THIS IS THE LIFE PODCAST

The Table Is Already Set One of the most comforting truths in Scripture is that God never reacts in panic. He is always ahead of us. Psalm 23:5 “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” David didn’t say that God might prepare a table. He said, “Thou preparest a table before me.” Before the battle, before the burden, before the uncertainty, God had already made provisions for David. Before David ever arrived, the table had already been set.

ARE YOU MAKING ROOM Scripture: Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” There is something special about the way God fills our lives. He never forces His way into a crowded heart. Instead, He invites us to make room for Him. Yesterday we prayed, “Pour Out Your Spirit, Lord.” It is a wonderful thing to desire because it recognizes our dependence upon God. We should always long for His Presence, His Wisdom, His Peace, and His Power to work in our lives. But Today, the question becomes a little more personal. Have you made room to receive what you’ve been asking God to pour out?

Pour Out Your Spirit, Lord Joel 2:28-29 “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.” One of the most beautiful promises in all of Scripture is not just that God has His Spirit available to us, but that He desires to pour His Spirit out upon His people. Notice the language Joel uses. God doesn’t speak of giving a drop or offering a small portion. He speaks of pouring out His Spirit in abundance upon every generation and every willing heart. That promise is still available to us today. But there is also another truth throughout Scripture. While God is always faithful to pour out His blessings, we must also be in a position to receive them.

HONEST BEFORE GOD – A Psalm 51 Moment I have been asked several times over the past few months how someone can support the podcast, and where they can find the music, books, and other resources from this ministry. If you know me very well, you know this is not something that comes naturally to me. I have. But I do want to mention that while I have the privilege of serving as pastor at Sunrise Chapel, the podcast, music, writing, and publishing are a separate ministry that the Lord has allowed me to develop over the years. If you have ever wanted to encourage that work, you can find my books, music, and other resources at thisisthelifepodcast.net. One of the newest resources available is my book, Honest Before God – A Psalm 51 Moment. More than anything, this book is an invitation. An invitation to stop pretending and start being Honest about where we are in our walk with the Lord. An invitation to stop carrying the weight of hidden burdens alone. An invitation to discover that God has never been looking for perfect people. He has always been looking for honest hearts. To me personally, Psalm 51 records one of the most personal prayers in all of Scripture. David came to a place where excuses no longer mattered. His Image no longer mattered. Reputation no longer mattered. Standing before God with a sincere and broken heart became the only thing that mattered. That is where healing begins.

It’s easy to feel like we always have to measure up to someone else. From the time we’re young, we are surrounded by comparisons. Who’s the fastest, the smartest, the most talented. The world constantly pushes the idea that success is about being better than someone else, fitting into a mold, or meeting a certain standard. But then comes the Truth, found in Psalms 139:14: “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works…” Fearfully and wonderfully made. Not mass-produced, not identical and not lacking in any way. Each person is uniquely designed by the Hands of the Creator who makes no mistakes. Every detail of our strengths, our abilities, even our struggles, was intentionally woven together for a purpose that no one else can fulfill quite the same way. The Power comes from Knowing Who You Are.

Living With Open Hands Scripture: Philippians 4:11-13 “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound… I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” One of the greatest challenges in the Christian life is learning to live with open hands. We naturally want to hold tightly to the things we value—our plans, our possessions, our relationships, our health, and even our expectations. We like the feeling of being in control. Yet the tighter we hold on, the more anxious we often become. The Apostle Paul discovered something that many of us spend a lifetime trying to learn. His peace was not found in what he possessed or in the circumstances surrounding him. It was found in Christ. Whether he had plenty or very little, whether life was comfortable or difficult, Paul had learned the secret of contentment. That secret wasn’t found in self-confidence but in complete dependence on the Lord.

Lamentations 3:22-23 “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Every morning, God hands you a blank canvas. No matter what happened yesterday, whether it was filled with joy or struggle, victories or failures, today is a fresh start. His mercies are new. His faithfulness is steadfast. You are not bound by yesterday’s mistakes, nor do you have to relive its struggles. The only power yesterday has is the power you allow it to carry into today. Think about that for a moment. Imagine each day of your life as a stroke of paint on a grand canvas. Some days are bright and vibrant, filled with laughter, love, and success. Others may be darker, marked by trials, pain, or mistakes. But together, they create a masterpiece, a story uniquely yours. A story that, through God’s grace, is still unfolding.

Luke 12:20-21 “But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Somewhere along the way, it’s easy to start believing that more will bring happiness. More success, more money, more recognition, just more. The idea creeps in that reaching the next level, the next paycheck, or the next accomplishment will finally bring satisfaction. At least, that’s what we tell ourselves.

The Quiet Work of God Scripture: Mark 4:26-29 “And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.” There are seasons in life when it seems like nothing is happening. We pray, we read God’s Word, we try to remain faithful, yet we don’t see much change. We wonder if our prayers are making a difference or if the seeds we’ve planted are growing at all. Jesus used the simple picture of a farmer to remind us of an important spiritual truth. The farmer plants the seed, but he cannot make it grow. Day after day he goes about his work. He sleeps, he rises, and while he cannot see beneath the surface of the soil, something remarkable is taking place. God is quietly doing what only God can do. Our spiritual lives often work the same way.

Things I’ve Learned Along the Journey 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. When I look back over the years of ministry, I realize that some of life’s greatest lessons were never learned behind a pulpit. They were learned in quiet mornings with an open Bible, through unanswered questions, unexpected disappointments, and countless moments when all I could do was trust God one more time. Song: THE JOURNEY - Written & Composed By: Eddie B. Woodard

You Can Be Forgiven “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” — 1 John 1:9 There are few verses in Scripture that bring as much hope as 1 John 1:9. It is one of God’s greatest promises to those who belong to Him. It reminds us that failure is never the end of our story. God’s desire is not to leave us burdened by guilt, but to restore us to fellowship with Him. Notice how complete His promise is. He doesn’t simply promise to forgive us. He also promises to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Forgiveness removes the debt of sin, while cleansing restores the heart. God doesn’t merely erase the record; He begins renewing the person.

What Is Your Heart Thinking? Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.” Our thoughts shape our lives. Long before our actions are seen by others, they have already been formed in the heart. Proverbs reminds us that a person can say all the right things on the outside while their heart tells a completely different story. Their words may sound kind, their actions may appear generous, but if the heart is not in agreement, something is missing.

WHEN GOD CALLS A MEETING Scripture: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” — Isaiah 1:18 There are few invitations in Scripture more remarkable than these words from the Lord: “Come now, and let us reason together.” The phrase “reason together” carries the idea of settling a matter, examining it honestly, and coming to the truthful conclusion. It is not an invitation for man to try God or argue that His judgment is too harsh. Neither is it an opportunity to minimize our sin or convince ourselves and God that we are “not that bad.” Instead, God lovingly calls us into His presence to face reality, with Him. MORNING MOMENTS WITH JESUS - SONG Written By: Eddie B. Woodard This song was written on a morning when no words could describe the beauty of the sunrise. There is nothing better than “Morning Moments With Jesus”.

The Miracle In The Mirror 2 Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” Most every morning we stand before a mirror. We straighten our hair, adjust our clothing, and prepare for the day. The mirror faithfully reflects what is on the outside, but it can never reveal what God sees on the inside. Many believers spend their lives looking into the wrong mirror. Only seeing the image they want to see, instead of the image that is actually there.

The Miracle of Remaining Faithful There are times in life when we expect God to call us to do something new. But often, He simply calls us to stay faithful where we already are. Instead of always chasing the next big thing, God may be speaking to you to just remain faithful to what He has already given you. “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” — Galatians 6:9 So as we gather with the the Lord this morning, Are you growing weary in doing what you know God has called you to do? Are you beginning to measure God’s faithfulness by what you can see instead of by what He has promised? MIRACLES TO ME Miracles To Me was written because I believe that we are all miracles in our own way, but also everything around us is proof that God is still doing miraculous things today. Copyright 2025 - All Rights Reserved

The Confidence of Our Prayers Scripture: “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” — 1 John 5:14-15 As we conclude this week of praying for our families, these verses remind us of something that should transform the way we pray. Prayer is not about persuading God to do what we want. It is about drawing our hearts into agreement with what He already desires to do.

Part of The Answer To Prayer Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” There is something very powerful about praying for our families. Every prayer we offer places those we love into the hands of a faithful God. But as we pray, the Lord also calls us to become part of the answer to those prayers. Sometimes we ask God to draw our children closer to Him while forgetting that they are watching how closely we walk with Him ourselves. We pray for peace in our homes, yet we must also be willing to exemplify peace. We pray for forgiveness among family members while holding on to old hurts ourselves. Prayer can change their hearts, but it also can change ours.

Praying That God Will Work All Things Together For Good Scripture: Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” When we pray for our families, there will be times when we do not understand what God is doing. We see struggles, disappointments, setbacks, broken dreams, difficult seasons, and unanswered questions. We watch people we love walk through valleys that we would gladly walk for them if we could. In those moments, prayer becomes more than a request, it becomes an act of trust. Romans 8:28 reminds us of a powerful truth: God is always at work. Notice that Scripture does not say all things are good. Some situations are painful. Some seasons are difficult. Some roads are marked by heartache and uncertainty. But God has the ability to take every circumstance and mold it into His greater purpose. SONG: EVERY ROAD Written and Composed By: Eddie B. Woodard Copyright 2026 - All Rights Reserved

Praying for Our Family’s Health & Protection Psalms 103:2-4 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; One of the greatest comforts a believer can have is knowing that God watches over His children. We can’t always be everywhere our family members are, nor can we anticipate every challenge they may face. But God sees every step they take and every situation they encounter. As parents, grandparents, spouses, and loved ones, we naturally desire to protect those we care about. We want to shield them from pain, disappointment, temptation, and any harm and While there are limits to what we can do, there are no limits to what God can do. Through prayer, we place our family into the hands of the One who never sleeps, never overlooks a detail, and never abandons His own.

Praying for Our Family’s Salvation Scripture: Acts 16:29-31 29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. There is no greater prayer we can pray for our family than the prayer of salvation. We naturally desire good things for those we love. We want them to be healthy, successful, protected, and blessed. Yet all of those things are temporary compared to the eternal importance of knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Six Years of Purpose This month marks six years of This Is The Life Podcast. As I reflect on this journey, one verse continually comes to mind: “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.” — Proverbs 8:17 While this verse certainly speaks of seeking the Lord early in the day, it also reminds us of the importance of seeking Him early in every season of life, before the distractions, disappointments, and demands of the world begin pulling us in different directions. Over the past six years, this podcast has never been about simply filling time with devotionals, songs, or conversations. The heart behind it has always been much deeper. It has been an invitation to seek God, to discover His purpose, and to embrace the life He has given us.

The Fingerprints of God – Part 4 The Hand That Leads Us Home John 14:2-3 “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” Throughout this series, we have explored the fingerprints of God through His hands. We have seen the hand that guides us, the hand that provides for us, and the hand that protects us through life’s storms. Today, we come to the final and greatest reminder of all, the hand that leads us home. Song: “The Hands That Hold Me” - Written and Composed By: Eddie B. Woodard Copyright 2026 - All Rights Reserved

The Fingerprints of God – Part 3 The Hand That Provides For Us Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” When we think about God’s provision, our minds often go straight to finances. Or some other material possession. While God certainly provides for our material needs, His provision reaches much deeper than that. The fingerprints of God can be found everywhere we look when we begin to recognize all the ways He cares for His children.

The Fingerprints of God – Part 2 The Hand That Guides Us Supporting Scripture Isaiah 48:17 “Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.” When we think about the fingerprints of God on our lives, one of the greatest places we see them is in His guidance. God never intended for us to wander through life alone. From the very beginning, He has been leading, directing, and gently drawing people toward Himself. In fact, the first and most important way God guides us is toward salvation.

The Fingerprints of God – Day 1 The Hand That Created Us Scripture Isaiah 64:8 “But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” There is something unique about a fingerprint. No two people have ever shared the exact same fingerprint. It is one of the many reminders that God never creates duplicates. Every life is a unique work of His hands. When we look at the world around us, we can see the fingerprints of God everywhere. We see them in the mountains, the oceans, the stars, and the changing seasons. Yet perhaps the greatest evidence of His handiwork is found when we look in the mirror. We are not accidents. We are not products of chance. We are the intentional creation of a loving God.

HELPING OTHERS TO TRUST GOD One of the greatest blessings in the Christian life is not only learning to trust the Lord with our own burdens, but helping others discover how to do the same. Many people carry heavy hearts. They wrestle with worries, regrets, fears about the future, and questions they cannot answer. Often they are not sure how to give those things to God. They have heard the words before — “Trust the Lord,” or “Give it to God” — but no one has ever really shown them what that looks like in everyday life. Scripture reminds us that helping others find that place of surrender is part of our calling. Galatians 6:2 “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” When we walk beside someone who is struggling, we are not meant to simply offer advice. We help carry the weight by pointing them toward the One who can truly lift it. Sometimes the most powerful way to teach this is by quietly sharing how the Lord has helped us turn our own cares over to Him. Intro Music By: Mike Outland

UNTAPPED POTENTIAL Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” One of the saddest thoughts is that many people leave this earth without ever discovering what God placed inside of them. They lived, worked, raised families, and carried on with daily life, yet never fully stepped into the purpose, gifts, and calling that God had prepared for them. The Lord did not create any of us by accident. Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are His workmanship. The word workmanship carries the idea of something carefully crafted and intentionally designed. God has placed unique abilities, spiritual gifts, experiences, and opportunities within each of us. He has already prepared good works for us to walk in. The question is not whether God has a purpose for your lives. The question is whether you will pursue it.

The Sound Of Home John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” To Me There is something special about the sounds of home. Long before we see the house, we often recognize the sounds that belong there. It may be the creak of a familiar porch swing, or the laughter of family gathered in the next room, the birds outside the window singing a familiar tune, or the voice of someone we love calling our name. Those sounds bring comfort because they are familiar. They remind us where we belong. I am the sixth generation to live on the farm my wife and I call home. I am never at a loss for memories and sounds that take me back to my childhood. As believers, there should also be a spiritual sound that becomes just as familiar to us, it’s the voice of our Shepherd.

The Way You Walk Galatians 5:25 “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Have you ever noticed how much you can learn about a person just by watching them walk? Some people have a walk that reminds you of their father or mother. You can see the family resemblance, not just in their face, but in the way they carry themselves. Others may have a walk that reveals an old injury. A limp, a favoring of one side, or a slower pace tells a story of something they have experienced. Without saying a word, their walk reveals something about who they are, where they have been, and what has influenced their journey. The same is true spiritually. Our spiritual walk tells a story. It reveals who we spend time with, what we believe, and what influences our daily decisions. It shows whether we are walking in fear or faith, pride or humility, worry or trust. Long before we ever speak, the direction of our life often reveals the condition of our heart.

Follow The Journey Psalm 16:11 “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” God reminds us that Life is a journey, and every journey has a destination. Too often we spend our days wondering what might go wrong down the road, always preparing for the unexpected, while God invites us to look ahead with faith and expectation. Psalm 16:11 reminds us that the Lord not only shows us the path of life, but He also reveals what awaits those who walk with Him. David speaks of fulness of joy and pleasures for evermore.

BEFORE THE DAY BEGINS - PT. 5 A Time of Praise Psalm 100:4 “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” As we come to the end of our morning devotion time this week, there is one final step that is often overlooked but it’s incredibly important: Praise. Many of us begin our prayer and devotion time by bringing our burdens, concerns, needs, and requests before the Lord. There is certainly nothing wrong with that. God invites us to cast our cares upon Him because He cares for us. But if we are not careful, we can spend all of our time focused on our problems and leave without ever focusing on His greatness. The final thoughts of our devotion time should not be centered on what is wrong in our lives, but on what is right about God. SONG: “This Song of Praise” Written and Composed By: Eddie B. Woodard Copyright 2026 - All Rights Reserved

Receiving Instructions Once the heart is guarded and the mind is cleared through God’s presence and His Word, something beautiful begins to happen, the Lord is able to speak direction into our lives. Many times we ask God for guidance while our heart is distracted or filled with things that hinder us, and our thoughts are overwhelmed and out of focus. But when we quiet ourselves before Him, we create room to hear what He is trying to say. God never desires to be silent toward His children. Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.”

Time To Refocus Your Mind Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Let’s face it, we live in a noisy world. Every day our minds are pulled in a so many different directions by worries, responsibilities, opinions , and endless thoughts that never seem to slow down, and seldom seem to amount to very much. Do you ever wake up tired before the day even begins because your mind never truly rested the night before. That is why refocusing the mind is so important for a Believer.

Guarding Your Heart Proverbs 4:23 “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Before another day begins, one of the most important things we can do is examine the condition of our hearts. Most people focus on schedules, responsibilities, and constant outward preparation, but Scripture reminds us that the real direction of our life flows from the inside out. The heart influences far more than emotions. It affects our attitude, our motives, our reactions, our words, and even the way we see other people. For instance, a frustrated heart can turn a small inconvenience into a bad day. A bitter heart can rob you of peace before the morning even starts. And a prideful heart can make it difficult to teach you the lessons necessary for that day, while a fearful heart can cause us to hesitate when God is trying to lead you into the next phase of your life.

Before The Day Begins Part. 1 Day 1 — Give God The First Part Of Your Day Psalm 5:3 “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” There is something powerful about beginning the day by looking upward before you start looking outward. Before the noise of the world fills your mind, before responsibilities begin pulling at your attention, and before worries try to settle into our hearts, we just need a quiet moment with the Lord.

Before Another Week Begins “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28 As week come to the end of this week, let’s take time to stop and think for a moment. There are some weeks that leave us feeling accomplished productive and thankful. Other weeks leave us tired mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Sometimes we carry things all week long that nobody else ever sees. Quiet burdens. Silent worries. Unanswered prayers. Battles in the mind. Concerns about family. Questions about the future. And before we know it, another week is standing at the door waiting to begin. I want you to know this morning that God sees you. He sees the week that you have had, but He also wants you to know that you made it through all of it.

THE UNKNOWN OBSTACLE Romans 14:13 “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” Most of us think of a stumblingblock as something obvious like sinful behavior, a bad attitude, or a poor testimony before others. And certainly those things matter. But the word “stumblingblock” carries a much broader meaning. It can mean a barrier, hurdle, obstacle, or hindrance. Sometimes the greatest obstacle in another person’s life is not something we are doing wrong… but something we refuse to do right.

SHARPENING SOMEONE’S LIFE Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” Have you ever had moments in life when a single conversation changed the entire direction of your life or maybe someone else’s day. A kind word, a reminder of God’s truth, a quiet prayer, or simply listening to someone with compassion can become the very thing God uses to strengthen them. Proverbs 27:17 reminds us this morning that none of us were ever meant to walk through life alone. God often uses people to help shape, strengthen, and encourage one another.

What The Bible Has Done For Me 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” There are many reasons I believe the Bible is truly the Word of God, but the greatest evidence has always been what it has personally done in my own life. The Bible is not just a collection of pages, stories, or historical writings to me. It is alive. It speaks when I need direction. It comforts when I feel broken. It corrects when I begin to drift. Over the years, I have watched the Word of God do things inside my heart that nothing else could ever do. The Bible has a way of reaching places inside of us that no person can fully reach. It has guided me through fear, confusion, disappointment, joy, and restoration. There have been mornings when one verse carried me through an entire day, and seasons when God used His Word to completely change the direction of my life.

Day by day I now can see, There’s so much peace in Living Free. Not bound by who I used to be, Just grace and truth surrounding me. Each breath a gift, each step a key, To all that comes with Living Free. SONG: LIVING FREE - Written and Composed By - Eddie B. Woodard Copyright 2026 - All Rights Reserved

WHEN WE LOSE CONTROL One of the hardest things for us to do is let go of control. We want answers. We want direction. We want to know how things are going to turn out before we ever take the next step. But life has a way of bringing us into seasons where we realize we were never truly in control to begin with. Sometimes it happens through loss. Sometimes through fear, sickness, disappointment, or simply watching things unfold that we cannot fix ourselves. Those moments can leave us feeling helpless and overwhelmed. But many times, those very places become the moments where God reminds us to place everything back into His hands. Proverbs 3:5-6 says: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” We know it well but notice the verse does not say we will always understand the path. It just says He will direct our path. There is a difference. We often want explanations while God simply asks for us to trust. Our Faith grows when we continue moving forward even when we cannot see the whole road ahead.

Finally Home Luke 15:24 “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.” A few years ago while studying Luke 15, I wondered what the prodigal son must have felt the morning after he returned home. The celebration was over. The music had faded into the quiet of the night. The robe still rested on his shoulders, and somewhere nearby sat the sandals his father had placed on his feet only hours before. Everything had changed so quickly. Just days earlier, he had been broken, hungry, ashamed, and wondering if he would ever be able to return at all.

When Grace Is Enough 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. There are seasons in life when we pray with all our heart for God to remove something. A burden. A struggle. A painful situation. We ask Him again and again, believing surely this will be the moment the door opens and the weight finally lifts. Paul understood that feeling. He said, “For this thing I besought the Lord thrice…” In other words, he earnestly asked God multiple times to take away what was troubling him. But instead of removing it, God answered him with something deeper: “My grace is sufficient for thee.”

The Reason You Survived 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble…” There are moments in life when we look back and honestly wonder how we made it through some things. Seasons where the weight felt so heavy, the nights were long, and the road seemed so uncertain. Times when it felt like everything around you was about to collapse, yet somehow… God carried you through it.

What’s Next For Me – Part 5 “Live Like You’re Restored” Galatians 5:25 “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” As we come to the final part of this series, maybe the biggest lesson we’ve learned is this: God never restores us just so we can go back to living the same way we always have. He restores us so we can live differently.