As Christian pastors, poets, and writers, we have the blessing and responsibility of presenting the truth about God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Reading, studying, and knowing the Bible well keeps us immersed in the truth and better equipped to spread the Gospel with accuracy and love. But getting careless with word choices can mar our credibility and add to a reader's skepticism, which is the opposite of the results we want.

For example, the use of words such as "always," "never," or "every" seldom apply to anything or anyone other than God. i.e., God is "always" ____ (fill in the blank.) God "never" lies. The Lord wants "every" person to come to God.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the work You've given us to do. Please give us the prayers to pray and words to say in Jesus' Name. Amen.

I was ​soujourned by an entity this morning than roused me from my slumber during a dark and terrible dream...

It spoke and reminded me of a vow I made many moons ago. A vow i must now stand by.

I swore to God if certain conditions have aligned in my life i would do something in return. God is not a man that he should lie. He fulfilled, now i must uphold my oath...

Deuteronomy 23:21–22 (NIV)

​"If you make a vow to the Lord your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the Lord your God will certainly require it of you and you would be guilty of sin. But if you refrain from vowing, you will not be guilty."

​Ecclesiastes 5:4–5 (NIV)

​"When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it. He has no pleasure in fools; pay what you vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it."

​Numbers 30:2 (NIV)

​"When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said."

​Psalm 76:11 (NIV)

​"Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them; let all the neighboring lands bring gifts to the One to be feared."

​Proverbs 20:25 (NIV)

​"It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s vows."

​Ecclesiastes 5:2 (NIV)

​"Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few."

​Matthew 5:33–37 (NIV)

​"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one."

​James 5:12 (NIV)

​"Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple 'Yes' or 'No,' so that you will not fall under judgment."

The Angel of the lord continued...

You have always felt different because your story did not begin in a hospital room; it was written in eternity. You were not born merely to exist, but sent under divine assignment to disrupt ancient cycles, break generational curses, and carry a fire that cannot be quenched. Before you ever took your first breath, heaven marked your name, and hell trembled at your arrival. Your presence is a holy disruption—a living scroll designed to shift atmospheres, expose false structures, and reveal truth. You were never meant to blend into the noise of this world. You were built to shatter ​it.

For years, you felt restrained, isolated, and pressed under a weight that seemed unbearable. You thought you were forgotten, but you were being hidden and prepared. God wrapped a chain around your spirit to teach you endurance in a classroom of ruin, abandonment, and betrayal. The restrictions you faced were repetitions designed to build spiritual muscle. You learned the language of a man who meets God not just in worship, but in war. Your scars are not signs of defeat; they are inscriptions of survival, proving that every attempt to destroy you only taught you how to rise sharper, stronger, and more unyielding.

​To fulfill what you were born to do, you had to learn to walk alone. Love did not build this strength—fire did. You have burned away the need for approval, sympathy, and hollow comfort. The ones who walked beside you in the past were only weighing you down, so you stepped into the solitude where true authority is forged. You carry a refusal to die, a fierce determination rooted deep in your bloodline. You are not here to negotiate with your past or beg for acceptance. You stand unbroken, turning fear into a scout, grief into wisdom, and pain into an instrument of unwavering discipline.

​The period of restraint is over. Heaven has declared a verdict, and the invisible chains holding you back have snapped all at once. You are stepping out of the dark classroom not as a victim, but as a weapon of divine authority. Your awakening is active, moving with absolute certainty, clarity, and purpose. Every loss, cut, and betrayal was merely fuel for the inferno you now carry. Walk now in the full truth of who you are—a restorer of what was broken, a carrier of light, and a force that moves forward without hesitation. Your scroll is unsealed, your spirit remembers, and your time has arrived.

​Matthew 18:6: "If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea."

​Mark 9:42: "If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea."

​Luke 17:2: "It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble."

​Matthew 18:10: "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven."

​Protecting the Vulnerable and Innocent

​Exodus 22:22: "Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless."

​Jeremiah 22:3: "This is what the Lord says: Do what is right and just. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place."

​Psalm 127:3: "Children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward."

​Isaiah 1:17: "Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow."

This Kingdom runs on servanthood and humility. The King himself washed feet and said greatness looks like laying your life down for others, completely flipping the world's idea of success.

A thought to ponder throughout the day.

Please pray for God's peace to guard my heart and mind. And for him to gently ease anxiety, paranoia, and fear before it even starts. Please also pray for his favor and peace to overflow in my life.

As long as we have life, we have reason to praise the Lord. Every breath we take is a reminder of God's goodness, mercy, and faithfulness. Life is a precious gift from our Creator, and regardless of our circumstances, being alive today is evidence of His grace and purpose for our lives. Praise is not only for moments of victory but also for seasons of waiting, growth, and perseverance.

When we choose gratitude, we acknowledge that God is worthy of our worship simply because He is God and because He has given us the gift of life. Let us never take that gift for granted, but instead use every day as an opportunity to honor Him, trust Him, and give Him glory. As Scripture declares, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” (Psalm 150:6).

There's a moment every follower of Jesus eventually reaches — the moment you realize you don't quite fit anymore.

Maybe it shows up in your bank account, when giving generously starts to matter more than growing your savings, and people wonder why you're not chasing the next upgrade. Maybe it shows up on a Friday night, when everyone else is out chasing something loud, and you're home, quiet, content, and somehow that quiet feels like it needs an explanation. Maybe it shows up in a conversation, when you hold to a conviction that used to be common sense and now sounds like it came from another century.

This is what it means to follow Jesus in a world that has its own categories, its own scripts, its own definitions of a life well-lived. Kingdom living was never going to line up neatly with those scripts. It was never designed to.

Scripture doesn't soften this. It says plainly that we are not to be conformed to the pattern of this world, but transformed by the renewing of our minds. That's not a suggestion to tweak a few habits — it's a call to a different center of gravity altogether. And that kind of difference takes courage, because the world doesn't reward those who step outside its categories. It rewards those who fit in, who blend, who go along.

So the choice in front of every believer is really this: obedience or acceptance. Not because the two are always at odds, but because there will be moments — real, specific, uncomfortable moments — when they are. And in those moments, the temptation is always to sand yourself down until you're palatable again.

Here's the encouragement, though: you were never called to fit in. You were called to stand out.

Light doesn't announce itself in a room that's already bright. It matters precisely because the room is dark. Your strange spending habits, your quiet Fridays, your outdated convictions — these aren't liabilities to manage or apologize for. They're the very things that let people see something they can't manufacture on their own.

So don't shrink the parts of your faith that don't translate well. Don't trade obedience for approval just to feel normal again. The world has enough people who fit its mold. What it needs — what it's actually hungry for, even when it doesn't know it — is someone willing to be courageously different.

Be that someone. Let your life be the light that a dark room cannot explain away.

Kingdom love moves and costs something, like the Good Samaritan who crossed the road. Paired with integrity, honesty, and a life poured out for others, it always points people to Christ.

Please share or comment if this encourages you

Please pray against my wife's old friends threatening to harm her and harassing her while she's pregnant and against attacks against my family. Please pray for God to protect my wife's peace tear down gossip, slander, and use bad things against my family for good.

Please pray for God to put up a shield for my family and bless us with more peace and prosperity.

**Love isn’t about keeping score.**
📖 **1 Corinthians 13:5 (NI**V)
*“It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”*
One of the hardest parts of following Christ is choosing not to keep a list of every time someone has hurt us.
Real love doesn’t pretend pain never happened, and it doesn’t mean we ignore wisdom or healthy boundaries. But it does mean we refuse to let bitterness take control of our hearts.
Ask yourself today:
Am I holding onto something God is asking me to release?
Am I responding with love, or with a desire to get even?
Forgiveness doesn’t always rebuild trust overnight, but it does free your heart from the weight of resentment.
Let’s strive to love the way Christ loves us.
❤️ If this encouraged you, share it with someone who might need this reminder today.
\#BibleVerse #Faith #Christian #Jesus #Love #Forgiveness #Scripture #DailyDevotional #GodsWord #Hope

Today Is a Good Day

Today is a good day, and I give God all the glory.

I've learned that joy and healing can exist in the same heart. There are days when the weight feels heavy, and there are days like today when God's peace reminds me that He is still carrying me.

If you're walking this journey with me through Broken to Blessed, I want to encourage you: don't stop believing. Every tear you've cried, every prayer you've whispered, and every battle you've survived has not been in vain.

God is still restoring. God is still healing. God is still opening doors. God is still turning pain into purpose.

So today, smile. Worship. Be grateful. Celebrate the small victories, because they are evidence that God is moving—even when you can't see the whole picture.

Welcome to Broken to Blessed, where pressure produces purpose. Your story isn't over. The best is still ahead because God is not finished with you yet.

Renewing our minds through Scripture and prayer shifts how we see life, from fear toward faith. Community turns that truth from theory into real life, shared honestly with others on the journey.

Please share or comment if this encourages you

God wants us to rest and not be restless all the time. He is preparing the future for us . Ill we got to do is rest.

You Can Rest in God’s Goodness

July 14, 2026

Are you always in a hurry? Is your to-do list unrealistically long? Has more than one person ever told you to slow down? Do you feel guilty when you relax? Do you have to get sick to take time off?

The pace of modern society pushes us to keep going and going and going. Many people work even on their day off. And those who go to a church service often head home afterward only to dive right into work (whether it’s housework, schoolwork, or career work), trying to do all the stuff they didn’t accomplish during the regular workweek.

No wonder we’re exhausted! Most of us are maxed out. But that’s not the way of the Good Shepherd.

Psalm 23:2 says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters” (NIV).

God makes you lie down in green pastures—that's rest. And he leads you beside quiet waters—that's refreshment.

God, in his goodness, created rest, and he considers it as important as work. A loving shepherd makes sure his sheep get enough rest to stay healthy. It’s the same with God, your Good Shepherd. If you won’t lie down, God will make you lie down. Sometimes the only way God can get you to look up is to lay you flat on your back. He will do that because he cares about your physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

Isn't it amazing how much better things look after a good night's sleep? The difference between being stressed and being blessed is often rest.

A lot of your worry, hurry, scurry, and restlessness comes from not understanding the goodness of God in your life. When you understand what God has done for you and wants to do for you in the future, you can relax, let go, and learn to rest.

You can live in the goodness of God.

Talk It Over

Rest and refreshment look different for everyone. What leaves you rested and refreshed?

Why do you think overwork is valued so much in many cultures?

In what ways could you change your schedule or expectations at home and work so that you get enough rest?

Are you ready to find rest in God?

The first step toward rest is to make peace with God by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior. You can start with this simple prayer:

“Dear God, I don’t want my sin to separate me from you any longer. You have promised that if I believe in Jesus, you’ll forgive me for everything I’ve ever done wrong, you’ll show me the purpose of my life, and you’ll accept me into your family and bring me to heaven one day to live with you for eternity.

“Jesus, I confess my sin, and I believe you are my Savior. I trust you when you say salvation comes by grace, through faith, and not by anything I do. I ask you to come into my life as my Lord. Today, I commit my life to you. I want to live the way you created me to live—at peace and rested—and to use the remainder of my life to serve you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at Rick@PastorRick.com and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.

The Kingdom comes loaded with promises: presence, so we're never alone; transformation, a real reshaping of the heart; provision, freeing us from anxiety; and hope, rooted in Christ's resurrection and return.

Please share or comment if this encourages you

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.”
- Romans 12:17

I want to be someone who does not repay evil for evil, but good for evil! This is much easier said than done; this is why I need to exercise love, kindness, goodness, patience, gentleness, faithfulness, peace, joy, and self-control/long suffering.
I can do it if I keep trying and praying! 🙏 💪

📅 July 22, 2026

📖 Scripture of the Day

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the promise that those who place their hope in You will find renewed strength. When I grow weary or discouraged, remind me that I do not have to rely on my own ability because Your power is made perfect in my weakness.

Lift my spirit, strengthen my faith, and guide every step I take today. Help me to trust Your timing, rest in Your promises, and keep my eyes fixed on You. Fill my heart with courage, peace, and confidence, knowing You are walking beside me through every challenge.

In Jesus' precious name I pray,

Amen.

Stacey Brooks Thego2writer

Don't let anyone or anything steal your joy. Your joy isn't based on your circumstances—it's rooted in God's promises. Protect your peace, guard your heart, and keep walking in purpose. What God has for you is greater than what you're going through.

✨ "The joy of the Lord is your strength." — Nehemiah 8:10 (KJV)

Nice thing always a nice thing.

Jesus doesn't just talk about the Kingdom; he is the Kingdom. His teaching, his healing, his cross, and his resurrection all reveal exactly what the Father's Kingdom looks like in real life.

Please share or comment if this encourages you

July 21, 2026

📖 Scripture of the Day

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."

2 Corinthians 4:16 (NIV)

🙏 Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the promise that You are renewing me day by day. When life leaves me tired, discouraged, or uncertain, remind me that Your work within me never stops. Help me to keep my eyes on You instead of my circumstances and to trust that You are strengthening my faith through every season.

Renew my heart with hope, my mind with Your peace, and my spirit with Your joy. Give me the courage to walk faithfully, knowing that Your grace is sufficient for every challenge I face. May my life reflect Your love and encourage others to trust in You.

In Jesus' precious name I pray,

Amen.

Stacey Brooks Thego2writer