Elf Girl in the City

S. Brenda Elfgirl - I was told I am an elf in a parallel life, and I live in the Arizona desert exploring what this means. I've had this blog for a while and I write about the things that interest me. My spiritual teacher told me that my journey in life is about balancing "the perfect oneness of a sweetness heart and the effulgent soul". My inner and outer lives are like parallel lines that will one day meet, but only when there is a new way of thinking. Read on as I try to find the balance.

Tuesday, December 09, 2025

Day 342 Bible Readings - Jude 1:20-21 (ESV)

Zechariah 5-8, Jude 1:1-25, Proverbs 23:29-35, Proverbs 24:1-4

Jude 1:20-21 (ESV)

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.”

In Jude 1:20–21, the author urges believers to focus on their walk with the Lord. At the time Jude wrote his letter, the church faced threats from false believers who caused division. Jude instructed Christians to keep building on their faith by studying Scripture, practicing spiritual disciplines, and remaining in fellowship with other believers. He emphasized that each believer is responsible for their own spiritual growth. Allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and empower our prayers is another way we remain in communication with the Lord. Jude also encouraged believers to contend for their faith and live in anticipation of Christ’s return. When believers place their hope in the promise of eternal life with God the Father, they guard themselves against false teachings that may creep into the church.

Jude’s counsel applies just as strongly today. On social media, in television, and in film there are people who claim to be believers yet question the foundations of faith. Some claim books were omitted from the biblical canon, or that the miracles performed by the apostles after Christ’s resurrection are no longer valid. But if we believe Father-God is sovereign over all things, then Scripture was preserved under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Miracles did not end with the first-century church; God still works through pastors and ministries today.

In my daily Bible study, I enjoy comparing different translations to see how various committees render a verse. The King James Version reflects the language of its time, while the New Living Translation offers a modern, clear reading style for today’s believers. I have seen medical miracles through pastors who ministered in the power of the Holy Spirit—events that defy explanation. If you want to see whether miracles still occur, attend a crusade, visit a revival service, or find a church where a pastor is holding a healing service. Witness it for yourself rather than relying on skeptics. Whatever you do, focus on deepening your relationship with the Lord, and allow the Holy Spirit to give you discernment against false teachings promoted in media, entertainment, and online platforms.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel compelled to place your faith in Jesus Christ, who will give you discernment to guard against deception—this could be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in the following prayer and express your trust in Him. Share your desire to walk with Him and welcome His presence into your life. God is faithful and ready to meet you wherever you are.

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit-filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel compelled to place your faith in Jesus Christ, who is sovereign over all things—this could be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in the following prayer and express your trust in Him. Share your desire to walk with Him and welcome His presence into your life. God is faithful and ready to meet you wherever you are.

Monday, December 08, 2025

Day 341 Bible Readings - Zechariah 4:6-7 (ESV)

Zechariah 1-4, 3 John 1, Proverbs 23:19-28

Zechariah 4:6-7 (ESV)

“Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel, you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”

In Zechariah 4:6–7, the prophet Zechariah delivers a message from the Lord to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah. Zerubbabel was a central figure in rebuilding the temple after the Babylonian exile. The message reminded him not to rely on human strength or force to accomplish God’s work. To fulfill the Lord’s purposes, he needed to depend on the Spirit of Father-God—the true source of power and success. When we trust the Holy Spirit, we overcome fear and doubt that arise when we rely on ourselves or others. God the Father can turn a mountain into a plain, meaning He is able to remove any obstacle that stands in the way of His purposes. When we trust in Him, He will faithfully complete the work He assigns to us.

These verses remind me that I cannot accomplish anything by my own efforts or the help of people alone. I need the guidance of the Holy Spirit to find success in life. The Lord provides what I need to fulfill His purposes. Father-God walks with me in my challenges and helps me overcome fear and doubt. He will remove any obstacle that hinders His plans for me. Finally, these verses assure me that God the Father is faithful to complete the work He began in me.

I know the Lord is with me in my goal of writing a novel. I rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance to choose the right tools and bring my story to life for readers. And I know without Father-God, I cannot finish this novel in a way that prepares it for publication.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel compelled to place your faith in Jesus Christ, who will help you accomplish the purposes He placed in your life—this could be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in the following prayer and express your trust in Him. Share your desire to walk with Him and welcome His presence into your life. God is faithful and ready to meet you wherever you are.

Day 340 Bible Readings for December 7 - Haggai 1:5-6 (ESV)

Haggai 1-2, 2 John 1, Proverbs 23:10-18

Haggai 1:5-6 (ESV)

“Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.”

In Haggai 1:5–6, the prophet Haggai warned the Hebrew people about the consequences of failing to prioritize God’s commands. After returning from Babylonian exile, the Jews began rebuilding the temple but abandoned the project after only two years. For the next fourteen years they left the temple unfinished. Haggai reminded them of the scarcity they experienced because of their disobedience: they never had enough food or drink; their clothing failed to keep them warm; and their wages disappeared quickly. Without the blessing of God the Father, they faced both material and spiritual lack because they neglected the Lord’s command to rebuild His house.

Haggai’s prophetic message echoes an experience in my own life. When I focused on building comfort and security for myself, I felt as though I was running on a treadmill. No matter how much money I earned, it never felt like enough. Discontentment became familiar. Nothing came easily, and I constantly worried about losing what I had worked to obtain.

When I returned to listening to the Holy Spirit and sought what Father-God wanted for me, small blessings began to appear. The Holy Spirit showed me that I had more than enough to meet my needs and even fulfill many desires. Stewardship of my resources is now something I intentionally cultivate, and I sow into the work of those who are faithfully doing what God has asked believers to do. As I strive to obey the Lord’s plan for my life, I feel momentum instead of stagnation. Most importantly, I experience peace and contentment every day.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel compelled to place your faith in Jesus Christ, who brings peace and contentment—this could be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in the following prayer and express your trust in Him. Share your desire to walk with Him and welcome His presence into your life. God is faithful and ready to meet you wherever you are.

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Sunday, December 07, 2025

Day 339 Bible Readings for December 6 - Proverbs 23:1-3 (ESV)

Daniel 12, 1 John 5, Proverbs 23:1-9

Proverbs 23:1-3 (ESV)

"When you sit down to eat with a ruler, observe carefully what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food."

In Proverbs 23:1–3, Solomon reminds believers to be cautious when dining with powerful people, such as kings or leaders. A believer should exercise discernment because what is set before them represents more than food—it may carry motives, expectations, or influence. The believer must consider why they were invited and what implications may follow. Solomon urges believers to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance in navigating these encounters. The phrase “put a knife to your throat” symbolizes self-control. Believers may face temptation, so they must maintain discipline and integrity, ensuring their thoughts and actions remain aligned with their faith.

These verses apply not only to interactions with powerful individuals but also to modern life, where believers are surrounded by entertainment and social media that parade the lifestyles of the wealthy. Society encourages us to desire what the rich have—to imitate how they live, dress, and travel, as if becoming like them is essential to success. This desire can quietly lead a believer into sin.

I experienced this when I pursued promotion in my career. I studied how executives spoke, dressed, and behaved, believing imitation was necessary for advancement. That is what business books suggest. But along the way I also noticed greed, selfishness, and ruthlessness among those I was trying to emulate. I began to question whether I was becoming like them. The Holy Spirit’s answer was always no. Yet the questioning created stress and robbed me of peace. Only by returning to my faith did I find peace again.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel compelled to place your faith in Jesus Christ, who can give you a life filled with peace—this could be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in the following prayer and express your trust in Him. Share your desire to walk with Him and welcome His presence into your life. God is faithful and ready to meet you wherever you are.