Month: October 2025

Speaking Life: The Power of Words in Shaping Your Day

Each word we release into the world either strengthens a bridge of grace or erects a wall of division.

Scripture Reading
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.— Proverbs 18:21

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.— Ephesians 4:29

Reflection
Our words hold extraordinary power. Every sentence we speak is either a bridge that connects hearts or a wall that divides them. Words can lift someone from despair or push them deeper into darkness. They can heal or wound, encourage or discourage, inspire faith or sow doubt.

I’m 70 years old now, and I still remember the moment I felt like the ugliest person on the planet. I was about nine years old when a lady came to visit one day. Upon seeing me, she smiled and said, “You’re so pretty!” Quickly, another woman in the room said, “Don’t tell her that, or else she’ll believe you.” This woman bent down to me and continued, “Honey, if someone ever says you’re pretty, they are just trying to be nice.” My feelings were hurt, and I swiftly left the room and stayed in my bedroom for the rest of the day.

Growing up, I would stay away from people or make sure my head was down so that people couldn’t get a good look at my face. If I had to be in front of people, I would wear bangs so they wouldn’t be able to see my whole face. My inner critic constantly told me I was not good enough. I had trouble trusting people, and this distrust manifested in deep-seated anxiety over being in public and speaking to people, much more, talking to a crowd.

The words I heard as a child became the foundation for the person I became as an adult: crippled by self-doubt and unable to see my self-worth.

God designed language not merely as a tool for communication but as a vessel for His truth and love. When we speak blessings, we align our hearts with His divine purpose. Life-giving words carry the light of Christ into places where shadows linger. A kind word spoken in love can ignite hope in a weary soul.

Conversely, careless or harsh words can tear down trust and build barriers that separate us from others, as well as from God’s peace within us. That’s why Scripture continually reminds us to be slow to speak and quick to listen. Each word we release into the world either strengthens a bridge of grace or erects a wall of division.

Let us choose to be bridge builders, people who speak with gentleness, encouragement, and truth. Our voices can become instruments of healing that reflect God’s mercy and draw others closer to His heart.

Application
I am grateful to have learned about the benefits of affirmations. Affirmations are powerful and positive statements that we can use to speak to ourselves.

When repeated, they work well, especially when repeated often. They can replace negative feelings with a sense of peace.

Use affirmations to build up your strength and gain the peace you deserve. Speak one uplifting word or sentence over yourself today.

Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Help me to use my words wisely and with love. Guard my tongue so that what I speak builds bridges, not walls. Let my words bring comfort, encouragement, and truth to those who hear them. Fill my heart with Your Spirit so that every conversation reflects Your grace. May my speech be seasoned with kindness, drawing others toward Your light and peace.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Morning Rhythms: Starting the Day with Peace and Purpose

How we start our day often shapes how it will end. When we begin with prayer and thanksgiving, we invite peace, hope, love, and joy to accompany us through every moment.

Have you ever noticed how the way you start your morning sets the tone for the rest of your day?


In this post, I share how beginning each morning with prayer, gratitude, and quiet time with God can transform your outlook and bring calm to even the busiest days.

Scripture Reading

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
— Lamentations 3:22–23 (NIV)

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.
— Psalm 5:3 (NIV)

Retrospection

Each morning, before my feet touch the floor, I take a few quiet moments to thank the Lord for the gift of a new day, another opportunity to live, to work, and to become more like the person He desires me to be. In those still moments, I lift my family and friends to Him. I offer my business dealings, my plans, and my concerns, asking God to stay at the center of everything I do.

When my time of prayer ends, I move on to the morning routine, which includes showering, drinking coffee, and preparing for the day ahead. Yet, before diving into tasks, I open my Bible. Reading His Word helps me align my thoughts with His will. I reflect on how I can apply His truth to my life so that others might see His light shining through me.

There was a time when I used to start my mornings differently. My first priority was checking emails, returning calls, and jumping into the day’s responsibilities. Only after I had worked through my to-do list did I turn my attention to God. But over time, I noticed a pattern; those days often felt rushed, unsettled, and incomplete.

Eventually, I discovered a profound truth: when I start my day with God, everything else unfolds with greater peace and purpose. Prayer and gratitude at the start of the day lay a foundation for wise decisions and calm perseverance. When I seek His guidance first, His blessings seem to accompany every step thereafter.

Time with God is essential to a life filled with hope and lasting peace. For some, mornings are the perfect time to meet with Him; for others, it may be during a quiet lunch break or in the stillness of the evening. The specific time is not what matters most. What matters is consistency and a heart open to His presence.

Each new morning symbolizes renewal. God’s mercies are fresh every day, and He listens to every word we speak. Knowing that, I want my first words to be to Him, words of gratitude, praise, and surrender.

Developing a habit of spending time with God daily transforms not only our mornings but our entire lives. How we start our day often shapes how it will end. When we begin with prayer and thanksgiving, we invite peace, hope, love, and joy to accompany us through every moment.

Application

Tomorrow morning, begin with five minutes of silence and gratitude. Whisper a simple prayer of thanks, invite God into your day, and let His presence guide every step you take.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gift of a new morning and the promise of Your unfailing love. Help me to start each day by turning my heart toward You. Teach me to rest in Your peace before the world’s noise begins, and to carry Your presence with me through every task and conversation. May my mornings be filled with gratitude, my days with purpose, and my nights with peace.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Walking Lightly: Simplifying Life to Make Space for God

An uncluttered life makes it easier to hear God’s whisper.

Scripture Reading:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
— Matthew 6:19–21 (NIV)

“He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’”
— Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

Retrospection:

There’s an old saying: “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” While it’s not a direct Bible verse, the phrase encourages us to keep our hearts pure and our lives in good order. It is a call to live with integrity and spiritual mindfulness.

If that’s the standard, I’ve always considered myself a “clean” person. But along with that, I’ve also been a busy person. Much of what fills my days involves church work or spiritually centered projects. Still, I’ve never heard anyone say, “Busyness is next to godliness.”

From sunrise to sunset, I often find myself shifting from one task to another, answering messages, helping others, and attending to my home and work. I always make time to begin my day with God, but as the hours pass, my schedule tends to take on a life of its own. Although I view my diligence as a commitment, I’ve learned that constant busyness can blur the line between devotion and distraction.

One turning point came when I volunteered to help a friend with an event. I worked tirelessly, one task led to another, until I realized I had gone twenty-four hours without sleep. My body gave in, and in that exhausted state, I began hallucinating. It was frightening. That experience humbled me and reminded me that, even as I serve others, I must also care for the temple God gave me, my body and spirit.

Since then, I’ve made a conscious effort to slow down. Scaling back my commitments hasn’t been easy, but as I began to simplify, I found something beautiful: clarity. With fewer distractions, I became more aware of God’s presence throughout my day. My prayers deepened, my thoughts quieted, and peace began to fill the spaces where stress once lived.

I no longer schedule time for God; instead, my life revolves around Him. I’ve learned that walking lightly, shedding unnecessary clutter and commitments, opens more room for God to dwell in my heart.

I am happy to have discovered how an uncluttered life makes it easier to hear God’s whisper.

Application:

Choose one area of your life to simplify this week: your time, your space, or your commitments. Ask yourself: What can I release to create more room for God’s peace to settle in my soul?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,
Teach me to walk lightly and live simply, trusting that You are all I need. Help me release the weight of unnecessary busyness and worldly pursuits that crowd my heart. Fill the quiet spaces of my life with Your peace and presence. May my days flow from a place of stillness, not striving, and may every moment reflect my devotion to You.
In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Forgiveness as Freedom: Releasing What Holds You Back

Forgiveness isn’t about excusing what happened; it’s about freeing your soul to live in God’s peace.

Scripture Reading

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
— Matthew 6:14–15 (NIV)

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
— Ephesians 4:31–32 (NIV)

These verses remind us that forgiveness isn’t about excusing what someone said or did; it’s about freeing your soul. When we forgive, we release the heavy chains that keep us tied to our pain. Forgiveness doesn’t mean what happened was right; it means you are choosing not to let it control your life any longer.

Introspection

In the past, I’ve written about the importance of forgiving ourselves.

In my article, Forgiving Ourselves: Embracing Who We Are Today, I shared that forgiveness doesn’t mean pretending something didn’t matter. It means releasing the need to keep punishing yourself for something you can’t change.

And in Forgiving Ourselves: Walking in God’s Grace, I remind readers that once you’ve repented and asked God for forgiveness, He has already washed you clean. The Creator of the universe has forgiven you, so why hold yourself hostage any longer?

In my book, Transformation: Metamorphosis of the Soul – Finding Christ’s Love and Faith, I share a personal story of being deeply hurt by someone’s words. What they said pierced my heart and stayed with me for months. I relived their words daily, morning to night, allowing them to define how I saw myself. I became trapped in bitterness and sorrow, replaying the moment over and over until it consumed my peace.

Then one day, God intervened. Through an unexpected turn of events, He brought truth to light. The lies spoken about me were exposed, not by my hand, but through His divine orchestration. Even though I never received an apology, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. In that moment, God whispered to my heart, “Forgive.”

When I did, the weight lifted. My tears dried. My spirit felt free.

That’s what God’s forgiveness does for us, too. No matter how far we’ve fallen or how deeply we’ve been wounded, when we turn to Him and ask for forgiveness, He cleanses and restores us. His love refreshes us, healing the places that once felt broken beyond repair.

Forgiveness is freedom. When you forgive, you make space for peace, joy, and new beginnings to flourish in your life.

Application

Take a quiet moment today to write down one hurt you’re ready to hand over to God. Pray over it, surrender it fully, and let Him heal your heart.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for showing me the beauty and freedom that come through forgiveness. I release every hurt, every betrayal, and every wound that has weighed me down. Help me to forgive as You have forgiven me, with grace, compassion, and love. Teach me to trust in Your justice and to find peace in Your promises. Heal the broken places in my heart and fill me with the joy that only Your Spirit can bring. Today, I choose to walk in freedom. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.