Ephesians 3:20-21: "Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen."

There’s an old story about a little boy who lived out in the country around the time that the nineteenth century turned into the twentieth century. He had never seen a circus. And the circus was coming to his town on Saturday. He asked his father for permission to go, and his dad said he could, provided his chores were done early. Saturday morning came and the chores were finished. The boy asked his father for some money for the circus. His dad reached deep down in his overalls and pulled out a dollar bill to pay the admission fee and give him a little chance to spend time at the circus. It was the most money the boy had ever seen at one time.

Off the little wide-eyed fellow went. As he approached the town, he saw people lining the streets. Peering through the line at one point, he got his first glimpse of the Circus parade. There were performers, animals in cages, painted wagons and marching bands. Finally, a clown was seen bringing up the rear of the parade. The little boy was so excited that he almost forgot the dollar but when the clown passed, he reached into his pocket and handed him the precious bill. Thinking he had seen the circus the little boy turned around and went home. He told his father all about the beautiful wagons, the performers, the bands, the animals and the clown bringing up the rear. The father looked puzzled and asked the boy about the juggling act, the ringmaster, and the high wire acts. The boy reported seeing none of these things, and it was then the father realized the boy had mistaken the circus parade for the actual circus.

Are we boxing God in? Are we just like the boy, content with seeing the parade when there’s so much more that God wants to give us and do with us? Settling for less, thinking it’s God’s best is the mistake we can make if we’re not careful. The boy thought the parade was all that his father wanted for him. Sadly, we can be like that too with our Heavenly Father. Don’t mistake the parade for the circus and think that’s all God wants for you. God is saying “there is more for you beyond the parade.”

God didn’t make just one drop of water. He made oceans of water. Praise God!! God didn’t create just one star. He made galaxies of stars. Praise God!!

God is bigger than our box!! Stretch your faith and watch God expand your territory. We cannot think God only wants to give us a room, when He wants us to have the entire building. So don’t settle for 10%, or 50%; 99.9% won’t even do. Like Andrew Jones said a few Sundays ago, we need RADICAL FAITH!! Think big, because our God is big!! There are no limits to what God can do!! His blessings are vast and wide!! Believe it!! Confess it!! He can do more than we think or can conceive (Ephesians 3:20). Amen!!

I AM THANKFUL THAT I SERVE A BIG GOD!! What are you thankful for?

“…You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove.” James 2:18 MSG

I have seen countless football games, and it never fails, I still hold my breath when I see a quarterback throw the ball and wait to see if the receiver will catch it. It’s even more intense when the quarterback is being bombarded by the opposing team and it does not look like he’s going to get the ball out. But, somehow, he manages to wind his arm back, throw the ball, and it’s caught by his teammate!! Despite the distractions, the play can occur.

In 2025, no matter what’s bombarding you, wind your arm back and throw what God has given you. Trust Him, someone on the other end will catch it!!!

Some of you have been holding that “ball” for years. In 2025, God is saying release it. You might get bombarded, but don’t worry; expect interference. Fulfilling your assignment is the goal. Release that book❗️Release that business ❗️Release that album❗️Release that ministry❗️You must throw that “ball” in faith and believe that someone will receive what you toss.

Believe that God has a game plan specifically for you. He’s not just giving you the ball (aka the thing He’s calling you to do) so you can hold on to it. He has a vision. Your obedience to release what He has given you is part of the plan. The Coach has put you in the game, and you are the quarterback. What are you going to do?

No more excuses in 2025. Whether you are a perfectionist who waits for everything to be nice and neatly put together, a people pleaser who waits for everyone to be happy before you make a move, or a planner who needs to know every detail – stop being distracted. That’s how the enemy gets you. He gets in your head and has you convinced you cannot do this. I cannot imagine watching a football game and suddenly someone from the opposing team walks up, whispers in the quarterback’s ear, then the quarterback drops the ball, and walks off the field. That would be crazy! But that is what the enemy is doing to us.

God wants to do something through you. Your obedience will have a cause and effect on the Kingdom. Ignore the distractions, release what He has given you, and trust that someone on the other end is ready to receive what you are giving.

2025 is here, no more waiting. By faith, release what God is telling you to release. Someone has their hand open to receive. Let’s go, game on!!

I AM THANKFUL FOR A NEW YEAR AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO BE USED BY GOD. What are you thankful for today? Or, what about 2024, were you thankful for?

Genesis 1:2-3: “Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.”

The holidays are here. Stores are being decorated, deals are being advertised, while families and friends are making holiday plans. This time of the year can be fun, but it can also be overwhelming (if we are not careful).

What does rest look like to you? Lounging around all day? Taking a nap? Reading a book while sipping your favorite drink? Or is it a long bath with soft music in the background? Rest is good for your mind, body, and spirit. But how often do you yield to rest? Contrary to what the world pushes, this is not the season for busyness, stress or over commitment. Choose rest over stress!

If you are like me, during this time of the year, you might have many commitments and responsibilities. With holiday parties, Christmas shopping, coordinating family gatherings, etc., it can be a lot to juggle. Rest is sometimes difficult to attain, and so we have to be intentional about doing it.

In Genesis, rest was incorporated into creation. God created many things, but He also created rest. He showed us the importance of enjoying our harvest. After we work, rest should follow. God showed us how to live a balanced life. We cannot work, work, work without rest. We need to step back, breathe, and rest.

Psalm 23:1-3 (GNT): “The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in fields of green grass and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water. He gives me new strength. He guides me in the right paths, as he has promised.”

God could have designed us to never need rest. He could have made us to go nonstop. Yet, He did not. Initially, when God created the Garden of Eden, He intended for Adam and Eve and mankind to rest. But, because of sin, work was birthed. However, that does not mean God does not want us to rest. God wants our bodies to recover, re-energize and recalibrate. Rest allows for all of this to happen. It is the healthiest thing you can do for your body.

Do you want to help your nervous system? Rest. Do you want to help your circulatory system? Rest. Do you want to help your respiratory system? Rest. Do you want to help your digestive system? Rest. Rest does the body good.

Matthew 11:28 (NLT): “Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.”

If rest is hard work, you're doing it wrong. Aim for one hour a day, then one day a week, prayerfully one week a year. Whatever you choose, you can begin your week with rest or end your week with rest. 1/7th of the week, or one day of rest, is a great goal. These breaks can add up; over the average lifespan; it's 10-12 years of your life.

So remember to not get caught up in all the hustle and bustle. Find time to rest and spend time with God. Happy holidays. What are you thankful for this Thursday?

Psalm 104:24: “How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.”

I’m not an outdoorsy person. However, I love National Parks. There’s something about seeing God’s creation of mountains, canyons, hills, trees and lakes that excites me. Recently, my husband and I visited The Everglades National Park. It was an educational outing as we toured the northern part of the 1.5 million acres. We saw various birds and dolphins while our boat glided across the water.

Every time I tour a National Park, I feel closer to God. I find myself rejoicing and awing over nature’s beauty. No filter needed, nature poses for me.

With nature’s auburn-orange sunsets, or its crimson-colored fall leaves, I’m smitten. My camera roll is filled with pictures of the Grand Canyon, Mt. Rainer, Redwood National Park, and The Great Smoky Mountains. God’s beautiful handiwork is everywhere in all its colors, sounds, aromas and textures.

What about you? What do you enjoy about nature? Multicolored rainbows? Fragrant flowers in all shapes and sizes? A soft, spring breeze across your face? Or, the rhythmic sound of raindrops?

It is natural to be impressed with nature. From the heavens above to the deep seas below, and everything in-between, God had a hand in it all. It’s in our nature to enjoy our Father’s creativity.

Psalm 19:1: “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”

Psalm 95:4-5: “In whose hand are the depths of the earth; The peaks of the mountains are His also. The sea is His, for He made it [by His command]; And His hands formed the dry land.”

God put much love in everything that He created. The sun, oceans, trees, clouds, valleys; and, we are the pinnacle of His creation (Genesis 1:27). The same God that created the world around us, created mankind too.

You don’t have to go far to enjoy nature. Take a walk in your neighborhood, enjoy the scent of flowers, or sit outside, sip coffee and listen to the birds’ (or cicadas, lol) chirp. See, smell and hear nature all around you.

God TEACHES us through nature. He SPEAKS to us through nature. God PROVIDES for us through nature.

If you cannot go outside today and enjoy nature, at least take some time to reflect on its beauty. Here are some things you can thank God for:

🔸 Waterfalls   🔸 Deserts   🔸 A starry night sky   🔸 Plants   🔸 Fishes   🔸 Birds   🔸 Insects

I feel blessed. God has given us plenty to be enamored with. TODAY, I AM THANKFUL FOR EVERYTHING GOD CREATED. What are you thankful for today?