“The Lord makes all things new in our lives. He alone restores everything that has been broken or stolen from us spiritually. Amen. For you see, God is our healer and mender of all brokenness. (Psalm 147:3) says, ‘He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.’ He alone takes those pieces of our lives and makes something beautiful and new from them. Amen. He takes everything the enemy meant for our harm and turns it around for our good, as (Romans 8:28) says. No one can do for us what the Lord can and will do for us.

When we get well, we step away from the things that meant harm, from the hurt, and from the pain. We turn away, learn from what has happened to us, and grow. We help ourselves stay free in our hearts and minds. We flourish and grow through the company we keep, the things we do, and the places we go. Amen. Everything we do, we do with a watchful eye, ensuring it points us and moves us closer to Christ. In God’s presence, we grow and change, gain wisdom and understanding, choose to do the right things, deny ourselves, and guard and protect our hearts. As (Proverbs 4:23) says, ‘Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.’ Amen.

So, we go where we can grow. We go to places where we are celebrated rather than merely tolerated. We learn to be by ourselves at times and make Jesus our best friend. Amen. We don’t have to be everything to everyone all the time. We don’t have to be involved in everything or say yes continually. What we do have to do is grow in the Lord, be made whole in who we are—mind, spirit, and body. Be made complete in who we are. Amen. If we give the enemy an inch, he will take a mile. Amen. We must be alert and aware at all times, for the enemy roams about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, as (1 Peter 5:8) warns. So, put on the whole armor of God, as (Ephesians 6:11-24) instructs, and live to please Jesus, giving the Lord everything of who we are. Ask the Lord to make us whole and complete fully in Him. Amen.

For as we know, scripture says that the enemy may come in like a flood, but the Lord will lift up a standard against him (Isaiah 59:19). We are God’s children, and He wants us to be happy, whole, complete, and overflowing with joy. God wants us to be new and made new in Him. Today, my heart and prayer is that you and I are fully equipped and fully made new in Christ Jesus our Lord, as reflected in Isaiah (43:18-19) (Isaiah 65:17) (Ephesians 2:15) (Ephesians 4:24) and (Revelation 21:5). Let us be well and whole in Him, and only we ourselves can answer that question. Amen. Let us draw near to God, for when we draw near to Him, He draws near to us (James 4:8). Let us help ourselves by doing what we already know we should do: grow, heal, mend, move on, and move forward in this beautiful thing we call life. It is in Jesus’ sweet name that I ask and pray. Amen and Amen.

Be blessed today, my dear sweet friends, and remember, wherever you go and whatever you do, be a light for our Father. Much love to you all, Mandi.”