By Paula Williamson, guest writer The human paradigm is always trying to climb the ladder to earn our acceptance, success, approval, or a place in life. It’s a hard climb up those stairs, and the truth is, they have nothing to do with our reaching God. On our best day, we will never rise above being human, warts and all. It Is Written ROMANS 7:24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? GALATIANS 2: 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” A Done Deal The truth is that our acceptance by God was planned and purchased long ago. Our entry into heaven has nothing to do with our effort. It was purchased by Jesus. We need only accept that we cannot save ourselves and surrender our lives to Him. I don’t know about you, but that makes me want to jump into His arms and ask, “What shall we do today?” His love is unconditional, and when He resides in us, that love becomes our motivation for everything! We can step off the hamster wheel and pour out the same unconditional love we have received. Prayer Lord, what a relief it is to know You accept us just as we are. What a relief it is to step off the staircase of trying to earn approval, acceptance, and success. Thank You for all You have done through Jesus Christ. Help us walk in a manner worthy of such great love! Takeaway Jesus Christ has done the work. It is finished!

By Paula Williamson, guest writer Denial is the mind's way of protecting us from pain too great to bear. It's safer to hide than to face the truth. The truth is always there, waiting for us to notice. Recovery begins when we face the truth. There is a God! Helen Keller was born deaf, blind, and mute. At age 11, Bishop Phillips Brooks explained divine concepts to her, and she said, "I have always known He was there; I just didn't know His name." It Is Written ROMANS 1:19 -20 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. Nature Speaks We were formed by His breath, created in His image, and part of God Almighty lives in our DNA. If we turn off all devices, go outside in the morning or evening, and sit in silence, we can hear nature's message about the invisible God, His divine nature, and His eternal power. Yet even Helen Keller, born without the ability to see or hear, knew Him. One morning, as I was thinking and praying about His invisible attributes and divine nature, gratitude rose within me, accompanied by words and pictures that flooded my mind. I created a PowerPoint, available at www.coadword.com, titled “How Majestic is His Name.” It’s a free download about His invisible attributes displayed through nature. Prayer Lord, when we look at the nighttime sky, help us see Your invisible nature, and be still long enough for You to speak to us. When the morning sun overtakes the darkness, help us realize Your faithfulness. When we smell the fragrance of rain or the sweet scent of flowers, may it stop us in our tracks and fill us with the beauty of Your presence. When we hear the song of the birds, the chirping of crickets, cicadas, and frogs, may it be a symphony that draws us to You and Your great love for us. When the seasons change and summer becomes fall, and winter becomes spring, may we feel Your tender loving care and know that change is possible. Help us pause, listen, and give thanks. Takeaway Nature speaks God’s messages.

By Paula Williamson, guest writer Feeling alone is terrible, especially when we are afraid and facing uncertainty. For a child of God, those feelings are liars! We are never alone. God promises never to leave us, fail us, or forsake us. He never lets go of our right hand. We have His word on it. It Is Written PSALM 121:1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. By Faith Hebrews 11:1-2 says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.” This chapter is full of heroes of faith. They believed God and His word. Lions’ mouths were shut, the dead were raised, 99-year-old women gave birth, walls came down, they walked through the sea on dry land, and so much more. What a life! What a ride! If God is for us, who can be against us? Prayer Lord, when we are tempted to feel afraid and alone, help us believe that You, the Maker and Creator of the Universe, are holding on to our right hand, and that we have Your promise that You will never let go, never fail, or forsake us. Help us kick fear, doubt, and unbelief into the pit where they belong and walk in a manner worthy of You! Takeaway My help comes from the Lord.