My child, do not embark on any new thing until you hear from Me. I have a path planned out for you and I need you to be fully ready and committed to following Me with your whole heart. I do not desire a divided heart. If you choose the way of the world, you will not succeed in the things I have for you. Surrender your plans. I know the desires of your heart. I will lead you. I will guide you. I will make your path straight. Your Father who knows your future.
The Spirit is Willing, but the Flesh is Weak
My behavior was radically impacted when I was born again. But it wasn’t long before a difficult question confronted me: how do I remain strong in my commitment to live in a way that pleases God when Jesus Himself said, “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak?” Weak indeed! What’s this all about, I wondered? I knew I had been deeply transformed, so why would I have even a remote desire to return to things so destructive in my past?
It amazed me because I knew from experience that sin could never be a source of lasting joy. Yet I was willing to toy with it. Could I really be that stupid? And another issue bewildered me. Why was I now completely set free from some old habits while others sprang back with a vengeance? There they were! Needless to say, the shame that came along with falling into the same old sins was extremely discouraging. The Bible talks about struggling with the old man; for me it was the old Dan!
From Free from the Power of Sin: the Keys to Growing in God in Spite of Yourself
Heading into 2026
My child, as you head into 2026 know that I am in control. You just need to trust Me and believe that I have the best for you. Lean not on your own understanding, and in all your ways acknowledge Me and I will make your path straight.
From the Pen of Oswald Chambers
“Beware of anything that competes with loyalty to Jesus Christ. The greatest competitor of devotion to Jesus is service to Him,” Oswald Chambers wisely wrote. “The one aim of the call of God is the satisfaction of God, not a call to do something for Him…. The men and women Our Lord sends out on His enterprises are the ordinary human stuff, plus dominating devotion to Himself wrought by the Holy Spirit. Be absolutely His.
We are not primarily called by God to do something or go somewhere; we are called to Someone. We are not called first to special work but to God. The key to answering God’s call is to be devoted to no one and to nothing above God Himself. Establish this the foundation of your life in Christ.”
Intimacy IIs What It’s All About
Intimacy is what God is really after. We can busy ourselves with all kinds of things in our effort to please God, but if it doesn’t first begin with a meaningful personal interaction with Him, all our serving can end up in vain. While Martha busied herself with serving Jesus, Mary sat at His feet. When Martha complained, Jesus said, “…you are worried about so many things; but only one thing is necessary…Mary has chosen the good part” (Luke 10:41-42).
The woman at the well questioned where people ought to worship—Samaria or Jerusalem. Jesus got right to the point: “True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers” (John 4:23). What does it mean to worship God this way? He asks us to pursue relationship by being what He wants, not simply by doing stuff. Genuine worship begins with getting our priorities straight.
Hang on
My child, no matter what happens I am with you. I give you strength, I am your peace and all things are possible with Me. Hang on to Me. Walk in faith and love. You are not alone. I am always here with you.
“Images.” Don’t Fall for It!
Images! Images! A scenic cityscape can be photographed in just the right light, enticing us to experience it first-hand. But what’s never portrayed is the crowding, smut and evil within it. The advertising world is extremely skilled at toying with our emotions. They simply project a series of images before us, whether they be pictures or brief videos—all those smiling faces leading us to believe that happiness is just around the corner if only we will try their product.
The constant bombardment of images seriously impacts our lives. It’s only natural to believe what we see and automatically incorporate it into our beliefs. This system is very powerful and it takes real wisdom not to be captured by its deception. The Bible warns: “Look not at the worldly things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen… for the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)
Calmed and Quieted
My child, see how I have provided for your every need? There is no need to worry. Rest in My arms. Like a weaned child rests against his mother, let your soul be calmed and quieted.
The Holy Spirit Within
Jesus promised that His Father would send His followers the Holy Spirit once He left the earth: “He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; …He abides with you and will be in you” (John 14:16). The Bible proclaims that we are, “sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance” (Ephesians 1:13-14). What does it actually mean to have the Holy Spirit living within us?
Just imagine it! The Holy Spirit is a Person, a divine member of the Godhead. And God has given Him to us. He is always there, “guiding us into all truth” and comforting us” (John 16:13), at the very core of our being. We need to fully appreciate this precious gift God has bestowed on us. He always glorifies Jesus and will be our constant companion. Our part is to continuously pursue intimacy with Him.