Seventh-day Adventist

This text reminds me that even though this life’s journey is riddled with challenges, I can move forward with confidence in Christ. To dwell on yesterday’s failures is not part of God’s plan. Instead, I learn from the past and move forward toward the heavenly prize—home with the Lord. By pressing on, I thrive.

Graduation had just ended. The tired mommy shifted an infant girl from one side to the other. “I would love to have my children at your school,” she said. “I can see from this graduation program how much your church members love their school.”

This verse reminds me of the importance of focusing on and filling my mind with that which is good. In fact, it tells me to focus on Christ—the One who perfectly embodies truth—with honesty and all that is just, pure, lovely and of good report.

The tender pleading of the Father’s Spirit—wooing, entreating and drawing this wanderer to the Father’s heart of love—awakened my soul to return to God.

In the time we are living, especially with this pandemic, Revelation 21:4 fills me with hope and happiness because Jesus is coming soon, and there will be no more pain or crying.

This verse reminds me of the power that words have, and that I have to watch what I say. Words can either encourage or destroy, and, because they can stick in one’s mind forever, they can positively or negatively affect the lives of others. This is important to me because I have not always been careful with my words, and have hurt people as a result.

God never gives us a directive or command that is not in our best interest and that is not possible to accomplish!

Claudia Wheeler (left), alongside volunteer Tatiana Smith, started the SALT foundation in December 2017.

Here is an odd story about Jesus. Hungry, Jesus sees a fig tree with leaves because it was out of season. Finding it has no fruit, He curses the tree, and it dies. Why does Jesus do that? Doesn’t it seem unreasonable? Why does Mark tell this story?