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God Provides a Way

Hello everyone, I hope you’re doing well today! Today’s Scripture Writing Challenge passage is 1 Corinthians 10:12–13. I read this in the NLT, NIV, ESV, and MSG.

This is such a deep passage. I could spend days unpacking every word, but today I want to focus on just two:

Temptation (peirasmos) and tempted (peirazo). These words share the same root meaning: to test, to entice, to be put on trial—specifically a testing of our character through the pull toward sin.

1 Timothy 6:9 captures this clearly:

“People who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.”

But here’s something important. Temptation is not unique to you. Scripture tells us that no temptation we face is uncommon to humanity.

And yet… when we struggle, what do we do?

We isolate.

We convince ourselves:
No one else struggles like this.
No one would understand.
I’m alone in this

And it’s in that isolation that the enemy does his best work. Because it’s hard to hear God’s voice when you’ve surrounded yourself with silence.

But here’s the truth Paul gives us:

God is faithful.

The Greek word is pistos — trustworthy, reliable, unwavering.

God doesn’t just say He’s faithful. He proves it—consistently.

And here’s how:

He provides a way out.

Through my life, I’ve had seasons where I isolated myself because of sin. I was depressed. I believed no one would understand. I struggled with food and made it an idol. I was in a battle of the flesh that had consumed my life, and I told only 2 people through years of this struggle, certain that nobody would love or care for me if they found out.

But here’s what I didn’t realize at the time:
God already knew.
And He never left.
Even in the silence.
Even in the isolation.
Even in the lies I believed.

God was still there—providing the very breath I was using to survive.

God never intended for us to live in temptation. Why?

Because He has already provided a way for us to endure it and stand up under it.

You are not stuck. You are not alone. And you are not defeated.

The way out exists—because God is still present.

Maybe you need to sit with that today.

And if you need a reminder, go listen to “God Did” by Sons of Sunday.

Because the truth is simple:

Who made a way?

God did!!!

Reflection Question

Where in your life have you believed the lie that you are alone in your struggle—and how might God already be providing a way out?

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Fear Not…

Hello reader, and thank you for stopping by. Today we’re on Day 25 of the Scripture Writing Challenge, and our reflection passage is Matthew 10:29–31. I read this in the NLT, ESV, and TPT.

Fear not.

It’s a simple phrase, but the depth of what it asks from us is profound. Living without fear requires commitment, trust, and faith.

The Greek word for fear is phobeo, which means to frighten, to be alarmed, or to be afraid. It’s also the root word for phobia, which describes an extreme or irrational fear of something.

But before we dig deeper into fear, let’s pay attention to what Jesus actually says throughout Scripture.

While the Bible tells us to “fear not” many times, Jesus Himself repeatedly reassures His followers:

Matthew 14:27 — “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”
Matthew 17:7 — “Rise, and have no fear.”
Mark 5:36 — “Do not fear, only believe.”
John 14:27 — “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Notice something interesting about these verses? Each one calls for action on our part:

Take courage.
Rise.
Believe.
Do not let your hearts be troubled.

Choosing not to fear requires faith. It requires believing that God truly is in control.

Jesus understands how our minds work. Often when God places something on our hearts—like “Do not fear”— the enemy tries to counter it with doubt.

“What if something goes wrong?”
“What if God doesn’t care?”
“What if you’re on your own?”

Jesus addresses that fear directly in this passage. He reminds us that even a small sparrow, worth almost nothing in the marketplace, does not fall to the ground without the Father knowing.

And if God cares about the sparrows, how much more does He care about us? Jesus even tells us that the very hairs on our heads are numbered.

In other words, you matter deeply to God. So when Jesus says “fear not,” it’s within this context.

Fear not — because you are valuable.
Fear not — because God knows you.
Fear not — because you can trust Him.

This reminds me of something from my younger years.

For some reason, I was always afraid of our basement stairs. It wasn’t the basement itself—it was the feeling that something might be behind me when I ran up the steps.

And yes… this fear followed me well into my twenties.

I knew it was irrational, but my heart would race and panic would set in every time.

Thankfully, I had a dog named Lady, a miniature schnauzer who followed me everywhere. Whenever I went to the basement, she would sit patiently at the bottom of the stairs and wait.

When I was ready, I would take off running up the stairs two at a time. Just before reaching the top, I’d yell “GO!” And Lady would charge up the stairs behind me. She always waited until I was ready, but she always had my back.

Now obviously God is far greater than my basement staircase story. But the picture is similar.

Our Father asks us:
Do you trust Me?
Do you realize I’m with you?
Do you know that nothing surprises Me?

God offers us comfort, protection, and care—but He asks us to trust Him.

So today, remember this:
Fear not — you are valuable.
Fear not — God knows you.
Fear not — your Father is stronger than any fear you face.

And yes… far stronger than a miniature schnauzer waiting at the bottom of the stairs.

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Reflection Question

What fear in your life might God be asking you to release so that you can trust Him more fully?

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Fashioned by the Potter

Hello my friends, and welcome back to Day 24 of our Scripture Writing Challenge. Today’s passage is Psalm 33:13–15, which I read in the ESV, NLT, TPT, and NKJV.

Today I chose to focus on the concept of being “made.”

Psalm 33:15 says, “He made their hearts, so he understands everything they do.” (NLT)

What does it mean to be biblically made or fashioned?

In Hebrew the word used here is yatsar, which means to form, shape, or mold into a specific form with intention and purpose. It describes the careful and deliberate creation of something.

This word is used throughout the Bible. Like when God forms humanity in Genesis 2:7, and again when He establishes His covenant relationship with His people in Isaiah 43:1.

The picture that emerges is powerful: God did not create us randomly or carelessly. He formed us intentionally.

And because He is the one who formed our hearts, He understands everything about us. Nothing about our thoughts, emotions, struggles, or victories surprises Him.

Let me illustrate this another way.

I love to create things. Currently, I teach a class at my church twice a month called Crochet with Sheri. I’ve been crocheting for decades, and I truly enjoy teaching others the skills needed to create things we can snuggle with, curl up in, wear, or give away.

The interesting thing about creating something by hand is that every piece carries a kind of sentimental value for me. Some projects take months to finish. Some are intricate and complicated, while others are simple and quick. They can be large or small, made with one color or with every color imaginable.

But every piece has something in common: I know exactly what it took to make it.

The yarn flowed through my hands. The stitches were formed by my fingers. In fact, in a very real sense, my touch DNA becomes part of that creation.

That creation never surprises me—because I made it.

And in a similar way, this passage reminds us how God sees us.

He formed us with His hands.
He knows every part of who we are.
He understands our hearts because He is the one who fashioned them.

For me, this truth brings incredible comfort. Because if God truly understands me at that level, then I can be completely honest with Him. I don’t have to hide my struggles, my hurts, my doubts, or even my victories.

God already knows.

And the One who formed me is also the One who loves me.

So instead of hiding, the invitation is simply this:

Come honestly before the One who made you.

Reflection Question

If God already understands every part of your heart, what might be holding you back from being fully honest with Him?

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Planted by the Water

Good day to you and welcome to Day 23 of our Scripture Writing Challenge. Today’s reflection passage is Jeremiah 17:7–8, which I read in the ESV, NIV, and NLT.

Although we are focusing on just two verses today, they are packed with powerful imagery and an important challenge for us as believers.

Before we dive in, let’s look at the context.

The book of Jeremiah was written during the late 7th and early 6th centuries B.C. It is a prophetic message warning Judah about the consequences of their idol worship and social injustice.

Yet even within these warnings, God continually weaves in promises of hope and restoration. Jeremiah 17 highlights this contrast beautifully.

Earlier in the chapter we read:

“The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron; with a point of diamond it is engraved on the tablet of their heart.” (v.1)

Their sin had become deeply embedded in their lives.

Later God warns:

“Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength.” (v.5)

Then comes the powerful contrast:

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.” (v.7)

Verses 5–8 present two completely different outcomes. One path leads to spiritual drought and emptiness. The other leads to stability, nourishment, and life.

Jeremiah describes the person who trusts in God like this:

“He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream.”

This tree does not fear when heat comes.
Its leaves remain green.
Even during drought, it continues to bear fruit.
That imagery reminded me of something fascinating.

The deepest recorded tree root belongs to a wild fig tree growing in the Echo Caves of South Africa. Its roots have been measured at 394 feet deep. To picture that, imagine stacking about 20 giraffes on top of each other.

Those roots reach deep into underground water sources, allowing the tree to survive even in harsh, dry conditions.

That is exactly the picture Jeremiah is painting.

When our trust is rooted deeply in God, we are not dependent on favorable circumstances to survive spiritually.

Even when life feels dry…
Even when the heat of hardship comes…

We continue to stand firm because our roots reach into the living water of God’s presence and provision.

God places a choice before us. We can trust in our own strength. Or we can place our trust fully in Him.

One path leads to instability.

The other leads to life.

So today, ask yourself this question:

Where are your roots planted?

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When Fear meets Elohim

Welcome to Day 22 and the final full week of our Scripture Writing Challenge for March. Today’s reflection passage is Isaiah 41:10.

Before we meditate on the message of this verse, it’s helpful to understand its context.

The setting – This chapter speaks to the people of Israel during a time connected with their exile and the promise of future restoration.

The emotions – The people were facing enormous challenges. They were far from their homeland and the temple in Jerusalem, and they were constantly tempted to assimilate into the surrounding culture.

The structure of the chapter – Verses 1–7 call the people to listen to God. Verses 8–13 reaffirm God’s covenant with His chosen people.

The speaker – God Himself, with the prophet Isaiah speaking His words.

When I first read this verse, I was drawn to the phrase “my righteous right hand.” And yes, that image is powerful.

But the deeper beauty of this passage is found in the opening command:

“Fear not… be not dismayed.”

At first glance, those two words might seem identical, but there is a subtle difference.

Fear describes the emotional response we feel when facing danger or uncertainty.

Dismay is the distress or confusion we experience when something unexpected happens.

And notice something important. God does not simply say, “Don’t be afraid.” He gives us the reason why.

“Fear not, for I am with you.”

God’s presence is the answer to our fear.

Then He continues, “Be not dismayed, for I am your God.”

The word used for God here is Elohim.  It is specifically used to signify the Supreme God. Supreme means the highest authority and power. It is His unmatched sovereignty and dominion over all creation.

In other words, God is reminding His people:
Whatever you are facing…
Whatever unexpected circumstances bring fear or confusion…
I am still God over all of it.

And the verse continues with three promises:
“I will strengthen you.”
“I will help you.”
“I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Think about that.

God doesn’t just acknowledge our fear—He promises to strengthen us, help us, and hold us up.

Overwhelmed?
He is bigger.

Fearful?
He is greater.

Worried?
He is mightier.

So wherever you find yourself today—even if it feels like your own personal Babylon—remember this:

You are NOT alone.

Elohim, the Supreme God, is right there with you.

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Darkness is Light to God

Welcome to Day 21 of the Scripture Writing Challenge for March. Today’s reflection passage is Psalm 139:8–12, which I read in the NLT, ESV, and NKJV.

Before we begin, I want to apologize in advance—this reflection is a little longer than usual. This passage led me down a few deeper word studies, and it also reminded me of something very personal that I want to share with you.

Let me start with a question.

Have you ever felt like God was far away? Or perhaps a better way to say it is this:

Have you ever felt far from God?

Psalm 139 speaks directly into those moments. In verses 8–10, David paints a powerful picture of God’s presence.

If we go to the heavens — God is there.
If we descend to the depths — God is there.
If we travel to the farthest parts of the earth — God is there.
Even in the depths of the sea — God is there.

And not only is He present, but David reminds us that God guides us and supports us.

Then in verses 11–12, David describes how even darkness cannot hide us from God.

“If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,’ even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.”

While studying these verses, I noticed something interesting.

Each time the words darkness and light appear, slightly different Hebrew words are used. Each one adds another layer of meaning.

Darkness:

choshek — literal darkness, misery, sorrow, destruction, or ignorance
chashak — to grow dim, to obscure or hide
chashkah — darkness or misery that requires trust in God. Isaiah 50:10 captures this idea well:
“Who among you fears the LORD and obeys his servant? If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the LORD and rely on your God.”

Light:

or — illumination, including physical light and even heavenly bodies
owrah — brightness and life-giving light

Taken together, the passage reminds us of something profound, even when we feel surrounded by darkness—whether emotional, spiritual, or physical—God still sees clearly.

Darkness does not obscure us from Him.

Reading this passage brought back memories from my youth and early twenties, when I struggled deeply with depression. During that time, I often wrote poetry as a way to process my pain and seek God’s presence.

One poem in particular came to mind while reading this passage. It’s called “Darkness.”

I sit here alone in the darkness.
Nothing but a pen in hand, and paper in the darkness.
I sadly consider how alone I am. How my mind is my only other company.
Yesterday, there were people around me. Not necessarily friends, but people.
Where they went is completely vague to me. But to consider the thought of them totally leaving is exciting.
For I am the only other friend I ever had. It makes no difference to me if they’re gone.

            The darkness conceals my every thought and fear.

A light breaks through my precious darkness. The light begins to gradually consume my darkness.
It begins to disappear. The people that were gone once before, begin to appear.

The light is all around me. I am almost all gone. I slowly watch the last part of my body disappear.

I scream!

A single tear trickles down my face.

Then, out of the darkness, a hand reached in and pulls me out!

I now realize that darkness was my real enemy. Slowly, trying to consume my evident power, by being my only visible friend. I also realize that to defeat anything, you have to reach out and want to be caught. Instead of waiting to be grasped by a caring hand.

Now, darkness, fear, hell nor any other disaster in my life will ever consume me. For, I know that all I have to do is reach out, and I WILL be caught.

Looking back now, I can see how God was present even in those dark moments. Darkness can feel overwhelming. It can make us believe we are alone or forgotten. But Psalm 139 reminds us of a powerful truth:

God is not afraid of our darkness.
He is not surprised by our struggles.
He is already there.
And sometimes, all He is waiting for is for us to reach out and take His hand.

Reflection Question:

What darkness might you be holding onto when God is inviting you to step into His light?

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Sealed and Saved

Happy Day 20, my friends, and welcome back to our Scripture Writing Challenge for March. Today’s passage is Ephesians 1:11–13, which I read in the ESV, TPT, and NLT.

Today we return to the book of Ephesians. As a quick reminder, the city of Ephesus was deeply influenced by both Jewish and Gentile cultures. When Paul wrote this letter, he was addressing the challenges of bringing these different groups together into one church.

There are several weighty words in this passage—words that often spark deep theological conversations. One of those words is “predestined.”

I’m not going to unpack that word fully today, not because I’m avoiding it, but because:
1) I’m not a scholar or theologian.
2) This is a blog reflection, not a full theological study.
3) That topic deserves far more time and care than a single post allows.

I may return to that discussion later. For now, let’s focus on the heart of the passage.

Verse 11 tells us, “In him we have obtained an inheritance.”

Paul is reminding believers that through Christ we have received something incredibly valuable—an eternal inheritance that comes from God Himself.

Then verse 12 refers to those who were first to hope in Christ, which likely points to Jewish believers who first received the gospel. But then Paul turns to the Gentiles in verse 13:

“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.”

Notice the process Paul describes.

First, people hear the truth of the gospel.

Then they believe.

And when that happens, something remarkable occurs – they are sealed with the Holy Spirit.

The word sealed comes from the Greek word sphragis. In ancient times, a seal was created by pressing a distinctive mark into wax on an important document.

That seal served several purposes.

It confirmed ownership.
It established authority.
It guaranteed authenticity and protection.

So when Paul says believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit, he is saying something incredibly powerful:

God has placed His mark of ownership upon us.
His authority covers our lives.
His Spirit confirms that we belong to Him.

That truth speaks directly into many of the doubts we wrestle with.

You feel like you don’t belong — you are sealed into God’s family.

You feel unloved — you are sealed as His child.

You feel unsafe — you are sealed with the promise of salvation.

You feel uncertain about your purpose — you are sealed with His authority.

Your eternity has been paid in full. Your inheritance is secure. God has placed His mark upon your life.

Through the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, you have been sealed into His family.

Reflection Question:

What holds you back from living fully in the identity and purpose God has already sealed over your life?

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The Longing Soul

Hello and welcome to Day 19 of the Scripture Writing Challenge. Today’s passage is Psalm 107:8–9, which I read in the ESV, NLT, NKJV, and NIV.

Before we dig into the passage, we should notice that the phrase “steadfast love” appears again. It’s the same concept we talked about on Day 5 when we reflected on Job 10:12—God’s covenantal, loyal, and enduring love for His people.

But how does God demonstrate that steadfast love?

Let’s look at verse 9 in a few translations:
“For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.” (ESV)
“For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” (NLT)
“For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” (NIV)

The phrase “longing soul” in the ESV really captured my attention. It describes a deep hunger within us—a longing for something that only God can truly satisfy.

But before we get to that part of the verse, we shouldn’t overlook how the passage begins.

Verse 8 says:

“Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love and his wondrous works to the children of man.” (ESV)

The word thank comes from the Hebrew word yadah, which means to give thanks, praise, or acknowledge. It’s the act of recognizing what is true about God and responding with gratitude.

So what are we acknowledging?
God’s steadfast love.
God’s wondrous works.Z
God’s provision.

Let me illustrate this with a funny memory from my childhood.

Picture a large family gathering for Thanksgiving. The house was loud and full of activity, and I was feeling a little overwhelmed. So I quietly slipped away to the basement while everyone finished preparing the meal.

After a while, I noticed the noise upstairs had suddenly quieted down. Curious, I went upstairs to see what was happening. I arrived just in time to hear the family say “Amen” and start passing the food.

So I poked my head into the dining room and asked if I could join. Everyone gasped. My place setting had been removed from the table, but it was quickly returned and I was invited to sit down.

We’ve laughed about that moment for decades.

But sometimes we treat God the same way.

We prepare the meal.
We buy the supplies.
We set the table.
But we remove God’s place.

We assume we’ve got everything under control. And when we do that, we forget that every good thing we enjoy ultimately comes from Him.

When we fail to acknowledge God with gratitude, we miss the deeper satisfaction that only He can provide.

So today, invite God to your table. Recognize His provision. Lift your hands in praise and thanksgiving.

Because He alone is the One who truly satisfies the thirsty soul.

Reflection Question:

Where in your life might you be enjoying God’s blessings without pausing to thank Him for them?

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Sowing in Abundance

Happy Wednesday everyone and welcome to Day 18 of the Scripture Writing Challenge for March 2026. Today’s passage is 2 Corinthians 9:8–11, which I read in the ESV, NLT, MSG, and TPT.

This is one of those passages I could spend days reflecting on. It’s rich with meaning and encouragement.

One word that really stood out to me is “enriched” in verse 11:

“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion.”

The word enriched comes from the Greek word ploutizō, which means to make rich or to cause something to abound. Paul is not speaking only about financial wealth here, but about a life filled with God’s abundance.

In other words, God enriches us so that His generosity can flow through us.

This reminded me of what we discussed on Day 14 when we studied 1 Chronicles 29. David and the people of Israel gave willingly and joyfully for the construction of the temple, recognizing that everything they had originally came from God.

Paul echoes that same idea here. God blesses us not so that we can hold tightly to those blessings, but so that we can share them with others and produce thanksgiving to Him.

For most of my life, I approached church and Bible study differently than many of my peers.

They would sit quietly and listen.
I would doodle.

They filled in pre-made sermon notes.
I journaled my own reflections.

They highlighted verses.
Eventually I started drawing in my Bible.

For years I wondered if the way I processed Scripture was somehow wrong. But when I finally embraced how God created me to engage with His Word, something changed.

I began to see God enriching the gifts of art and writing in my life so that I could encourage others.

And that’s exactly what this passage is describing.

God enriches us with gifts, resources, experiences, and opportunities so that those things can bless others and ultimately bring glory back to Him.

As I reflected on this passage, I focused especially on verse 11, but I chose to illustrate verse 10.

The Passion Translation describes it beautifully:

“The generous God who supplies abundant seed for the farmer, which becomes bread for our meals, is even more extravagant toward you. First He supplies every need, plus more. Then He multiplies the seed as you sow it so that the harvest of your generosity will grow.”

As I prayed through this verse, a picture came to mind: God’s hand spreading seed across our lives.

Notice the nail print in the hand.

Christ first gave Himself for us, and now He continues to sow His grace into our lives—before us, behind us, and through us.

And what grows from His work?

Abundance.
Beauty.
Strength.

All so that we can enrich the lives of others through His grace.

Reflection Question:

What gifts or resources has God placed in your life that He may be asking you to sow into the lives of others?

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Blooming in Abundant Love

Hello everyone and welcome to Day 17, the final day of our three-day reflection in Ephesians. Today’s passage is Ephesians 3:19–20. I read this in the ESV, NLT, and The Message. While my original reading stopped at verse 20, I also included verse 21 in my personal journaling because it beautifully concludes Paul’s prayer.

Several words stand out in this passage.

The first is knowledge.

The Greek word used here is gnosis, which refers to a deeper, experiential understanding rather than simple intellectual knowledge. Paul is not just encouraging believers to learn about Christ’s love—he is calling them to experience it fully and personally.

Why does that matter?

Because knowing about Christ is not enough. We are invited to let His love dwell within every part of our lives. And when we allow Christ to fill our hearts this way, Paul says we are filled with the fullness of God.

Another powerful word in this passage is abundantly.

Paul writes:

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think…” (v.20a)

The language here emphasizes God’s limitless ability. His power goes beyond what we can imagine, beyond what we can ask, and beyond what we can even conceive.

As I sit here writing this, I’m looking out my office window at my neighborhood. It’s March, and everything still feels gray. The grass is dull, the trees are bare, and old leaves are caught in the corners of fences.

At first glance, it looks lifeless.

But beneath the surface, God is already at work. Rain is nourishing the soil. Sunlight is warming the earth. Roots are gathering nutrients. Soon buds will appear on the trees, flowers will bloom, and the grass will return to a vibrant green.

Our lives can feel like that sometimes.

Perhaps you feel like the season you’re in is dull or heavy. Maybe the challenges you face seem too high to climb. Maybe you feel like you’re being tossed around by circumstances.

But even when we cannot see it, God is still working.
He is providing.
He is strengthening.
He is preparing new life beneath the surface.

His love is transforming us in ways we may not yet understand.
He is breathing life into you.
His purpose will bloom.
His timing is perfect.

And He will do far more than you can imagine.

Reflection Question:

Where might God be quietly working beneath the surface of your life right now, preparing something new to bloom?