Archive for October 2025
Faith in Fire
Faith is easy when the sky is clear and everything feels secure. But the real test of faith comes when the winds shift — when the doctor calls, when the child drifts away, when the job ends, when prayers seem unanswered. That’s where faith either fades… or is forged into something unshakable.
In 1 Peter 1:7, we read, “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold.” Fire refines. It removes what’s temporary and reveals what’s eternal. And though it burns, it blesses too — because what remains after the fire is something pure, strong, and true.
Think of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3. They refused to bow to the king’s idol, even when threatened with a fiery furnace. Their faith wasn’t dependent on the outcome. They said, “The God we serve is able to deliver us… but even if He does not, we will not bow.”
That’s faith in the fire — not confidence that everything will go our way, but conviction that God is still worthy, no matter what happens.
Every believer will walk through fire at some point. It may be the fire of loss, heartbreak, betrayal, or fear. We pray for deliverance, but sometimes God’s greatest miracle isn’t taking us out of the fire — it’s joining us in it. Just as the king looked into the furnace and saw four men instead of three, God’s presence is most visible in our hardest moments.
I remember seasons of my own life when I felt consumed by the flames — when grief, uncertainty, or exhaustion made me question if I’d make it through. But every time, I found that God was already in the fire, holding me steady, shaping me quietly, turning what felt like destruction into a deeper dependence on Him.
Faith in the fire changes us. It burns away fear, pride, and self-reliance. It teaches us to let go of control and hold on to God’s promises instead. It turns our “Why me?” into “What now, Lord?” And it makes our testimony stronger, our compassion deeper, and our purpose clearer.
So if you find yourself in the fire today, don’t panic. Don’t assume you’re alone. Look closer — the fourth figure is there. His presence doesn’t always remove the heat, but it always ensures the flame won’t consume you.
The same God who walked in the furnace walks beside you now. You’ll come out changed — glowing with the kind of faith that only the fire can create.
Prayer
Lord, when life feels like a furnace, help me to trust that You are with me in the flames. Teach me not to fear the fire but to let it refine me. Burn away everything that keeps me from fully trusting You, and make my faith pure and strong. Let my trials become my testimony. Amen.
Finding God in Everyday Moments
Scripture:
“Be still, and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10
We often look for God in the extraordinary — in miracles, answers to prayers, or the moments that take our breath away. But more often than not, He reveals Himself in the quiet, everyday places: the warmth of morning light, the sound of laughter in another room, or a simple act of love that appears out of nowhere.
The other day, I walked into my room and found a small note resting on my pillow. It was from one of my foster children. In crayon, they had drawn sunshine, butterflies, and birds in trees. In the center were the words, “I love you, Nonie.”
I just stood there for a moment, overwhelmed. This child has come from a place of deep darkness — a life that had known fear, loss, and uncertainty. And yet, here was this note, filled with color and light. I thought of how faithful God is — how He brings beauty out of brokenness, and how He can transform even the heaviest past into something full of hope.
In that simple drawing, I saw the hand of God. I saw healing. I saw what it means when Scripture says He makes all things new. That little piece of paper reminded me that God is always near, showing Himself in ways we might overlook — through the joy of a child, a quiet moment of gratitude, or a heart finally learning to feel safe again.
Sometimes, finding God isn’t about seeing something spectacular — it’s about slowing down long enough to notice His fingerprints on the ordinary. When we pause, we realize He’s been there all along — in the sunshine, in the laughter, in the whispered “I love you.”
Prayer:
Lord, open my eyes to see You in the small, everyday moments. Help me to recognize Your presence in the simple gifts — a child’s laughter, a note of love, a quiet morning. Thank You for bringing light into the dark places of our lives and for reminding us that You are always near. Amen.
Planted, Not Buried
There are seasons in life when everything feels dark and hidden. The dreams we once held close seem to fade. Prayers go unanswered. Opportunities slip away. We look around and wonder, “Lord, what happened?” It can feel like we’ve been buried — pushed down, covered over, forgotten.
But what if we haven’t been buried? What if we’ve been planted?
Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” — John 12:24
A seed doesn’t grow on the surface. It grows in the soil — in the dark, in the waiting, in the unseen places. When it’s first covered by dirt, it looks like the end. But beneath that surface, something sacred is happening. Roots begin to stretch down, life begins to stir, and before long, a shoot breaks through into the light.
I’ve had times in my life when I’ve felt like that seed — hidden, uncertain, waiting for God to show me why things had to happen the way they did. But as the years have gone by, I’ve learned that the dark seasons are not wasted seasons. They are often the most transformative ones.
When I was walking through pain, disappointment, or loss, I didn’t always understand what God was doing. I just knew it was hard. Yet looking back, I can see how He was strengthening my roots — deepening my faith, humbling my heart, and preparing me for something new. The very moments that felt like endings were often beginnings in disguise.
The difference between being buried and being planted is purpose. A buried seed is forgotten. A planted seed is expected to grow. And friend, God has not forgotten you. You’ve been planted with purpose.
Maybe you’re in a season of darkness right now. Maybe it feels like you’ve been pushed down by life’s weight — grief, rejection, change, or uncertainty. Take heart. God is at work beneath the surface. What feels like isolation may actually be preparation. What feels like loss may be the very soil where new life begins.
In time, what’s been planted will rise. The waiting will give way to growth, and the sorrow will turn to joy. You’ll look back and realize that God never buried you — He was planting something extraordinary within you all along.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for reminding me that I am planted, not buried. When I can’t see what You’re doing, help me to trust that You are growing something beautiful in me. Strengthen my roots in faith and hope, and give me patience in the waiting. Amen.
Listening for the Whisper
In a world full of noise, it can be hard to hear the whisper of God. The distractions, the responsibilities, the endless hum of life — they all compete for our attention. Yet God rarely shouts. He doesn’t often come in the thunder or the earthquake. More often, His voice comes in the stillness.
Scripture tells us that when Elijah was hiding in the cave, God passed by. “A great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” — 1 Kings 19:11–12
That gentle whisper — that’s where God was.
My grandmother, whom I called Mama Dolly, used to tell me about God’s soft whispering voice. She followed it diligently. She could sense when God was calling her to do something — when to speak, when to be still, when to give, when to go. As a little girl, I watched her live out her faith through that quiet obedience. She didn’t need a flashing sign or a booming command. She listened — and she trusted.
I grew up learning to recognize that same whisper. Over the years, I’ve learned that when God speaks to the heart, it’s not always loud or obvious. It’s a stirring, a knowing, a peace that comes when we align our hearts with His will.
When I’m called about foster children, I think of Mama Dolly and her listening heart. Each time, I stop and prayerfully ask God, “Are these the children You are leading me to impact? Or is there someone else for them, and should I wait?”
That pause — that moment of quiet listening — has become one of the most sacred parts of the journey. I’ve learned that God has very specific reasons for placing certain children in our home. Sometimes I understand His plan right away; other times, I don’t see it until long after they’ve left. But eventually, there’s always an “Ah-ha” moment — that beautiful realization when I see His divine wisdom at work.
Listening for God’s whisper takes practice. It takes stillness in a busy world and trust in uncertain seasons. His whisper doesn’t compete with the world’s volume — it simply waits to be heard. The more we quiet our hearts, the clearer His voice becomes.
Maybe you’re in a season where you’re asking for direction — for answers that haven’t come yet. Be still. Step away from the noise. God’s voice is often closer than you think, speaking softly through peace, conviction, or gentle nudges that guide your path.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to be still enough to hear Your whisper. Quiet the noise around me so I can listen for Your gentle voice. Teach me to follow where You lead, even when I don’t yet see the full picture. Thank You for speaking in ways that bring peace and purpose. Amen.
The Beauty of Second Chances
There’s something sacred about second chances. We all need them—every one of us. Sometimes it’s a relationship that needs mending, a calling we once walked away from, or a moment when we simply missed the mark. But God, in His boundless mercy, doesn’t discard us. He redeems us. He takes what was broken, bruised, or forgotten and breathes new life into it.
Scripture tells us, “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
What a gift it is to know that every sunrise carries the promise of renewal. Yesterday’s failures don’t have to define today’s story. God’s grace is big enough to meet us right where we are and gentle enough to lift us where we need to go.
I’ve lived this truth. When I went through my divorce, I was so hurt and ashamed. I felt like I had let my kids down—and more than that, I felt I had let God down. I’ve always been a family person. I wanted that “perfect family,” that golden 50th wedding anniversary, the lifelong love story that held strong through everything. When that dream fell apart, I carried a deep sense of failure.
Years later, I remarried, and through that journey, I learned something profound: we all make mistakes in our lives. We are all part of something that hurts, whether directly or indirectly. But God sees our hearts. He knows our intentions. He understands the ache of a soul that still longs to do right. He doesn’t dismiss us when we fall short. Instead, He lovingly invites us to begin again.
God wants us to have an abundant life—not a flawless one, but a faithful one. Even in our failures, He gives us opportunities to grow, to love better, and to live more fully in Him. In those second chances, we learn from our past and allow His grace to reshape our hearts.
Peter denied Jesus three times, yet Jesus restored him with purpose and compassion. “Feed my sheep,” He said—a calling born from failure but redeemed by love. That’s the heart of God: He turns brokenness into beauty, endings into beginnings, and shame into redemption.
Maybe you’re in a place where something feels over—a dream, a relationship, or a sense of who you once were. Don’t lose hope. God’s mercy is still writing your story. There’s beauty in your second chance.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of second chances. When I falter, remind me that Your mercy is new every morning. Heal the parts of my heart that still ache from failure, and help me extend grace to myself and to others. Teach me to trust that You can turn every ending into a beginning. Amen.
Standing in the Gap
Hebrews 13:3 — “Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.”
All around the world, our brothers and sisters in Christ face persecution for the very faith we freely proclaim. In Nigeria, countless believers are enduring unimaginable hardship — churches burned, families displaced, lives threatened — all because they follow Jesus.
As Christians, we cannot turn away. We must stand in the gap. Prayer is not a passive act; it is a weapon of spiritual warfare. When we lift up the persecuted, we are standing shoulder to shoulder with them in the Spirit, declaring that they are not forgotten and that God’s light still shines in the darkest places.
Sometimes it’s easy to feel helpless when we hear such stories. But Scripture reminds us that the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective (James 5:16). Every time you whisper a prayer for a believer in danger, Heaven moves. Every time you intercede, angels are dispatched. When we remember them in our prayers, we join the heart of Jesus Himself — the One who intercedes continually for us.
Let us also pray for the persecutors — that their hearts would be softened, their eyes opened, and their lives transformed by the very Christ they seek to silence. The story of Paul reminds us that God can turn even the fiercest enemy of the Church into one of its greatest champions.
So today, pause and pray. Pray for courage, for protection, for provision, and for peace. Pray for the widows and the orphans. Pray for the pastors still standing strong despite fear. Pray for revival in Nigeria — that what the enemy meant for evil, God will use to spark a wave of faith that cannot be extinguished.
Prayer:
Lord, we lift up Your children in Nigeria who suffer for Your name. Surround them with Your strength and courage. Protect their families and provide for their needs. Let Your presence be a shield around them. And Father, we pray even for their persecutors — that Your mercy would break through hardened hearts and draw them into the light of salvation. Teach us to be faithful intercessors, remembering always that when one part of the body suffers, we all suffer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Don’t Grow Weary in Doing Good
Galatians 6:9 — “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
There are days when the weight of kindness feels heavy. When your efforts seem unnoticed. When helping, giving, and serving begin to feel like more pouring out than filling up. Maybe you’ve been praying for someone who hasn’t changed, giving to someone who doesn’t say thank you, or showing up when others stay home. You begin to wonder — does it even matter?
But Galatians 6:9 reminds us that God sees every seed we plant. The harvest isn’t always immediate, and it doesn’t always look like we expect, but the promise stands firm — if we don’t give up. The good you do today might be the answer to someone else’s prayer tomorrow. The smile you give, the kindness you show, the forgiveness you extend — these are not wasted moments. They are eternal investments.
Even Jesus grew weary as He walked dusty roads healing, teaching, and loving people who didn’t always love Him back. Yet He never stopped doing good. He never stopped giving. He never stopped trusting His Father’s timing.
So if you’re feeling tired today, remember this — you’re planting seeds that Heaven is watering. The harvest will come, perhaps not in the season you expect, but in the one God has already appointed. Keep showing up. Keep doing good. Keep trusting that the One who called you sees your effort, honors your endurance, and will make all things beautiful in His time.
Prayer:
Lord, when I grow weary, remind me that You see me. Help me keep doing good even when no one notices. Strengthen my heart and renew my spirit. Let me trust that the seeds I sow in faith will one day bloom into a harvest that glorifies You. Amen.
Faith that Serves
Faith was never meant to sit still. It moves. It serves. It bends low to lift others up. True faith always expresses itself through love — love that notices, listens, and acts.
In Galatians 5:6, Paul writes, “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” That one sentence captures the heart of what it means to live a life of service. It’s not about titles, recognition, or grand gestures — it’s about showing up for others in the ordinary spaces of life, allowing God to love through us.
Jesus modeled this perfectly. The King of Kings washed dusty feet. He fed the hungry, healed the sick, and wept with the grieving. His faith was always active — never distant or detached. Every miracle, every act of compassion, was rooted in a deep connection to the Father’s will.
We sometimes think serving requires a mission trip or a ministry platform, but most of the time, faith that serves happens quietly — in kitchens, classrooms, hospital rooms, and grocery store aisles. It’s in the phone call we make to check on someone, the meal we deliver, the forgiveness we extend, or the kindness we offer when no one else notices.
There have been times in my life when I’ve felt God nudge me to do something that seemed small — write a letter, lend a hand, listen to someone’s story — and later realized how deeply it mattered. Service rarely feels significant in the moment, but faith transforms the simple into the sacred.
The enemy loves to whisper, “It doesn’t matter.” But every time we serve in Jesus’ name, we push back darkness. We remind the world that light still wins. We remind ourselves that faith isn’t measured by what we say, but by how we love.
When faith serves, it stops asking, “What do I get?” and begins asking, “What can I give?” It looks beyond inconvenience and sees opportunity. It’s the neighbor who prays instead of gossips. The teacher who encourages instead of complains. The grandparent who shows up for the game or the play, or the hard conversation. These are the fingerprints of Jesus — pressed into our daily lives.
Faith that serves doesn’t wait until life slows down. It finds a way right now — in the middle of the schedule, the bills, and the ordinary. Because serving isn’t about perfection; it’s about participation. God doesn’t ask for our ability — just our availability.
So today, ask God to show you one person to serve. It doesn’t have to be big. Just be willing. Because when faith serves, God multiplies it in ways we could never imagine.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for showing me what it means to serve with love. Open my eyes to the needs around me and give me a willing heart. Let my hands be Yours, my words be kind, and my actions reflect Your grace. Teach me that every act of service, no matter how small, becomes holy when it’s done for You. Amen.
The Power of Obedience
Sometimes faith doesn’t look like a grand gesture — it looks like simple obedience. It’s not always the size of our calling that determines our faith, but our willingness to follow through even when it’s hard.
The story of Jonah reminds us just how human we are. God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and deliver a message of repentance. Instead, Jonah ran the other way — straight onto a ship headed in the opposite direction. Many of us are Jonahs. We may not board a literal ship, but we run in our own ways. We delay, make excuses, or abandon the assignment when it becomes uncomfortable.
We often don’t realize that our disobedience doesn’t just affect us. When Jonah fled, the storm that came upon the sea put every sailor’s life in danger. Sometimes we are on ships we need to be thrown off of — relationships, habits, attitudes, or choices that are taking others with us into our storms.
Faith and obedience are intertwined. Faith believes what God says; obedience acts on it. But obedience requires perseverance — a steady, trusting heart that stays the course even when the seas grow rough.
I’ve learned that obedience rarely feels convenient. When God asks us to forgive, it’s often the last thing we want to do. When He calls us to serve, it may interrupt our comfort. When He directs us toward something new, it may stretch us beyond what we think we can handle. But faith reminds us — He asked us. And the same God who asked will sustain us through it.
Jonah’s story doesn’t end in the storm. God sent a great fish to rescue him, not punish him – to give him time to realign his heart. When Jonah finally obeyed, the city of Nineveh turned to God. What a reminder that our obedience can bring redemption not just to us, but to others.
Maybe you’ve been running from something God asked of you — a step of faith, a conversation, a change of direction. Stop running. Step back into obedience. The storm may calm the moment you do.
Prayer
Lord, forgive me for the times I’ve run from Your will. Give me the courage to obey even when it’s hard, and the faith to trust You with every outcome. Remind me that obedience isn’t punishment — it’s the pathway to peace. Help me to stay the course You’ve called me to, no matter how strong the winds may blow. Amen.
When Faith Walks First
There are times in life when we can’t see what’s ahead — when every step feels uncertain and the road stretches into mystery. Faith doesn’t wait for perfect clarity; it moves forward, trusting that God’s light will appear along the way.
In 2 Corinthians 5:7, Paul writes, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” It’s a gentle reminder that God often calls us to move before we understand, to trust before we see, and to step forward even when our hearts tremble.
I remember when I was adopting my daughter, Hart, from Russia in 1997, just after communism fell. We were entering a new region called Kashira, halfway between Ukraine and Moscow. She was the very first child ever adopted out of that region. No one could tell me what to expect — there were no maps for this journey, no clear path to follow. All I had was faith.
The process was long, filled with uncertainty and unfamiliar customs, but in every moment, I could feel God whispering, “Keep walking.” When the paperwork stalled, He said, “Trust Me.” When the waiting felt endless, He said, “I’m already ahead of you.”
And He was. Every form signed, every door opened, every mile traveled brought me closer to the child who would one day call me “Mom.” Hart is one of my most precious gifts — a reminder that faith isn’t passive. It’s a verb. It walks first, believing that God’s promises are already in motion even when we can’t yet see their shape.
When we let faith walk first, we discover that God is already on the road — preparing the way, aligning the details, softening hearts, and orchestrating miracles that only hindsight reveals.
Maybe today you’re facing something uncertain — a new direction, a risk, or a road you’ve never traveled. Don’t wait for all the answers. Take the first step. Trust that the same God who went before me to Kashira, Russia, goes before you now.
Prayer
Lord, help me to walk by faith and not by sight. When the path feels unclear, remind me that You are already there — paving the way, guiding my steps, and carrying me when I cannot see the outcome. Teach me to trust You first, follow You fully, and rest in the knowledge that Your plans are always good. Amen.
notesbynora 