As we age, remembering someone’s name, of whom you just met, can be a challenge.

Calling someone by their name shows respect, and shows you care and that they are important.

When you think of how big our God is, it’s hard to imagine that He knows every person’s name on the planet. But, He does.

God is waiting on you. If you believe this, but don’t really know God, take a moment of your day and imagine a God who created the heavens and earth, knows you and knows your name. Talk to God as if He were a friend, sitting next to you. Tell Him your concerns, your worries. Give Him your honest questions you’ve been wanting to ask. Do this consistently until it’s a daily routine.

Ask God into your life, acknowledge your past sins and give your heart to Him today.

He already knows your name, let Him know you personally and intimately.

Since He came into my life, I have never been the same. Oh, I’ve had troubles and hardship, trials and heartaches, even lost my dad at the age of ten.

But, once I accepted God into my life, He became my heavenly father forever.

I’ve never felt more loved, accepted and free.

Isaiah 43:1 - “But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”

As I hung my wind chimes on my new front porch, I’m reminded of my mom who has gone on before me. This particular wind chime was given to me from one of my dearest friends. She had engraved my mom’s name, her date of birth to death. When I hear the chimes ringing, I’m reminded of the many memories we shared as mother and daughter.

Memories are a funny thing. Some things people say will remind you of good or bad memories. Some things you see from older days will remind you of those gone on from this world. Memories of my mom will always be with me. She was the model Christian parent, and helped shape me into the woman I am today.

Memories are a special gift from God. We get to relive our past, precious moments from family or friends.

Some of my most memorable moments though are in my walk with God. Remembering how He took me from a small town girl to a mighty woman of God, is what is so special to me. I can recall the times that I tried doing this my own way, and God slowly brought me back to Him.

Cherish the memories with your loved ones. Make new memories with your family and friends. And, spend some time with God and let Him give you memories that will last a lifetime and beyond.

Philippians 1:3-5 - “I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first dayuntil now,”

We’re living in a world of inconsistency. There seems to be nothing consistent in our daily life. That is, unless you’re a Christian. I do have days when nothing seems to be going right (broken door knob, leaking pipe in the basement), but I don’t let these distractions lead me into anger or frustration. I turn to God and ask Him for help. Most of the time I don’t even ask why.

If you’re consistent in your walk with God, you’ll find a deeper peace.

Just as you are consistent in your gardening, you’ll reap the harvest come Fall.

If you’re consistent in your marriage or parenting, you’ll see a happier flow in the family.

In a world of chaos, rioting, plagues and wars on the horizon, turn to God, who is always consistent in His promises.

Be consistent with the Creator of the universe. You can count on God to take you into eternity.

1 Corinthians 15:58 - “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

People are motivated by two things: They’re motivated by principle and pleasure, or they are motivated by pain.

We create our own jail cells, where bars are made of anger, bitterness, resentment and grudges.

What’s the key to all of this? Forgiveness. It’s your choice. Do you want to stay where you are, in misery, or do you want to be free of this state of mind?

When we’re hurting it’s only human to want to blame someone else. 

Quit running away from it. Face the fear. Forgive. Once you forgive you’re given the opportunity to live an amazing life of grace, freedom and purpose.

Forgiveness is a process. The pure act of forgiving benefits your emotional and physical health. Forgiving someone is not something that you just wake up and decide to do because someone said you should do so.

Forgiveness is a freeing, wonderful feeling once you’ve done it. 

Get motivated. Do you have someone you need to forgive? Ask God for the motivation to do it.

Ephesians 4:32 - “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

As I am starting a new chapter in my life, moving into my husband’s childhood home, I find myself exhausted, but wanting to put my mark on the place.

I’ve always loved gardening, and now I have a new blank canvas to start all over again. Gardening can have many challenges, weeds being one of them. They definitely weren’t invited, but they come regardless, popping up everywhere, all over the yard.

I’ve found that as soon as I see the weeds, I pluck them out of the ground and move on.

Isn’t this like fear in our life? Once we recognize it and know that there’s little we can do to remove it, we can move on with faith that God’s in control.

Just like weeds grow rapidly, fear grows every time we take our eyes off God, and onto ourselves.

Do some weeding in your life today. Be proactive in your aggressive faith. Know that God will always take care of you and can remove the fear from your thoughts.

Move forward, despite the fear that comes popping up in life every day.

Acts 4:29 - “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.”

Some families have their traditional holidays.  Some have their own secret family recipes.  This is a good thing.  But, just try and get that secret recipe or secret ingredient that grandma puts in the pumpkin pie and you’ll realize soon that some things should be left alone.

There’s no secrets in God’s kingdom.  There’s no mystery in how you can get to Heaven.  God’s plan of salvation is laid out all throughout the Bible.

Romans 8:28 - “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,[a]for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Some people will look at the verse above and say, “just how do you know that God works out the good in all things.”  Well, I can show you proof from the Bible, or I can tell you the times that He’s done this for me.  And notice the end of the sentence.  This is speaking to those who have been called for His purpose, not ours.

This means that God can take something that was meant for evil and turn it into something good.

He’s done it for me, many times and will do it for you.  If and only if you give your life to Him.

What’s your family secret?  

There’s no secret in God’s good plans for you.  Trust Him today.

Without Christ in your life, there is no future. Without Jesus, what’s there to look forward to?

Anticipation is something to look forward to. It’s something you’re anxious to see or experience. There are a lot of people anticipating their next job promotion, their next child, or even their next vacation. Anticipation is a good thing, but it can be a great thing if you have Jesus in your life.

I’m excited for my future. Do I know what it holds? No. I know what I want to do; my desires in life. God also knows my heart and His promise is that He will deliver, as long as it’s within His will for my life.

The anticipation of spending an eternity with my mom and dad, my siblings that have passed, and most of all, meeting Jesus face to face is an ongoing, daily reminder to me that God is in control.

No matter what’s going on in this world, I can still anticipate heaven. I can still know and trust that God will reign in the end, and that no matter if disease or an accident takes me out of this world, I’ll be meeting Jesus on the other side.

Anticipate eternity. Give your life to Jesus and live in anticipation of a home in heaven.

2 Peter 3:14 - “So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.”

Have you ever washed something in hot water, only to find the results 10 sizes smaller? I washed an angora sweater once and it came out of the washer the size of a small baby doll sweater.

As a Christian, how are you handling confrontation? What if someone is mocking God in front of you? Do you ignore them? Run away? Or, do you stand up and defend God? Is your faith in God confident and steadfast in the face of adversity?

If we willingly rebel against God, then we must face His wrath. Yes, there are consequences when going against God’s will.

Instead of shrinking in faith, hold fast. When trouble comes, be ready. How? Know your Creator. Read His Word. Get in communion with Him.

I have been through some tough times in my life, but God has always been there for me. That’s the faith and truth that I hold onto.

The world wants you to shrink back, to be silent.

Stand firm on God’s promises and don’t let fear put you in bondage. Expand your faith today.

Romans 8:13 - “For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.”