Blessed Beyond Measure: A Journey Into God’s Goodness

Be The First to Subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

I opened my Bible this morning to James 2:14–26, and even though I’ve read this passage many times before, something about it stirred me more deeply than usual. Maybe it was the quiet stillness of the morning, or maybe it was the way my soul has been reaching for God with such intensity lately, searching for clarity and direction. But as soon as I read, “What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions?” (James 2:14, NLT), I felt the Holy Spirit pressing gently on the places in my heart that still need refining.


Christian Tech Nerd Quick Quiz!

Let’s see who can answer the below question correctly…..

If a woman has an abortion, can she still get into heaven?

TAP HERE FOR “YES, SHE CAN STILL FIND A WAY TO REDEMPTION”

TAP HERE FOR: “UNFORTUNATELY NO, YOU’LL SPEND ETERNITY IN HELL FOR HAVING AN ABORTION”


I recently stumbled upon a quote that said, “God blesses us because we respond to Him, not as a response to our good works.” I held onto that sentence like a precious jewel, because so often—even in my own walk with God—I’ve slipped into the mindset of trying to prove my transformation through what I do rather than who I’ve become in Christ. It’s so easy to confuse activity with spiritual maturity. And sometimes I wonder whether that’s why so many new believers get overwhelmed. They come into the faith with this beautiful spark of excitement, wanting so badly to honor God, but without knowing how to rest first in His love. They start volunteering, serving, signing up for everything in sight, hoping their efforts will show God they’ve changed. And then somewhere along the path, they burn out. I’ve seen it happen. I’ve felt it happen.

I think we, as the body of Christ, have unintentionally contributed to that misunderstanding. We often celebrate visible participation—the new church volunteer, the person who signs up for every ministry, the one who seems full of energy and eagerness—without first understanding where their heart is. Service is good and beautiful and holy, but service without foundation is like building a house on sand. It looks sturdy for a moment, until the first storm hits.

James is absolutely right: faith without deeds is empty. But deeds without faith are equally hollow. They may look impressive on the outside, but they don’t carry the substance of God on the inside. And that’s what struck me so strongly today—the reminder that my actions are not the proof of my faith; they are the fruit of my faith. Faith doesn’t begin with motion; it begins with surrender. It begins with falling at the feet of Jesus and whispering, “I can’t change myself. I need You to change me.”

Sometimes I forget that. Sometimes I slip into the rhythm of self-powered striving, almost like a spiritual New Year’s resolution. But faith isn’t a resolution; it’s a relationship. A living, breathing relationship with a God who moves through me rather than around me. When I try to do things for God without doing them with God, everything feels heavier and harder. But when the Holy Spirit stirs something in me—when I feel that gentle tug, that nudge that seems to rise from some quiet place inside my chest—obedience feels almost effortless. It feels like stepping into a river instead of trying to dig my own well.

That’s what good works are meant to look like. Not a performance, not a checklist, not a spiritual résumé—but a response. A natural overflow of the faith God has planted in me. And I love that God invites me into His work not because He needs my help but because He wants my heart. He wants my willingness, my surrender, my trust. He wants me to participate in the blessings He is already pouring out.

When I reflect on my journey with Him, I can see moments when I acted out of pure obedience to His voice, even when I didn’t understand why. And those are the moments that changed me the most. Not because I did something impressive, but because God used my small steps to shape my heart. That’s the kind of life I want—one where my faith is alive, vibrant, and continually responding to Him.

I feel blessed beyond measure not because of what I have, but because of who He is. His goodness has followed me through seasons of joy and seasons of grief, through times of clarity and times of confusion. Every time I’ve tried to take control, He has gently reminded me that surrender is my safest place. Every time I’ve grown weary, He has whispered, “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). And somehow, He always keeps His promise.

Today I prayed that He would teach me how to better encourage my brothers and sisters—not to rush into good works out of obligation, but to grow deeper in faith so that their works rise naturally from their relationship with Him. I want to be someone who reminds others of their identity in Christ before urging them toward activity. I want to show them that transformation starts with the heart, not the hands. I want to reflect Jesus in a way that draws them closer to Him, not simply closer to tasks.

And maybe that’s part of my own calling—helping others understand that God isn’t measuring their worth by their productivity. He’s looking at their hearts. He’s looking for faith that is alive, rooted, and real. Faith that breathes. Faith that trusts. Faith that produces action as naturally as a tree produces fruit in season.

As I sit here writing all of this, I realize how deeply grateful I am for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. There have been days when I felt Him nudging me toward someone who needed encouragement, or urging me to pray for a person I barely knew, or prompting me to step out in a way that stretched my comfort zone. Those moments were never born from my own willpower. They were born from His presence in me. And every time I said yes, I experienced God’s goodness in ways I never expected.

One thing I am learning, over and over, is that God doesn’t call me to do good works so that others will see how faithful I am. He calls me to do good works so they will see how faithful He is. When I respond to Him, when I let Him work through me, His love becomes visible. His compassion becomes tangible. His presence becomes undeniable. And somehow, in the midst of that, I am blessed too.

So today, Lord, I pray this from the depths of my heart:

Father, help me to always work in response to You—not from my own strength, not from my own will, but from the moving of Your Spirit within me. Teach me to recognize Your prompting and to obey with joy. Guard my heart from striving and remind me that true transformation comes only from You. Use me as a vessel of Your love, and let Your light shine through everything I do. And guide me as I walk alongside others in the body of Christ. Give me wisdom to encourage, patience to listen, and compassion to understand where their hearts truly are. Let Your living Word take root in us all, that it may grow and flourish in our lives. I ask all of this in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

Tonight I rest in the truth that I am blessed not because of what I do, but because of who God is—and because I get to respond to Him with a heart that is learning, growing, and trusting more every day.

This Is When The Devil Finds You At Your Weakest

Have you ever wondered why resisting a late-night snack is difficult?

During the day, most people can stick to eating healthy.

But when the night comes, a lot of people feel the need to treat themselves to some “guilty pleasure.”

There is a very good reason why this happens.

And it’s the fact that as the day progresses, our willpower drops.

The Devil knows this.

And he does everything in his power to lure us away from God’s path.

He has many ways to do that.

He can give us sinful thoughts

Urge us to neglect our spiritual practices

Or push us toward unhealthy habits.

But we are not powerless against him.

We have God on our side.

Ephesians 6:11 says “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

This includes the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the belt of truth, the shoes of peace, and the sword of the Spirit.

It is not enough to simply put on the armor, we must also be ready to use it.

We need to be aware that the Devil is always seeking to exploit our weaknesses.

And one of these weaknesses is our declining willpower as the day progresses.

When we are tired or stressed, it becomes easier to give in to temptation. 

This is why it is essential to remain vigilant throughout the day, especially in the evening when we are most vulnerable.

As Christians, we have the power of prayer to strengthen us. 

We should make it a habit to pray for God’s protection and strength every day.

Even when we feel well.

We should also seek to build up our willpower by developing healthy habits that can aid us in resisting temptation. 

These habits might include regular exercise, getting enough rest, and avoiding situations that may trigger temptation.

Remember, we are not alone in this.

This is what Scripture says about willpower.

We can support each other and resist temptation.

Let us remain steadfast in our faith and the Devil will flee from us.

Click Here for POOF that the Biden Administration HID Biden’s Health from the American People!


“Christians Are Selfish”

A lot of Christians in my church have talked to me about the same subject

People accuse them of being selfish for trying to reach Heaven.

They say that they follow God’s Will simply for their own personal benefit.

Instead of becoming defensive, let’s try to stand from the accusers’ point of view.

Doing everything in our power to go to Heaven might seem like selfish behavior to atheists.

If our primary concern is our own salvation, then we are not living out Christ’s commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves.

We might become so focused on ourselves that we neglect to show love and compassion to those around us who are also in need of God’s grace.

In this sense, trying to live forever can indeed be selfish.

But is that accusation fair?

From our perspective, the desire to reach Heaven is simply a natural response to the love and grace that God has bestowed upon us.

It is not about personal gain, but about living to serve and glorify God.

In that way, following God’s Will could be considered the ultimate expression of selflessness.

So, which is it? Is trying to reach Heaven selfish or selfless?

The answer, I believe, lies in the heart behind the motivation.

If our motivation is rooted in a deep love for God and a desire to support the less fortunate, then it’s pure and right.

We are seeking to align our will with God’s Will, not because we want to gain salvation or escape punishment, but because we want to grow closer to Him.

However, if our motivation is solely to escape hell or gain entry into heaven, then it is selfish.

We are reducing God to a means to an end, using Him as a tool to achieve our own ends rather than loving Him for who He is. 

And that is not right.

That is why we have to be certain of our motivations before we try to glorify God.

Let us examine our hearts and our motives for following God’s will.

Let us seek to love God and others because of the goodness in our hearts, minds, and souls.

And let our desire to reach Heaven be rooted in that love.

What Scripture says about selflessness.

May God grant us the grace to follow Him with pure hearts and selfless motives.

Ways to Better Enjoy Reading the Bible

The Word of God is full of history, wisdom, poetry, warnings, and truth. When approached with a heart open to the Holy Spirit’s whispers and a mind focused on understanding, the Bible can be one of a Christian’s greatest resources and treasured objects. But it also takes time. It can be confusing. It can feel like a chore and an obligation sometimes, particularly in seasons of spiritual difficulty or when life gets busy.

For some people, they never had an opportunity to build in the habit to have daily quiet time to invest in studying the Bible, and struggle to start. There are many ways the world can serve as a distraction as well.

God wants us to be in His Word, spending time with Him, and getting to know Him through that time and study; one of the Psalms reads, “More to be desired are [God’s precepts in the Word] are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:10). Studying the Bible should be a sweet experience, so finding ways to make it a better experience can help someone enjoy their time in the Bible more.

Here are a few ways to better enjoy reading the Bible:

Create a Space for Reading Your Bible

Some people find it easier to read under certain conditions. Some of them prefer to be in dark corners with overhead light, or others in a window with full natural light. Creating a personalized space with your favorite chair and good light that you want to spend time in can make reading the Bible a treat.

There are also scientific studies that suggest studying in the same place and environment can help with retention. Making a space dedicated to spending time alone with God and His Word is also inviting the Lord into your home in a real way.

Make It a Challenge

For the person who thrives in competition – or just likes to go the extra mile – finding ways to make reading the Bible a challenge can make it more engaging. Maybe see how many verses in a chapter you can memorize. Try reading a book in a month. Challenge yourself to read one of the dense, or more challenging texts like Isaiah or Ezekiel.

There are also free Bible reading challenges you can find online that can push your boundaries, get you to stretch yourself, and maybe even get a few friends to participate so you can have discussion.

Follow a Bible Reading Plan Themed around a Concern or Topic of Interest

When people go through phases of life, sometimes they need to focus on passages of the Bible that can speak to whatever they are experiencing.

Struggling with doubt? Find passages and stories that focus on confidence in God’s plan. Want to learn more about Israel’s time in exile? Spend your time in Daniel, Ezra, and Nehemiah. Need a little more joy in your life? Seek out passages that speak about joy.

Have Background Music Playing

Whether white noise helps a person focus, or they find music spiritually engaging, playing music can enhance time in the Word. Some people may turn to light, ambient music with no words, while others may want an uplifting worship tune. Some people cannot focus in silence, so music helps their brain engage and focus on the task at hand. It can also make quiet time a more sensory experience.

Do It with a Friend or Family Member

Being able to share thoughts, feelings, and ideas with another person may make reading the Bible a more fun experience. Have a coffee date once a week with a friend to exchange notes and observations. Make it a family experience, with everyone in the family reading the same verses or passages and then discuss it over dinner.

The Bible can act as a wonderful tool for bonding between people, and the company can provide an avenue for discovering more about God’s Word. The Holy Spirit illuminates different things to different people, so the opportunity to share how the Lord is working in each individual’s life through their study can be fulfilling.

Memorize Your Favorite Verses

Memorization can be difficult, but rewarding. Lots of people want to have better recall for Bible verses, so using quiet study time as an opportunity to focus on learning certain passages by heart can be an effective way to start the memorization process. Whether you learn better by repeating aloud, reading the same thing several times, or writing something down, engaging with the Bible in a tactile way with the intent to embed it in your heart and mind is always a worthwhile pursuit.

Conclusion:

Everyone is different and has their own approach to making an activity engaging and enjoyable. Not every tip is going to work for every person, but each one is worth giving a try. Experimenting with when you read the Bible can have an impact as well. The Bible is a sweet and wonderful resource for Christians, so making sure that reading it is not a chore is important to spiritual growth. Find more ways to make Bible study a pleasure, and not an obligation.