God said he will protect and fight for us during our trials and tribulations, but we must be silent, willing to stand still and let the Lord do his work Exodus 14:14. Jesus said in John 16:33 , I have told you these things that you have peace in me. And in this world, you will have trouble. But he says take heart because he overcame the world!! And so can we. The trials you may be experiencing will change your heart, character, and behavior towards people, Jesus, brother James said, counted all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that testing your faith produces patience. The patient has his perfect work that you may be perfect and complete, lack nothing chapter 1:2. Sisters and brothers, remember what God said to Joshua when it was time for him to lead the Israelites into the promised land. He told him, have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and dismayed, for the Lord of God is with you wherever you go.

Jesus, promise in Matthew 7:7-8 , ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you find; knock, and the door will be open. Everyone who ask receives; he who seeks finds; and the door will be opened. Praying is a direct conversation with our heavenly father. It is a way for us to get closer to him and watch him work. We are blessed and fortunate to live in a time where we have access to God, our Lord Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, those people did not have a choice, nor did they have direct contact with God. He had messengers, leaders, and profits to speak and share his word and concerns to them, we have God now anytime we want him!

God came to Solomon in a dream and said, Ask for whatever you want me to give you 1st King 3:5-15. Solomon didn’t want money or fame; he asked for wisdom and a discerning heart to manage his kingdom. And God gave it to him. He was a great King and leader for the Israelites, who designed and built the Holy Temple and expanded the Kingdom. He listened and obeyed God at the beginning of his journey but eventually stopped and followed his wives, who worshiped their own Gods.

We must always have the armor of God on so that we can stand against the devil, Ephesians 6:11. King David, for instance, when he was at home in his palace and decided to step outside onto his roof patio to get some fresh air one evening, just happened to look over at his neighbors house. He saw a beautiful brown skin married woman taking a bath and sent his servant to get Bathsheba to bring her to him. He slept with her and later discovered she was pregnant, second Samuel chapter 11:1-15 , tell us the story. So you see how the devil convinced King David right then. At that moment changed his thinking. king David was not thinking about Bathsheba ‘s husband, one of his prominent soldiers. His mind immediately shifted when he saw her, but that’s how fast the devil works when he knows our weak spots. So sisters and brothers, this is why it is essential to stay in the word of god daily so that you won’t lose sight.

And Matthew chapter 4:19, Jesus told the fisherman to follow him so that he could show them how to fish for people and that is what I feel. I’m doing getting you to believe he controls our lives if we allow him to. I was a high school dropout, a teenage mother at 16, with three sons by 21, a college graduate, a businesswoman of over 30 years, and the author of two books. I earned my doctorate in educational leadership and now a podcast or sharing God word I had no choice but to walk by faith and trust God with my life, I was a single mother of three boys at 21 with no education, living on my own with public assistant, which eventually I refuse to accept. The apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:8 that God saves us by grace when we decide to believe we are saved through faith, not by sight, and this is not our own doing, it’s the gift of God.

In the book of Hebrew, chapter 13:5-6 tell us not to love money and be satisfied with what we have because God said, never will I leave you, and never will I forsake you. It took me years to finally learn to surrender and trust God with my finances. I believe God wants to bless us with a good, healthy, fruitful life, but we can’t miss manage our priorities and leave God out of our financial decisions or other matters. God wants us to lean on him, trust him, and he will show us the best way to handle our money matters. God tells us in Isaiah that he will strengthen us and help us and uphold us with his righteous hand.

Moses told the Israelites not to be afraid, just stand still and watch the Lord fight for you, and you won’t have to do a thing Exodus 14:10-15. Moses convinced Pharaoh to release the Israelites from Egypt, Pharaoh agreed at first, then changed his mind and sent his army to bring them back. The troops had caught up with the Israelites, and they started complaining to Moses because they thought they were going to be attacked and killed. But God was present right at that moment. He had Moses hold up his stick to separate the sea so that the Israelites could walk through and be saved so you see there’s no need to worry because we have a clear example of how God will save us from our troubles.

In the letter to the Philippians, chapter 2:10-11, Paul writes that in the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. I chose this topic because people suffer from relationships, illnesses, addictions, and finances. We live in challenging times, and many of us get so wrapped up into work and our social lives that we don’t find tome to spend with God or thank him for what he has done for us until we run into a crisis. But why do we have to reach this point to call upon God?

Solomon said a kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself, according to Proverbs 12:17. He also said whoever pursues kindness will find life, prosperity, and honor. To find life, we must give back and be kind to others, just as Jesus did. He walked among haters, idol, worshipers, unfaithful people, and many other sinners, but he treated all of them with kindness, and love. He wanted to win their hearts over to his father, which should be our goal in life. Romans chapter 1 and 2 speaks of God‘s kindness, which leads people to repentance. The apostle Paul tells us that God is good and kind to everyone and he knows our faults and what we think. God is patient and wants us to turn to him so no matter how ungrateful people react to kindness don’t stop hoping that they will get to know our Lord Jesus Christ.

In the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 28:12, Moses talks about obeying the 10 Commandments, saying that by doing so, we will be the head and not the tail. My sisters and brothers, I’ve been a Christian for over 35 years, and during those years, there have been many times I did things my way without seeking God’s help, and I would fail. I realized I cannot do things without his direction. I finally learned to completely surrender my life to God, trusting him, and work hard to live by his commandments. Even when things don’t go our way, and we feel like God isn’t answering our prayers, trust and believe he is listening and waiting for the right time to bless you and bring you to the point where you feel confident;he has your back…. I don’t know where you may be in your life or where you want to go, but God promised to make you the head the leader and not the tail. Jesus said, and John chapter 15:20, I have kept my father‘s commandments, if you obey my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have remained in my father‘s love.

In the book of proverbs chapter 14:23 says that hard work is worthwhile, it brings a profit, but the empty talk will make you poor. It is easy to talk about what you will do, but our actions speaks louder. I have heard many stories of parents giving their grown kids money to pay their phone bills and other living expenses, but we think we are helping them because no one helped us, right! But we are not. I encourage you to stop giving your money to your grown kids and make them earn a living on their own. Colossians 3:23 tells us that whatever kind of work we do, work at it with all our hearts, as working for the Lord, not for a man. Because we will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is our Lord Jesus Christ. We are serving.

The apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 4:29 tell us that God‘s word warns us to stay away from people who gossip and guard our words when we speak about others. people who are hurt, angry, and broken inside tend to talk negatively about family members and others. It is very easy to see when a person is emotionally hurt because they gossip. They want to make themselves feel good and encourage others to listen and agree. In book of James.4:11 tells us not to slander one another, and if anyone does speak against his brother or judges him, he speaks against God‘s word. The last thing God wants us to do is to speak negatively against our sisters and brothers. We are to build each other up and support one another, not tear them down. The Holy Spirit will convict your heart if you find yourselfgossiping. Paul said in first Thessalonians 4:11 make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business. Soloman said in proverbs 16:28 that a trouble person who stares up conflict and gossip separates close friends.

In chapter 2 of the book of Philippians, the apostle Paul talks about imitating Jesus Christ, and having the same attitude and behavior. He said if Christ has encouraged you and giving you peace, you are united, with God spirit, the spirit of love, compassion, and concern for people. Dr. Galvez said it’s been a big part of her life story. Caring for young girls, encouraging unity among women and families who need support and guidance. Paul said not to think we are better than others and judge, but to think of others better than ourselves, like Jesus did.

In the book of Luke 12:2-3, Jesus spoke to his disciples and said there’s no secrets. Everything we think is hidden will be made known, and whatever you say in the dark will be heard in the daylight. Most of our life problems are because of how we think and behave. Paul letter to the Ephesians, 5:11 tells us to have nothing to do with fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. Exposing and uncovering our sins will allow for repentance and transformation. Jesus tells us and John 8:12 that he came to bring light to the world, and he who follows him, will not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. That is the gift of our Christian identity.

When God appeared to Abraham, when he was 75, the Lord promised to make him a great nation, and give him many descendants, if he left his hometown, and traveled to the land, that he will show him Genesis 12:1-4. Abraham did what God wanted him to do. He waited patiently but more importantly he wanted God to bless him with the child. God promised Abraham and Sarah they would have a baby boy. And they did 25 years later. Abraham did his part in the story and walked by faith and god honored his request. To see God‘s promise for us, my sisters and brothers, we must take responsibility for our actions. We can’t expect God to uphold his promises for us if we don’t do our part. So I ask you, when was the last time you spent quality time with our heavenly father, shared his word, or served others. We have to deposit love into God’s world to reap the promises God has in store for us. Peter, tell us in chapter 3:9 that the Lord is not slow in keeping his promise. Instead, he is patient with us and doesn’t want us to perish, but wants everyone to come clean.

In the book of Proverbs, chapter 14:1 talks about a wise woman who builds her house, but with her own hands, she can tear it down by being foolish. Dr. Galvez breaks the verse down, giving an examples of what happens when you tear your house down by being foolish and build it through Godly Wisdom. In the book of James chapter 3 verse 13 through 17 talks about two types of wisdom there’s earthly wisdom and godly wisdom. If we are wise, and understand God‘s ways, we prove it by living an honest life and doing good works. If we are wise and understands God‘s ways, we prove it by living an honest life, and doing good works with humility that comes with wisdom.

When Peter came to Jesus and asked “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me?”is seven times enough ? Jesus answered “I tell you, not seven times but 77 times Matthew 18:21-22. Forgiveness is something we think about doing it’s about releasing our feelings towards the person who hurt us. It’s a choice. It’s not about forgetting what happened to us because we won’t. It’s about letting go of anger and resentment and freeing us from bondage. I learned that most of our issues start in our child home environment, and we tend to carry them into a childhood. But I would encourage you, sisters and brothers, not to hold onto anger because we cheat ourselves out of happiness and blessings. Let it go, forgive those who hurt you, and ask God to help you so that you can live freely and in peace.

Jesus said in John 15:7 if you remaining me and my words remaining you, ask whatever you wish, and it would be given to you. Jesus continues by saying he is the true vine, we are the branches. Spending quality time with our Lord Jesus, Christ benefits us in many ways. So, I encourage you to make it a daily habit to spend time with God. Praying when you wake up and go to bed, your relationship will get closer and you will feel his presence. Even when we pray, we must listen to what God says. I have learned it’s a dialogue between me and God it’s not a one-way conversation. God will speak to us through his word and our spirit.

Solomon tells us to discipline our children, for there will be hope for them, and do not be a willing party to their death ( Proverbs 19:18). In other words teach him correctly, so you won’t contribute to their downfall. God clearly says, disciplining and teaching children when they are, young is the right way, and punishing, meaning spankings, our children is OK; they need it, sometimes, or they may fail.

Proverbs chapter 23:6-7 shares that a rich, stingy man invites a guest to eat with him, and while the guest is eating, the rich man becomes irritated, because he thinks this man is eating too much of his food. You see, God knows what we are thinking and what is in our hearts. I believe we are in our situation today because of how we think. Our thoughts could either build us up or tear us down, and, knowing this helps us control, our thinking. Dr. Galvez talks about her first book, uncovering anger, one layer at a time and learn the power forgiveness.