As you continue setting goals for 2022 take a moment to consider personal relationships because who you are connected to matters. Both Psalm 1 and Psalm 27 give clear instructions on how the righteous are to live, who they are to associate with, and what they can expect from God when they choose His way. They remind you that you must choose who you go to for wisdom, insight, and advice. How can an unbeliever give insight or wisdom to a believer when they don’t have common gro

“And your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it, when you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left.” (Isaiah 30:21 AMPC) You are 11 days into the New Year. How are you doing on setting your goals? As you listen to God's voice in creating your goals remember God's love for us. Let 2022 be the year that you never forget just how much God loves you: “May the Master take you by the hand and lead you along the path of God’s love and Chri

"I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for." (Jeremiah 29:10b-11 MSG) Would you get in your car to drive to another state that you have never been to before without a map, GPS, or written directions? Would you waste your time and your gas driving aimlessly? Would you ever get where you wanted to go when you began

As you consider resolutions, changes you would like to make, make them anchored in the Word. Doing this will greatly increase your chance for success while impacting others. Remember, it's not just about you! You are here for a purpose so walk in it boldly! “But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall

Consider some resolutions, changes that are anchored in the Word. This will not only impact you, but it will then impact everyone you come in contact with. You must change your perspective! In 2022 keep your eyes on the eternal and not the temporary: “So we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporal [just brief and fleeting], but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable.” (II

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]." (II Corinthians 5:17 AMPC) And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell yo

In 2022 let’s let go of the old and embrace the new. “Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.” (Isaiah 43:18-19 MSG) God specializes in new beginnings. Sometimes He has to remove the familiar so He can do the spectacular! Let’s allow God to make a new beginning in our lives in 2022:

Since we usually begin a New Year evaluating and setting goals, let's consider how we can deepen our intimacy with God during this year. Let’s determine that 2022 will be the year that we take loving God to the next level: “Hear, O (YOUR NAME)! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one [the only God]! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and with all your soul and with all your strength [your entire being]. These words, which I am commanding you today, sha

I've designated January as, "Pursuit of Wisdom Month!" In addition to actively participating in a 31 Days of Wisdom Challenge, I'm reading two devotionals on Proverbs, doing The Wisdom of Proverbs on YouVersion, by the Bible Project, and reading through the Bible with the Bible Project! I'm immersing myself in God's wisdom and I'm so excited! Day 1 of the challenge was great! So many gems. While a lot resonated with me what really got my attention was Dr. Simmons saying he w

As we approach 2022 this is something we should all prayerfully consider: When you remain in the past you will miss what God is doing in your present and you won't be prepared for your future! "Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it? There it is! I'm making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands." (Isaiah 43:18-19 MSG) I want to be alert and p

"Therefore, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has freed me from the law of sin and of death." (Romans 8:1-2 AMPC) Don't accept condemnation from anyone, if you are in Christ Jesus. Jesus paid the price for our salvation and that gives

I shared this thought on my social media accounts recently: "Sometimes we may be stuck where we are, no movement, because God can't trust us with the next step. Something to consider." After a comment I received I felt it needed a little more insight, so, here are some further thoughts on this: Sometimes God has more to show us right where we are! Sometimes He's preparing us for the next step. And sometimes He's preparing the next step for us. Everyone isn't always ready to r

And this is exactly what dilutes a believers witness, when our actions don't match our words! Let's speak with our actions and follow that up with words. Let people see Jesus in you before they hear you. Don't talk it. Walk it! How do we do that? Glad you asked. Love! "I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if

"We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose." (Romans 8:28 AMPC) God is not in heaven calling a 911 emergency meeting with Jesus, Holy Spirit, and the angels saying, "oh my, how did this or that happen?" Nothing happens to us that He has not allowed. While He doesn't cause life's challenges and disappointment

I shared this a few years ago and I think it's worth repeating. During this season may we fully understand the truth and power in these words: Releasing people and praying for them allows us to be unencumbered by them. They may never own their part in it or their dysfunction until they have an encounter with the Lord. In the meantime choose peace, freedom, and purpose. Choose freedom in Christ over bondage to people. Sometimes we have to heal from the apology we never receive

From our house to yours! May the joy and peace of Jesus Christ be yours now and throughout 2022. May the celebration of His birth remind you of any untapped potential in your life and allow Jesus to bring it to birth in your life - not only for you, but for the world! The Greatest Gift on Earth, and to Earth, Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God! Come, let us adore Him...Emmanuel! In His Love, Leisa & Michael Smith #LeisaWilkins #EncouragementInTheWord Be Encourag

"For a child has been born—for us! the gift of a son—for us! He’ll take over the running of the world. His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness. His ruling authority will grow, and there’ll be no limits to the wholeness he brings. He’ll rule from the historic David throne over that promised kingdom. He’ll put that kingdom on a firm footing and keep it going With fair dealing and right living, beginning now and lasting always. The z

When was the last you thanked the minister, ministry, or person, who has consistently poured into your life? It's not just about money, it's about writing a note of thanks, calling them, encouraging them, maybe taking them to eat a meal, praying for them, and yes you can financially support their ministry, if God leads you to do so. Ask God how you can bless those that selflessly bless you, give to you, care for your spiritual growth, and care for you. Those that pull on ou

Nehemiah didn't even start to build before repenting for Israel, his family, and himself. We need to take a page out of his book and repent before trying to build anything. Could be why nothing being built is lasting! We don't need another marketing idea we need to go back to basics and repent! A repentant heart is a heart that God can work with. Then I said, “O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him a

It really is about perspective. Sometimes, a lot of times - in certain circumstances, it's harder to have God's perspective. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9 AMPC) You have moments when the Word, as you know it, doesn't appear to be working in your life. Yet there's the precious promise in Romans 8:28 that keeps you anchored. “And we know [with great confidence] th