Loosen the Neck, Soften the Heart

Today's Scripture

“You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!” — Acts 7:51 (NIV)

In Scripture, the term stiff-necked describes someone unwilling to be led—stubborn, resistant, and hard-hearted. In Acts 7:51, Stephen confronts the religious leaders, telling them they resist the Holy Spirit just like their ancestors did. Being “stiff-necked” originally referred to oxen that refused to respond to their farmer’s guidance. Rather than yielding to the prod that would steer them toward productivity, they resisted—even if it meant hurting themselves in the process.

How often do we do the same? We feel the Spirit’s nudge to forgive, release control, or take a leap of faith—but we stiffen our hearts, plant our feet, and say no. God desires a tender, teachable heart. He doesn’t force us to follow Him—but He does invite us to. The question is, are we willing to turn?

Reflection Questions:

• Is there an area where you’re resisting God’s leadership?
• What would it look like to loosen your neck and follow?
• Who or what helps soften your heart toward obedience?

Today's Prayer

Heavenly Father, Forgive me for being stubborn when You are calling me to trust. Loosen my neck, soften my heart, and tune my ears to Your voice. Lead me in the way everlasting, and make me quick to follow. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Time of Favor Is Now

Scripture:

“This is what the LORD says: 'In the time of favor I will answer You, and in the day of salvation I will help You; I will keep You and appoint You to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land, to apportion its desolate inheritances.’” — Isaiah 49:8 (NIV)

“…to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all who mourn.” — Isaiah 61:2 (NIV)

Have you ever felt like God was silent during your season of struggle? Like your prayers echoed into a void, unanswered and unnoticed? If so, Isaiah 49:8 and Isaiah 61:2 offer a powerful reminder: God’s timing is not delayed—it is divine.

In Isaiah 49:8, God promises that in the time of favor, He will answer. This verse is not only about a moment in Israel’s history, but it also reflects a deeper truth about God's heart for restoration. The “time of favor” is not random; it is appointed—a divinely orchestrated moment when heaven responds with help, healing, and hope.

God doesn’t just promise to answer; He promises to keep, appoint, restore, and apportion what was once desolate. He sees the barren places in your life. He knows the dreams that feel dead, the relationships that seem broken beyond repair, and the spiritual weariness that weighs heavy. And in His time—His year of favor—He brings life to what was lost.

Isaiah 61:2 echoes this theme, declaring a season where God brings both justice and comfort. God’s vengeance isn't about wrath against us, but about making right what has been wrong. It’s the flipping of tables in our favor. It’s the comfort given to all who mourn. It’s the lifting of the weary soul.

Maybe you’re in a place of waiting today. If so, take heart: God's favor isn’t distant—it’s present. Jesus came as the fulfillment of these very promises. In Luke 4:21, He declared that “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” The time of favor has come. Because of Christ, we live in the reality of God’s grace, restoration, and comfort.

Reflection Questions:

What “desolate inheritances” in your life need restoring?

How have you seen God's favor in unexpected ways?

In what ways can you proclaim God's comfort to someone who is mourning?

Prayer: 

Father, thank You for Your perfect timing. Thank You for appointing Jesus as the fulfillment of every promise and for the assurance that You are restoring what has been broken. Help me to trust in Your favor, even when I can’t see the full picture. Use me to be a messenger of Your comfort and hope in this world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Pride Comes Before the Fall – Embracing a Renewed Mind

Scripture Reference:

"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." – Proverbs 16:18 (NIV)

In a world that places such a heavy emphasis on identity—whether it's physical appearance, mental fortitude, or emotional expression—pride can often take root. Our culture encourages us to craft identities that are seen, admired, and envied. We define ourselves by our success, beauty, intellect, or even by our struggles and the labels society offers us. While knowing who we are is important, there is a danger in becoming too fixated on our own sense of self. The Bible warns us that pride comes before the fall. It happens when our identity becomes so wrapped in ourselves that we leave no room for God to guide and reshape us.

The Danger of Pride in Identity

In this age of self-branding and endless pursuit of validation, pride can creep in unnoticed. When we focus solely on who we are in the eyes of others, or even in our own estimation, we risk becoming blind to our need for God. We elevate our own abilities, achievements, and personal identity to the point that God’s sovereignty is overshadowed. Proverbs 16:18 reminds us that pride leads to destruction, not only because of arrogance but also because it creates a barrier between us and the transforming work God seeks to do in our hearts.

Joyce Meyer’s Battlefield of the Mind speaks powerfully to the significance of controlling our thoughts and the war that wages in our minds. She teaches that the thoughts we entertain directly impact our actions and ultimately shape our lives. When our minds are filled with pride, comparison, or even insecurity, we allow the enemy to take ground. But when we surrender our thoughts to God and allow Him to renew our minds, we step into freedom. Romans 12:2 encourages us not to conform to the patterns of this world, but to "be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

The Power of a Changed Mind

There is incredible power in a changed mind. The world may push us to obsess over self-identity—over who we are physically, mentally, or emotionally—but God calls us to find our true identity in Him. The transformation begins when we take control of our thoughts and submit them to Christ. As we allow God to renew our minds, pride diminishes, and humility takes its place. We begin to understand that our worth is not in our accomplishments or in how others perceive us, but in being children of God, made in His image.

When we focus on who God says we are, rather than who society says we should be, our minds shift. We experience the freedom that comes from resting in His love, grace, and purpose for our lives. This freedom protects us from the downfall that pride brings. As Joyce Meyer writes, the mind is where battles are won or lost. When we discipline ourselves to think according to God’s truth, we find peace, victory, and purpose beyond the world’s definition of identity.

Taking Control of Your Thoughts

If you find yourself overwhelmed by society’s pressure to fit into a mold or define yourself based on the latest trends, remember that God has already called you by name. You are His, and He desires to renew your mind so that you walk in the fullness of who He created you to be.

How do we take control of our thoughts?

Daily Surrender: Start each day by surrendering your thoughts to God. Ask Him to guard your mind and to renew your perspective.

Meditate on Scripture: Fill your mind with God’s Word. The more you meditate on His truth, the easier it becomes to reject the lies of pride, fear, and insecurity.

Be Mindful of What You Consume: The media, conversations, and environments you expose yourself to can shape your thinking. Be intentional about what you allow into your mind and spirit.

Pray for Humility: Pride is a natural inclination for all of us. Pray regularly for a humble heart, recognizing that all you are and have is by the grace of God.

In a society obsessed with self, may we choose to humble ourselves before the Lord, knowing that pride leads to destruction, but a renewed mind leads to life and peace. Let us seek to find our identity in Christ, the only One who gives us true worth, and walk in the freedom of a mind that is set on Him.

Prayer:  

Lord, I surrender my mind and my identity to You. In a world that encourages pride and self-obsession, help me to find my worth in You alone. Renew my mind daily and guide my thoughts so that I may walk humbly in Your will. Keep me from the fall that pride brings, and remind me that my true identity is as Your beloved child. In Jesus' name, Amen.

4th of July Poem: Freedom's Call

On this day of freedom's call,

Amidst the cheers and fireworks' sprawl,

Let's remember the One who gives us grace,

Our Savior, whose love we embrace.

In the land of red, white, and blue, 

With hearts united, faithful and true, 

We celebrate the birth of a nation so grand, 

Guided by God's merciful hand.

As we honor the flag, so proudly unfurled,

Let's pray for peace that will traverse the world,

For on this 4th of July, we comprehend,

The freedom we cherish, from Him does descend.

So, let our joy be joined with divine delight,

As we worship, reflect, and shine His light,

In this blessed land, where liberty resides,

God's grace forever, our spirits guide.

God bless you. And God bless America!

War in the Spirit

There is a war waging. Many cannot see it, because of spiritual blindness. The darkness has covered the earth and the war wages on all around us. These are the times when we must have spiritual senses that are in tune with the Holy Spirit. Our prayer should be for God to give us eyes that see and ears that hear. We should also pray to receive the Spirit of Discernment.  It is going to take the Holy Spirit to help us discern good from evil.

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has taught that the gift of discernment can help us (1) “detect hidden error and evil in others,” (2) “detect hidden errors and evil in ourselves,” (3) “find and bring forth the good that may be concealed in others,” and (4) “find and bring forth the good that may be concealed in us” (“Quick to Observe,” Liahona, Dec. 2006, 19).

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)

The hearts of men are corrupt and evil in this day, as if they are the walking dead. They move about from place to place as if they are wandering aimlessly.  Many come and go and it does not appear there is a reason for all the migration and movement. It appears to have no meaning or thought about the purpose of the journey from here to there. 

And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it. (Amos 8:12)

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, help us to be vigilant and watchful in this day and time on earth. There are many passages and warnings that we need to heed, in a world that is darkened with greed and many needs. I pray you soften hardened hearts so that we can perceive the leading of the Holy Spirit now more than ever.  Help me to keep my gaze fixed on Jesus and my ears ever open to Your Word of truth, for Your Word is life and light, health and wholeness. Thank You that You did not give up on Israel, and thank You that You will never give up on me. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Understanding the Times

“And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.” (1 Chronicles 12:32)

This chapter lists the numbers of men from each of the tribes of Israel who cast their lot with David in his conflict with King Saul. All these numbers are given except those of Issachar, but of these it was said that all their brethren followed their 200 leaders in turning to David. The reason for their unanimity in this decision was that these leaders “had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.” It was time to “turn the kingdom” to David, “according to the word of the LORD” (1 Chronicles 12:23). God had given them a Benjamite, Saul, as king for a time, but now David had been anointed, and it was the time to give “the sceptre” to Judah, according to the prophecy of their father, Jacob, given over 600 years before (Genesis 49:10).

How desperately we need leaders today who are spiritual “sons of Issachar,” understanding these times! Christ told the apostles: “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons” (Acts 1:7); it was more urgent that they proceed to witness for Him “unto the uttermost part of the earth” (v. 8).

Nevertheless, He would return to the earth in some generation, and that generation should be expected (when they would see all these things) to “know that it is near, even at the doors” (Matthew 24:33). They could understand the signs, and even though they should never attempt to guess the date, they could “look up...for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28) when they would see “these things begin to come to pass.”

The signs are everywhere, yet few of our leaders—even many Christian politicians—seem to understand the real meaning of these times. Christ is “even at the doors!” HMM (Institute for Creation Research)

Good Affliction

“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” (Psalm 119:71)

This seems like a strange testimony. Affliction is often accompanied by complaining or discouragement, but seldom by a statement of satisfaction and thankfulness such as in our text for today.

Nevertheless, in terms of the long-range goal of character development, afflictions are often good for us, helping to make us more Christ-like and preparing us for our ministry of service to Him in the age to come (Revelation 22:3), if only we profit from them and submit to them as we should.

“Before I was afflicted I went astray,” testifies the psalmist, “but now have I kept thy word.…This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me” (Psalm 119:67, 50). Such testimonies have been echoed innumerable times throughout the centuries as godly men and women have drawn closer to the Lord through His comforting Word during times of affliction than they ever were during times of ease.

In fact, afflictions often draw even the unsaved to the Lord. They would never come when things are going well, but many do come when in times of sorrow or rejection they are forced to the end of their resources. It is then that “godly sorrow [literally ‘sorrow from God’] worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of” (2 Corinthians 7:10).

As for those instances when God’s people suffered in ancient times, it was said: “In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them” (Isaiah 63:9). Although no such affliction “for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Hebrews 12:11). (HMM - Institution for Creation Research)