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.

Sunday, January 04, 2026

Day 2 of 2026 Bible Readings - Genesis 4:6-7 (NLT)

Genesis 4-7, Psalm 2

Genesis 4:6-7 (NLT)

“Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”

In Genesis 4:6–7, we read about the Lord speaking to Cain after He rejected Cain’s offering. Cain became furious when the Lord did not accept it, and his anger was visible in his face and outward demeanor. Father-God asked Cain why he was angry and downcast, drawing attention to Cain’s inner response rather than immediately condemning his actions. Cain had chosen not to bring the best of his harvest as an offering, thereby rejecting the Lord’s standards. In response, Father-God warned Cain that sin was crouching at his door, desiring to overtake him—but that Cain still had the responsibility and ability to master it.

These verses show believers that from the very beginning, the Lord has cared deeply about both our emotions and our actions. Father-God engaged directly with Cain, offering guidance and warning before sin took hold. He urged Cain to master his anger before it ruled him and led him into greater harm. The Lord desired to guide Cain away from sin and provided him with the opportunity to choose self-control and obedience.

This personal interaction between Cain and Father-God serves as a model for how we can relate to the Holy Spirit today. The Holy Spirit is with us always, giving us the strength and awareness needed to resist sin. While I do not have the same direct, audible interaction that Cain experienced, I rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance to help me navigate life and overcome the sinful temptations that arise.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who gave us the Holy Spirit to help us overcome sin—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer, expressing your trust, your desire to walk with Him, and your willingness to welcome His presence into your life. God is faithful and ready to meet you exactly where 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.

Being part of a Holy Spirit–led church community has deeply shaped my faith. If you’re searching for a place to grow, worship, and encounter God, you can explore my church and its affiliated campuses here: https://revivaltoday.com/

Day 1 of 2026 Bible Readings for January 3 – Psalm 1:1-3 (NLT)

Genesis 1-3, Psalm 1

Psalm 1:1-3 (NLT)

“Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.”

I chose Psalm 1:1–3 as an appropriate passage to begin a new year of Bible reading. These verses describe what believers can expect when they delight in and engage with the Lord’s word—joy, stability, and a life that bears fruit. Scripture compares the person who meditates on God’s law to a tree planted by streams of water, continually nourished and sustained. Just as a well-watered tree flourishes and produces visible fruit, so a believer’s life reflects growth, vitality, and steadfastness rooted in God.

This is my fifth year of reading the Bible in a year, and I can honestly say that my joy and satisfaction have increased with each year. Daily Scripture reading nourishes and sustains me, helping me build a firm foundation in my relationship with the Lord. When my life is under pressure or filled with challenges, my daily readings remind me of Father-God’s promises. They help me remain resilient and steadfast in my faith.

Over time, my relationship with God the Father has deepened, as has my trust in the Holy Spirit. I wake up each day with the assurance that I am pleasing to the Lord—and that He is pleased with me.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who gives a firm foundation for life—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer, expressing your trust, your desire to walk with Him, and your willingness to welcome His presence into your life. God is faithful and ready to meet you exactly where you are.

Friday, January 02, 2026

2026 – A New Year and a New Plan - Exodus 15:2-3 (ESV)

Exodus 15:1–18 — The Song of Moses and Miriam

Exodus 15:2–3 (ESV)
“The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.”

For today’s reading, I researched the compositional history of the Bible and the approximate dating of its earliest texts. Many scholars agree that the Song of Moses and Miriam in Exodus 15:1–18 is among the oldest passages in Scripture, likely composed before 750 BC. This song was sung after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, marking their deliverance from Egypt.

These verses remind me that my purpose in reading the Bible is to remember daily that the Lord is my strength and my salvation. Reflecting on Scripture and writing about what these verses mean in my life is one way I praise and exalt Him.

Today is not about beginning another Bible-reading journey; it is about releasing the year that has passed and placing the next one into the Lord’s hands. Father-God is faithful over time, not just in moments, and nothing I have read, prayed, or lived this past year has been wasted. Even the days I struggled to focus or understand were still held by Him.

As I come to the end of this year’s Bible-reading plan, I am grateful not only for the Scriptures I’ve read, but for the way the Lord has met me through them. Day by day, Father-God has shown Himself faithful, patient, and present—reminding me that growth in faith is often quiet, steady, and formed over time. This year has taught me contentment in obedience and trust in God’s long-term work rather than immediate outcomes.

Before I begin a new chronological journey through Scripture, I pause to acknowledge that God’s work in my life does not depend on perfect timing or flawless discipline. It depends on His faithfulness. I do not need to rush ahead to prove devotion or productivity. I simply need to remain willing to listen.

This past year marked my fourth time reading the Bible in a year. Beginning on January 2, I read the daily passages and highlighted verses that spoke to me, reflecting on what they revealed about my life and faith. On May 27 (Day 145), the Holy Spirit inspired me to begin closing each Bible-reading post with an encouragement to find a Bible-based church where readers could deepen their relationship with the Lord. On July 5 (Day 185), the Holy Spirit again prompted me to include a prayer of repentance and faith at the end of each post, offering readers an opportunity to invite Jesus Christ into their lives.

In August, the Holy Spirit led me to use AI tools to help edit my Bible-reading posts so they would be clearer and more accessible to those discovering my blog. I researched and tested several tools, including Grammarly and ProWritingAid, and ultimately settled on ChatGPT and ProWritingAid to support this work. Finally, on December 26, I added a link to the website of the church I joined in May 2025.

As I prepare to begin a chronological reading of Scripture, I do so with humility and expectation. I want to see the story of redemption unfold as it did in real time—through generations, failures, faithfulness, exile, and restoration. I trust that the same God who guided His people through history will continue to guide me as I read His Word in a deeper, more connected way. I close this year confident in Father-God’s faithfulness, and I step into the next one ready to listen again.

Father-God, I release the past year with gratitude. I receive the year ahead with trust. I enter this season not striving to control time, but choosing to walk with You through it.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel compelled to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who can be your strength and salvation—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.

Thursday, January 01, 2026

Day 365 Bible Readings - Revelation 22:3-5 (ESV)

Nehemiah 13, Revelation 22, Proverbs 31:21-31

Revelation 22:3-5 (ESV)

“No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.”

In Revelation 22:3–5, John sees a vision of heaven that will be the ultimate fulfillment for believers. The removal of the curse that entered the world through Adam and Eve’s disobedience means that all suffering and sin will be gone. Believers will see the throne of Father-God and Jesus Christ and will worship Him in His presence. There will be no more darkness, either physically or spiritually. Father-God Himself will be the source of light, and His people will reign with Him forever.

I felt these verses were an appropriate way to end a year of reading the Bible in 365 days. As a Christian, I look forward to the day when I will see Father-God in heaven. I do not see this as a reward in the transactional sense, but as a joyful reunion with the One with whom I have been in covenant relationship for so many years. I also look forward to eternal life without suffering, living forever in the presence of the Lord.

Eternal life is stewarded when we trust in Father-God’s faithfulness and place our confidence in the power and guidance of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel compelled to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who offers eternal life filled with light and freedom from suffering—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.