Good morning, beloved.
It is 3:47 a.m. as I set my heart to write, and the message impressed upon my spirit is this: Put God first.

As I awakened, I reflected upon the preceding day, a day marked by holy laughter, genuine fellowship, and shared joy. A brother in Christ came to visit, and our time together was both refreshing and edifying. We concluded our fellowship in prayer with my children, a moment of sacred unity that crowned the day. Such moments remind us that Christ-centered community is both a gift and a refuge.

Yet even amid joy, my spirit was stirred by sorrow. I encountered a video recounting a grievous tragedy, a mother in the Navy convicted of taking the life of her own child. My heart wept. I lifted prayers both for the woman now sentenced to life in prison and for the innocent life lost. These moments remind us of the brokenness of humanity and the desperate need for divine intervention.

Though the world is saturated with evil, corrupted by wickedness, and eroded by hatred and greed, we are a people set apart. We are called to be light in the midst of darkness, to illuminate places obscured by sin and despair. Scripture exhorts us to fix our minds on higher things:
“Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report… think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)

While everything around us may appear unstable and chaotic, our Heavenly Father remains unshaken. He is faithful and unchanging. Through Christ, He has declared us more than conquerors (Romans 8:37). Our authority is not symbolic; it is spiritual. Jesus Himself commissioned His disciples, saying:
“Behold, I give unto you power… over all the power of the enemy.” (Luke 10:19)

We are servants of the Most High God, called not merely to be hearers of the Word, but doers. For cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17). We are to love our brothers and sisters into a loving relationship with Christ, which is the great commission. We are to faithfully plant seeds of truth and grace. God Himself is the Gardener, the Vinedresser, who prunes every branch that bears no fruit (John 15:1–2).

So I ask: What fruit are you bearing?

As we begin this day, let our posture be one of praise and thanksgiving, grateful for how far God has brought us, mindful that our minds are sound and our breath remains in us. I once heard a powerful woman of God say, “You’re crying, but you’re still breathing.” And that alone is evidence of grace. Life is filled with trials that may attempt to break us. I have come to understand that God will sometimes remove the very things we treasure most when they take precedence in our hearts. Whatever we exalt above Him becomes an idol. His Word is clear:
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3)

Idolatry does not always look spiritual; it may be food, money, possessions, relationships, ambition, or even family. Whatever we desire more than God, He will lovingly but firmly strip away. The pruning is painful, but it is purposeful. So my final exhortation is this:
“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)

Allow God to align your day with His grace. Permit Him to quiet your anxious thoughts. For the Word declares:
“Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (Philippians 4:6)

What is weighing upon your heart today?

Knock, and the door will be opened. Seek, and you will find. Our God is present, attentive, and near, if we will first seek His face.