Category: Faith and Spiritual Growth

Do all your days look the same?  Why would God tell us to make one day set-apart?  

Man, our God is amazing, that’s why!  He knew we would need ONE DAY that was not like the rest. Consider Exodus 20:8-11.

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.“

How do we keep this day set-apart?  One thing my husband and I like to do is to protect this day from normal activities.  We want it to literally be “set apart”! So, on a practical example, having sporting events on this day is a no for us! Every family is different, so lean in to how God is directing you.  

Some people may say – Why is keeping this day “set apart” important? Well, let’s see what Ezekiel 20:19-20 has to say about it.

“I am the Lord your God; follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Keep my Sabbaths holy, that they may be a sign between us. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.“

By keeping this day, we will KNOW that He is the Lord our God! 

Church is a MUST! It’s the day we get to join others who love and serve the Living God. We get to worship and learn about the Scriptures together.  

Remember, God’s grace abounds!!!! We have chosen to have our Sabbath on Sunday, because it feels like the end of the week – the last day!

Colossians 2:16-17 says:

“Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”

Jesus is the one who set us FREE. We are not constrained.  We are covered by GRACE!  So, just aim to serve and love God the best way possible – from the heart! Don’t make it a “checking off the boxes!”

Time to rest is a great thing. We don’t get to do this much during the week, so it is definitely “set apart”, and something we try to do on the Sabbath! 

A family outing is a great way to honor God on this day!  

We get ready for the week ahead, so we are prepared and not rushed Monday morning! 

There is so much I could say about this topic!  

In all, let me say, if you’re not a part of a physical church, please take the time to make this happen.  It’s hard to find a church home sometimes, but one for you is out there. Make sure it’s a scripturally Sound Church! This means, the church reads and studies the scriptures and its entirety!  Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior, and there is no other way to be right with Hod, except through Jesus dying on the cross, and us receiving the forgiveness He offers. 

Need some help finding a church, or sorting through life – reach out and we can see how we can help you get connected, and/or sort!

I know it’s probably not among your top list of favorite things to do, but memorizing scripture can slowly but surely become a treasured task when you experience the fruit in doing it.

I struggled to memorize things, but when I realized that I could experience a new sense of freedom in my walk by hiding the scriptures away in my heart I made it a priority to memorize key passages of faith to start with.

Memorizing anything might be a challenge for you, but when you realize the discipline of doing so will become a true lifeline. Your walk with the Lord and the spiritual battle that ensues in your life will drastically change. So I want to provide you with a few passages of scripture I’d suggest memorizing as you seek to build confidence in your walk.

1. James 1:2-4
   “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
2. Romans 8:28
   “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
3. 1 Peter 5:10
   “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.”
4. Isaiah 41:10
   “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
5. Psalm 34:17-18
   “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
6. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
   “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not
7. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
   “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
8. Philippians 4:6-7
   “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
9. Psalm 46:1-3
   “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
10. Isaiah 43:2
    “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
11. Psalm 9:9-10
    “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
12. John 16:33
    “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
13. Hebrews 12:11
    “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
14. Joshua 1:9
    “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
15. Psalm 23:4
    “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
16. 1 Peter 1:6-7
    “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
17. Proverbs 3:5-6
    “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
18. 2 Timothy 1:7
    “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”
19. Psalm 55:22
    “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
20. Romans 5:3-4
    “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
21. Matthew 11:28-30
    “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
22. Deuteronomy 31:6
    “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
23. Psalm 62:5-6
    “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.”
24. 1 Corinthians 10:13
    “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
25. Nahum 1:7
    “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.”

I hope you’ll consider locking away at least a few of these passages to memory so that you will be encouraged and equipped to combat the lies of the enemy.

Be blessed!

It felt like it would never end. The season where I just didn’t know where God wanted me to go or to do. It was as if God had abandoned me and I was lost in a dry barren land. I’m not saying that to sound dramatic either. Have you been there in your walk with God?

You sit down to pray, hoping for a moment of connection, but it feels like your words barely make it past the ceiling. All you sense is silence. No still small voice. You sit. You wait. Nothing.

Or you open your Bible, you begin to read, and all you hear is the noise in your head as you desperately want something that will quiet the noise from God. Yet the words fall flat and feel void of comfort.

This sort of spiritual “dryness” is more common than you think and it should be encouraging to hear that because every believer encounters it. My friend, this season you’ve encountered is a beautiful opportunity to truly experience the fruit of God’s work in your life and to live in this space testing your faith and trust in His promises.

So, let’s explore some things you can do to invigorate and strengthen your faith as you wait for the refreshing abundance that you feel is missing in this moment.

Recognize and Embrace
Spiritual dryness often sneaks up on us subtly. You might suddenly feel detached during worship, find prayer challenging, or struggle to feel joy in your daily walk and things start to spiral. The realities hit you suddenly and spiritual challenges creep in. It’s important first to acknowledge what’s going on and to avoid piling on shame. Identify your feelings and take a deep breath. Spiritual dryness isn’t a failure nor does it change who God is and the good plans He has for your life; it’s a signal that something deeper may need attention or is coming your way.

Unpack the Source of Dryness
This can stem from various causes. Sometimes, certain realities in life simply begin to overwhelm the spiritual flourishing you had previously experienced—business, stress, exhaustion, unregulated triggers, can wear down our sense of connection to God. It might also mean we need to confront other internal struggles such as unconfessed sin or doubts about God’s promises and timing.

Take a moment to pause and reflect. Identify what might be causing this sense of spiritual dryness in your life. Self-awareness and compassion for yourself is key here. Are you being patient with this moment? Are you expressing gentleness and compassion toward yourself and God? This could be the key to understanding what’s going on.

Turn Back to the Basics
When feeling disconnected, go back to the foundation. And if you are in a good routine, then don’t let it break down. Continue in daily devotion and prayer no matter how you feel. Push through. Make sure you have set aside time each day, even if it’s just a few minutes, to read scripture, pray, or simply sit in God’s presence no matter how you feel. Spiritual renewal often starts with simple, consistent practices. Consider reading a favorite Psalm or meditating on God’s promises. Remember, this isn’t about ticking off boxes—it’s about reconnecting with God’s heart.

Connect with a trusted Community or Coach
Isolation often deepens spiritual dryness. God did not create us to be alone. He saw that Adam without a partner was not good. So he created Eve as a suitable partner. So, going it alone isn’t God’s design. We were made for being a community. So, seek out your church community for help, join a small group, or reach out to a trusted friend who can offer support and encouragement.

Our coaching provides a safe place to process and get to emotional stability by addressing the impacts of beliefs and faith in our lives. Sharing your struggles and receiving encouragement doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human. It’s so important to hear and see others’ experiences. They can remind you that you’re not alone and can get help when you need it.

Remember Past Spiritual Victories
Sometimes recalling our past can be painful, but recalling seasons of victory and success can help as well. All my life, I held church up to the standard of spiritual closeness and community from my days working at summer camp. It changed my life. Now, instead of hankering for “the way things were” I can recall the elements that made that season so sweet and see how gratitude for the season I am currently in can be shaped by the beautiful things in my past.

Think back to times when your faith felt alive and full. This is exactly why so many people have encouraged me over the years to keep a prayer journal and to revisit it frequently. Our memory fails us, but when we intentionally look for God to answer our prayers and shape our lives and then record it. We have a measure by which we can see and be reminded of God’s faithfulness.

Seek Inspiration through Devotionals
It doesn’t take having a massive library of spiritual books and devotionals in this day and age to be encouraged. Resources on the internet are vast but be sure to find good bible teaching from devotionals and publishers such as as Crossway and Our Daily Bread to gain perspective. The Bible.app has a host of daily devotional and tools to help bring your spiritual refreshment. A fresh perspective can break through the dryness and make all the difference.

Consider these devotionals or Bible studies that will focus on rekindling your faith. Let them provide new insights, spark your curiosity, and nourish your spirit with encouragement. Just remember to pick something that feels manageable in the dry season you end. It’s important not to let overwhelm, even in bible reading to keep you from it.

Above All
Embrace this time and rest and relax knowing this is part of the journey. The valley’s change the beauty and wonder of the mountain top experiences. God uses them to refine us. God has not abandoned you in this moment. So, disconnect from social media and be careful not to be comparing yourself and your spiritual walk with others. The perception that others are more spiritual than you is a comparison that is not from God. YOU WALK YOUR WALK! Don’t let the behaviors or spiritual routines of others distract you from your relationship with God. This walk is not one of instant results. Most of the time the Spiritual growth you’re hungry for happens in the quiet, unseen moments.

Don’t give up!
Spiritual dryness doesn’t mean you’re failing or that God has turned away. Often, it’s an invitation to dig deeper, to grow in faith even when feelings fade. As you work through these steps, take heart. Just as seasons change, so will this. God promises to be near, even in the quietest moments. So, pick one step to try today and remember: renewal is always within reach.