Faith and The Love Challenge 2

January 8, 2026 Martha Rodman3 Comments

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8.

Have you ever fought with too short covers or blankets? Some of you length challenged people may not understand the struggles we taller people have with differing lengths of blankets. In order to warm your shoulders, you have to turn on your side, bend your knees and sleep like a pretzel, not my fun way of sleeping. If you stretch out your feet poke out and get cold. Not a way to get a good nights sleep. Have you ever felt your love blanket was too short?

Reading this passage this morning, above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins, reminded me that when our love runs short, it is like that too small blanket. Instead of enlarging our love, by reminding ourselves what Jesus did for us, we either ignore this verse or point fingers at the sin of others. This is not what loving our brothers and sisters should look like. There sees to be times I put my love blanket in a too hot dryer of my emotions and feelings and allow it to shrink exposing the sins or shortcomings of those I am supposed to love.

One area that I’ve learned that causes my love blanket to shrink, is unmet expectations. How about you? I remember a time I felt a leader should have given me a word of praise or thank you, but for whatever reason, they didn’t. My emotions tried to run wild. Mumbling and grumbling began rising up in my thoughts and it wasn’t pretty. When I stopped to take a breath and a good look at myself, I had to admit they didn’t owe me a thanks. I volunteered. It was my choice. This sounds like a very small issue, and it was. But as I struggled to get past these emotions, I began to cry out to the Lord. Please help me, I do not want this is grow into a root of bitterness. As the Holy Spirit helped me rightly view the situation, peace came. I began to pray for the leader and all the things they had on their plate, besides me and my feelings. The interesting thing was that the next day, they thanked me!

Covering a sin means forgiving. Peter is dealing with interpersonal relationships within the body of Christ. If a brother or sister wrongs us, we are supposed to forgive them as Christ forgave us, but he didn’t say it would be easy. 1 Corinthians 13:5 tells us that love keeps no record of wrongs. Ouch…are you a scorekeeper? We need to put away all scorecards, as we would want others to put away their scorecards for us!

Another area of covering sin has to do with gossip. If we forgive, we don’t share. It is covered. Oh, that can be so hard to do. Our flesh loves to gossip, doesn’t it? If someone sins against us, we are supposed to go to that person, alone. When I have people coming to me about their frustrations with another person, and I ask, “have you told them”? Often, they hang their heads and say “no”. How can they change something they don’t know hurts you? It is not fair to the other person. He who goes about as a gossip reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with a gossip [who talks freely or flatters]. Proverbs 20:19. AMP. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouth, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29. ESV. Gossiping definitely shrinks our love blanket.

Covering love acknowledges the hurt the sin caused. It then forgives, sets boundaries if necessary, and moves on. It does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. All of these thoughts have to do with our heart, don’t they? My friends, I feel like I need to read 1 Corinthians 13, slowly once a week to remind myself what godly love looks like. It definitely does not come natural to our spiritual man, does it?

Father, please help us grow even more in understanding how we can love each other like you want us to. Teach us to place a guard over our heart first, then our mouth so we do not shrink our love blankets through unforgiveness and gossip. Teach us how not to rejoice in wrongdoing. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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Faith and God’s “New”

January 1, 2026 Martha Rodman2 Comments

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].

I am writing this on January 1, 2026. We have begun a calendar “new” year. I don’t really do resolutions. I have goals I hope to achieve this year. As i think about my definition of new and God’s definition of “new” I see the gaps. My thoughts of new usually include something the same, but maybe updated. I received a “new” sweatshirt, but it was still a sweatshirt–even though it was a new color and design. I will wear it the same way as my “old” sweatshirts. But God’s Word seems to define “new” as a transformation. If we are in Christ, we are new or different creation than we were before. Our old thoughts, complete with our moral and spiritual condition, lead us to death. But the new creation we’ve become lead us to life and godliness. We can look forward to new mercies every morning.

I can see the effects of the new creation I am in some areas. The Holy Spirit makes me aware of the changes I need. I have read through the New Testament letters this past year. Jesus words were very clear. Love one another as I have loved you. John 13: 34. Love those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who persecute you, just as God sends sun and rain on the just and unjust. Luke 6:27. This is heart of the type of new creation God wants us to have. I cannot just will myself to love those who curse me or despitefully use me. I need the power of the Holy Spirit to touch and enlarge my heart.

How does He do it? Often it is by bringing us to these very opportunities! These challenging tests are not easy, but if we want to grow in Him and into all the new things He has for us, we have to trust our Holy Spirit teacher to bring us the perfect lessons to help us grow. The Apostles Paul, John, and Peter all emphasized this need to learn to love one another. It’s written throughout each of their writings. My friends, should we not make it a priority to allow the Holy Spirit to transform our love ability? It is not easy, at least for me. But the more I learn about His love for me, the easier it is for me to love others.

My heart and my mind says I love them, but what about my actions. This is even more tricky, isn’t it? Laying down our lives for others, putting aside our own selfish concerns is challenging. I have found, when I obey the Holy Spirit’s nudging, fruit is born. Not necessarily in the situation, but in my own heart. It is worth it.

What He does with our obedience is in His hands, not ours. It really isn’t. The cost of obedience is sometimes higher than we think we are purchasing. Our old mind weighs the seeming cost, and can cause us to choose not to obey. The cost can be our time, talent, or treasure. In me, it reveals my selfish desire to run my own life. Submitting to becoming this new creation definitely means denying ourselves.

My friends, suppose your willingness to love someone above and beyond, when they are persecuting or cursing you brings them to the knowledge of our Savior? Would that be worth it? Suppose someone else’s willingness to go through those things for others may bring your loved one to the Lord? Jesus said the world will know we are His children by our love for each other. So let’s at least try to love those already in the body of Christ! This may be just for me, so pray for me, please?

Father, we need your help desperately in this matter. We aren’t good at loving each other. We aren’t good at glorifying your name by our actions. Forgive us for our selfishness, lead us into your truth, In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Faith and The Challenge of Love

December 18, 2025 Martha Rodman2 Comments

Let love be your highest goal! I Corinthians 14:1 a.NLT

My reading through the Bible this year has brought me once again to Paul and his inspiring letters. I have noticed that in everyone, his emphasis is on how we handle relationships. In Ephesians 4:31, he instructs us to get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words. and slander as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another just as God through Christ has forgiven you. He makes it pretty clear, doesn’t he? If we are to follow Jesus, it seems we must pay attention to these types of verses.

I Thessalonians 2:12, We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in His Kingdom and glory. Oh, my friends, I wonder what would happen if we actually took these verses to heart? I am not sharing this to bring condemnation or guilt. I want to remind us how important the Lord cares how we treat one another. The day we celebrate is birth is quickly approaching. From Genesis to the Gospels, God planned to bring us salvation, already knowing the price it would cost Him. Paul encouraged the Thessalonians not to live unto themselves. Instead, he urged them to live lives that God would consider worthy. This way of living is obviously not how our flesh would want to live. My friends, there is so much joy in caring for one another. Recently, I’ve added a visit to my friends in assisted living each week. They have been members of our church for years. Contributing their time, talent and prayers for years. We were not necessarily close friends, but always enjoyed sharing about the goodness of God. Doctors diagnosed her husband with dementia, and he is now in hospice. Having been there with my own husband, I know how difficult it can be. So, fulfilling 2 Corinthians 1: 4, He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us, I go and visit them. It isn’t easy watching his progression, but I know it is much harder for his wife. There is something God’s love does for us when we reach out to others with His love. I told her, “I can’t go through this for you, but I can do my best to make sure you aren’t doing it alone”. Please understand. I am not bragging about what I am doing. I am amazed at the grace God has given me to do it! He will do it for you to, if you ask. I admit that sometimes I am too selfish. I don’t want to love those around me the way they need it. But then, His love convicts me, and I repent and start again.

Proverbs 17:17 says a friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Matthew 5:44-45: But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.

Luke 10:27: And he answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.

John 13:34-35. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: Just as I have loved, you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

I believe the verses above shares God’s heart on the matter. Asking Him to teach us how to love Him and His people is a high goal. It is not easy, and we can’t do it without His love being shed abroad in our hearts (Romans 5:5). Paul’s instructions in his letters make it really clear on what love is and how we are to show it. 1 Corinthians 14:1 comes right after 1 Corinthians 13; what we consider to be the “love chapter”. The New Living Bible says: Make love your highest goal, the NIV says: Follow the way of love. The Message: Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it. Wow, that’s pretty clear. Love is not an emotion; it is choices and actions. We can do this! Let’s encourage each other to grow in love this coming year, OK?

Father, please help us learn to love you and those around us more perfectly. We aren’t very good at it. Your word makes it very clear that it glorifies You when we live a life of love. You know what it costs us to lay down our lives for others, because You paid even more for us. Thank You for loving us, even when we make a mess of loving Your people. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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Faith and Choices

December 4, 2025 Martha RodmanLeave a comment

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6. NLT.

Don’t worry about anything. I used to think I did pretty well in this area, not worrying. But one day, the Holy Spirit started revealing areas in my life where I was anxious. I had grown so accustomed to it that I didn’t recognize it as worry! As I pondered and prayed about today’s blog–you guessed it! Worry, anxiety and stress showed up! Worry is sneaky. It robs us of so much energy.

If we stop worrying, start praying we receive what is promised in verse 7. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. When our hearts and minds are at peace, it is so much easier to make right choices. We won’t be driven by competition, conflict or fear. It is easier to stop and ask for His wisdom and perspective when we begin from the place of peace.

I haven’t learned the secret to “non worry”, but I am learning how to prevent it from ruling and running my life. When I catch myself moving toward worry, I try to stop and pray. Small choices often open the door to stress and anxiousness. The “should I’s” of life can become paralyzing if we let them. My friends, do not let worry derail you from moving ahead with God’s plan and call in your life. Worry and anxiety steals your trust and makes your God small. He is not small in any manner.

When in doubt, choose faith and trust. Look for the bigger, bolder choice and do it! Do not let fear dictate your decisions, but release your faith when confronted by those fears. Stir up your faith, if need be. Remind yourself who your God is. This morning I read the first chapter of 2 Corinthians. I found it so encouraging. We go through things so we can help comfort others. Our enemy would like us to quit before we get to that point. No matter what you are facing, your choice is faith. Forgive yourself if you realize you have let worry run your life. Today is a new day, for fresh choices.

I confess lately I have been plagued with worry thoughts. The Holy Spirit showed me that when the enemy knocked with worry, I let him in. He didn’t stay in that small area, but anxiety tried to spread to new areas of my life. Thank you Lord, for opening my eyes to his schemes. I repented and asked Him to guard my heart and mind once again with His peace. Peace came along with the confidence I needed. Check your own heart. Don’t let worry steal from you.

Father, I thank you for helping us make good choices. Choices of faith, trust and confidence. Teach us to take the time to pray first, acknowledging any worry, concern or anxious thoughts we may have. Help us capture them with Your Word, in Jesus’ Name, amen.

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Faith and Psalm 100

November 27, 2025 Martha Rodman1 Comment

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise, be thankful to Him, and bless His name, For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and HIs truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100:4-5. NKJV.

Years ago, in elementary school, my parents sent us to a Methodist church Sunday school class. I don’t remember our teacher’s name, but she encouraged our class to memorize scripture. It was a great beginning and a wonderful gift to those of us in her class. Psalm 100 was one scripture we learned. I am amazed at how often the Holy Spirit brings these truths, learned so long ago, to my mind.

The whole psalm is encouraging. Focusing on this verse reminds me to check myself when I am struggling to “sense” or “feel” His presence. Am I seeking Him for His answers or am I seeking Him? Often people use the phrase, “am I looking for His hands or His heart? This is Thanksgiving Day in the United States. A day set aside to express our gratitude for the blessings we have received. Gathering with family and friends around a special meal, reflecting on the goodness of life, is a good thing when we begin with thankfulness.

Driving to my daughter’s house this year, I determined to take the time to shift my thinking and enter into His gates with thanksgiving. I admit my mind has been filled with concerns and struggles, not for myself but for some members of my family. Last night as I was getting ready to sleep, I shifted my “intercessory prayer” mode to one of gratefulness. As I thanked the Lord for each of my grandchildren, I chose not to focus on what I think He needs to do to “change” them. Instead, I simply released my faith that He is working in them for good. The more I thanked God for each of them, the easier it was for me to trust His work in their lives. They are all great people, not perfect, but amazing human beings. So as we gather today with seven out of the eleven of them, I am choosing to simply be thankful and grateful. If there are areas of heaviness and concerns for the people in your life, take a break from “wishing things were different” and just begin to thank Him for His work in them. Release your faith. What if those very struggles are what He is using to change you? Your thoughts, attitudes or to simply teach you about acceptance?

The gate of our hearts is in our hands. We control who we let in, when we let them in and what manner of reception they will receive. Don’t let bitterness, resentment or unfulfilled expectations ruin your day. If you need to forgive people for being who they are, then forgive. Today, just be grateful for those around you. Share words of encouragement and appreciation. Look for what is right rather than what is wrong. That is what faith does! Remember Galatians 5:6; faith works by love. The two go together. This year I am sharing my sons family with his in-laws. I pray they are having a wonderful time together. I know we will miss them, but I choose to focus on who is there, not on who isn’t. Entering in His gates with thanksgiving, helps me open my gates to those around me, and for that I am so grateful.

Father, please teach us how to enter into Your gates each day with thanksgiving. There is so much more to understand about the power of gratitude and developing a thankful heart. Thank you for continuing to help your children learn and grow. Forgive us when we fall so short. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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Faith and Senior Life

November 20, 2025 Martha RodmanLeave a comment

I will be your God throughout your lifetime–until your hair is white with age, I made you, and i will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. Isaiah 46:4. NLT.

This past week I had the privilege of speaking at our Senior Life Ministry breakfast. So many thoughts crossed my heart and mind as I prepared for this event. This scripture is so full of hope and encouragement. I’ve learned from my story and those of other Seniors that life is unpredictable. During the last years of my husband’s life, he declared his motto to be: the best is yet to be. He truly believed this. I did too, but what we were expecting during this time was not what happened.

He spent the last two and a half years needing a caregiver. This man who was a mentor to many, could no longer talk. Before his stroke, we talked about what our “old age” would look like. We would grow old together, enjoying our sunset years. He passed away at a young sixty-five. Thirteen years later, I am still here leaning on the Lord like I have never done before. The promise in this verse assures us that our God will be our God throughout our lifetime. This includes these senior years. What I have learned is that learning to walk with the Lord today prepares us for our future. The trust lessons we learn today can only help us for our tomorrows.

For my younger readers, can I admit something to you? Senior life can be scary. We fear developing dementia or Alzheimer’s. Running out of money is also a concern. We worry about becoming dependent on our children, and these fears tend to lurk in the back of our thoughts. Health issues become a bigger deal. Falls and fall risk increases as we age. Doctors appointments now include a memory test. Unless we apply God’s Word of hope, truth and trust it is easy to fall into discouragement, isolation and depression. Aging into the
“senior” age is usually gradually. Age 50, AARP begins sending you their information. Come join us. Get discounts on travel, financial advice, social security and medicare changes and other information. Most people at 50 are healthy, working and strong.

Life is changing for retirees. Instead of full retirement benefits at 65, beginning next year it is 67. If you are healthy and have an enjoyable career, it should not be a problem. But some seniors don’t have optimum health, so they will struggle to make it to 67. Personally, at 67 I thought senior life was a breeze–except I had lost my husband when I was 62. For me, it meant re-figuring my life without him. This is where I personally, intentionally began to apply God’s Word about my future. My prayer life became even more important as I navigated the loneliness of widowhood. It was clear the choice was mine, was I going to grow bitter or trust God’s purpose and grow better.

All believing Seniors need to utilize the armor of the Lord daily. Ephesians 6:10-11 became one of my go to verses. Finally, my brethren be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. NKJV. The battle does not ease up because we are older. We have even more to fight for. Our bodies could be weaker, but our spirits should be stronger. We have the privilege to pray for and fight for the next generation. The enemy would love to plant seeds of doubt, isolation and fear, but we must fight against the feeling of uselessness and worthlessness. The fight is still real, but so is the victory.

Our God sees us and loves us. He has a plan for everyone of our days. Psalm 139:16: you saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Learning to trust this promise, isn’t always easy. Ask my friend whose husband is suffering from dementia. But she is finding Him faithful, even in this season of life. To every age reading this, learn your lessons of this season well–you don’t know how much you will need them in your future.

You may not be fighting aging, but no matter what you are facing: God is with you today. He is with you in His power and might. He is with You with His love and purpose, which why we can say “this is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it“. Psalm 118:24.

Father, I thank you for being with us, no matter how old we are. I thank you that we need every generation. Teach us how to trust You and Your Word, to hide them in our hearts so we might not sin against you. I thank you for your trustworthiness in my life and in the lives of your people. In Jesus’ Name amen.

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Faith and Perspective

November 13, 2025 Martha RodmanLeave a comment

All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart has a continual feast. Proverbs 15:15. NKJV.

I must admit, there are some days I feel a part of the “afflicted.” Difficulties coming from right and left to knock me off my faith walk. Then I focus on the ‘merry heart’ section and I know I have experienced that as well. The two words in this verse that can cause us trouble is the “all the days” and “continual” perspectives.

Many commentaries make it clear. The afflicted do not necessarily have more outward battles than those with a merry heart, but it is how they react to them. It is a matter of perspective. It is often our choice, isn’t it? Jesus tells us so kindly in John 14:1, Do not let your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in me. Life happens to everyone. Trials and tribulations hit every family. Jesus very clearly told us: In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33. NKJV. So the question to each of us is: how are we going to handle them?

Take time to take a deep breath. I usually begin by praying: Lord, help me. Simple prayer, but it reminds me He is there. This past week we received some news about one of my granddaughters. There was a possible diagnosis for a life-long and life changing illness. My heart sank when I read the text. Fortunately, I was just beginning our small group and asked for prayer. I forced my mind to stay focused on the fact it was only a possibility. The next night during our monthly prayer and worship meeting, our pastor asked if there was anyone dealing with undiagnosed medical issues. This is the first time I have heard him (or anyone!) do an altar call for undiagnosed medical issues! There were several of us who came. As I stood in for my granddaughter, I prayed “Father, please touch her body and let all things come back to normal.” Waiting another week challenged me to keep trusting, knowing that He has her future in His hands. The good news came back yesterday…all tests were normal!

I am so grateful for this good news. Our family has had its share of not the news we wanted to hear as well. But through each of these troubles, I have learned to trust Him and His perspectives. They aren’t mine. His ways and thoughts are higher than ours. When in doubt, trust Him. I read a quote by Joyce Meyer the other day. It is food for thought: Is your problem really your problem, or is it your attitude towards the problem that is your problem. Learning to ask Him to help you change your perspective is a huge tool. Like most new tools, it can take some effort to learn to use it, but it is doable, and oh so useful!

The Message Bible reads: a miserable heart means a miserable life; a cheerful heart fills the day with song. The New Living Translation reads: For the despondent, everyday brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast. They give us a slightly different perspectives. Jesus came to give us life, and that more abundantly so if your heart is afraid, miserable or feeling despondent don’t run from Him, run to Him. Take the time to ask for His help with the different areas of your life where you maybe feeling afflicted. He wants to help.

Father, I thank you for helping us in these difficult areas. You know our days on earth can be difficult, but you encourage us to be of good cheer because you overcame those difficulties for us. Please help us believe Your Word and who You are, in Jesus’ Name, amen.

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Faith and Dealing with Heaviness

November 6, 2025 Martha RodmanLeave a comment

To give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…Isaiah 61:3. NKJV.

Last week we look at faith and dealing with discouragement. This week, let’s focus on dealing with heaviness. The spirit of heaviness attempts to come when we face difficult challenges. It often appears during these times in our lives. It brings a sense of hopelessness, despair and discouragement. The goal is to render us powerless and to feel like a victim.

Yesterday I was feeling overwhelmed with the needs of many. As I was vacuuming and preparing for our LIfe Group, my heart felt very heavy. My mind roamed from person to person…trying to figure out who I could call to pray for me. Realization hit–just go to the Father! Tell Him how you are feeling. Car crashes, mentally ill sons, strong cancer possibilities, court case not helpful in an abuse situation…all these concerns rolling around in my heart. I felt the weight of them all. As I cried out to Him, deep from the depths of my spirit came this old scripture song based on Isaiah 61:3.

Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness,

lift up your voice to God

Praise with the Spirit

and with understanding oh magnify the Lord!.

This song was written by David Engles in 2009. As I began attempting to sing the words of this long-forgotten song, the spirit of heaviness began to lift. God began to restore hope. Quickly I recognized the enemy was at work, attempting to distract and undermine God’s Word and work.

My voice was cracked and quiet, but as I began to sing over the vacuum, my spirit began to focus on our God. I realized that He knows and loves every person who is facing those concerns. They were heavy to me because I couldn’t/can’t fix any of them. But He can. Faith began to rise. I determined to stay in faith and trust and not let the heaviness of their situations affect me. Our study on the armor of God came back, and I recognized the enemy had shot a fiery dart our way. I say “our” way, because each of those concerns are from our small Life Group. We are a community. Faith began to rise over fear.

Praise naturally led me to look up. That truth of the words of that song shifted my focus and perspective. I began to think about all the good testimonies we were going to experience when our faith became substance. The enemy attempted to set us up for set back, but God is using it to teach us how to move ahead. When we came together for the meeting, I felt it. The concerns weighed heavy on them.

I share my story and made them sing the song…well encouraged them! One gal Googled it and we listened and tried to sing along to all the verses. The heaviness began to lift. Have the concerns shifted? Not yet, but hopefully our perspective has shifted. If we refuse to wear the spirit of heaviness, we get to wear the garment of praise. Jesus died so we get to make the choice. Aren’t you grateful?

I have a choice. I can choose to believe He will work all things together for good in each of these situations. Alternatively, I can choose not to believe it. Adding my faith with theirs lightens our loads. The prayer of agreement also pushes back the spirit of heaviness.

I was challenged again last night with another family concern for one of our granddaughters. I had to cast that concern back to Him, choosing to know He knows her future and it is good. This morning, sending a text to my son, God reminded me of this verse. God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance to every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8. NKJV. My friends, no matter what you facing, turn to Him. Turn in faith trusting you will have sufficient grace to abound in every good work He has for you. Keep trusting my friend. Praise Him for what He has done, is doing and will do in your situations, no matter how difficult they may seem.

Father, Your loving eyes are on all our friends. You see everything that would bring heaviness. I ask you to touch their hearts with hope, faith, and the courage to praise you. That the spirit of heaviness would not overcome, but they would overcome it because of what you did for us on the cross. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Faith and Defeating Discouragement

October 30, 2025 Martha Rodman1 Comment

Don’t be afraid for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10. NLT.

Discouragement is real. It is something we all have to learn to overcome, or we will be defeated by it. The definition of discouragement is a loss of confidence and enthusiasm. The loss of confidence can be triggered by a look, a word or the lack there of. It is amazing how small an action can lead to great discouragement. I think it is one of Satan’s weapon he loves to use.

My friends, if you are facing an area of discouragement today, please take time to ponder Isaiah 41: 10. First thought: Don’t be afraid. Often the reason discouragement hinders us is because it brings its buddy, fear, along with it. Fear we aren’t enough. Fear people will find out that we are not enough. But the Lord is telling us we don’t have to be afraid because He is with us.

Second thought: Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. My heart was so encouraged by remembering that He is my God. I can come to Him anytime and anyplace. When I am up or when I am down. He never stops being my God. When I fail or when I succeed, He is still my God. His power and love are always accessible to me. His forgiveness, mercy and acceptance are mine to enjoy. That is not just words, because He is always there in His whole “Godness”..if that makes sense!

Third thought: I will strengthen you. If He declares He will strengthen us, it means He knows there are times we will be weak. That weakness can come as discouragement, doubt (in ourselves or Him), or disobedience. It doesn’t matter if we go to Him as our God; He will be there to strengthen any weak place. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Psalm 73:16. NLT. My friends’ discouragement seeks to weaken our confidence. God intends to help our confidence move from self-dependence to God-dependence. Instead of being discouraged by your weakness, lean into Him and His strength.

Fourth thought: and help you. Often when discouragement seems to be winning, it is because we really haven’t turned to Him. We simply allow our feelings to make us feel bad. We don’t allow His truth to set us free, so we remain in bondage to discouragement. Ask for His help, receive His help and obey His help. You will move from discouragement to encouragement quickly! His help often comes in the promises we find in His Word. I encourage you not only to read it, but to apply it!

Fifth thought: I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. In reality, we can’t accomplish anything without Him. It is His righteousness that we walk in, not our own. He will never let go of us, no matter what. Sin, shame, disobedience will of course have to be repented of, but they needn’t keep us in the bondage of discouragement. Confessing sin and repenting quickly leads us back to encouragement. It reminds us of the loving Savior we not only need, but have. Our confidence and enthusiasm to walk in His ways is restored. Do not let discouragement hold you down or back. Joy is your portion, my friend.

Father, I thank you for helping us defeat discouragement. It’s hold is broken on my life today. I thank you for restoring confidence and enthusiasm for anyone who has fallen victim to this sneaky thief, in Jesus’ Name, amen.

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Faith and God’s Glory

October 23, 2025 Martha Rodman1 Comment

The heavens proclaim the glory of God, the skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. Psalm 19:1-2. NLT.

Oh my friends, have you been caught up in the cares of your world? Have the weights and heaviness of your problems or the problems of others distracting you? I urge you to stop. Take a breath. Look up and look out. Find something God created. Stop. Take another breath. Really look at it. Focus! How do you feel? A bit better?

Thirty-six years ago, my husband packed three small maple tree saplings in his suitcase from Connecticut. He kept them in a bucket for a year at our home in Oregon, and thirty five years ago he planted them here in our yard in Oak Harbor, Washington. We had to remove one of them, but the other two have grown into amazing beautiful trees. This past week they exploded in glorious fall color. The stunning colors are so intense that it almost takes your breath away. The beauty of it arrests me–causes me to pause several times a day. I pray for our East Coast friends as I enjoy and remember the beauty of the autumn season.

I forgot how the beauty of God’s creation refreshes our souls. I am such a put my head down and get’er done type of gal. On our road trips, I would read, crochet or work on a project. My husband would say, why don’t you put that away and enjoy the scenery! When I have taken the time to look at His handiwork, I am awestruck! I still remember my first view of the Grand Canyon, the amazing wonder of floating icebergs in Alaska, and the overwhelming tranquility that comes from sitting at the ocean. Driving through the desert and discovering God’s diverse creativity was such a gift. I had the privilege of studying astronomy with my grandchildren a few years ago. It brought the truth of Psalm 19:1-2 into my soul. The heavens proclaim the glory of God, the skies display his craftsmanship. NLT.

It was almost like the Lord knew I needed this tree to be this amazing this year. It is so colorful it almost glows! Even the reflection in my window brings joy to my soul. Life has been busy–mostly good busy, but I have not stopped to enjoy it! I think God is trying to teach this old daughter to add enjoyment to her life…how about you? Or are you wired another way? My daughter makes the time to go to the beach. She deliberately chooses to take advantage of God’s creation to refresh her soul. I, on the other hand, need it thrust in my face! She teaches me often.

This summer we enjoyed the shade the leaves provided. But as fall drew near, all I could think about is how are we going to deal with these leaves this year? The joy of the tree got lost in the caring for the tree. I think that happens in much of our lives, if we let it. The joy of parenting gets lost in dealing with teaching and training of little lives. The joyful relationship with our spouses gets drowned out in navigating the cares of bills and differing opinions. Even our relationship with the Lord can become wearisome if we reduce it to routinely prayer, reading the word with a nod to “what do you want me to do today?” The gift of this tree felt like a burden. For the past several years, my grandchildren have dealt with these leaves. It’s been such a gift and blessing. But their lives have been getting busier and busier. One is at an internship in another state, another started college and one is heavy into ballet. So, I wasn’t sure how this year would go. But the 12 year old is willing to take on the task…with maybe some additional help from others. (I do pay them!) We also have a giant willow tree that also loses its leaves!

The obvious glory of the Lord displayed in these trees is fleeting. But the miraculous system God created in the seasonal cycle of every tree is just that: miraculous. Fall happens; the leaves change color, they drop, the tree looks barren and hopeless, but then spring begins to cause the leaves to develop and we begin again. God’s glory is still being displayed in the winter tree. Romans 1:20:b states: through everything God made, they [people] can clearly see his invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. NLT. God’s creation is for everyone not only to enjoy, but to cause us to really see and comprehend Him.

John Piper said: the glory of God is the manifest beauty of his holiness. It is the going public of his holiness. I love this…the fact that God’s creation is God going public with his character, his power and his majesty is amazing. He wants all of his creation to share in his creativity–especially his creation called man.

This tree always goes through its seasonal cycle, but not always in so much glory. This year my soul needed to stop and be reminded of God’s glory. I took a picture, but it does not capture in anyway how stunning it is. My friends take time to look at God’s creation around you…it will bring refreshment to your soul.

Father, you amaze me. You could have made life in black, white, and grays. Instead, you chose to give us an amazing world of technicolor. The color often catches our eyes to see the subtle intricacies of the world around us. Help us focus on what you have displayed, but we have not seen or comprehended.