Trust in the One There are times when life can feel like a dark valley with no sight of a way forward. Our senses become overwhelmed with what we see and feel, and hope seems distant. In these moments, the enemy tries to drown out God’s voice, filling our hearts with doubt. But even in the darkest valley, God has a promise – healing is coming. Faith calls us to lift our eyes and look to our Father. Faith reminds us that even when healing seems distant, and restoration feels impossible, God is at work. He declares, ‘I will bring it health and healing.’ Not might, not possibly, but I will. His healing extends beyond the physical – it reaches our emotions, minds, and spirits. His restoration is not just about fixing what’s broken but about giving us something more – an abundance of peace and truth. What the enemy meant for harm, God will use for glory. Restoration is more than repairing the past; it’s about unveiling something wonderful about the heart of our Father and the life-changing peace He has for us. When we stand on His Word, even when our earthly senses wrestle with doubt, we align ourselves with Heaven’s reality. We may not see the way out just yet, but we can trust the One who holds the path. Healing is on the way; an abundance of peace and truth will be given to you. Prayer: Lord, I may not see a way out yet, but I choose to believe Your Word. I receive Your healing. I trust in Your restoration. Thank You for the abundance of peace and truth You are revealing to me. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Written by ELISHA JURGENSEN

https://www.facebook.com/groups/womeninworldhistory/permalink/1903476120280705/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v Find out how Black History impacts American history. Black and IS part of American history! Kindness spreads the Kingdom of God

https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/from-every-nation

I remember it like it was yesterday. Early one Sunday morning the announcement was made for a special business meeting to discuss the future of my husband, Jeff. Only a few knew the announcement was coming, and when it came, it shook the whole congregation. The next thing I knew it was time to lead that same congregation in worship even though the last thing I felt like doing was singing. I wanted to scream, cry, throw things, anything but stand on a stage and lead worship. The ministry we poured our lives into was falling apart, and the people we had loved and led for years were pulling away. My heart was in pieces. In that dark, painful moment, God brought to mind this gentle whisper to my soul: Consider this an opportunity for joy, my daughter. JOY? For real, Lord? I’m supposed to choose JOY right now? Joy is a choice. It's choosing to see the goodness of God in the midst of my circumstances. Choosing joy is seeing God's plan beyond my temporary pain. Things may be falling apart now, but this “light and momentary struggle is achieving for me an eternal glory” that far outweighs everything I'm going through. This testing of my faith will produce endurance, character, strength and trust. But it’s so painful during the process. Looking back, I see that God used this trial to change me. Was I singing for the attention of people or the applause of God? Was I doing ministry in my own strength or fully relying on God to accomplish His work through me? On that day I learned a great lesson: I can choose joy because His approval is all I need. And looking back, I know that my faith has been made stronger because of it. On that dark day I stood on the platform, closed my tear-filled eyes and chose to praise Him in my pain as I sang these lyrics with all my heart: Our God is greater, Our God is stronger, God, You are higher than any other! And with each word, my joy increased and my faith went to a new level. That, my friends, is why we can choose joy! We must choose joy.

John 15:9–17 NIV “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.” Something to Think About Jesus declares that He will no longer call His disciples servants, but friends. Why? Servants don’t know the master’s business, but friends do (v. 15). In other words, we don’t just know His commands, but also His heart. The roles of a servant and a friend both involve obedience, but one involves intimacy. Obedience without intimacy leads to legalism, fear, and self-righteousness. It assumes that God’s love is conditional or does not exist at all. Obedience from intimacy leads to love, freedom, and delight. It knows God’s love is unconditional because it is aligned with the heart of the Father. Friendship with Jesus does not mean we have the freedom to disobey Him. Rather, it transforms the nature of our obedience. It distinguishes between earning God’s love (which we cannot do) or striving to avoid punishment and putting in effort to respond to His love and seeking to know Him more deeply. As we remain in God’s love, we are compelled to love one another. As we love one another, we are drawn deeper into God’s love. This is not about meeting conditions for God’s love but about stepping into the fullness of it.