Author: Allison Bramlett

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” — Isaiah 43:19

Every pattern in your life repeats until you learn the lesson. That lesson is not about others changing it is about you being transformed into the image of God. The biggest shift God wants to make is in you.

He is not just rearranging your circumstances; He is realigning you. Before the new thing can be released around you, it has to be established within you an internal peace that refuses to be shaken and a faith that cannot be moved.

This is not a season for panic; it is a season for posture. A time to get your heart, your words, and your focus in alignment with Heaven.

God wants to shift your vocabulary, because your vocabulary has been blocking your victory.

What you say matters. Proverbs tells us, “Life and death are in the power of the tongue.” And in Mark 11, Jesus said, “You will have whatever you say.”

Your words are creating worlds for better or worse. It is time to get out of the doubt camp and get into faith camp. Stop coming into agreement with the assignment of the enemy with your mouth. This is not something you just try; it is a choice you live by. You must think right and speak right.

The enemy wants to poison how you see God, how you see others, and how you see yourself. But every word from your mouth should carry the fragrance of Heaven.

Ephesians 4:29 reminds us, “Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”

If you follow Jesus, your mouth should follow Him too. Your speech should sound like grace, not gossip- prophecy, not poison. 

Remember: what is coming out of your mouth shows the true condition of your heart.

It reveals what you really believe about God, yourself, and others. Your mouth is the mirror of your heart. If your words are bitter, your heart is burdened. If your words are critical, your heart is calloused. If your words are fearful, your heart is anxious. If your words are faith-filled, your heart is anchored in Him.

So ask yourself, what does my heart look like? Because your speech is the overflow of your soul condition! Every time we choose the same response, criticism, anger, fear, complaint, doubt, or frustration we circle the same mountain.

But the moment you choose differently, the loop ends and growth begins.

Cycles stop when faith starts. It is time to get rid of the sin mouth. God is dealing not just with what you do, but with what you declare.

It is time to speak prophecy instead of pity, cheer instead of complaint, hope instead of hurt, and joy instead of junk. Heaven is waiting on your agreement. 

You must be a pioneer in the problem. You were not made to shrink when things get hard, you were created to arise. In the middle of the mess, God is raising up pioneers. People who do not wait for perfect conditions to lead, pray, build, or believe.

You cannot pioneer something new with an old mindset. It is time to trade sarcasm for sacredness. Sarcasm keeps you safe; sacredness keeps you surrendered. 

God is birthing new beginnings, he is birthing new vision, new peace, new opportunities, but He is starting with you. You cannot pour new wine into old wineskins.

Let Him stretch you, refine you, and fill you again with peace and faith for what is coming. This is your time to align. This is your time to believe again.

There is a reason Scripture tells us, “Above all else, guard your heart.” God knows that what we allow in determines what flows out. Just like a city’s gates once determined its safety, our hearts are the gateways to our spiritual strength, peace, and purpose.

In ancient times, a city without walls was an open invitation to destruction. No matter how magnificent its palaces or how vast its treasures, it was vulnerable to every thief and invader that came its way. Those walls represented strength, safety, and identity the visible proof that what was precious inside was worth protecting.

The scripture above was written by King Solomon and he understood this that “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

The Heart: Your Inner Command Center

In Hebrew, the word heart (לֵב, lev) doesn’t just describe emotion it represents the mind, will, and inner life. It’s the control center of who you are. Every word you speak, every reaction you give, and every choice you make flows out of what’s happening inside your heart.

That is why Solomon said above all else. Before you guard your schedule, your finances, or your reputation, you must guard your heart because everything else springs from it.

Mind the Gates

In the days of Nehemiah, when Jerusalem’s walls were broken down, the people were vulnerable to attack. The first thing Nehemiah did wasn’t to build new homes or decorate the temple he rebuilt the walls and gates. Gates were where watchmen stood alert, guarding what came in and what went out.

Spiritually, we have gates too our eyes, our ears, and our thoughts. What we allow through those gates shapes the condition of our hearts. If we let fear, offense, or temptation enter unchecked, they take up residence and begin to influence everything we say and do.

Paul reminds us, “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)

This is the posture of a guardsman not passive, not waiting for an attack, but proactive and alert.

You Are the Guardsman

God has not called you to live in reaction mode constantly responding to the noise of the world, social media, or fear of the future. He’s called you to stand watch over your inner life.

To “guard” means to protect with purpose and diligence. You do not guard what does not matter you guard what is valuable. Your thought life, your peace, your faith, and your spiritual mindset are treasures that shape your destiny.

“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.”Psalm 141:3 (ESV)

When you guard your heart, you are also guarding your words and your words create worlds. A renewed mind produces a renewed mouth, and a renewed mouth produces a renewed life.

A Renewed Mind, an Obedient Life

Romans 12:2 tells us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

When your mind is renewed by God’s Word, obedience becomes your natural response. You do not have to strive to do what is right. you are simply living out what’s inside you.

As a guardsman of the heart, you choose daily what you allow to stay. You recognize when something does not belong like fear, pride, bitterness and you send it packing. You fill your inner walls with truth, worship, gratitude, and love.

Standing Watch Together The beauty of God’s kingdom is that we do not guard our hearts alone. We stand shoulder to shoulder with other believers, encouraging one another to stay strong, alert, and rooted in truth.

“Be on guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NLT)

You are not just protecting your own peace. You are preserving the purity of what flows out of your life into your family, your ministry, and your community.

So today, rise up as the guardsman God has called you to be. Stand watch over your thoughts. Set boundaries that honor your King Jesus! Guard your heart, because it is the wellspring of your life.

And remember the strength of the city lies not in its walls, but in the God who watches with you.

Life is not a sprint; it is a marathon. The Bible reminds us in Hebrews 12:1–2 to “run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” Endurance is not just about pressing through difficulty, but it is about remaining steady when life feels heavy, trusting that God is shaping something eternal within us.

Endurance comes when we refuse to quit, even when the road is hard. Storms may come, challenges may rise, and disappointments may knock us down, but endurance says, “I will rise again.” Every step of faith is building spiritual muscle, preparing us for greater victories ahead. Like Paul said, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).

Faithfulness is not proven on the mountaintops but in the valleys and daily choices. Jesus taught that those who are faithful with little will be trusted with much (Luke 16:10). Being consistent in prayer, steadfast in love, and unwavering in integrity, even when no one is watching opens the door for God’s blessings. Faithfulness is the steady hand that keeps us aligned with His will.

True victory is not about outsmarting, outshining, or overpowering others, but it is about winning with love. Jesus gave us the greatest commandment. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. Love changes the atmosphere, disarms offenses, and draws people closer to God. In a world where people are desperate for hope, love is the ultimate win.

Forgiveness is the fuel that keeps our hearts free. When we forgive quickly, we refuse to let bitterness take root. Colossians 3:13 says, “Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” That means no holding grudges, no silent resentment, no keeping score. Forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting the hurt, but it means releasing it into God’s hands and choosing to love anyway. Quick forgiveness allows us to move forward lighter, freer, and stronger.

When we live with eternity in mind, our perspective shifts. Suddenly, the things that frustrate us lose their grip, and the things that truly matter which are faith, family, souls, love… take priority. This life is temporary, but eternity with Jesus is forever. That truth gives us courage to endure, faith to remain steady, love to win, and grace to forgive.

Endurance is not about speed; it is about consistency. Faithfulness is not about recognition; it is about obedience. Love is not about winning arguments; it is about winning hearts. Forgiveness is not about excusing wrongs; it is about releasing burdens. And eternity is not a distant dream; it is the reality we live for every day.

So, let’s run the race with endurance, stay faithful in every season, win with love, forgive quickly, and live with eternity in sight.

We’ve all been through seasons when the winds howled and the rain poured. There is the unexpected diagnosis, heartbreak, disappointment, delays, or dreams that seem to have crumbled in front of us. If you’ve ever cried out to God and asked, “Why is this happening?” Know that you’re not alone. But Jesus reminds us in Matthew 7 that the same storm comes to both the wise and the foolish.

Let that settle in.

The storm comes to everyone.

Jesus tells the parable of two builders. There was one wise and one foolish builder. The wise man built his house on the rock. The foolish man built his on the sand. Both houses looked fine on the outside. But when the rain came, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against those houses there was only one that remained standing.

“The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” Matthew 7:25 (NIV)

It wasn’t the absence of the storm that defined the wise builder but it was what he built his life on.

You can’t always predict the storm, but you can prepare for it by choosing the right foundation.

This past week, our family felt the storm. Plans didn’t go the way we hoped. Disappointment knocked hard. It felt like something was stolen right out from under us. But even in the swirl of emotions, one truth remained unshaken that we are built on Jesus. Our peace, our purpose, and our identity don’t shift with the weather because they are rooted in the Rock. And we know the enemy doesn’t get the final word. Scripture says when the thief is caught, he must return sevenfold (Proverbs 6:31). What the enemy meant for harm, God will turn for good, and we are standing firm, believing for restoration, recompense, and a greater comeback than we could ever imagine. Yes we might bend but we don’t break. 

Life has a way of testing what you’re made of. When you’re built on sand which is things like approval, success, image, money, or even relationships know that those things can shift and collapse under pressure. But when your life is built on Jesus, you can bend without breaking. Storms may shake you, but they won’t shatter you.

It’s not your performance, popularity, or possessions that define your worth. It’s your position in Christ.

You may feel stretched. You may weep. You may even wonder if you’ll make it through. But if your identity is rooted in Jesus, then you are unshakable. You are not built on the applause of people, the opinions of others, or the highs and lows of circumstances. You are  built on the Word, the presence, and the promises of God.

Your identity is not in what you do but it is in who He is! Jesus is the rock! 

If the enemy can confuse your identity, he can shake your foundation. That’s why it’s so important to remember who you are and Whose you are.

• You are loved not because of what you do, but because of who He is.

• You are chosen not because of perfection, but because of grace.

• You are secure not because life is easy, but because your Savior Jesus  is faithful.

So when the storm comes (and it will), your job is not to panic but to remember what you are built on. Your identity isn’t in your wins or losses. It isn’t in a title or reputation. It’s in the One who never changes, Jesus! 

How to Storm-Proof Your Life

1. Daily Devotion to God’s Word. His Word anchors your soul when the world shakes around you.

2. Prayer and Praise. When your knees hit the ground, your spirit stands tall.

3. Community with Believers. You’re not meant to weather storms alone surround yourself with faith family. 

4. Obedience to His Voice. Hearing and doing what He says is what separates the wise from the foolish.

The storm doesn’t define you. The foundation does.

If you’re in the middle of a storm right now, don’t despair. You were built for this. Esther 4:14 you are anointed for such a time as this. You are not built on sand, but on the rock that is Christ Jesus. He is your sure place. He holds you secure. The winds may blow, the waters may rise, but you will stand.

You may bend, but you won’t break.

Because your identity is in Jesus, you can face the storm with peace, hope, and unshakable confidence. He is your refuge, your builder, and your rock.

Stay rooted, stay faithful, and stay standing, because storms don’t last, but God’s Word does. 

“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

No matter how many years we’re blessed with, whether it’s 40, 70, or even 100, it still never feels like enough time with the ones we love. Time passes so quickly, and the older I get, the more I realize just how sacred and fleeting each moment is.

Lately, I’ve found myself imagining what heaven must be like while deeply missing some of my faith, hope, and love TrailBlazers, those precious ones who’ve gone ahead of us and left a legacy of love. Their lives shaped mine, and I long for the day we’re reunited in eternity and thankful that they shared Jesus with me.

But right now, I’m holding tightly to the moments I get to spend with my people, our kids, our in-loves, our grands, and our parents. These are the treasures of my life. Nothing fills my heart more than sitting around the table, laughing at inside jokes, hearing little feet running through the house, the sound of dirt bikes, pool days, card games, and watching generations love each other well. Watching my parents speak wisdom, my children parent with grace, and my grandchildren soak it all in. This is sacred ground to me.

While we share life and shape hearts, we also have the call to share biblical love; a love that is full of both grace and truth. Real love connects, but it also corrects. It comforts, but it also disciplines. As we rearrange our own plans to show up at dirt tracks, pool parties, family workouts, and dinners, it’s because support matters. Presence is a lifeline. When our loved ones see the faces of support and love, they see faith. They feel safe. They hold on to hope. We’re working on hugging more, asking better questions, and being fully present. Questions like: What made you laugh today? Did anything make you unsure? What surprised you today, good or bad? What’s something you want me to know about you? What did you do great today? Who did you make feel special—and did anyone make you feel special? What are you looking forward to? What is Holy Spirit saying to you? These conversations build connection, and connection builds trust.

These moments don’t have to be extravagant to be meaningful. Whether we’re sharing a meal, playing on the floor, or simply doing nothing together, we’re building something eternal. Every hug, every “I love you,” every time we show up for one another—it matters.

We all have a ticking clock, and none of us knows when our time will run out. So let’s cherish those around us. Let’s tell them we love them, every single day. Don’t wait for a special occasion to celebrate the best in them. Speak life. Encourage often. The world has plenty of critics, but we’re called to be cheerleaders in each other’s corners.

Hold hands. Hug longer. Forgive quickly. Stop the cycles of hurt and start sharing a healed life, one rooted in love, grace, and truth. Live with no regrets. Settle the things that need settling. Don’t leave relationships with unfinished business but handle them the Bible way, with humility and a heart to restore.

Life is sacred. Life is short. But for those who love Jesus, we have the promise of eternity; an everlasting reunion, where there’s no pain, no separation, and no more tears.

So until that day, let every second reflect the love of Jesus. Let every heartbeat echo with gratitude.

Because time is short… but love is eternal.