6 So the Lord said to Satan, “All right, Job is in your hands, but you are not allowed to kill him.”
7 So Satan left the meeting with the Lord and gave Job painful sores all over his body, from the bottom of his feet to the top of his head. 8 Job sat on the pile of ashes where he was mourning and used a piece of broken pottery to scrape his sores. 9 His wife said to him, “Are you still holding on to your faith? Why don’t you just curse God and die!”
10 Job answered, “You sound like one of those fools on the street corner! How can we accept all the good things that God gives us and not accept the problems?” So even after all that happened to Job, he did not sin. He did not accuse God of doing anything wrong.
Song of Faith and Strength
James Bignon / Malaco Music Group
Family, stay encouraged and stay close to God. Don’t allow the enemy to get you off track. You have come too far to turn around now. Keep pressing through and strengthen your faith. On the other side is a blessing with your name on it.
I love you with the amazing and everlasting love of our Lord and Redeemer, Jesus, The Christ.
May the peace of the Lord be with you. I pray since the last time we talked that you have been well and in the perfect peace of the Lord. Notice that I didn’t say that your life was perfect and simple, as that is not always the case. What is always is a constant is our Lord’s peace.
I do apologize for my silence for the past month. As you know, I am a real person who always tries to be transparent and honest with you. I’m in the final stretch of completing my master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) has been my dream for a very long time.
Currently, my plate is very full. I am working full-time, working on my internship site at counseling center, and taking classes this semester. Whenever I have a lot going on, it takes me a couple of weeks to get use to my new pace. Needless to say, I have been burning the candles around both ends.
What has sustained me and given me hope has been the peace and grace of the Lord. I know to run to The Rock (not Dwayne Johnson) when I begin to get weary, tired, and confused. Jesus is always there, ready to embrace, sustain, and renew me.
Scriptures of Peace
2 Thessalonians 3:16-18
New International Version
Final Greetings
16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
17 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
The Holiday season is in full swing. Decorations, gifts, shopping, preparing for a new year, and the food and parties. A good time had by all. That is what it’s all about, right?
Over 2000 years ago, Grace took the form of a little baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Mary and Joseph watched over the Anointed gift as the angels of heaven proclaimed and celebrated his birth.
In the New Testament, in the 12th chapter of 2 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul was explaining that he asked God to remove what he called a “thorn from his side.” Paul said the he asked three times and this was the answer he received:
Scriptures of Grace
2 Corinthians 12:6-10
New International Version
6Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Worship Songs of Grace
Artist: Shane & Shane Song: Your Grace Is Sufficient Album: Clean Label: Well House Records 2004
Family, in 2024, may we learn to walk in the graceful strength of God. When something seems insurmountable, ask God for the boosted power of his grace of his strength to flow through you.
Allow God and Grace to lead the way. Make 2024 the year of God’s Grace. As Paul said, in our weakness, through God’s grace, we are made strong.
Sacred Journey Devotionals - Where Christianity and Metaphysics Meet 