Monthly Bible Reading Plan - May

After months of preparing for this Bible reading plan, God has encouraged me to share what I have learned through my own spiritual battles as of late. It's not always easy, creating these. A lot of times, I am inspired by events happening in my life or in dealing with adversity, set backs, doubts, and as we study this month, attacks from the enemy, and let’s face it, none of us want our dirty laundry out there. But in order to encourage one another, push one another and grow with God, we have to keep things in the light. Only the enemy will encourage you to shrink away in shame or guilt, hiding back in the darkness. If something is of God, it is to be out in the open. With that being said, our focus this month will be on spiritual warfare.

As we focus on spiritual warfare this month, one of the first things you may notice is that much of the verses chosen and insight provided will focus more on Christ, the power of God's word & the omniscience, omnipotence & omnipresence of God rather than our adversary. This is because I believe we already give him too much power to begin with.

In order to fight darkness, we use the power and authority given to us by the Holy Spirit, as well as the word of God, our prayers & our praise. While I believe we should study our enemy, when we make him our only focus, we give him an incredible amount of power, that which he does not deserve. We also begin to open the door to doubt, fear, insecurity & a whole host of other debilitating factors that can impact or walk with God. So, for the sake of simplicity, we will be focusing on scripture that can help us in the midst of a battle or breaking of a stronghold (because trust me, friends, this too is a battle at times).

Focusing on what is bothering us always dims our light because it sequesters The One by which we shine.

Spiritual warfare can be a tricky thing at first.  At least it was for me. While we want to be better prepared and better understand our enemy, doing so takes away from our ability to simply be obedient and trust the Lord. It also dims our light, and this is not something I'm willing to argue, this is truth in its rawest form. Focusing on what is bothering us always dims our light because it sequesters The One by which we shine.

Based on a Gallup poll in 2016, 79% of people surveyed said they believe in God, while only 61% believe the devil exists. Friends, it's one of the oldest tricks in the book (no pun intended); the enemy never stops trying to get us to believe he's not real, that demons aren't real & that our biggest adversary is really God himself, and according to the most recent Gallup poll, it's working.

I believe that's why God impressed the importance of this subject on my heart. Many a night's I awoke to scribble insight and notes in my bedside journal (I've learned keeping one of these close by is necessary as both an intercessor and encourager). I am believing that this God given insight is going to help each and every person reading this Bible reading plan, whether now or in the future, combat the enemy the only way we are truly meant to, with all the power and authority of God's word.

After all, Jesus never screamed at the top of his lungs. He never tried to reason with the devil. He simply rebuked him with The Word of God & after the devil got sick of hearing the truth, he tucked his tail between his legs, and fled.

Which brings me to secret #1 I received; the devil cannot stand the truth. Speak the true, living, Word of God in combat and he is guaranteed to flee. Maybe not immediately, but when he gets tired of getting nowhere, having his lies rebuked with truth, he will flee. And maybe not forever-this battle is lifelong friends, but PRAISE GOD, Jesus is on our side. He not only petitions God on our behalf, but we also have been given the Holy Spirit which can actually pray for us as well. Am I the only one grateful for that this morning? 🙋‍♀️

While the fight may feel like it's never ending, we have some of the greatest tools ever given & this month I'm excited to share this knowledge with you. Will you do me a favor? Will you share this insight with another? Whether it's sharing each post on social media, texting the daily image to a friend or copying and pasting the daily reading and insight with another through email, please share this with one person each day. It's up to us to be a light in the darkness, and you never know what dark corner The Word of God will light up! ❤

Day 1

Daily Reading: Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does. ~ 1 Peter 5:8‭-‬11 MSG

Insight: You are not the only person struggling. I know it may feel that way, but our feelings can be manipulated and should never be used as determining factor (Oh, how I wish I realized this earlier in life, I could have saved myself from much trouble).

One of the greatest lies we hear is that we are all alone, and nothing could be further from the truth.

We are not the only Christian walking through what we are walking through. Christians all around the world are fighting the good fight, running the race set before them; and guess what, none of them, no matter how hard they try to project such, is perfect.

Jesus is, however. He is always with us (Matthew 28:20), fighting, petitioning, praying, convicting, consoling, etc.

Rest assured, you are NOT alone! The moment you truly begin to realize this, you open a door to gain access to the supernatural power of The Almighty. And guess what, not only does He get the last word, He's undefeated! 🙌🙌❣️💖

Day 2

Daily Reading: “Fear nothing in the things you’re about to suffer—but stay on guard! Fear nothing! The Devil is about to throw you in jail for a time of testing—ten days. It won’t last forever. “Don’t quit, even if it costs you your life. Stay there believing. I have a Life-Crown sized and ready for you. ~ Revelation 2:10 MSG

Insight: Ah, yes, those times of testing…we've all been there. I bet you've already checked out and opened the door to the memory of your last test. There's something about this subject, we all shrink back, don't we? Or maybe that's just me? The testing isn't easy and many times, we don't get it right the first time, but there is hope.

Did you know our minds are wired to remember the bad things better than the good? It's been proven, scientifically, though I can attest to the validity of this statement, and I bet you can too. For instance, when you think back to the first good memory you have in life, how old were you at the time? What about the first bad memory you have… how old were you then? Chances are, you can recall your first bad memory happening earlier in life than your first good memory. I've often wondered why that is, but during my preparation for this, I asked the only One who could answer.

“If you don't remember your mistakes, you're destined to repeat them,” was the answer I received.

Am I the only one blown away by Abba's answer? I mean, wow! So, even before we possess logic, God is trying to assist us in not continuing to sin as well as remember what He has done for us. I don't know about you, but this was mind blowing for me! It deepened the spring within me and I found myself feeling more triumphant, more determined, and more grateful…because we serve a God that truly cares. And for those of us who can last…there is a crown of life awaiting us.💖🙌👑

Day 3

Daily Reading: “Conquerors will march in the victory parade, their names indelible in the Book of Life. I’ll lead them up and present them by name to my Father and his Angels. ~ Revelation 3:5 MSG

Insight: I don't know about you, but this verse gets me pumped up!

Run with me down this rabbit hole for a moment; picture a boxer walking confidently to the ring. His/Her favorite song is blasting on the speakers in the arena. They crawl through the ropes, and begin bouncing around the ring  while throwing punches at an imaginary adversary. Sound familiar? Both fighters do this, but only one will be a conqueror.

It's not unlike our life, as Christians. We are constantly stepping into the ring to fight. Unfortunately, we seldom recognize it when the battle begins. That's because our adversary is underestimated and our own power is undervalued. Let's face it, we, as humans, have very little control, but we hold incredible power when it comes to defeating the enemy. That's because with every choice we encounter we can choose to do it God's way or our way.

Secret #2: Every time we do things our way & forego the advice of The All-Knowing, we open the door to attack. It's as if our life is a car and we just handed the devil the keys.

But take heart, Jesus Christ brings victory and when we choose to live a life free from sin, we loose the power of the evil one.

Many Christians believe the lie that the battle is out of their control. Every choice you make can either lead you to, or away from, that formidable, imaginary, boxing ring. No matter how significant or insignificant the decision may seem, the enemy can use any choice of yours that led to sin in order to wreak havoc in your life.

What will you choose today? It's life or death, friend. 💜💙💓

Day 4

Daily Reading: “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. ~ Psalms 46:10‭-‬11 NLT

Insight: Our God is our fortress. He is our protector. And you better believe that He will go to any length to keep us safe, just short of not interfering with our free will. That, He won’t do.

So, let’s think about this...if that is the case, then why are we even attacked by the enemy in the first place? I believe when we are on the right path, the God ordained path for our lives, we are going to have to have to deal with obstacles and setbacks. Not only is it for our own good (think of how much we growth throughout the midst of a trial-Joseph immediately comes to mind here for me), but God uses those moments in our lives to get even closer to us.

The Bible says that the Lord draws close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18), so then, perhaps, maybe, sometimes, God allows the enemy to test not only for our own growth, but to get closer to us as well?

Before the spirit of cynicism begins to stir, let me just say, I don’t believe God sets out for it to happen, but let’s face it, just like Job, the enemy will whisper our name to The Almighty at different points in our lives, and I believe He will use those times to His own advantage in order to mold us, shape us, draw close to us and comfort us.

It reminds me of a parent who is teaching their child to ride a bike. During this process, there are many falls and subsequent scrapes, but not only are we there to teach and mend, but even more so to comfort and encourage. At the end, we watched our child cry, get frustrated, maybe even lash out, but they still learned how to ride that bike and we, as parents, treated them very similarly to how God treats us throughout this process, hopefully.

No matter what it happening in your life, whatever battle you are facing, whatever stronghold you are standing against, know that God is your fortress and NOTHING the enemy intends to use for bad can take you down. God is on your side. He is fighting for you. He is cheering you on and all He needs from you is to be still and know.

Day 5

Daily Reading: Don’t be defeated by evil, but defeat evil with good. ~ Romans 12:21 CEB

Insight: I’ll be honest, when I first set out to learn more about this subject, I did the thing that probably comes to mind most when you want to defeat something, I began to study what I wanted to defeat. I thought that if I could understand the ways of the enemy, I could defeat him; Sort of like when an army studies their opposition. I learned quickly, however, that was not the case. To be honest, the more time I gave thought to his ways, the more depressed I became and the more irritated I became around my son and husband. Seriously, I know it sounds crazy, but because I was focusing on the darkness, the darker my world became.

I came across this verse nearly 8 months ago and it was as if a figurative light bulb went off above my head. Duh, I was trying to figure out ways to overcome the devil and God spoke to me and showed me that what I had in my hands, was all I needed, The Living Word of God.

Can I share another nugget God spoke to me that day? In order for the good to overcome the bad in this world, it takes one act of good to undo every act of bad. That means every act of kindness we put out into the world, defeats the power of darkness. Think of it like this, if you are in a dark room, and someone brings in a candle, it lights up the room, right? While the darkness may still be around (lurking in the shadows), it is not taking up residence in the space where there is light. And if we are supposed to be the light, then we should be making darkness of this world flee as well. 🙌💜

Day 6

Daily Reading: The Lord has declared today that you are his people, his own special treasure, just as he promised, and that you must obey all his commands. ~ Deuteronomy 26:18 NLT

Insight: You are treasured! I’m not sure if you heard me...YOU ARE TREASURED! That’s right...even in all your mess...YOU are TREASURED by GOD! 💜 #enoughsaid

Day 7

Daily Reading: For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and he will guide us until we die. ~ Psalms 48:14 NLT

Insight: I don’t know about you, but there have been times I felt abandoned. It’s only when I look back, I realize God was there all along. Seriously, I could give you a laundry list of incidents in which I should be dead. I could have died in that car accident in which I was the drunk driver that hit another vehicle (not my greatest moment, but that was my life long, long ago, before Christ). I could be dead from overdose (again, before Jesus).

BUT GOD!

Somehow, He saw fit to save me each and every time. I wonder, how many times he has saved me that I don’t know about?

Thank you, Jesus, for saving me! You call me child, Father God, I am yours! Until the day I leave this world, guide me Abba. Use me Lord. Send me, I’ll go! 🙋‍♀️ #gratefulandblessed

P.S. If God would be willing to use someone like me...He can use ANYONE, especially, YOU!💖

Day 8

Daily Reading: I have summoned you by name; you are mine. ~ Isaiah 43:1 NIV

Insight: One thing I try to be, with and every one of you, is transparent. I feel like God has called me to share on social media. Most feeds are filled with nonsense and something He continually tells me is, “Tell them. Tell all those who will listen.”

Trust me when I tell you that this is not something I just decided I was going to do one day. First and foremost, I fought against it. Just like Moses, I made every excuse as to why I was NOT the one who should be sharing; I brought up (and still do, sometimes, I’ll admit it), all the things I thought disqualified me. But God, He tells me those were the reasons I needed to share, why it has to be me. So, reluctantly, I began to share. And reluctantly, I continue to share.

Every time I feel like maybe I heard Him wrong, or that this is not my calling, He affirms otherwise.

There is no escaping the calling on our lives. Run as you may, God is always there, waiting patiently for our obedience.

What is it God is calling you to? He summoned you by name, friend! Will you answer and trust that He has your best interests in mind?

Day 9

Daily Reading: So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God. ~ Luke 24:52‭-‬53 NLT

Insight: It's hard to be tempted in the middle of praising the Lord. It's hard to give the enemy control when our minds and hearts are focused on Jesus.

The enemy loves to be the center of attention. Rather than fall victim to his deception or attack, fix your eyes on Jesus, praise our Heavenly Father & watch how fast the enemy flees!

Day 10

Daily Reading: May the Lord answer you when you are in trouble; may the God of Jacob make you secure! ~ Psalms 20:1 NET

Insight: God is a God that hears. “El Shama” specifically, is the name of God meaning The God Who Hears but that’s a whole lesson in itself. If He hears us, then you must know that He answers. It is not always when we want, and more importantly, most of the time, it is not in the way we think He will, but He always answers!

He is faithful and just. No matter what you are going through, He is rescuing you, even if your own decisions put you there. He is a loving God and He cares for us. It is His will that we obey, and in doing so, we can assure that everything that happens is happening for a reason.

Actually, we don’t ever talk about the reason, but there is reason. It is ALL for the glory of God. It is all about the Kingdom of God. Anything that would have you believe otherwise is not of God. 

The enemy loves to cause us to doubt. He enjoys using fear as a tool. But our God is greater than any weapon that can be formed against us. His power reigns supreme. He keeps us secure.

You can rest well tonight knowing that God hears you and always answers when you are in trouble!

Day 11

Daily Reading: Even when you are old, I will be the same. Even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you. I made you and will take care of you. I will carry you and save you. ~ Isaiah 46:4 NCV

Insight: I just love the promise of this verse. Many of us worry as we age, who will be there to take care of us. God assures us that He will always take care of us. No matter how old we get, He will provide.

I don’t know about you but this makes me think of my own son. No matter how old he gets, he is always going to be “my little boy.”

I think this is how God views us as well. This verse sure affirms such!

Don’t let the enemy drag you down with worry, fear, doubt or anxiety today. Remember, God will always take care of us! 💜🙌

Day 12

Daily Reading: Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. ~ 1 Corinthians 16:13 NLT

Insight: As mothers, there's something that happens to us when someone or something messes with our child. I don't know about you, but mama bear comes out and it's a part of me that I didn't even know existed until I had my son.  

But why is that we don't show the same ferocity toward the enemy of our souls?

For many years, I have struggled (I use this word because though Christ won the battle, I have not caught up to Him yet concerning this particular issue in my life) with insecurity. I have talked bad to myself. I have thought bad about myself and I have allowed the enemy to not only take up residence in my mind, but allowed myself to speak death over myself.

Saying this out loud just makes it sound absurd, but it is the truth. And while I face this giant, God reminded me that I'm not the only one. Many of you, grandmothers, mothers, women, and girls treat yourself the same.

BUT GOD!

He calls you by name! You are the apple of his eye! He delights in you! Before He formed you in your mother's womb, He knew you. He loves you! Christ clothes you in his righteousness so that when we're raised up as new believers, we can wear strength and dignity. He literally says in His word (Proverbs 31), we are CLOTHED in strength & dignity.

Whatever you're facing today ladies, remember...Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong! For our God goes before us and makes a way! If you've been hard on yourself today, dust the dirt off your feet  & get back up! Girl, give yourself some grace & move forward clothed in strength & dignity! For you, my dear friend, are LOVED!

Happy Mother's Day! ❤

Day 13

Daily Reading: “Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.” ~ Revelation 16:15 NLT

Insight: The enemy doesn't know when Christ is coming either. Don't let him talk you into something you wouldn't want Jesus to catch you doing.

Sometimes, when we feel tempted, it's just easier to remember that all of heaven is watching us, celebrating every victory with us, or crying tears of sorrow right alongside us depending on our own action.  

And did you notice, that we are to keep our clothing ready? Yeah, that clothing I mentioned yesterday; strength and dignity. We are to keep it ready so that we do not have to walk in shame. You didn't take it off yesterday did you? If so, don't be too hard on yourself. We all fall short of the glory of God, but thankfully, we are covered in grace. So, give that guilt or shame to the Lord. Let Him carry that burden for you. You were never meant to carry it in the first place. 💜

Day 14

Daily Reading: Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God! ~ Psalms 42:11 NLT

Insight: It’s no secret, if we walk with Jesus, we will face sorrow, we will face discouragement and, that it is not far off from what He, himself faced. It’s why, when we encounter such, we should run to Him with it.

The Living Water; it purifies, cleanses, restores, and brings life. Christ is our living water (John 4:4-26). He can understand anything and everything we go through because He endured the cross and all that went with it - bearing the weight of every sin, every mistake, every bad choice, every misguided thought, every single one of us make each and every day. But do you want to know why He did it? So that we would allow Him the opportunity to minister to not just our spirit, but the flesh and foundation of our being, our soul, and stand in relationship with God, even in our mess. Let’s face it, friends, we don’t start off sanctified. Sanctification is a process.

The enemy wants you to hide behind shame, insecurity, doubt, fear, and all that go along with those emotions like anger and bitterness, because if you do, he can stop you from your calling, from acting out what you were specifically designed for. As intricately as we are made, you better believe God created you to share his message of hope with others and there are some lost wanderers who will only be able to hear from you regarding their situation. Imagine if they don’t get that message of hope because you decided to hang on to something you were never meant to hold.

We are always praying for something, but are seldom ready to let go of what we have to be able to accept what we have prayed for. Listen closely friends, some of you have goals of ministry, non-profits, businesses, and God cannot bless you with those things because you are still holding on to something; whether it be discouragement, disappointment, anger, grief, anxiety, insecurity. It’s time to place those things at the feet of Jesus and put our hope in God, praising Our Father for the blood of Jesus! 🙌🙌💕 #letgo #praisethrough

Day 15

Daily Reading: You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! ~ Isaiah 26:3 NLT

Insight: I am convinced that distraction is one of the most used tools of the enemy. If I’m being honest, I have been distracted at least a handful of times since I started writing this. If I’m gonna be totally transparent than I should also include that in the past, I struggled with losing myself in those distractions; losing my temper, losing track of time, losing self-control, losing joy, losing sleep. Did you catch it? One thing distraction does is rob of us fruit, our fruit of the spirit.

Speaking of fruit, have you ever wondered why “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” are referred to as fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). I asked the Lord to open my eyes and this is what He showed me: Fruit is a type of food, it’s sweet, it’s satisfying, it’s life-giving due its nourishment qualities-high in vitamins, minerals, etc. In order for us to be able to be a light and life-speaking, we must possess the fruit of the spirit. Without it, there is nothing that distinguishes us from the rest of this cold, dark, world.

It became evident to me through that revelation why distraction is so powerful. It causes us to loose the very essence of what makes us lights unto the world. I don’t know about you, but I need peace in order to do what I’m called to do in my life, day in and day out. Let’s remember to fix our eyes on Jesus...not only will we not fall victim to distraction, but we will remain in perfect peace as well. 💛💕

Day 16

Daily Reading: So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ~ James 4:7 NLT

Insight: I don’t know about you, but I seriously could not do life without Jesus. I need him each and every day, from the complex things that arise, to the small stuff like helping me think of something to make for dinner with leftovers because I forgot to take something out, I need him. And would you believe it, those days when I’m crumbling down on the inside, He’s there with me too.

Sometimes, all we need to do is stand on God’s word and stand still. In that stand, we resist the enemy and by doing so, he will flee; for where there is light, there is no darkness (John 1:5). Let God’s word be a lamp unto your feet today! ❤💙

Day 17

Daily Reading: Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.~ Philippians 4:8‭-‬9 MSG

Insight: The NKJV of this verse ends with, “and the God of peace will be with you.” While I believe both translations convey God’s message, I love the way God’s grace is showcased in this Message translation, “will work you into his most excellent harmonies.”

That’s just what God does with us. He delights in us, and therefore, He calls us and uses us for His glory. How many of us know that He doesn’t need any of us? If God wants something, all He needs to do is speak and it exists and is happening. It’s that easy for Him. Why then, would He prefer using us, in all our mess? Because what can glorify God greater than His own creation glorifying Him through action by obedience and worship?

The Bible says that if we don’t praise, the rocks will cry out. I don’t know what you’re facing today. I don’t know what giants you need to sling a rock at, but friend, can I encourage you today to simply keep your mind on those things of God. In your worship, you will find all it is that you seek because everything we need is found in Him.🙌🙌💖

Day 18

Daily Reading: Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. ~ Luke 10:19 NLT

Insight: I don’t know about you, but this verse has always made me feel like I could do anything. I am not a very adventurous spirit. I like the comfort and security of my home, my crafting or reading corner and being surrounded by those I love, but God...He’s always about us making kingdom connections and stretching us in order to build our faith in Him.

Since the Bible mentions, “fear not” or “do not be afraid” well over 300 times, it should be no surprise that I have had to face this giant on more than one occasion, but I’m learning, in my relationship with Christ, that there is no shortage of scripture to help me. This one happens to be the verse I lean on most.

Because of our relationship with Christ, we have authority over the enemy. This is, I believe, the one thing he fights against us for the most. For if we walk in the authority we have been given through Christ, he loses all his power to convince, manipulate and lie to us.

Is it easy to remember this when we are bombarded with shame, guilt, anger, bitterness, negative thoughts, anxiety or depression? No. If it were easy, we wouldn’t need Christ. But it is worth it, dear friend. You deserve to walk in the authority you have been given. So, what do you say, let’s get those laces tied and walk in the authority we have been given.🚶‍♀️🚶‍♀️🙌

Day 19

Daily Reading: My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Since you have rejected knowledge, so I will reject you from serving me as a priest. Since you have forgotten the Instruction of your God, so also I will forget your children. ~ Hosea 4:6 CEB

Insight: This verse speaks volumes, in my humble opinion. We are “destroyed for lack of knowledge.”

Tell me, sister, if there is a war going on in another country, on the other side of the world, does the war stop just because you are not there in the midst of it? No, just because we can’t see the war, doesn’t mean it isn’t happening.

And just like the example God gave me to share with you, just because we choose to ignore the fact that spiritual warfare exists doesn’t mean the devil can’t do his best to get us to sidestep a blessing or just outright choose to stray off the path God has for our lives.

Trust me when I tell you that the enemy of our souls is crafty. After all, he’d have to be pretty cunning to convince a woman to do something her husband & God explicitly told her not to do, let alone doing so with her husband with her (Genesis 3:1–6).

In scripture, we see that the enemy perverted God’s word and caused Eve to question God’s word. I ask you, dear friend, how many times have you questioned something you knew, without a doubt, was a word from the Lord?

You are not alone. There are a couple scenarios that played through my mind immediately when the Holy Spirit asked me the same question.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to pretend that there is not a war waging anymore. I want to put on the belt of truth and breastplate of righteousness. I want to shod my feet with peace, take up my shield of faith, cover my head with the helmet of salvation and pick up my sword of the spirit.

Enough is enough! We will not be destroyed for lack of knowledge, in Jesus name! Who’s with me?! 🙌🙏💕

Day 20

Daily Reading: As Jesus walked along, he saw a man who was blind from birth. Jesus’ disciples asked, "Rabbi, who sinned so that he was born blind, this man or his parents?"  Jesus answered, "Neither he nor his parents. This happened so that God’s mighty works might be displayed in him. ~ John 9:1‭-‬3 CEB

Insight: Sometimes we crawl and struggle through setbacks and struggles for God’s glory. Sometimes, it’s really just as simple as that. Knowing that, I’d do it all over again, Lord. #walkinginfreedom #enoughsaid

Day 21

Daily Reading: You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap. ~ Proverbs 3:25‭-‬26 NLT

Insight: This is another verse that resonates so deeply in my spirit. Remembering how far God has brought me, I can say for certain, the Lord has been my security. If you only knew what I used to look like…

See, we see people and how they walk with the Lord, and we envy what they have, how close they are, what God has done for them, etc but we don’t know what paths they have walked on to get to where they are. I don’t like to glorify the life I used to live, but I can’t express to you how far I’ve come due to Jesus if you don’t know where I was standing when He found me.

I had a few bucks to my name, businesses ready to make a case against me for writing bad checks, my car was about to be repossessed, running the streets, drinking, doing drugs, living that fast life. I wish I could say that I had self respect, but nope...I can’t say that. But what I can tell you is that my God has given me my dignity back.

It is probably the biggest giant I have had to face...forgiving myself and learning to look in the mirror and see myself for who God created me to be, not what I’ve done.

But can I tell you something, sweet friend? If He can save me, change me and use me, He can do the same for you.

Be encouraged, whether you have come to realize it yet or not, God is always looking out for you and keeping you from the traps of the enemy! You are chosen, redeemed and covered in grace.

I love you, lovelies! And God loves you even more.

Day 22

Daily Reading: I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. ~ Psalms 34:4 NLT

Insight: I want to make something clear, if I haven’t done so yet, much of what I share with each and every one of you is what God is teaching me and showing me. While I know we are all at different stages in our walk with Christ, it is my hope that you would be able to relate to what I’m going through, and in turn, understand that you are not alone.

Many times, the Bible reminds us that Christ is with us, that He will never leave us or forsake us, but when we are in the darkness of our lonely room after losing our loved one, or crying ourselves to sleep at night, it’s not easy to remember that He is there. It is not easy to feel His love during the grievances of this life. This is why we need to have The Word written on our hearts, because we need to call upon it when everything we see and feel is saying otherwise.

Dear friend, you are not alone. No matter what you are going through, call out to Jesus, pray to Abba. Surely, He will answer you and not only will you be freed from your fears, but you will receive a peace (to fill the void remaining after the fear departed) that surpasses all understanding.

Hold fast to Him today and let him wipe away every tear.

Day 23

Daily Reading: Therefore My people go into captivity [to their enemies] without knowing it and because they have no knowledge [of God]. And their honorable men [their glory] are famished, and their common people are parched with thirst. ~ Isaiah 5:13 AMPC

Insight: Here's another verse that warns us that lack of knowledge can lead us to captivity. There are so many undertones to this verse that reverberate my soul. I don't know whether to touch on the fact that the enemy loves to get us into captivity, isolated, alone, before he swoops in to "kill" or "destroy" so to speak.

Or how about the fact that captive means taken prisoner, which also implies that a war or fight must be taking place.

Finally, I could speak about the fact that those who are taken captive eventually become parched (meaning dried out with heat-the implication of the use of this word in particular caught my attention) with thirst (remember, Christ is our Living Water).

It's so important that we study the word. It's so important that we call upon Christ when we are battling. He is for us and with Him, we can never become parched, nor can we be taken captive; for who the Son sets free is free indeed! 🙌❤

Day 24

Daily Reading: Can anyone hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? says the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? says the Lord. ~ Jeremiah 23:24 AMPC

Insight: No matter how far you feel from God, He knows just where you are and He's willing to meet you right there.

I don't know about you, but this gives me great comfort. I don't know who else this is for this morning, but reach out to God. He sees you. He's for you, even in the middle of your mess.💖💛

Day 25

Daily Reading: even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. ~ 2 Corinthians 12:7‭-‬10 NLT

Insight: I don't know about you, but I can relate. As I have been trying to overcome my thorn, fear, God has shown me that it's only through Him that this can happen. What it is you need to be set free from?

Earlier this week, my family and I traveled to the Smoky Mountains. For those who may not know, fear has been my thorn. I have an incredible amount of phobias, most of which have to do with nature (insects, reptiles, amphibians, heights). While I have tried many things over the years, trying to rid myself of these--EMDR therapy, cognitive therapy, exposure therapy--everything had been unsuccessful.

However, on Tuesday, as my family and I hiked up to the highest point in the Smokies,  6,634 ft, I had to call upon the name of Jesus. As I struggled to complete the hike, Jesus met me on that mountain. He assured me He was with me, and said, "I haven't given you a spirit of fear. Don't stop! All of Heaven is waiting to celebrate with you. I am with you. My strength is made perfect in your weakness." So as I ventured forward, one foot in front of the other, slinging stones at that giant, Christ's strength was made perfect & I experienced his love in a new and profound way.

I don't know who needs to hear this, but you have tried everything. You have done everything you can. Can I remind you that sometimes, our thorns are left there so that God's glory can be known? Maybe, God will free us from our thorns at some point. Maybe, your thorn will be left there as a reminder of a stronghold, or maybe, like me, your thorn will be left in order for you to rely upon Christ and His strength. Whatever the case may be, remember, God works all things for good for those who believe.

Please understand, Christ died for our freedom, not just for eternity, but for the here and now as well. Start walking in that freedom today and don't forget to call upon Jesus for His strength, as well…because friend, we need it and can't live this Christ-centered life without it!💛❤💜💙

Day 26

Daily Reading: My dear children, you come from God and belong to God. You have already won a big victory over those false teachers, for the Spirit in you is far stronger than anything in the world. These people belong to the Christ-denying world. They talk the world’s language and the world eats it up. But we come from God and belong to God. Anyone who knows God understands us and listens. The person who has nothing to do with God will, of course, not listen to us. This is another test for telling the Spirit of Truth from the spirit of deception. ~ 1 John 4:4‭-‬6 MSG

Insight: Did you hear that? "...the Spirit in you is far stronger than anything in the world." I don't know what giant you're staring down, but remember…it's got NOTHING on the Holy Spirit! Move forward in confidence knowing that no matter what you face, God is on your side! 🙌🥰❤

Day 27

Daily Reading: But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. ~ 2 Thessalonians 3:3 NLT

Insight: Sometimes, all we need to do is be still. Like The Word states, the Lord is faithful. Not only will he strengthen us, but he guards us as well [with his glory (Isaiah 58:8)].

I don't know who needs to hear this, but today, just stop and thank God for His protection. He's got you, dear friend. You needn't worry. 💙💜💕

Day 28

Daily Reading: Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. ~ Ephesians 6:13‭-‬18 MSG

Insight: As we nearly wrap up this month's Bible reading plan, we want to know how we can pray for you. It's so important we work together to keep each other's spirits up. This is one reason why I believe it important to encourage and share with each of you everyday.

Believe me, it's not always easy. Life happens. I'm overwhelmed many times and at a loss for words at others, but God, He always helps me share with you all. It's because of His love that I am able to do what I do. Trust me, I do not have the ability to do this day in and day out without Christ. When I feel like I'm in a spiritual desert, I settle in to the quiet and ask the Holy Ghost to take over.

Being an encourager can be tiresome, but just as the tribe of Judah led the Israelite army into battle by worshiping out in front of the army, it is absolutely necessary in order to combat the darkness of this world. It starts with one kind word and when I feel inadequate, I remember, the spirit within me is stronger than anything in this world.

So, tell me, how can we encourage you or pray for you? Rest assured, God is working things out on your behalf, even when you don't see how He's working, He's getting things done! Don't believe the lies. You are loved! You are treasured! You are important to God and He loves you more than you will ever know! ❤❤

Day 29

Daily Reading: But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong. This [peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord [those in whom the ideal Servant of the Lord is reproduced]; this is the righteousness or the vindication which they obtain from Me [this is that which I impart to them as their justification], says the Lord. ~ Isaiah 54:17 AMPC

Insight: I don't know about you, but I find great comfort in this verse. What a promise our Lord makes to us...that no weapon shall prosper.

I am so grateful for all that Jesus provides. Every day I read my Bible, I'm given a new promise. His love is everlasting. He is so good. What promise has He reminded you of recently?

Rather than focus on the worries of today, let's focus on the promises of God. Rather than wallow in shame, guilt, or insecurity, remember the Lord is our security and rest in His peace.

Day 30

Daily Reading: We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. ~ 2 Corinthians 10:5 NLT

Insight: There is incredible power in our obedience. It's how we walk in God's perfect plan for our life.

It's also why the enemy tries his best to get us to be disobedient. Just like Eve in the garden, he will manipulate God's word to fit a worldly standard that goes against God. This is also why it's so important we understand The Word of God.

The Word of God is a useful weapon in many forms; whether used as an offensive weapon during prayer and praise, or defensive weapon when it comes to resisting the enemy, or even when it comes to providing knowledge and wisdom as we mature in Christ-The Word is our necessity and is absolutely critical to our survival in this age.

We must cling to The Word of God and obey our convictions. I count them as blessings when God loves me enough to correct me. There's no condemnation anymore & that's a miraculous demonstration of love. #gracewins ❤

Day 31

Daily Reading: May you have more and more grace and peace through the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. ~ 2 Peter 1:2 CEB

Insight: #graceupongrace #gracewins #lovewins #peaceuponpeace #micdrop