Weekly Verse and Song for Tonight Weeks 605 - 612
July 30, 2025
Week 604
Acts 4:12:
"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
The Essentials: Salvation Through Jesus Christ Alone
To continue with our theme this week regarding The Essentials of the Christian faith, it is important to understand that these "Essentials" are what can be confirmed by evidence that a Christian is truly a believer. Also, this theme was started because I was having a conversation with a person I met, and I began asking some biblical questions. The questions led to my thoughts about The Essentials. So, for the fifth week, we'll continue with this very important topic that determines if a person is a true follower of Christ. Below are the essentials as listed:
This week, we'll discuss Salvation Through Jesus Christ Alone. In tonight's verse, we come to the pages of Acts 4:12:
"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
When I was a kid, my mom always told us about Jesus. There was not anything else I knew outside of this faith, as we went to Christian churches and all. I remember I had a friend in kindergarten who was not a Christian, though I can't remember how I knew this. I think it was something my mom told me, or his parents, or it came up in passing. Nevertheless, it was in those times that I realized there were people who lived not trusting in Christ. I do recall understanding what trusting in Christ truly meant. Salvation means saved, and someone needed to save us from the penalty of sin, which is death—eternal separation from God. As I realized this, other religions believed in other gods for their salvation.
Simply put, sinning—nothing in this world can save us from eternal separation from God. Not our trust in other people, places, or things. Only Jesus can save.
So why is Salvation Through Jesus Christ Alone an essential? John 3:16 tells us that God loved the world so much that He sent His only Son to pay for our sins so that we will not be separated from God for all eternity. This payment for sin can only be done by One, and that One is Jesus Christ. Salvation—or saving—is only found in Him and Him alone.
Therefore, when we accept God's gift—Jesus—and trust that this gift, Jesus, and what it means, it means salvation in Him alone. That no other can save us from our sins except Christ, and salvation is only found in Him.
Christianity stands on this Essential.
Pray that all who follow Christ do so with their heart, soul, mind, and strength (paraphrased from Mark 12:30).
Be Blessed
Love you Mom and I love you, Lord.
Home with the ONLY One who Saves us.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard – "You Know My Name" ft. Jimi Cravity
Week 604
Acts 4:12:
"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
The Essentials: Salvation Through Jesus Christ Alone
To continue with our theme this week regarding The Essentials of the Christian faith, it is important to understand that these "Essentials" are what can be confirmed by evidence that a Christian is truly a believer. Also, this theme was started because I was having a conversation with a person I met, and I began asking some biblical questions. The questions led to my thoughts about The Essentials. So, for the fifth week, we'll continue with this very important topic that determines if a person is a true follower of Christ. Below are the essentials as listed:
- The Resurrection of Christ
- The Gospel
- The Deity of Christ
- Salvation by Grace
- Salvation Through Jesus Christ Alone
- Monotheism
- The Holy Trinity
This week, we'll discuss Salvation Through Jesus Christ Alone. In tonight's verse, we come to the pages of Acts 4:12:
"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
When I was a kid, my mom always told us about Jesus. There was not anything else I knew outside of this faith, as we went to Christian churches and all. I remember I had a friend in kindergarten who was not a Christian, though I can't remember how I knew this. I think it was something my mom told me, or his parents, or it came up in passing. Nevertheless, it was in those times that I realized there were people who lived not trusting in Christ. I do recall understanding what trusting in Christ truly meant. Salvation means saved, and someone needed to save us from the penalty of sin, which is death—eternal separation from God. As I realized this, other religions believed in other gods for their salvation.
Simply put, sinning—nothing in this world can save us from eternal separation from God. Not our trust in other people, places, or things. Only Jesus can save.
So why is Salvation Through Jesus Christ Alone an essential? John 3:16 tells us that God loved the world so much that He sent His only Son to pay for our sins so that we will not be separated from God for all eternity. This payment for sin can only be done by One, and that One is Jesus Christ. Salvation—or saving—is only found in Him and Him alone.
Therefore, when we accept God's gift—Jesus—and trust that this gift, Jesus, and what it means, it means salvation in Him alone. That no other can save us from our sins except Christ, and salvation is only found in Him.
Christianity stands on this Essential.
Pray that all who follow Christ do so with their heart, soul, mind, and strength (paraphrased from Mark 12:30).
Be Blessed
Love you Mom and I love you, Lord.
Home with the ONLY One who Saves us.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard – "You Know My Name" ft. Jimi Cravity
August 6, 2025
Week 605
John 17:3
3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
The Essentials: Monotheism
To continue with our theme again this week regarding The Essentials of the Christian faith, it is important to understand that these "Essentials" are what can be confirmed by evidence that a Christian is truly a believer. Reiterating that this theme was started because I was having a conversation with a person I met, and I began asking some biblical questions. The questions led to my thoughts about The Essentials. So, for the sixth week, we'll continue with this very important topic that determines if a person is a true follower of Christ. Below are the essentials as listed:
This week, we'll discuss Monotheism. In tonight's verse, we come to the pages of John 17:3:
3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
My mom always taught me about the Trinity, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It was not clear to me though that what my mom really meant was God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, being one. As I got older, this started becoming apparent to me that there was this Godhead concept which envelopes all three: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct roles, yet they were all one, which is Monotheism, one God.
With tonight's verse in mind, it is very easy for someone to say Christians believe in many gods if they consider Jesus God. I was at a store, and I ran into a Muslim woman and began talking to her. I asked her about the Quran and if she read it, and she said yes, and asked what did I believe. I said I am a Christian. I then said I was curious about the Quran as I know Jesus is in it, and she mentioned yes, but we believe in one God. It was perhaps this verse that made her say this (maybe). However, what is really happening in this verse is that Jesus is acknowledging God as the only true God, and here while on earth, Jesus refers to Himself as the Son of God, whom He sent. This is backed up by many verses where it is referred to Jesus as being God, for example, John 1:1:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word is God...."
Jesus was not referring to Himself in the context of God because He was showing the distinction.
Simply put, Christians believe in One God, not many gods.
So why is Monotheism an essential? Isaiah 45:5 states that:
5 I am the Lord, and there is no other;
apart from me there is no God.
I will strengthen you,
though you have not acknowledged me,
Believing in other gods, for example the god in Islam, or Hinduism, or belief that the universe has some sort of "power" as a god, will show that a person is not a Christian, as their belief is in something other than Christianity.
Therefore, we as Christians understand that there is One God, there is no other. God is manifested in three forms: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. All three are distinct and One.
Christianity stands on this Essential.
Pray that all who follow Christ do so with their heart, soul, mind, and strength (paraphrased from Mark 12:30).
Be Blessed
Love you, Mom, and I love you, Lord.
Home with the One true God.
Chris McClarney – Speak To The Mountains (Official Live Video)
Week 605
John 17:3
3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
The Essentials: Monotheism
To continue with our theme again this week regarding The Essentials of the Christian faith, it is important to understand that these "Essentials" are what can be confirmed by evidence that a Christian is truly a believer. Reiterating that this theme was started because I was having a conversation with a person I met, and I began asking some biblical questions. The questions led to my thoughts about The Essentials. So, for the sixth week, we'll continue with this very important topic that determines if a person is a true follower of Christ. Below are the essentials as listed:
- The Resurrection of Christ
- The Gospel
- The Deity of Christ
- Salvation by Grace
- Salvation Through Jesus Christ Alone
- Monotheism
- The Holy Trinity
This week, we'll discuss Monotheism. In tonight's verse, we come to the pages of John 17:3:
3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
My mom always taught me about the Trinity, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It was not clear to me though that what my mom really meant was God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, being one. As I got older, this started becoming apparent to me that there was this Godhead concept which envelopes all three: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct roles, yet they were all one, which is Monotheism, one God.
With tonight's verse in mind, it is very easy for someone to say Christians believe in many gods if they consider Jesus God. I was at a store, and I ran into a Muslim woman and began talking to her. I asked her about the Quran and if she read it, and she said yes, and asked what did I believe. I said I am a Christian. I then said I was curious about the Quran as I know Jesus is in it, and she mentioned yes, but we believe in one God. It was perhaps this verse that made her say this (maybe). However, what is really happening in this verse is that Jesus is acknowledging God as the only true God, and here while on earth, Jesus refers to Himself as the Son of God, whom He sent. This is backed up by many verses where it is referred to Jesus as being God, for example, John 1:1:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word is God...."
Jesus was not referring to Himself in the context of God because He was showing the distinction.
Simply put, Christians believe in One God, not many gods.
So why is Monotheism an essential? Isaiah 45:5 states that:
5 I am the Lord, and there is no other;
apart from me there is no God.
I will strengthen you,
though you have not acknowledged me,
Believing in other gods, for example the god in Islam, or Hinduism, or belief that the universe has some sort of "power" as a god, will show that a person is not a Christian, as their belief is in something other than Christianity.
Therefore, we as Christians understand that there is One God, there is no other. God is manifested in three forms: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. All three are distinct and One.
Christianity stands on this Essential.
Pray that all who follow Christ do so with their heart, soul, mind, and strength (paraphrased from Mark 12:30).
Be Blessed
Love you, Mom, and I love you, Lord.
Home with the One true God.
Chris McClarney – Speak To The Mountains (Official Live Video)
August 13, 2025
Week 606
1 Peter 1:1-2
"1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:
Grace and peace be yours in abundance."
The Essentials: The Holy Trinity
This is the week where we wrap up the current weeks with our theme again regarding The Essentials of the Christian faith. It is important to understand that these "Essentials" are what can be confirmed by evidence that a Christian is truly a believer. Just to mention one more time, this theme was started because I was having a conversation with a person I met, and I began asking some biblical questions. The questions led to my thoughts about The Essentials. So, for the seventh week, we'll continue with this very important topic that determines if a person is a true follower of Christ. Below are the essentials as listed:
This week, we'll discuss The Holy Trinity. In tonight's verse, we come to the pages of 1 Peter 1:1-2
"1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:
Grace and peace be yours in abundance."
As I mentioned last week, my mom always taught me about the Trinity—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As a kid, it did not cause any questions in my mind. But as I grew older and became closer to Christ, and encountered other religions, I heard things such as that God created Jesus, and that the Holy Spirit was an "it." Even questions surrounding how God can be one and also three...
With tonight's verse in mind, I know it's important to understand that God the Father chooses us, the Holy Spirit sanctifies us, and we are saved by Jesus. You see, there is one God but revealed in three forms to do specific works in our lives, as stated by this verse.
Just as stated last week, Christians believe in one God, not many gods.
So why is the Holy Trinity an essential? As we review tonight's verse, we understand the truth of salvation—that it is God who chooses us, Christ who saved us by His sacrifice, and the Holy Spirit who continues the process of sanctification in our lives.
Therefore, as Christians, we must understand that there is one God, and there is no other. God is manifested in three forms: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. All three are distinct and One.
Christianity stands on this Essential.
Pray that all who follow Christ do so with their heart, soul, mind, and strength (paraphrased from Mark 12:30).
Be Blessed.
Love you, Mom, and I love you, Lord.
Home with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Megan Woods - The Truth (Official Lyric Video)
Week 606
1 Peter 1:1-2
"1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:
Grace and peace be yours in abundance."
The Essentials: The Holy Trinity
This is the week where we wrap up the current weeks with our theme again regarding The Essentials of the Christian faith. It is important to understand that these "Essentials" are what can be confirmed by evidence that a Christian is truly a believer. Just to mention one more time, this theme was started because I was having a conversation with a person I met, and I began asking some biblical questions. The questions led to my thoughts about The Essentials. So, for the seventh week, we'll continue with this very important topic that determines if a person is a true follower of Christ. Below are the essentials as listed:
- The Resurrection of Christ
- The Gospel
- The Deity of Christ
- Salvation by Grace
- Salvation Through Jesus Christ Alone
- Monotheism
- The Holy Trinity
This week, we'll discuss The Holy Trinity. In tonight's verse, we come to the pages of 1 Peter 1:1-2
"1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:
Grace and peace be yours in abundance."
As I mentioned last week, my mom always taught me about the Trinity—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As a kid, it did not cause any questions in my mind. But as I grew older and became closer to Christ, and encountered other religions, I heard things such as that God created Jesus, and that the Holy Spirit was an "it." Even questions surrounding how God can be one and also three...
With tonight's verse in mind, I know it's important to understand that God the Father chooses us, the Holy Spirit sanctifies us, and we are saved by Jesus. You see, there is one God but revealed in three forms to do specific works in our lives, as stated by this verse.
Just as stated last week, Christians believe in one God, not many gods.
So why is the Holy Trinity an essential? As we review tonight's verse, we understand the truth of salvation—that it is God who chooses us, Christ who saved us by His sacrifice, and the Holy Spirit who continues the process of sanctification in our lives.
Therefore, as Christians, we must understand that there is one God, and there is no other. God is manifested in three forms: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. All three are distinct and One.
Christianity stands on this Essential.
Pray that all who follow Christ do so with their heart, soul, mind, and strength (paraphrased from Mark 12:30).
Be Blessed.
Love you, Mom, and I love you, Lord.
Home with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Megan Woods - The Truth (Official Lyric Video)
August 20, 2025
Week 607
Psalm 46:10
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
Taking Time Out
I had spent most of the spring and summer working every weekend and not really taking a break. About two weeks ago, I was going to a family member’s birthday party. I was excited to see everyone and thought, “Cool, I’ve been working for about two seasons now with no breaks, but I’m looking forward to seeing everyone.”
Well, the party came and went, and as the week was starting, I began to feel a bit ill. As time went on, it got even worse.
In tonight’s verse we come to the words of Psalm 46:10:
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
My mom always told me that I should “take rest.” I always seemed to be moving fast, never taking a break, and she knew I was like that. So, she would encourage me to pause and rest. Many times, however, I wouldn’t—I would just keep going. This illness that came upon me really impressed on my mind the importance of rest.
But it’s also important to understand how we are to rest.
Even when I do take a break, I often just want to keep moving. My mind drifts to other things—almost worrying about how something will get done. The key point in tonight’s verse is that when we rest, we should focus on the Lord. That means when distractions come while we are trying to rest, we must remember that God is sovereign over all things. This time of rest is a gift from Him, and we are to spend it focusing on Him, the One who gives us peace.
Today, as Christians, let’s find our rest in the Lord, knowing that all things are under His sovereign will. The distractions that may plague us are under His care.
Be blessed.
Love you Mom, and I love You, Lord.
Home with the One we find our rest in.
'Give Me Your Hand' | Ellie Holcomb | Official Music Video
Week 607
Psalm 46:10
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
Taking Time Out
I had spent most of the spring and summer working every weekend and not really taking a break. About two weeks ago, I was going to a family member’s birthday party. I was excited to see everyone and thought, “Cool, I’ve been working for about two seasons now with no breaks, but I’m looking forward to seeing everyone.”
Well, the party came and went, and as the week was starting, I began to feel a bit ill. As time went on, it got even worse.
In tonight’s verse we come to the words of Psalm 46:10:
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
My mom always told me that I should “take rest.” I always seemed to be moving fast, never taking a break, and she knew I was like that. So, she would encourage me to pause and rest. Many times, however, I wouldn’t—I would just keep going. This illness that came upon me really impressed on my mind the importance of rest.
But it’s also important to understand how we are to rest.
Even when I do take a break, I often just want to keep moving. My mind drifts to other things—almost worrying about how something will get done. The key point in tonight’s verse is that when we rest, we should focus on the Lord. That means when distractions come while we are trying to rest, we must remember that God is sovereign over all things. This time of rest is a gift from Him, and we are to spend it focusing on Him, the One who gives us peace.
Today, as Christians, let’s find our rest in the Lord, knowing that all things are under His sovereign will. The distractions that may plague us are under His care.
Be blessed.
Love you Mom, and I love You, Lord.
Home with the One we find our rest in.
'Give Me Your Hand' | Ellie Holcomb | Official Music Video
August 27, 2025
Week 608
Matthew 11:28-30
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Exhaustion
I had to get up early this morning, but as I was getting ready to sleep the night before, I encountered a computer issue that kept me up until 1 AM; it still wasn't resolved. Nevertheless, I decided to sleep. I got up early and awoke to multiple issues, including my own computer problem as well as an early morning meeting. As I went through these motions, I found myself exhausted.
In tonight's verse, we come to the pages of Matthew 11:28-30:
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
I'll forever remember my mom telling me to take rest. As I think through this verse tonight, I realize the importance of physical rest, but more important than that is finding your rest in Christ, finding peace through Jesus.
See, I believe that part of exhaustion comes with the worries of life. Having this in mind and knowing that our rest comes from Him—and Him alone—can make the worries of life less heavy.
Be blessed.
Love you, Mom, and I love you, Lord.
Home with the One we rest in.
CJ Prather
Cover: “Speak To The Mountains” by Chris McClarney
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/zmAAqPpoIdg
Week 608
Matthew 11:28-30
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Exhaustion
I had to get up early this morning, but as I was getting ready to sleep the night before, I encountered a computer issue that kept me up until 1 AM; it still wasn't resolved. Nevertheless, I decided to sleep. I got up early and awoke to multiple issues, including my own computer problem as well as an early morning meeting. As I went through these motions, I found myself exhausted.
In tonight's verse, we come to the pages of Matthew 11:28-30:
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
I'll forever remember my mom telling me to take rest. As I think through this verse tonight, I realize the importance of physical rest, but more important than that is finding your rest in Christ, finding peace through Jesus.
See, I believe that part of exhaustion comes with the worries of life. Having this in mind and knowing that our rest comes from Him—and Him alone—can make the worries of life less heavy.
Be blessed.
Love you, Mom, and I love you, Lord.
Home with the One we rest in.
CJ Prather
Cover: “Speak To The Mountains” by Chris McClarney
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/zmAAqPpoIdg
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September 3, 2025
Week 609
1 Peter 2:9
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Feeling Inferior
Last week began an ongoing stretch of exhaustion. Though I have been trying to find time for physical rest, it has eluded me a bit. As such, last week we spoke on finding rest in the Lord—knowing that our exhaustion often comes from the worries of life.
This week I would like to discuss a particular ongoing incident that has caused me to look inward and see my own feelings of inferiority. In tonight's verse we come to the words of 1 Peter 2:9:
"9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
My mom came from India, was born here, and English was her second language. The most interesting thing I noticed growing up was how protective she was and how she never seemed to feel inferior. Standing at about 5'0 tall, she always carried herself with confidence. As I think about it, that confidence came from the Lord. My mom’s faith allowed her to recognize that she was chosen by God, and that all glory belongs to Him. She was an instrument of the Lord, and ultimately, the Lord is responsible.
When feelings of inferiority come, it is the Lord we should focus on, knowing He is the one who calls us.
Be blessed.
Love you Mom, and love you Lord.
Home with the One Who calls us.
Lauren Daigle – While I Wait | Encouragement & Hope Song
Week 609
1 Peter 2:9
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Feeling Inferior
Last week began an ongoing stretch of exhaustion. Though I have been trying to find time for physical rest, it has eluded me a bit. As such, last week we spoke on finding rest in the Lord—knowing that our exhaustion often comes from the worries of life.
This week I would like to discuss a particular ongoing incident that has caused me to look inward and see my own feelings of inferiority. In tonight's verse we come to the words of 1 Peter 2:9:
"9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
My mom came from India, was born here, and English was her second language. The most interesting thing I noticed growing up was how protective she was and how she never seemed to feel inferior. Standing at about 5'0 tall, she always carried herself with confidence. As I think about it, that confidence came from the Lord. My mom’s faith allowed her to recognize that she was chosen by God, and that all glory belongs to Him. She was an instrument of the Lord, and ultimately, the Lord is responsible.
When feelings of inferiority come, it is the Lord we should focus on, knowing He is the one who calls us.
Be blessed.
Love you Mom, and love you Lord.
Home with the One Who calls us.
Lauren Daigle – While I Wait | Encouragement & Hope Song
September 10, 2025
Week 610
Isaiah 40:27-31
27 Why do you complain, Jacob?
Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord;
my cause is disregarded by my God”?
28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 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.
Feeling Burned Out
I’ve been going to sleep late, and there have been a lot of things going on professionally and personally. I crashed around 1:30 AM, woke up at 7:30 AM, and within 30 minutes, I noticed a meeting had started, so I jumped on. Suddenly, I felt this overwhelming feeling of being burned out.
In tonight’s verse, we come to the pages of Isaiah 40:27:
Isaiah 40:27-31
27 Why do you complain, Jacob?
Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord;
my cause is disregarded by my God”?
28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 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.
As in the last couple of weeks, we have been discussing "resting," and I shared how my mom always encouraged me to rest. If this resting does not take place, we fall into burnout. Mom always told me to take rest, but one part of resting is where we place our rest or rather, in whom we place our rest.
Jesus said to abide in Him, and He will abide in us (John 15:4–5). Using the analogy of a branch, He showed that a branch on its own can do nothing; it does not bear fruit by working harder, but its life comes from the vine. In the same way, we as Christians must understand that we can’t live life in our own strength — this leads to burnout. When we abide in Christ, we stay connected to Him daily, drawing strength, guidance, and peace from Him.
In short, this is a lesson I can take to heart: when we feel burned out, we must stop trying to push through in our own strength. The Christian life isn’t about rule-keeping or self-effort but about abiding in Christ daily. Wait on Him, trust Him, and let His Spirit supply the strength we lack. That’s how we keep going without collapsing.
As I am feeling the burnout, I am praying practically and intentionally, recognizing that He is our strength and we cannot do it on our own. Remember that God is in control.
Be blessed.
Love you, Mom, and I love you, Lord.
Home with the One in whom we abide.
Twila Paris - God Is In Control
Week 610
Isaiah 40:27-31
27 Why do you complain, Jacob?
Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord;
my cause is disregarded by my God”?
28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 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.
Feeling Burned Out
I’ve been going to sleep late, and there have been a lot of things going on professionally and personally. I crashed around 1:30 AM, woke up at 7:30 AM, and within 30 minutes, I noticed a meeting had started, so I jumped on. Suddenly, I felt this overwhelming feeling of being burned out.
In tonight’s verse, we come to the pages of Isaiah 40:27:
Isaiah 40:27-31
27 Why do you complain, Jacob?
Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord;
my cause is disregarded by my God”?
28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 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.
As in the last couple of weeks, we have been discussing "resting," and I shared how my mom always encouraged me to rest. If this resting does not take place, we fall into burnout. Mom always told me to take rest, but one part of resting is where we place our rest or rather, in whom we place our rest.
Jesus said to abide in Him, and He will abide in us (John 15:4–5). Using the analogy of a branch, He showed that a branch on its own can do nothing; it does not bear fruit by working harder, but its life comes from the vine. In the same way, we as Christians must understand that we can’t live life in our own strength — this leads to burnout. When we abide in Christ, we stay connected to Him daily, drawing strength, guidance, and peace from Him.
In short, this is a lesson I can take to heart: when we feel burned out, we must stop trying to push through in our own strength. The Christian life isn’t about rule-keeping or self-effort but about abiding in Christ daily. Wait on Him, trust Him, and let His Spirit supply the strength we lack. That’s how we keep going without collapsing.
As I am feeling the burnout, I am praying practically and intentionally, recognizing that He is our strength and we cannot do it on our own. Remember that God is in control.
Be blessed.
Love you, Mom, and I love you, Lord.
Home with the One in whom we abide.
Twila Paris - God Is In Control
September 17, 2025
Week 611
Romans 5:12; Romans 8:28
Romans 5:12
12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned--
Romans 8:28
28 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.
Why Do Bad Things Happen
Over the past week, we have been seeing many incidents occur, and one of the main questions is: Why do these bad things happen? In tonight’s verses, we come to Romans 5:12 and Romans 8:28:
Romans 5:12
12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned--
Romans 8:28
28 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.
Growing up with my mom, we were always aware of issues that could come up that might potentially crumble us or cause distress. Those factors included food, shelter, education, and others. My mom always worked hard, even to the point of developing ailments. These ailments caused her to be on medication, and eventually, she passed away. At first, it seemed unfair. My mom was single, raised us, and now she was gone.
Here’s the thing—bad things happen as we see it, because sometimes we forget God’s work. You see, this place we live in is not our home. It is the place where we are for now. It is the place where God has us, for a reason. That reason is to know Christ’s redemptive work on our behalf, to place our trust in Him, and then, when this life is over, to be ushered into the kingdom of God.
In order for us to truly recognize Christ’s redemptive work and our need to place our trust in Him, we must face situations and circumstances that drive us to Him.
Therefore, the reason why “bad” things happen is to drive us to God—to lay ourselves at the feet of Jesus and then to be ushered into our true home.
Today, reflect on where you are when bad things happen and ask: What is God’s will in this?
Be blessed.
Love you Mom, and I love you Lord.
Home with our true Home.
Chris McClarney – Speak To The Mountains (Official Live Video
Week 611
Romans 5:12; Romans 8:28
Romans 5:12
12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned--
Romans 8:28
28 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.
Why Do Bad Things Happen
Over the past week, we have been seeing many incidents occur, and one of the main questions is: Why do these bad things happen? In tonight’s verses, we come to Romans 5:12 and Romans 8:28:
Romans 5:12
12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned--
Romans 8:28
28 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.
Growing up with my mom, we were always aware of issues that could come up that might potentially crumble us or cause distress. Those factors included food, shelter, education, and others. My mom always worked hard, even to the point of developing ailments. These ailments caused her to be on medication, and eventually, she passed away. At first, it seemed unfair. My mom was single, raised us, and now she was gone.
Here’s the thing—bad things happen as we see it, because sometimes we forget God’s work. You see, this place we live in is not our home. It is the place where we are for now. It is the place where God has us, for a reason. That reason is to know Christ’s redemptive work on our behalf, to place our trust in Him, and then, when this life is over, to be ushered into the kingdom of God.
In order for us to truly recognize Christ’s redemptive work and our need to place our trust in Him, we must face situations and circumstances that drive us to Him.
Therefore, the reason why “bad” things happen is to drive us to God—to lay ourselves at the feet of Jesus and then to be ushered into our true home.
Today, reflect on where you are when bad things happen and ask: What is God’s will in this?
Be blessed.
Love you Mom, and I love you Lord.
Home with our true Home.
Chris McClarney – Speak To The Mountains (Official Live Video
September 24, 2025
Week 612
Romans 16:3–4
Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
Friendships With The Opposite Gender
I was at the gym this morning and a friend came up to me and explained something. She said she just started a new "Life Change" and that she wouldn’t be texting me anymore. I was okay with that, and I pressed on a little. Does this mean that we can't talk? She said we can just say hi in the gym.
In tonight's verse, we come to the pages of Romans 16:3–4:
"Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them."
When I was younger, my mom was always against me having friends who were girls. I think it was a genuine reaction, maybe one that was not entirely rooted in selflessness, but I respected my mom's perspective. Nevertheless, in my view, it is important to have both male and female friendships.
The reason is that we don't live unto ourselves in this world. We live with everyone, and understanding that is important—to understand the opposite gender and to be respectful. Alienation from the opposite gender is where "gender-ism" comes in.
As I prepared to write this, one thing became evident to me: I was a bit upset. I thought through this Biblically and sought scriptures for an answer. I think in one sense Scripture is silent on this subject, but in another, in the book of Romans, we see something profound. You see, here Paul is counting Priscilla and Aquila as his friends. He saw Priscilla as someone who “risked their lives for me,” stating that they did something to save Paul, and in particular, Priscilla.
The Bible talks about wisdom of the heart and wisdom of the mind (Proverbs 4:23). It is important to be wise in friendships with the opposite gender, and at the same time, it is important to see ourselves equally created by God, just different in the roles He has for us.
No matter which way I view opposite-gender friendships, I come to the biblical conclusion that it is important to be wise, but to see that we are all created by God. A female is not less than a male and vice versa (Genesis 1:27: “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”)
In Christ, gender will not hinder genuine friendship, love, or fellowship.
As Christians, we should see everyone as people, rooted in sin that separates us from our Creator, but knowing we are equally created by Him with specific roles. For in the new creation, the old order of things will pass (Revelation 21:4).
Be blessed.
Love you, Mom, and I love you, Lord.
Home with our true Home.
Phil Wickham – What An Awesome God (Sunset Walk)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AnSHYjQ3tc&list=RD1AnSHYjQ3tc&start_radio=1
Week 612
Romans 16:3–4
Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
Friendships With The Opposite Gender
I was at the gym this morning and a friend came up to me and explained something. She said she just started a new "Life Change" and that she wouldn’t be texting me anymore. I was okay with that, and I pressed on a little. Does this mean that we can't talk? She said we can just say hi in the gym.
In tonight's verse, we come to the pages of Romans 16:3–4:
"Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them."
When I was younger, my mom was always against me having friends who were girls. I think it was a genuine reaction, maybe one that was not entirely rooted in selflessness, but I respected my mom's perspective. Nevertheless, in my view, it is important to have both male and female friendships.
The reason is that we don't live unto ourselves in this world. We live with everyone, and understanding that is important—to understand the opposite gender and to be respectful. Alienation from the opposite gender is where "gender-ism" comes in.
As I prepared to write this, one thing became evident to me: I was a bit upset. I thought through this Biblically and sought scriptures for an answer. I think in one sense Scripture is silent on this subject, but in another, in the book of Romans, we see something profound. You see, here Paul is counting Priscilla and Aquila as his friends. He saw Priscilla as someone who “risked their lives for me,” stating that they did something to save Paul, and in particular, Priscilla.
The Bible talks about wisdom of the heart and wisdom of the mind (Proverbs 4:23). It is important to be wise in friendships with the opposite gender, and at the same time, it is important to see ourselves equally created by God, just different in the roles He has for us.
No matter which way I view opposite-gender friendships, I come to the biblical conclusion that it is important to be wise, but to see that we are all created by God. A female is not less than a male and vice versa (Genesis 1:27: “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”)
In Christ, gender will not hinder genuine friendship, love, or fellowship.
As Christians, we should see everyone as people, rooted in sin that separates us from our Creator, but knowing we are equally created by Him with specific roles. For in the new creation, the old order of things will pass (Revelation 21:4).
Be blessed.
Love you, Mom, and I love you, Lord.
Home with our true Home.
Phil Wickham – What An Awesome God (Sunset Walk)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AnSHYjQ3tc&list=RD1AnSHYjQ3tc&start_radio=1
