Month: July 2026

Of Butterflies and Battles

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The easy road is not always the best road to travel.

I get it. We all get tired and completely exhausted at times. Decision fatigue is a real thing, and the call to think through, examine, or make an educated guess on one more decision makes you feel even more exhausted.

Enters, the draw to travel down the easy road. The one where the decisions are made is less, or the struggle seems to be alleviated sooner rather than later.

But trying to exit a struggle prematurely is not always the best option. Just ask the butterfly whose fight to emerge from its constraining cocoon literally means the difference between success and failure, life and death. It must go through the struggle to completely come out in all its beauty!

There is nothing beautiful in a struggle except the joy that comes as an end result. No battle is fun. That’s why they are called battles: they consist of fighting—fighting physically, fighting mentally, fighting emotionally, and spiritually. This is something that most people would prefer not to do.

But if you ask Gideon if he felt the fight was worth it after God gave him the victory with very limited resources, I’m sure he will tell you yes, all the way (Judges 7).

Or, how about Jehoshaphat, who was promised he didn’t need to fight in the battle but was still instructed to go against the enemy with nothing more than a praise (2 Chronicles 20:1-2)?

And speaking of praise, what about the impenetrable walls of Jericho coming down with nothing more than an obedient march followed by a great shout of the same (Joshua 6)?

All these battles seemed impossible to win at the onset. If anyone had dwelled on that possibility, surely, they would have caved under pressure and bowed out before things got too intense and before gaining the victory.

But “the just shall live by faith!” That is what we are told four times in Scripture (Hab. 2:4; Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38). The repetitiveness of it should tell us of its importance. Great things in Scripture are done through faith (Heb. 11). Faith to follow through and to continue moving forward where God is leading. Taking yourself out of His plan could mean the loss of a great victory and opportunity.

If you must, take a break, catch your breath, seek spiritual counsel, but do not quit.

Don’t exit the fight, my friend. Wait until God brings you through. In the end, you will see something more beautiful than the wings of a butterfly. You will see God’s plan come to fruition in your life.

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9

Blessings~

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A Simple Thank You!

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Father God, Thank You for the simple things, and yet, the not-so-simple things:

Thank You, for waking us up this morning.
Thank You, for the life we live.
Thank You, for every provision
Your loving hand, to us, gives.

For this salvation that lifts our souls
Each and every day.
For the Holy Ghost within us.
Who forever came to stay.

No elaborate or grand gesture
There ever needs to be.
A simply genuine thank You
from our hearts to Thee.

We have so much to be grateful for.
We could never count each one.
But, Lord, we thank You anyway,
With love, from Your daughters and sons.

“O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34

“I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.” Psalm 9:1

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com (Sharing any posts or lessons can only be done through the share buttons provided on this site from the original posts, lessons, and articles only. You can reblog from the original posts only using the reblog button provided, or share using the share buttons provided from these social media platforms: Facebook, X, or Pinterest, etc., and they must be shared from the original posts only. All other repostings are prohibited. Posts and other items of interest found on this site MAY NOT BE COPIED AND PASTED, downloaded, uploaded, etc., to another website or entity not listed (physical or electronic).  See COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details. 

Conversion, Change, and Commitment | Why Discipleship Matters part 2

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Picking up on the previous post, the ultimate goal of every conversion story is to eventually be “conformed to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 8:29). When we think of the word “conformed,” it gives the impression that there is a mold or a model.

I have been blessed to acquire many handmade pieces from my grandmother. There was a time in her life when she learned how to work with molds. After the pouring and curing process, she would hand-paint these items that have become family treasures. One of my favorite works of hers is in our nativity scene that I put out every Christmas. Although many pieces are broken and some are missing, the work she did on those molds will always be a treasure to me.

Friends, we are being pressed into a mold so that the end result of our lives is to be like the original, to be like Jesus. What a great treasure that is!

Perhaps that’s why the Apostle Paul taught, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). But change from an old nature to a new nature doesn’t just happen with a snap of the fingers. It comes from walking with one throughout their conversion story, guiding them, and helping them to see the way.

This is the example Scripture repeatedly gives us (as already noted in the previous post). Even the Apostle Paul was aided in conforming and learning about this new life, first and foremost by our Lord Jesus Christ, Himself (see Galatians 1:12; read Vs. 11- 24 for Paul’s testimony of this time).

People left to their own devices, unaided, are susceptible to lies, discouragement, doubt, and being uprooted from the very conviction that caused them to seek conversion in the first place.

Therefore, those who are already members of the body of Christ want to make sure this new member has the tools and support not only to hang on, but to grow and see their lives through the eyes of the Lord.

For when they see their value according to Him, they will fight all the more (and yes, sometimes it is a fight) to daily shed off the old nature from where they came and put on the new nature of who they are now, and where they are going.

Most infants and toddlers don’t begin to take their first steps in learning to walk without holding on to something. Often, what they are holding on to is the loving hands of a parent who is guiding them, caring for them, and supporting them so they do not fall.

How much more support does a new believer need who is trying to walk in a whole new life than the one they came from?

I’m not negating the need for personal holiness or the work that needs to be done for this mindset change (see Ephesians 4:22-24; Matthew 18:3; 1 John 1:6; Colossians 3:9, 10). But people do not know how to do new things without being taught, without examples. One of the reasons YouTube is so popular is that if you are trying to do something new, fix something, or the like, you can almost always find a video on their platform that will walk you through how to do what you are seeking, step-by-step.

Discipleship is God’s answer to the lives that want to change but don’t know how. It is the place where they get one-on-one help, the place where they can see examples of what it means to be in a thriving, loving relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

People cannot go from conversion to change to commitment without knowing how to get from point A to C (see chart below).

There is a lot of space in between, open to all kinds of stuff. What that space is filled with will be determined by what is being poured into the person. Again, this does not negate personal holiness or responsibility, but how much better would the turnout be with proper guidance and exposure to the right things to fill that space?

Every believer has this commission on their lives: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:19-20; emphasis added).

Discipleship is not just witnessing; it is teaching people how to live the Christian life, how to recognize and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit as He leads them.

Jesus felt we were worth it and had people who invested in us. Now, may we see the worth in others and invest as well.

The Bible calls us the “salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13), and it’s time to share the flavor.

Blessings~

Text-Free Image by Anja from Pixabay

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com (Sharing any posts or lessons can only be done through the share buttons provided on this site from the original posts, lessons, and articles only. You can reblog from the original posts only using the reblog button provided, or share using the share buttons provided from these social media platforms: Facebook, X, or Pinterest, etc., and they must be shared from the original posts only. All other repostings are prohibited. Posts and other items of interest found on this site MAY NOT BE COPIED AND PASTED, downloaded, uploaded, etc., to another website or entity not listed (physical or electronic).  See COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details. 

Conversion, Change, and Commitment | Why Discipleship Matters part 1

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Conversion without change is not really conversion, is it? Yet, this is something we see play out time and again.

People may come and hear a message that stirs their hearts, prompting them to want a new life. They are tired and fed up, and they know that there must be a change. So, upon hearing a message, they make the decision for Christ. Maybe even going so far as to be baptized, but when they rise out of the water and put their clothes back on, they also put back on everything they needed to change from.

Walking into a new life will not happen by accident. A dip in the water could very well just be a dip in the water without the determination within to seek and learn about those things that will foster and grow this new life; to “do works befitting repentance” (Acts 26:20).

For a real conversion to take place, there must be a real change (Matthew 18:3). Ephesians tells us, “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (4:22-24; emphasis added; see also Colossians 3:9, 10). There is a measure of personal responsibility in those verses.

A hunger and thirst for righteousness should begin to grow within the spiritual appetite, wanting something more than what one has always done.

Yet, true growth takes time. As a baby moves through the process of learning to take on food and behaviors that will support its growth, so too does the new Christian who has a true desire for a new life.

Unfortunately, we have seen instances where some just dip and are done. They believe that is all there is. Sadly, this causes one to return to life as usual, with no further commitment or intention to search for or long for more. They believe that they have covered the basic requirements of salvation, and now they are free to live life as they desire, do what they want, even if it contradicts the Word, and will still be fit for heaven.

But here’s what 1 John 1:6 says: “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.”

My friends, true conversion should produce a real and notable change. Even if it’s not fully mature (and we don’t expect that immediately), people should be able to see that there is something different there now.

There is an old expression: “Come as you are, but don’t stay as you came.” And how true is that?

But, without truly explaining this to people, they are left floundering like a fish out of water. They wonder why B, C, and D aren’t falling into place when A hasn’t been taken care of properly.

This is where discipleship comes in. It is ushering people’s hearts closer to God through guidance and walking with them through those initial steps.

Our greatest example of this comes from our Lord Jesus Christ, who invested His time and care heavily into others who not only had a true change in their lives but were also able to do the same for others.

We must not be content with saying we brought people in. But when they come in, we want to invest in and nurture them as the Lord did with His disciples.

Discipleship is a key ingredient missing in most churches today. We must go back to doing things the way Jesus did to get the results He and the disciples did.

Yes, it will require time. Yes, it will mean sacrifice. Yes, it will often ask you to step out of your comfort zone. But if you truly have a heart to see people walking in a vibrant Christian life, I will say it would all be well worth it.

After all, a heart that is turned to God is a heart that has truly been changed.

Due to the length of this article, I invite you to come back and join me on Friday, July 17, 2026, for part 2.

Blessings~

For more inspiration, check out:

“Ornamental Christianity” 

Top Text-Free Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com (Sharing any posts or lessons can only be done through the share buttons provided on this site from the original posts, lessons, and articles only. You can reblog from the original posts only using the reblog button provided, or share using the share buttons provided from these social media platforms: Facebook, X, or Pinterest, etc., and they must be shared from the original posts only. All other repostings are prohibited. Posts and other items of interest found on this site MAY NOT BE COPIED AND PASTED, downloaded, uploaded, etc., to another website or entity not listed (physical or electronic).  See COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details. 

The Locust’s Song

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After a very popular book, the idea of a love language has become a common way people recognize the best way to reach another person’s heart. What makes them tick? What makes them feel appreciated? What makes them feel loved?

God knows better than anyone how to reach and touch the hearts of people and let them know they are loved.

As I am sitting here, I hear the locusts sing their song. This has been a longtime favorite sound of mine. When summer rolls around, and I hear that song in the trees, I feel a certain restfulness and peace and contentment. I can’t help but stop, take a moment, and smile at a song most will ignore. A certain measure of nostalgia comes with it also, as I remember the sound that accompanied my childhood memories.

It’s the little things like this, when it feels like God puts His stamp of love on my day, that just let me know that everything is going to be alright.

In many ways, throughout many days, He brings us peace and assurance we cannot find in another. He shows us His compassionate love, even if we feel that we are at the end of our rope.

In what ways is the Father speaking your love language today? Do not look for it in big things alone. There was a reason the prophet didn’t find confirmation in anything but the still small voice (1 Kings 19:12).

Regardless of how He puts His stamp of love on your life today or shows you His love throughout the day, the most important thing for you to know is that you are loved. So much so that He shows us in the biggest and best way possible that He is in it through the long haul with us.

Through Jesus Christ, we have the best confirmation of God’s love toward us (see John 3:16; Romans 5:8).

God may show us in various ways, big and small, the love He has for us, but the biggest measure of love was found in nothing short of the Savior on Calvary.

The locust’s song
in the tree
reminds me of
God’s love for me.

A sound of peace
and restfulness
that speaks to my heart,
making me feel blessed.

Knowing God is there
in big things and small,
assures my heart,
He’s here for the long haul.

When days aren’t right,
crazy, or hurried,
God’s song of love
raises above life’s worries.

But the song of love
most profound to me
is the song of love
sung from Calvary’s tree.
©Wordforlifesays

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Blessings <3

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com (Sharing any posts or lessons can only be done through the share buttons provided on this site from the original posts, lessons, and articles only. You can reblog from the original posts only using the reblog button provided, or share using the share buttons provided from these social media platforms: Facebook, X, or Pinterest, etc., and they must be shared from the original posts only. All other repostings are prohibited. Posts and other items of interest found on this site MAY NOT BE COPIED AND PASTED, downloaded, uploaded, etc., to another website or entity not listed (physical or electronic).  See COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.