Category: Priceless Minute

Ruth: Faithfulness in the Unknown

Ruth’s story is a beautiful example of faithfulness and trust, even when life takes unexpected turns. After losing her husband, Ruth could have returned to her own family and culture. Instead, she chose to stay with her mother-in-law, Naomi, and follow the God of Israel.

There was a time when my life felt just as uncertain. After my divorce, I found myself navigating a season I never expected to face. Like Ruth, I had to make a choice: Would I cling to what was familiar, or would I trust God to lead me into something new?

Ruth didn’t know what the future held, but she trusted that God would provide. Her faithfulness opened the door for blessings she couldn’t have imagined, eventually leading her to Boaz and securing her place in the lineage of Jesus.

God reminded me through Ruth’s story that faithfulness in the unknown isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about trusting Him to guide the next step. Even when life feels uncertain, His plans are always greater than we can see.

If you’re in a season of uncertainty, take heart. Like Ruth, you can trust that God is working behind the scenes, weaving something beautiful out of the unknown.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me through Ruth’s story that I can trust You in the unknown. Teach me to remain faithful, even when I can’t see what’s ahead. Help me to follow wherever You lead. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Adonai Bore: The Lord Our Creator

Adonai Bore, “The Lord Our Creator,” reminds us that God is the author of life and the one who spoke the universe into existence. This name emphasizes His creativity, power, and care for all He has made.

I love walking through nature, whether it’s watching a sunrise or admiring a field of flowers, and marveling at God’s handiwork. Every intricate detail of creation testifies to Adonai Bore. But what amazes me most is knowing that this same Creator designed me with care and purpose.

God’s Power in Creation: Adonai Bore reveals the might of a God who created everything out of nothing by His word.

God’s Purpose in Design: He didn’t just create the world… He created each of us with intention, knitting us together in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13).

God’s Care for Creation: Adonai Bore sustains what He creates, ensuring that His creation reflects His glory.

Calling on Adonai Bore invites us to worship the Creator and trust in His ability to care for His creation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does seeing God as Adonai Bore deepen your appreciation for creation?
  2. In what ways can you reflect the creativity and purpose of God in your own life?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for being Adonai Bore, the Creator of all things. Teach me to see Your hand in every part of creation and to trust in Your purpose for my life. Help Kneel Ministries inspire others to worship You as the Creator. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Battling Feelings of Unworthiness

There have been times in my life when I’ve felt completely unworthy… of love, of forgiveness, of God’s calling. After my divorce, those feelings hit especially hard. How could I, someone who had failed in such a public way, still be used by God?

One day, I was reading Ephesians 2:10. It says we are God’s handiwork, created to do good works that He prepared for us. The word “handiwork” struck me, it means we’re not just made by God; we’re His masterpiece. He designed us with care and purpose.

That verse reminded me that my worth isn’t based on my mistakes or my past. It’s rooted in who God says I am. Even in my brokenness, God calls me His child. And because of His grace, I can still walk in the good works He has planned for me.

If you’re struggling with feelings of unworthiness, let me remind you of this truth: You are loved. You are chosen. And nothing, no failure, no regret, can change the way God sees you.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for creating me with purpose and for loving me despite my flaws. Help me to see myself through Your eyes and to walk confidently in the calling You’ve placed on my life. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Letting Our Light Shine

When I was younger, I thought letting my light shine meant standing on a stage or speaking in front of a crowd. I believed it was about doing big things for God that others could see. But over the past few years, God has been teaching me that letting my light shine is less about what I do and more about how I live daily.

After my divorce, I questioned whether I still had a “light” to shine. I felt broken and unworthy, wondering if I could still be used by God. But in those moments, I found comfort in the fact that God doesn’t require us to be perfect to reflect His love. He only asks us to be willing vessels.

One of the most profound ways I’ve seen this truth is through my relationship with my daughter. Whether it’s helping her with homework, volunteering at her school, or coaching her volleyball team, I’ve realized that even the simplest acts of love and kindness can shine God’s light. The way we treat others, especially in difficult times, speaks volumes about the God we serve.

Letting your light shine isn’t about drawing attention to yourself; it’s about pointing others to Jesus. It’s in the way you show patience when others lose their temper, kindness when others are harsh, and faith when the world is full of fear.

You may feel like your light is dim, but even a small candle can drive out the darkness. Don’t underestimate the power of living for Christ in the ordinary moments. God can use your life, no matter how messy or imperfect it may feel, to glorify Him.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for calling me to be a light in the darkness. Help me to reflect Your love and grace in all I do, even in the small, everyday moments. Let others see You through my words, actions, and life. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Esther: Courage for Such a Time as This

Esther’s story is one of courage, faith, and stepping into God’s calling despite fear. When she was faced with the decision to approach the king and risk her life to save her people, she could have chosen to stay silent. But instead, she trusted that God had placed her in that moment for a purpose.

There have been times in my life when I’ve felt like Esther. Unsure, afraid, and questioning whether I was the right person for the task. After my divorce, stepping back into ministry felt daunting. I doubted whether I could still be effective after everything that had happened.

But like Esther, I’ve learned that God places us where we are for a reason. Your past doesn’t disqualify you from His calling; it prepares you for it. Esther’s courage came not from her own strength but from trusting that God had a plan bigger than her fear.

If you’re facing a situation where you feel overwhelmed or unworthy, remember Esther’s story. You are where you are for such a time as this, and God will give you the courage to step into His calling.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me that You’ve placed me here for a purpose. Give me the courage to step into Your calling, trusting that You will equip me for whatever lies ahead. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Moving Forward with Hope

This year, I’m approaching this day with a different mindset. It’s been about a month since the divorce was finalized, and while it’s not the story I hoped for, I’m choosing to move forward with hope.

God has been my strength through this journey, teaching me that His plans are greater than mine. Though this chapter has closed, I know He is calling me to new beginnings. My heart is healing, and I’m excited to see how He will use this season for His glory.

To anyone walking through loss or change, I want to encourage you: God is not finished with you. His love is constant, His plans are good, and His grace is sufficient. I’m holding onto that truth as I press forward, trusting Him with the future.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you embrace new beginnings with hope and faith in God’s plans?
  2. What steps can you take to heal and grow in this season of change?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness through every season. Teach me to let go of the past and to trust You with the future. Help me to walk in hope and to glorify You in all that lies ahead. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Job: Faith in the Storm

Job’s story is one of unimaginable loss and unwavering faith. He lost his children, his wealth, and his health, all in a matter of moments. Yet through it all, Job never turned his back on God.

I’ve had moments in my life when I felt like everything was falling apart. During my divorce, I wrestled with feelings of failure, rejection, and grief. It was a storm I didn’t see coming, and I often found myself asking, “Why, God?”

Job’s story reminds me that it’s okay to question God. It’s okay to grieve and wrestle with the pain. But what stands out most about Job is that even in his lowest moments, he never lost hope. His faith wasn’t dependent on his circumstances; it was rooted in who God is.

Job teaches us that faith isn’t the absence of struggle, it’s trusting God in the midst of it. When life feels overwhelming, we can choose to say, like Job, “Yet will I hope in Him.”

If you’re in a storm right now, hold on to this truth: God sees your pain, He hears your cries, and He’s working behind the scenes. Your storm doesn’t define you, your faith does.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for being my anchor in life’s storms. Teach me to trust You even when I don’t understand, and to hold onto the hope that You are working for my good. Strengthen my faith and help me to rest in Your promises. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Conclusion: The Names of Jesus in the New Testament

The names and titles of Jesus in the New Testament reveal His character, mission, and the relationship He invites us into. From Emmanuel, God with us, to the King of Kings, each name brings a fresh understanding of who He is and what He has done for us.

This series is not an exhaustive list of His names. The depths of Jesus’ character and work cannot be fully captured in a single series. Or even a lifetime of study. However, these names are invitations to draw closer to Him, to know Him more personally, and to allow His presence to transform our lives.

I’ve been reminded through this journey of how these names have impacted my own life… offering hope, direction, and peace in the most challenging times. Whether you need the guidance of the Good Shepherd, the victory of the Lion of Judah, or the peace of the Prince of Peace, Jesus meets you exactly where you are.

A Reflection of His Character: Each name reveals a unique aspect of who Jesus is and how He relates to us.

A Reminder of His Mission: His titles point us to His purpose. To save, redeem, and restore us to God.

A Revelation of His Love: Above all, these names remind us of the depth of His love for us, shown through His life, death, and resurrection.

As you reflect on the names of Jesus, let them draw you closer to Him. Let them remind you that He is not a distant Savior but a personal, loving Lord who walks with you every step of the way.

Reflection Questions

  1. Which name of Jesus has resonated most with you during this series?
  2. How can you continue to explore and apply His names to your life?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for revealing Yourself through the many beautiful names and titles found in Your Word. Teach me to know You more deeply and to live in the fullness of who You are. As I reflect on Your names, may they remind me of Your love, Your power, and Your presence in my life. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Purity: Guarding Your Heart

Purity isn’t just about our actions, it’s about our hearts. When I was younger, I thought purity meant following a set of rules: don’t look at this, don’t listen to that, don’t go there. But over time, I realized it’s much deeper than that.

Purity is about what we allow into our hearts and minds. It’s about the thoughts we entertain, the media we consume, and the boundaries we set. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us that everything we do flows from our hearts, so guarding them is critical.

There was a season after my divorce when I struggled with this. Loneliness and temptation crept in, and I had to make a conscious effort to refocus my mind on things that honored God. I started memorizing Scripture, setting boundaries with what I watched and listened to, and leaning on accountability with trusted friends.

Purity isn’t about perfection… it’s about progress. It’s about daily surrendering your heart to God and asking Him to renew your mind. When we guard our hearts, we create space for God to work, and we position ourselves to reflect His love more clearly to the world.

If you’re struggling with purity, take it to God. Ask Him to help you guard your heart and renew your mind. He’s faithful to strengthen you every step of the way.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me of the importance of guarding my heart. Help me to focus on things that honor You and to surrender my thoughts and desires to Your will. Renew my mind daily and lead me to walk in purity. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Peter: Failing Forward

Peter’s story is one of the most relatable in Scripture. He was bold, passionate, and deeply committed to Jesus. Until the night he wasn’t. When Peter denied Jesus three times, his failure was public and devastating. I can only imagine the shame and regret he felt as he wept bitterly.

I’ve had moments in my life where I felt like I’d failed God. Whether it was falling short as a father, struggling in ministry, or dealing with the fallout of divorce, there were times I wondered if I’d messed up too much for God to use me again.

But Peter’s story doesn’t end in failure. After Jesus’ resurrection, He restored Peter, asking him three times, “Do you love me?” (John 21:15-17). With each question, Jesus reaffirmed Peter’s calling: “Feed my sheep.”

That restoration reminds me that failure isn’t the end of the story. Like Peter, we may stumble, but God’s grace allows us to “fail forward.” He uses our brokenness to strengthen us and deepen our dependence on Him. Peter went on to preach the Gospel boldly, becoming a foundational leader in the early church.

If you feel like you’ve failed God, take heart. He’s not finished with you. Bring your failure to Him, let Him restore you, and step into the calling He has for your life.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace that restores me after failure. Teach me to trust Your forgiveness and to step forward in faith, knowing that You still have a purpose for my life. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.