Haggai 1-2, Psalm 14
Haggai 2:8-9 (NLT)
“The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”
In Haggai 2:8-9, the Lord speaks through the prophet Haggai and tells the people that they do not need to be discouraged if they do not have the money to rebuild the Lord’s temple. The Lord says that He is sovereign over all material wealth, and He will provide the necessary resources when He wants His people to accomplish something. The people had been tasked with rebuilding the temple after their return from the Babylonian exile. Then the Lord tells them that the future temple will be greater than Solomon’s Temple. One Bible commentary I read noted that the reference to the future temple was another prophecy of Jesus Christ. Christ taught in the Second Temple and brought it greater glory through His presence. The peace mentioned in these verses was also brought by Jesus Christ, as believers find true peace through His presence.
These verses remind believers that when the Lord gives us a task to do, He will provide the resources needed to accomplish it because He is sovereign over all material wealth. The future peace that Haggai prophesied about was fulfilled through the birth of Jesus Christ. Christ embodied the presence of the Lord and brought peace to believers through His death and resurrection.
When I read these verses, I think about the peace that I feel as a follower of Jesus Christ. But Haggai also made me realize that this peace can apply to the work the Lord asks me to do. In the past, I felt fear when Father-God asked me to do something that I did not feel I had the resources to accomplish. When the Lord guided me to move to my current location, I focused on finding a job before I moved.
After searching for a job for six months with no success, I began to wonder if I had misunderstood the guidance the Lord gave me about moving. But the Holy Spirit told me to move anyway and trust that the Lord would provide for me. Right before I moved, I received a large raise, which enabled me to live without income in my new state. When I asked the Holy Spirit when I would get a job, the guidance I received was that I would find one in six months. Following the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I applied for different types of jobs, and exactly six months later I received a job offer. That job ended up being the perfect job for me.
If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who never gives you something to do without first providing what you need to accomplish it—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will 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. 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.
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.
Thank you for viewing / reading my blog posts! I appreciate it!
Sunday, June 21, 2026
Friday, June 19, 2026
Day 168 Bible Readings - Zephaniah 1:12-13 (NLT)
Zephaniah 1-3, Psalm 13
Zephaniah 1:12-13 (NLT)
“I will search with lanterns in Jerusalem’s darkest corners to punish those who sit complacent in their sins. They think the Lord will do nothing to them, either good or bad. So their property will be plundered, their homes will be ransacked. They will build new homes but never live in them. They will plant vineyards but never drink wine from them.”
In Zephaniah 1:12-13, the Lord tells the prophet Zephaniah that He will judge those who are complacent. One Bible commentary I read noted that when believers feel that Father-God is distant or detached from their lives, they can become complacent. Another Bible commentary said that complacency leads to spiritual apathy and moral decay because a believer becomes self-satisfied, believing that the Lord will not act to reward or punish them.
But the Lord tells Zephaniah that He will judge complacency, and the complacent will have their wealth and property taken away. They will not enjoy the fruits of their labor as a consequence of turning away from the Lord.
These verses remind believers not to have a false sense of security in their faith. The Lord is deeply involved in the lives of His people, and we cannot doubt that Father-God will act in our lives. Believers cannot become spiritually apathetic or ignore areas in our lives where we are not walking faithfully with the Lord. One Bible commentary I read noted that complacency often comes to those with wealth and security, since their trust is not in the Lord but in their wealth and possessions, which are temporary.
When I read these verses, I started to wonder if there were places in my life where I was being complacent, where I was self-satisfied, or where I was trusting in something that was not of the Lord or aligned with His purposes. I know that without a daily examination of my life, there could be areas where I have turned away from the Lord and placed my trust in something other than Him.
I appreciate the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who convicts me when I doubt the Lord’s involvement and sovereignty over my life, because that is what I used to believe. But after being born again, I wake up every day knowing that the Lord loves me and is active in guiding my life through the Holy Spirit.
If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who is actively involved in your life through the guidance of the Holy Spirit—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will 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. 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.
Zephaniah 1:12-13 (NLT)
“I will search with lanterns in Jerusalem’s darkest corners to punish those who sit complacent in their sins. They think the Lord will do nothing to them, either good or bad. So their property will be plundered, their homes will be ransacked. They will build new homes but never live in them. They will plant vineyards but never drink wine from them.”
In Zephaniah 1:12-13, the Lord tells the prophet Zephaniah that He will judge those who are complacent. One Bible commentary I read noted that when believers feel that Father-God is distant or detached from their lives, they can become complacent. Another Bible commentary said that complacency leads to spiritual apathy and moral decay because a believer becomes self-satisfied, believing that the Lord will not act to reward or punish them.
But the Lord tells Zephaniah that He will judge complacency, and the complacent will have their wealth and property taken away. They will not enjoy the fruits of their labor as a consequence of turning away from the Lord.
These verses remind believers not to have a false sense of security in their faith. The Lord is deeply involved in the lives of His people, and we cannot doubt that Father-God will act in our lives. Believers cannot become spiritually apathetic or ignore areas in our lives where we are not walking faithfully with the Lord. One Bible commentary I read noted that complacency often comes to those with wealth and security, since their trust is not in the Lord but in their wealth and possessions, which are temporary.
When I read these verses, I started to wonder if there were places in my life where I was being complacent, where I was self-satisfied, or where I was trusting in something that was not of the Lord or aligned with His purposes. I know that without a daily examination of my life, there could be areas where I have turned away from the Lord and placed my trust in something other than Him.
I appreciate the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who convicts me when I doubt the Lord’s involvement and sovereignty over my life, because that is what I used to believe. But after being born again, I wake up every day knowing that the Lord loves me and is active in guiding my life through the Holy Spirit.
If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who is actively involved in your life through the guidance of the Holy Spirit—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will 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. 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.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Day 167 Bible Readings - Habakkuk 2:4-5 (NLT)
Habakkuk 1-3, Psalm 12
Habakkuk 2:4-5 (NLT)
“Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God. Wealth is treacherous, and the arrogant are never at rest. They open their mouths as wide as the grave, and like death, they are never satisfied. In their greed they have gathered up many nations and swallowed many peoples.”
In Habakkuk 2:4-5, the Lord answered the prophet Habakkuk about why He chose the sinful nation of Babylon to bring judgment against Judah. Father-God told Habakkuk that He knew the people of Babylon were full of pride and were not righteous. The country was known for its arrogance and oppressive conquests. But the righteous live by their faithfulness to the Lord.
Babylon also had great wealth, which fed its pride and false sense of security. The king became arrogant and restlessly pursued power and status because he had an insatiable appetite that could never be satisfied, like death. The greed of the Babylonian people made them want to conquer and plunder other nations.
When I read these verses, I thought about all the places in my life where I still have pride. When I was listening to a sermon by Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, where he said we should be like sheep because Jesus Christ is our shepherd, I immediately resisted what he said. I saw pride inside me rearing its head because being a sheep is considered bad in modern culture. Sheep are often seen as dumb creatures who cannot care for themselves and will die because they simply follow the flock.
But when I thought about it, Bishop Dag was right. I am a sheep who needed Jesus Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead me. It is not that I am a dumb creature who followed the crowd, but I had allowed myself to follow my sinful nature, which was leading me to a life full of stress and destruction.
If I was a sheep, was I going to allow myself to be led by sin, which would lead me down a path of destruction? Or was I going to allow Jesus Christ to be my shepherd, the One who would lead me to a life of peace and blessings? By the grace of the Lord, I chose Jesus Christ to be my shepherd, and I have never regretted that decision.
If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who will guide you to a life of peace and blessings—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will 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. 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.
Habakkuk 2:4-5 (NLT)
“Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God. Wealth is treacherous, and the arrogant are never at rest. They open their mouths as wide as the grave, and like death, they are never satisfied. In their greed they have gathered up many nations and swallowed many peoples.”
In Habakkuk 2:4-5, the Lord answered the prophet Habakkuk about why He chose the sinful nation of Babylon to bring judgment against Judah. Father-God told Habakkuk that He knew the people of Babylon were full of pride and were not righteous. The country was known for its arrogance and oppressive conquests. But the righteous live by their faithfulness to the Lord.
Babylon also had great wealth, which fed its pride and false sense of security. The king became arrogant and restlessly pursued power and status because he had an insatiable appetite that could never be satisfied, like death. The greed of the Babylonian people made them want to conquer and plunder other nations.
When I read these verses, I thought about all the places in my life where I still have pride. When I was listening to a sermon by Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, where he said we should be like sheep because Jesus Christ is our shepherd, I immediately resisted what he said. I saw pride inside me rearing its head because being a sheep is considered bad in modern culture. Sheep are often seen as dumb creatures who cannot care for themselves and will die because they simply follow the flock.
But when I thought about it, Bishop Dag was right. I am a sheep who needed Jesus Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead me. It is not that I am a dumb creature who followed the crowd, but I had allowed myself to follow my sinful nature, which was leading me to a life full of stress and destruction.
If I was a sheep, was I going to allow myself to be led by sin, which would lead me down a path of destruction? Or was I going to allow Jesus Christ to be my shepherd, the One who would lead me to a life of peace and blessings? By the grace of the Lord, I chose Jesus Christ to be my shepherd, and I have never regretted that decision.
If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who will guide you to a life of peace and blessings—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will 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. 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.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Day 166 Bible Readings - Nahum 1:7-8 (NLT)
Nahum 1-3, Psalm 11
Nahum 1:7-8 (NLT)
“The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him. But he will sweep away his enemies in an overwhelming flood. He will pursue his foes into the darkness of night.”
In Nahum 1:7-8, the prophet Nahum, who was delivering the Lord’s message of judgment against Nineveh, tells the people that in times of distress they can seek Father-God, who is a strong fortress. The Lord knows all those who trust Him because they are in relationship with Him. At the same time, the Lord does not allow wickedness to go unpunished. Nineveh was known as a wicked and cruel city and was an enemy of Israel. Father-God will punish those who oppose Him. The destruction of Nineveh also served as a warning to all nations that oppose the Lord and His people.
These verses serve as a reminder to believers that the Lord is a refuge and protector for those who believe in Him. Father-God knows those who trust in Him because He is in a covenant relationship with His people. But the Lord’s love is not unconditional, and He will judge wickedness in both people and nations. The prophecy of Nahum came true when Nineveh was destroyed by a coalition of Babylonians and their allies. One Bible commentary I read noted that unusually heavy rains caused the rivers to flood, undermining the city walls and allowing the invading armies to enter the city.
Nahum’s prophecy coming true reminds believers that the Lord’s Word is true and powerful and that His promises and warnings will come to pass. But it also means believers can trust in the Lord when they enter into a covenant relationship with Him. We can be assured of Father-God’s faithfulness, protection, and goodness.
These verses, which come in the midst of Nahum’s prophecy concerning Nineveh’s destruction, show me that there are blessings in choosing righteousness instead of sin and cruelty. The people of Nineveh repented when they heard the preaching of Jonah a hundred years earlier, but they eventually returned to their sinful ways. If we trust in the Lord, we can seek refuge in Him and trust in His goodness. Even in times of judgment, believers can trust the Lord to deliver them.
If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who is your refuge in times of distress—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will 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. 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.
Nahum 1:7-8 (NLT)
“The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him. But he will sweep away his enemies in an overwhelming flood. He will pursue his foes into the darkness of night.”
In Nahum 1:7-8, the prophet Nahum, who was delivering the Lord’s message of judgment against Nineveh, tells the people that in times of distress they can seek Father-God, who is a strong fortress. The Lord knows all those who trust Him because they are in relationship with Him. At the same time, the Lord does not allow wickedness to go unpunished. Nineveh was known as a wicked and cruel city and was an enemy of Israel. Father-God will punish those who oppose Him. The destruction of Nineveh also served as a warning to all nations that oppose the Lord and His people.
These verses serve as a reminder to believers that the Lord is a refuge and protector for those who believe in Him. Father-God knows those who trust in Him because He is in a covenant relationship with His people. But the Lord’s love is not unconditional, and He will judge wickedness in both people and nations. The prophecy of Nahum came true when Nineveh was destroyed by a coalition of Babylonians and their allies. One Bible commentary I read noted that unusually heavy rains caused the rivers to flood, undermining the city walls and allowing the invading armies to enter the city.
Nahum’s prophecy coming true reminds believers that the Lord’s Word is true and powerful and that His promises and warnings will come to pass. But it also means believers can trust in the Lord when they enter into a covenant relationship with Him. We can be assured of Father-God’s faithfulness, protection, and goodness.
These verses, which come in the midst of Nahum’s prophecy concerning Nineveh’s destruction, show me that there are blessings in choosing righteousness instead of sin and cruelty. The people of Nineveh repented when they heard the preaching of Jonah a hundred years earlier, but they eventually returned to their sinful ways. If we trust in the Lord, we can seek refuge in Him and trust in His goodness. Even in times of judgment, believers can trust the Lord to deliver them.
If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who is your refuge in times of distress—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will 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. 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.
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