By Paula Williamson, guest writer The enemy of our souls makes it easy to believe we do not fit in. Everyone looks for a place to belong. We are like a puzzle piece meant for a big picture, but where is it? Scripture teaches that when we surrender our lives to Christ, we become part of the body of Christ. Before King James changed the name of that body to church, that word was not even in the Bible. The word for the body of Christ was ekklesia, meaning the called-out ones, the community of the redeemed, God’s governing body upon the earth. It was man who divided us into denominations, not God. We are one body, human and imperfect, a work in progress. It Is Written EPHESIANS 2:19-22 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens [outsiders without rights of citizenship], but you are fellow citizens with the saints (God’s people), and are [members] of God’s household, 20having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the [chief] Cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure is joined together, and it continues [to increase] growing into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, set apart, and sacred to the presence of the Lord]. 22 In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Our Purpose Everything has a purpose. The redeemed are the saints in God’s household. We are a dwelling place of God, and Jesus holds the whole structure together. We are constantly changing and being built into His holy place. If we search for a perfect church, we will not find it. We will find a place where we gather for a purpose, loving, serving, worshipping, and giving of ourselves and our gifts to build up the body of Christ. Prayer Lord, help us remember that there are no perfect churches, only churches of imperfect people, a work in progress. Help us sharpen and spur one another toward You. Help us seek You with all our hearts and not allow others' actions to make us stumble. Help us not become a stumbling block to others. Help us, in whatever we do, to do all things for Your glory. Takeaway We have a kingdom purpose.

By Paula Williamson, guest writer The enemy of our soul often diminishes our worth. If we truly knew what was in God’s heart when He knit us in our mother’s womb, the world would be changed. The constant erosion of our worth and demeaning self-talk steal our purpose and our lives. It Is Written EPHESIANS 2:10 For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]. The Tapestry of Our Lives The truth is that we are a work of art. I once read in one of Corrie ten Boom’s books that our lives are like a tapestry we can only view from the backside, full of gnarls, knots, and messy strings. If we could view it from heaven’s side, we would see the beautiful truth. We are a work of art guided by the master’s hand. No mistake is irreparable to Him; no poor choice is irreversible. He simply weaves it into something good. Prayer Lord, when the enemy of our soul whispers demeaning words and accusations that make us doubt our value and worth, help us know that You created us to be a blessing to this world and to the people around us. We have great worth in Your sight. Help us see ourselves and others as You see us. Help us stop agreeing with voices and self-talk that demean and tear us down, for we are Your workmanship, created for good works! Takeaway We are God’s masterpiece.

By Paula Williamson, guest writer In my early days, my mom told me that God only likes good people; I believed I was unworthy of God's love. What a wonderful day it was when I opened my own Bible and read the opposite. Throughout the Bible, God extended his love to the most unlikely people: harlots, lepers, tax collectors, adulterers, murderers, the sinful, the sick, and the destitute. It Is Written ROMANS 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Available to All No one is too bad, too far gone, done too much, or failed too much to be loved by God. God loves us because He is love. He loved us on our worst day; the day Jesus paid our penalty. What incredible worth we have because of Him. We can all be children of the Most High God, adopted and heirs of the Kingdom. Prayer Oh, Lord, when we are tempted to believe we are beyond Your great love, remind us to look to Isaiah 53 and reflect on Christ's selfless act, who paid to clothe us in His righteousness, place Your seal upon us, and include us in Your Kingdom. May we walk in a manner worthy of such love. Takeaway God’s love extends to all.

By Paula Williamson, guest writer We all follow someone, whether it is ourselves, a significant other, peers, or someone we admire, and whoever it is influences every decision we make. If we truly surrender our lives to Christ, we become His followers, and He influences every decision we make. It Is Written EPHESIANS 2:1 And you [He made alive when you] were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you once walked. You were following the ways of this world [influenced by this present age], in accordance with the prince of the power of the air (Satan), the spirit who is now at work in the disobedient [the unbelieving, who fight against the purposes of God]. 3 Among these [unbelievers] we all once lived in the passions of our flesh [our behavior governed by the sinful self], indulging the desires of human nature [without the Holy Spirit] and [the impulses] of the [sinful] mind. We were, by nature, children [under the sentence] of [God’s] wrath, just like the rest [of mankind]. Constantly Changing Following Him is a change of direction from following our own desires or others’. Full surrender means we won’t walk the way we did before, influenced by the world, ourselves, and Satan. We change because of who we hang out with. The more we follow Jesus, the more like Him we become. If we glance over our shoulder, examine our lives, and find we are still the same, we probably didn’t really surrender our lives to Him. Surrendering is more than fire insurance; it’s a change of heart and life. Prayer Lord, we do so many things motivated by things we do not even understand. Change our hearts and help us understand what surrendering our lives to You really means. Takeaway Surrender embraces change.

By Paula Williamson, guest writer When I was a teen, the Five Man Electrical Band had a song called Signs. The chorus went: Sign, sign, everywhere, a sign. Blockin’ out the scenery. Breakin’ my mind. "Do this," "Don't do that." Can't you read the sign? Googling it is worth a chuckle. I am so glad there is a much more reliable place to find direction than signs! It Is Written JOHN 16:12 -14 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. Reliable Truth In a world full of beliefs, theories, doctrines, rites, and opinions that divide us, I am glad there is one place where we can be united. In John 17, Jesus prayed that we would be one, just as He and the Father are one. What He did for us made the ground level at the foot of the cross and ended all inequality through the suffering He bore in His body. As agonizing as it was for Him, He did it so that we could be united as one family forever. Prayer Lord, thank You for the indescribable price You paid in our place, uniting us in an eternal kingdom. Thank You for the benefits of that kingdom here on earth and beyond. Takeaway The cross is the symbol that guides us.

By Paula Williamson, guest writer We often face decisions and choices, and we wish we had a trustworthy source to tell us what to do. We were created with a conscience that tells us right from wrong. When we heed it and do the right thing, it stays sharp and active. When we deliberately choose to do wrong, even though our conscience convicts us, it becomes dull and inactive, making it harder to do the right thing. Once we surrender our lives to the Lord, the Holy Spirit resides within us, teaching and leading us to truth. It Is Written 1 JOHN 2:27 And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him remains in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you remain in Him. Internal GPS A different Spirit comes into us when we surrender our lives to Jesus. The Holy Spirit helps, leads, guides, and teaches us. He never bangs us over the head or forces truth on us, but instead speaks that truth and direction inwardly. The more we heed His leading, the easier it becomes to recognize His voice within. When we sense we missed it, it is important to own it, confess it, and repent of not receiving the help we were given. We then forgive ourselves and get back on track, as our GPS recalibrates. Prayer Lord, help us heed the internal GPS You placed within us. Help us never turn down the volume or choose our own path, exalting what we think above You. Help us recognize that life is an adventure when we follow You and heed the Holy Spirit's inner promptings, whether that means calling someone who comes to mind, speaking the good thoughts we have about a cashier, or letting those fleeting good thoughts come out of our mouths to encourage and bless others. Help us heed the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit and live with purpose and adventure! Takeaway Followers of God have an internal GPS.

By Paula Williamson, guest writer The world is as full of differing beliefs as a clothing store where we just pull something we like off the rack and put it on. What if it’s wrong? What if what we believe is a lie? Where is the microscope we can use to analyze their origin and makeup? Since becoming an adult, I have found that some of the words my family used are not even in the dictionary. We can research history to see how beliefs have changed over time, including slavery, women’s right to vote, the Holocaust, the idea that all men are created equal, gender equality, and our identity. How will four generations change what we think? Scripture has a 3,000-year track record of accuracy. To my knowledge, nothing else comes close. It Is Written EPHESIANS 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. Scripture Is a Trustworthy Lens All of us have sinned, which separates us from God. We all need forgiveness, and Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Learning to live “In Him, relying on Him, trusting in Him and His Word” is how we discover the riches of God’s grace. His Spirit in us is different from the Spirit in the world. JOHN 8:32 “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He told the disciples He would give them the Holy Spirit and that the Spirit would lead them to all truth. That’s a belief worth living by. Prayer Lord, in a world full of differing beliefs, help us hold fast to Your proven Word, the beliefs You support and bless. Help us examine the hidden agendas behind the beliefs the world offers. Help us be wise and not choose to believe things just because they suit us today. Takeaway The Bible is a trustworthy standard.

By Paula Williamson, guest writer God, the author and creator of the universe, had a wonderful plan for us all before He spoke the world into existence. He also gave us the freedom to choose. Yes, His plans were and are good, but we play a vital role in this life through every decision we make. We can live independent of Him, doing our own thing, or we can surrender our lives to Him and His good plan for us. The power of choice is ours. It Is Written EPHESIANS 1:4 -6 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will — 6praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. PROVERBS 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. What Will We Choose? His plan is good; it is one He had in mind before He spoke the world into existence, and He offers it to all of us. He also knew we would sin and need a Savior. Nothing was a surprise to Him. In His good plan, He sent Jesus to secure our adoption into His family, but we choose His plan or do our own thing. By choosing our own way, we choose to serve ourselves as God and reject His good plans for us. There is no fence-sitting with feet in both worlds. When we choose one, we reject the other. Prayer Lord, this world is full of eye candy, distractions, and noise. Help us step off the treadmill and march to the beat of Your drum. Help us live for an audience of one. Your plans are good. Help us seek You and know You more each day. In a world full of choices, may we choose You. Takeaway Every decision matters.

By Paula Williamson, guest writer What Are You Planting? The law of sowing and reaping is a practical lesson with far-reaching spiritual implications. It’s also logical and predictable. If we plant a squash seed, we get squash, not okra. If we plant in sunlight, water it, and sprinkle diatomaceous earth, it will produce squash. It will yield enough for us and enough to give away. It’s amazing how one seed can produce many squash. The same principle applies to sin and righteousness. Our unconfessed sin and sinful practices don’t end with us. They are passed on to our children and their children for four generations (Deuteronomy 5:9). That’s shocking, but our righteousness and obedience to God are passed on to a thousand generations (Exodus 20:6). What we do or don’t do is extremely powerful! It Is Written GALATIANS 6:7 -10 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 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. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. An Inheritance Greater Than Money According to these scriptures, our actions powerfully shape our lives and our families’ future. They can affect one thousand generations for good. What parent does not want to leave a great inheritance for their children? God's blessing for a thousand generations is an inheritance that goes far beyond financial wealth. If we gain nothing in this world except knowing that our lifestyle will pass on a blessing to a thousand generations, our lives have meaning and purpose. We can joyfully serve the Lord each day. Prayer Thank You, Lord, for Your Word, for keeping Your Word, and for it not returning void. Thank You that it has never been proven wrong over 3,000 years. Thank You that it is a sure and steadfast anchor in a shaky world. Thank You that it gives us purpose and meaning in life. Thank You that it sharpens and guides us. Thank You that it changes us from the inside out and that a thousand generations will be blessed by our honoring Your Word and surrendering our lives to You. Takeaway The greatest inheritance we can leave our children isn’t money or possessions—it is a legacy of faith.

By Paula Williamson, guest writer From an early age, we see someone we admire and think, “I want to be like him or her.” In junior high, I remember doing and saying things that weren't me at all, just because I wanted to be like someone popular or to behave in a way that would get me into the “in” crowd. Hollywood’s image, movie-star images, and magazine images call to us. At one point in my life, I heard my mother’s voice coming out of my mouth! Sometimes, I think we are part chameleon, adapting to the people and things we are exposed to and climbing the never-ending hamster wheel of life. Even the Apostle Paul said, “Oh wretched creature that I am, who will set me free?” It Is Written PHILIPPIANS 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Yield We can step off the hamster wheel and march to a different drum. If we have truly surrendered our lives to the Lord Jesus, we have this promise: He who began a good work in us will complete it. The struggle does not depend on our exertion. We have His word on it. The longer we walk with, talk with, and spend time with Him, the more our hearts will resemble His. How wonderful it is to rest in the arms of someone who loves us as we are and helps us become who we were created to be. Prayer Lord, so many of us approach You as if we are trying to win a race, earn Your goodness, and measure up. We have an internal image of a staircase that brings us closer to You through our efforts. Give us a new, true image of You stepping down that staircase, meeting us where we are, wrapping Your arms around us, and drawing us into Your unconditional love. Help us see ourselves clothed in the robe of righteousness that Jesus purchased for us, and help us rest in Your great love and in who You created us to be. Takeaway There is a place of rest and acceptance.

By Paula Williamson, guest writer A child of God is a new creation. Scripture says the old man has passed away and all things have become new. We also have God’s Word that we are being transformed into His likeness. He who began a good work in us will complete it. According to the Bible, if we have surrendered our lives to Christ, we will be continually changing. We cannot remain the same. It Is Written GALATIANS 5:22-24 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self -control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Life Without Jesus The only way we remain unchanged is to have no relationship with Jesus. Without Him, our old nature rules us, and no matter how hard we try, our lives produce only artificial fruit that does not reflect the real thing. But when we have a relationship with Jesus, He changes us throughout our lives, making us more like Him each day. Prayer Lord, I want to be the real deal. What a messy world we live in. It needs changing, and maybe it starts with me. I take a knee before You and surrender my life to You. I invite You into my life and step out of the driver’s seat. I give You permission to change me, my priorities, my thinking, speech, and behavior. Conform me to the image of Your Son. Help me be part of the change. Takeaway Supernatural power is available through Jesus Christ.

By Paula Williamson, guest writer When self-professing Christians behave like the world, it causes the world to look down on us. When we display Jesus symbols on our cars, necks, and houses, cut people off in traffic, and speak and act dishonorably, we dishonor the King and His Kingdom. When we, who experience the grace of God and have surrendered our lives to King Jesus, behave as if we hadn’t, we don’t get away with it. It Is Written HEBREWS 12:7-9 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined —and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! Consequences There are consequences for our behavior, just as any parent disciplines their children. God knows and sees all. If we can easily do wrong without it bothering us, or if we are getting away with living after the flesh, we may need to question whether we truly surrendered our lives to Him. A good parent does not allow their children to get away with bad behavior. Prayer Lord, as professing Christians, may we never live, act, speak, or behave in ways that dishonor Your kingdom. May we reflect You and Your fragrance to a world that needs hope and is seeking purpose and meaning in life. May we walk, move, and live in obedience to Your Holy Spirit. Convict us when we fail, and help us be quick to admit it. Takeaway Dishonorable behavior carries consequences.