January
Putting On the Armor for the New Year
There is something powerful about beginning a new year anchored in the Word of God. Fresh calendars, fresh plans, and fresh hopes are good things — but nothing prepares us for what lies ahead like standing firm in the truth of Scripture. As we step into this new year, what better place to begin than with the reminder found in Ephesians 6:11–20.
Scripture: Ephesians 6:11–20 (KJV)
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
This passage doesn’t tell us that the year ahead will be easy. Instead, it lovingly reminds us to be prepared. Not fearful. Not anxious. Prepared.
A Call to Stand, Not Strive
Paul doesn’t instruct us to fight harder or run faster. Over and over again in this passage, he uses the word stand. Stand therefore. Stand firm. This is a posture of confidence, not panic. The armor of God isn’t about aggression — it’s about stability. When life feels uncertain, when the days feel heavy, or when the future feels unclear, God equips us to remain steady.
The new year will bring joys, challenges, surprises, and unknowns. But we are not stepping into any of it unprotected.
The Armor We Wear Daily
Each piece of the armor is practical, intentional, and meant to be put on daily — not saved for emergencies.
- The Belt of Truth reminds us to anchor ourselves in God’s Word, not shifting opinions or emotions.
- The Breastplate of Righteousness protects the heart, guarding us from guilt, shame, and discouragement.
- The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace steady our steps, allowing us to walk forward with confidence and grace.
- The Shield of Faith helps us extinguish doubt, fear, and the lies that try to take root.
- The Helmet of Salvation protects our minds, reminding us who we belong to and where our hope rests.
- The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, equips us not only to defend ourselves, but to respond with truth.
None of this armor is ornamental. Every piece has a purpose. And every piece points us back to dependence on the Lord, not ourselves.
Prayer: Our Greatest Strength
Paul closes this passage with an emphasis on prayer — not as an afterthought, but as the foundation that holds everything together.
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit…” — Ephesians 6:18 (KJV)
Prayer is how we stay connected. It’s how we remain aware, alert, and aligned with God’s will. As we move into this new year, prayer keeps our hearts tender, our spirits attentive, and our faith strong.
Stepping Into the New Year Equipped
This new year doesn’t require us to be perfect, fearless, or fully prepared. It simply calls us to be faithful. When we put on the whole armor of God, we are reminded that we are never walking alone.
The battles may come, but so does God’s provision. The days may feel uncertain, but His truth remains steady. And no matter what this year holds, we can face it standing firm — clothed in His strength, guided by His Word, and covered in His peace.
A Simple Prayer for the New Year
Lord, as we step into this new year, help us to put on the whole armor of God each day. Teach us to stand firm in truth, walk in peace, live by faith, and pray without ceasing. May this year be shaped not by fear, but by faith, and may our lives reflect Your strength and Your love. Amen.
May this year begin — and continue — grounded in the strength of the Lord.
Lord Bless You, Michelle
February
Blind Faith
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Ready When He Speaks
Hearing God’s Voice & Walking in Obedience
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” — John 10:27
There is something that sets apart the passionate, faith‑filled believer from the skeptical or distant one. It isn’t knowledge alone — it’s response. It’s the difference between knowing about God and actually walking with Him. Those who truly experience Him are the ones who listen for His voice and then follow when He speaks. When the Spirit nudges, they move. When He calls, they answer.
One of the clearest lessons Scripture shows us is that delayed obedience is still disobedience. Not because God is harsh, but because He is loving — and love always calls us forward.
We see this truth in the story of the Israelites. God had prepared a promised land for them, something beautiful and abundant. Yet when they saw the obstacles, fear spoke louder than faith. Instead of trusting the One who promised, they trusted what they saw. Their hesitation cost them time, blessing, and opportunity. What God had prepared was still there… but they had to wait longer to receive it.
When God Whispers
How often do we do the same?
Sometimes we sense God gently whisper to our hearts: Forgive them… Step out… Speak up… Give… Go… Trust Me.
And instead of responding, we pause, analyze, question, or let fear talk us out of it. We may not say “no” — we just say “later.” But obedience that waits for perfect conditions usually never moves at all.
Living Ready
If we want to be people who respond quickly when God speaks, we must live prepared lives. Readiness doesn’t happen in the moment of decision; it’s built in the quiet places beforehand.
It looks like:
- Time in His Word
- Time in prayer
- Time in worship
- Stillness to recognize His voice
- Hearts kept tender before Him
Spiritual readiness removes obstacles so that when He speaks, we can move forward with confidence instead of hesitation.
Confidence in His Calling
Here’s the beautiful truth: God will never call us to something He hasn’t already equipped us for. He isn’t asking us to walk a path He doesn’t understand. Jesus Himself experienced the struggles of humanity, so He knows what it feels like to walk hard roads. When God leads, He also sustains.
God’s calling always comes with God’s covering.
The Fruit of Obedience
Obedience isn’t about earning blessings — it’s about positioning ourselves to receive what He already longs to give.
Not material things.
Soul things.
Peace that steadies you.
Love that overflows.
Grace that strengthens you.
Miracles that remind you He is near.
There is so much we miss when we hesitate.
A Gentle Heart Check
When was the last time God prompted you to do something and you responded immediately?
Not after debating.
Not after worrying.
Not after overthinking.
But right away — because you were so close to Him that you recognized His voice without doubt.
If it’s been a while, don’t feel discouraged. Feel invited.
God is always ready to draw us closer. Start today. Open His Word. Talk with Him. Listen. Prepare your heart.
Because when we live ready, obedience becomes natural — and obedience always leads us into deeper fellowship with Him.
Scripture for Reflection
- James 1:22 — But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
- 1 Samuel 15:22 — Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
- Isaiah 1:19 — If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
- Psalm 119:60 — I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
Prayer
Lord,
Make my heart quick to hear you and eager to obey. Quiet every fear that tries to speak louder than your voice. Teach me to trust you more than what I see, more than what I feel, and more than what I understand.
Prepare me in the hidden places so that when you call, I’m ready. Let my life be marked not just by knowing your Word, but by living it. Grow in me a faith that moves, a spirit that listens, and a heart that follows wherever you lead.
Thank you for your patience, your grace, and the gift of hearing your voice.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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God Will Hear You Right Now – Click Here
Here are links to the other devotion videos I mentioned…
Lord bless you and yours, Bro. Kyle
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After the Ice: Gratitude, Grief, and What the Storm Taught Us
This past week has been heavy on my heart. A devastating ice storm swept through our area, leaving trees shattered, power lines down, and many families still without electricity—and some without water. We personally went three days without power and five days without water. Even now, as I write this, there are neighbors still waiting for things to be restored.
In the quiet that follows a storm like this, emotions surface all at once. Gratitude. Sorrow. Reflection. And prayer.
First and foremost, I am so thankful to Jesus for His protection and provision. He carried us through. We had food. We had heat. We were safe. That alone is a gift I do not take lightly.
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” — Psalm 23:1
Even when the lights were out and the faucets were dry, the Lord was near. His faithfulness didn’t flicker.
At the same time, my heart aches. People have lost so much—homes damaged, property destroyed, and tragically, lives lost. Some were injured in accidents. Others froze in the bitter cold. These are not just news headlines; they are families, neighbors, and communities grieving.
It’s hard to hold gratitude and grief in the same breath—but that’s exactly where many of us find ourselves.
“Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” — Romans 12:15
Lord, help us to do both well.
When the power is out and the roads are impassable, life slows down whether we want it to or not. There’s time to think. Time to pray. Time to take stock of what truly matters.
Storms have a way of stripping away the non-essentials and reminding us how fragile—and precious—life really is.
One truth became very clear through this trial: preparedness matters. Being somewhat self-sufficient is not a hobby or a trend. It is not a game.
It can mean the difference between comfort and suffering—between life and death.
We were not spared hardship, but because we had prepared, we were able to weather the storm well. That is not something we boast in; it is something we are grateful for—and something we hope others will take seriously.
“The prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.” — Proverbs 22:3
Preparation is wisdom. It is stewardship. And it is love for those God has entrusted to us.
My prayer is that we don’t waste this trial. That we learn from it. That we help one another. That we check on our neighbors, share what we have, and encourage others to prepare—not out of fear, but out of care.
May we thank God for His mercy, mourn with those who are hurting, and walk forward a little wiser than we were before the ice came.
Lord, teach us to number our days, to prepare our homes and our hearts, and to trust You in every season.
Amen.
Lord bless you, Michelle.
March 2026
Thank you so much for joining us for our weekly devotions.
This is a VERY special week and beginning Thursday evening in particular is a VERY special night.
We hope this Sunday finds you in a Spirit-Filled church, worshiping The One Who rose from the dead victorious over death, hell, and the grave. The One Who loves you so much, He offers to share that victory with you.
Lord bless you and yours!
In the Stillness, We Find Him
John 8:29, 31–32
And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
There’s something about stillness that doesn’t come easy these days. The world is loud, busy, and always pulling for our attention. And if we’re honest, sometimes we’d rather stay busy than be still… because stillness has a way of showing us what we’ve been trying to avoid.
But stillness is where surrender begins.
It’s the quiet place where we lay down our plans, our worries, and even our need to control everything—and we simply let God be God. Stillness becomes our passageway to that deeper, supernatural surrender. The kind where we stop getting in the way of His way.
Because the truth is, God sees so much more than we ever could. And many times, He is protecting us from things we don’t even realize. He saves us over and over again—not just from the world around us, but from ourselves.
When we choose to yield, He becomes our shield.
In the stillness, He has our full attention. There are no distractions, no noise—just His presence. And it’s there that He gently begins to steer us back onto the right path. It’s there we can truly pursue Him, worship Him, and lose ourselves in His presence.
And oh, that still small voice…
You won’t hear it in the chaos. You’ll hear it in the quiet.
Be still, and know that I am God… (Psalm 46:10 )
Stillness is also where the Lord begins to shape us and mold us into who He created us to be. It’s not always comfortable. In fact, sometimes it’s hard. Because in that quiet place, we come face to face with who we really are—our flaws, our struggles, our broken pieces.
But here’s the beauty of it all:
God is not afraid of our brokenness.
He takes every ugly, shattered piece and turns it into something beautiful. If we’ve wandered off track, He lovingly brings us back. If we feel lost, He gently leads us home.
And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it… (Isaiah 30:21)
And in that stillness, as we continue in His Word, we begin to understand His truth more deeply—and that truth brings freedom. Freedom from fear, from striving, from trying to figure it all out on our own.
All He asks is that we come… and be still.
So today, I want to encourage you—make time for stillness with your Saviour. Even if it’s just a few quiet moments. Turn off the noise, set aside the distractions, and sit with Him.
It will change your heart.
And it will change your life.
A Gentle Prayer
Lord,
Help me to slow down and be still before You. Quiet my heart and calm my thoughts so I can hear Your voice clearly. Teach me to surrender the things I try to control and trust in Your perfect plan. Shape me, mold me, and guide me back when I stray. Thank You for loving me through my brokenness and making something beautiful out of my life.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
Lord Bless You, Michelle
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The Age of Grace
Lord bless, Kyle.
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Seek First
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
— Matthew 6:33
I’ve been thinking a lot about what it really means to be blessed.
We often picture blessing as something outside of us — something we receive, something we hold, something we can measure. But I’m learning that blessing begins much deeper than that. It starts on the inside.
Before we can pour into anyone else, something has to be settled in us first.
If we want our homes to be places of peace… if we want our words to encourage… if we want our lives to point people toward hope… then our hearts have to be shaped by Him first. That doesn’t happen in one emotional moment. It doesn’t happen in a quick prayer when life feels overwhelming. It happens slowly. Steadily. Over time.
Desire is easy. Growth takes surrender.
God is Creator. Jesus is Creator. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter. And in Him, we’re not stuck or limited — we’re invited into something bigger. He rebuilds what’s broken. He brings life back to places that feel dry. He gives clarity where there’s confusion. He makes us steady when everything around us feels uncertain.
But that good work has to happen in us before it flows through us.
Seeking first the Kingdom isn’t about adding one more thing to our to-do list. It’s about making space. Quiet space. Honest space. Time in the Word. Time in prayer. Time listening instead of rushing.
It’s in that place — not in the spotlight, not in the hurry — that He builds us.
And when He builds something, it lasts.
Over time, something changes. We don’t have to force kindness. We don’t have to strive for peace. We don’t have to manufacture hope. It begins to flow naturally because it’s rooted deeply.
Life.
Light.
Salt.
Fire.
Not because we worked it up — but because we stayed with Him long enough for it to take root.
When we truly seek Him first, the rest has a way of finding its proper place.
And that’s the kind of blessing that lasts.
Prayer
Lord,
Teach me what it truly means to seek You first. Not just in words, but in the quiet choices of my everyday life. Help me make space for You before I rush into everything else. Shape my heart in the hidden places. Do the slow, steady work in me that only You can do.
Build in me what needs to be built. Restore what needs restoring. Grow roots where my faith feels thin. I don’t want to chase blessings — I want to stay close to You.
Let Your peace settle in me so it can flow out of me. Let Your light shine in the ordinary parts of my life. And help me trust that when I put You first, You will take care of the rest.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Lord bless you, Michelle.