True statement: Jesus Christ died on a cross, suffered a horrible death, all because He loves you and me.

Many atheists have tried to disprove the above statement, only to find themselves at the feet of Jesus, asking for forgiveness, and giving their life to Christ.

The culture we live in today is dramatically different than it was 2000 years ago, or is it? God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. His love for us never changes.

As a Christian who loves God, it is our duty, commanded by God, to go out into the world and tell others about God’s son, Jesus.

The message hasn’t changed since the beginning of time, but how we tell it has.

I admit that the hardest thing for me to do is to witness to others. But, I can also confess that it is getting easier. Having served on 3 mission trips has helped me greatly. The advantage, for me, is that most people in the Peruvian villages I visited, have never heard about Jesus.

The joy of giving my testimony, telling others how Jesus saved me and blesses me, and then, them giving their life to Christ, is the most honorable blessing I could ever receive this side of heaven.

The hard part of witnessing is to those closest to me.

So, I let God guide me. I live by example. I serve and give, not expecting anything in return. After all, the message of Jesus is a free gift.

Tell someone about Jesus today. It will be the greatest story they ever hear.

1 Peter 3:15 - “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answerto everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”

Have you ever anticipated an event, clearing your agenda, awaiting anxiously, when, out of nowhere, the unexpected happens?

As Christians, we know that life is not easy sometimes. This world and our culture often dictate our day.

This is where faith comes in. I can hope for a weekend away with my husband, but, if during the week I get sick or a family member or friend needs help, the event appears unlikely to happen; doubt creeps in. I find myself getting upset that my plans were interfered and interrupted.

I know now to not let this doubt come to surface. I access the situation. My selfishness says, “I deserve a get-away; how can this be happening?” But my heart says, “it’s ok if we don’t get to go this weekend; it can be rescheduled. It’s not the end of the world.”

Overcome the doubt that seeps into your life. This is one of satan’s distraction tools. He did it in the garden of Eden. He made Eve question God’s command to not from a particular tree.

We are all accountable for our own doubts. Don’t doubt God’s power and His presence, daily.

The remedy for all doubt as a Christian is faith.

Hebrews 11:1 - “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

I love reminiscing my younger years. I was fortunate to grow up in a loving family, in the 60’s.

Life was simple, safe and fun. I lived in a small town in West Virginia, where you could walk uptown, most anytime of day and not be scared. Everyone knew you, so if you did do anything mischievous, your parents probably knew it before you returned home.

As a kid, me and my nieces would pass the time by making mud pies from the clay on the hillside, or eating berries from the mulberry tree.

But, life changes and all of a sudden you’re an adult, and life gets harder.

I believe if we all keep some sense of childlike behavior, our world would be just a little more friendlier.

But, as we all know, life is not all fun and games. With adulthood comes responsibilities.

As a newly saved Christian, we are as newborn babies. We know very little about this new way of life. But, if we’re fortunate, we surround ourselves with mature Christians, who can disciple and help guide us on our journey.

A Christian life is full of joy and excitement, and when you couple that with God’s blessings and grace, you’ll feel like a kid again.

As a Christian, I’ve grown and matured over the years. Some days are so amazing, and then some are not so much.

But, the best thing about my life is, God never leaves my side. On the mountain tops, and in the valleys, a Christian’s life is worth every second.

Keep it simple, as a child of God.

2 Corinthians 5:17 - “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

I’m reading in Exodus and am amazed how God proved His power by parting the Red Sea.

Imagine if it was you and me, running from an army of thousands. We’re scared beyond anything we’ve ever encountered. We cry out to God to save us, and all of a sudden, He parts the Atlantic ocean.

I wonder how many would then believe in God. Some will say they haven’t seen miracles, so why should I believe that God sent His Son Jesus to save us all.

Since the beginning of time, God has proved Himself over and over again His mighty power. Read the Bible, it’s all in there. From the parting of the Red Sea to Christ rising from the dead, God’s power is real.

In fact, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that lives in each Christian today.

Now, I have never seen anyone being raised from the dead, or seen an ocean being parted, but I have seen many miracles in my life; the births of my two kids, barely escaping a tornado, and protection from an oncoming car hood on the highway that could have easily killed me and my daughter.

God is the God of miracles, and He’s wanting to give them to you.

Nothing is impossible for God.

What are you waiting on? Ask God for a miracle today. If it aligns with His will for your life, watch it come to life.

John 4:48 - “Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”

It’s only been over the last ten years that I’ve felt a greater awareness of God, than anytime in my Christian walk. Even though I strayed from God in my early adult years, He never left me.

This awareness of Him may be hard to understand, for those who don’t currently have a relationship with God. I was a Christian for 25 years before I full understood God. The peace in knowing that whatever happens today, God knows about it, and He’s there to help me through, is worth risking everything to Him.

This awareness also comes from my deepened relationship with Him. Reading His Word (Bible) and asking Him for understanding and revelation brings my daily focus on my Creator.

When you read the Bible and see His words applying to the exact situation you’re going through, you know, God is in the midst.

I’ve been hiking since 2008 and it took me a while to realize that in order to keep up the pace of my husband, and have the energy to reach the mountaintop, I must strengthen my muscles and increase my cardio, thus increasing my stamina.

The same rules apply to Christians. In order to have a close relationship with God, you have to read His Word, increase your alone time with Him, and talk to Him as if He were sitting right beside you.

I guarantee if you do these things, God’s presence will be as close as your next breath.

Psalms 26:11-12 - “I’ve done it most of my adult life. I’ve let my circumstances dictate my mood. Have a bad day at work, and go home angry and upset. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, is the closer I am to God, the more at peace I am when things happen unexpectedly. “

I’ve done it most of my adult life. I’ve let my circumstances dictate my mood. Have a bad day at work, and go home angry and upset.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, is the closer I am to God, the more at peace I am when things happen unexpectedly.

Don’t let circumstances define you. Just because you didn’t get what you wanted, don’t let it ruin your day. Maybe God has something better in mind.

When we’re calm in the calamity, we’re telling God that we trust Him. We let God take over because we don’t have the strength.

This type of attitude reveals a person of integrity, You’re trusting God to fight the battle; you’re trusting Him with the outcome.

I’ve been in some horrible situations emotionally. A few years ago, I went through a season of unrelenting emotional pain; an emotional nightmare. At one point, I didn’t see how any of this would ever turn out to my advantage.

Thank God, I trusted Him then. God got me through it and revealed in me a strength and faith I never knew existed. And, because of that adversity, I am closer to God than I’ve ever been in my life.

I’m a child of God and no circumstance or bad luck will ever change that, or me.

1 Peter 5:7-9 - “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lionlooking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

My husband introduced me to cycling 12 years ago. I was hooked from the beginning. I love cycling outside, but am definitely a fair weather rider.

There have been times while riding on a windy day, that I have had to just dig in and put my head down and pedal with everything I had.

As I was thinking about this, it reminds me of times in my Christian walk, when nothing seemed to be going right and satan’s attacks were evident. During these times, I tell myself, “head up, and focus on God, not the problem.”

Satan wants us to fold. He’d love for us to just give up on people. The devil will convince you that the person you’ve been loving on, will just go back to their evil ways, why bother.

Don’t listen to satan’s lies. God has you right where you need to be.

Don’t take it personal. It’s God that’s fighting the battle for you. Satan will use people close to you to trick you into thinking bad thoughts. You’ll start to question why the relationship is always in trouble.

God promises if we trust Him to fight our battles that we will have the victory. Push through, shut the lies out, and persevere with the Victor on your side, Christ Jesus.

James 1:12 - “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

I heard the above statement from a pastor. The summary of his message is this:

It’s ok to make plans for the future. It’s not ok to tell God what you’re going to do, and ask Him to bless it.

So many of us get a mindset to do something without ever asking if it’s God’s will.

I set out on a journey last year to find a job where I could work from home. I asked God, each time I applied for a job, to bless me, only if it’s His will. This gave me peace, because I knew God was in control and if the new job was what He had purposed for me, then I would get the job.

After months of rejections, I knew that this type of job wasn’t something in God’s plan for me.

As I prayed seeking God’s will, it became clear to me that I needed to be in a position of helping people.

My prayers shifted, my vision for my new career path was right in front of me.

Asking God His will for your life and taking the steps to fulfill it, will be one of the most important choices you make in life.

I’m doing what I love to do. My job allows me to serve people, and giving God the glory.

I choose to follow Jesus every day.

Matthew 16:24 - “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”