Category Archives: 5-Minute Friday

The Wrong Voice

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Sometimes a single word says it all. Today’s word, short, does exactly that.

Eve fell short of obeying God’s one simple instruction, and every one of us has done the same.

Eve didn’t fall because she ate the fruit. She fell because she listened to the wrong voice.

God didn’t give Adam and Eve pages of rules. He gave them one clear command: “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” (Genesis 2:16-17)

The serpent questioned God’s Word, and Eve listened. One conversation. One choice. One bite. That single act of disobedience changed the world.

Most of us don’t wake up thinking, Today I’m going to gossip, or I’m going to ignore my neighbor who needs help. Sin rarely begins with a dramatic decision. More often, it begins with one small compromise—one little step away from what we already know God has said.

Satan delights in this kind of disobedience. He rarely tempts us with giant leaps. More often, he whispers us into taking one little step away from God’s Word. That’s how the enemy works. He doesn’t usually push us off the cliff. He simply whispers until his voice becomes louder than God’s.

Here’s the good news. We all fall short, but we know the One who never did. Jesus’ perfect obedience covers our imperfect lives. When we confess our sin, He forgives us, restores us, and lovingly leads us back to Himself.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23-24

I am joining a great group of Christian writers at 5-Minute Friday. We write for 5 minutes each Friday (sometimes longer). You can share your blog here https://fiveminutefriday.com/2026/07/02/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-outcome/

Outcomes

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The Greek word for forgiveness is aphiēmi. It means letting something go, sending it away, leaving it behind, and being done with it.

That is exactly what God has done for us. He doesn’t partially forgive. When Jesus went to the cross, it was all or nothing.

Here’s where it gets hard. He wants us to forgive others the same way.

When someone wounds us, our first instinct is often to lash out, yell, or say something that wounds them right back. Our natural response is retaliation. Jesus calls us to something far different: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).

Forgiveness isn’t pretending the hurt never happened. It isn’t saying the offense was acceptable. It’s choosing to place justice in God’s hands rather than carrying it ourselves.

There’s a consequence for being unforgiving. It steals peace, interrupts sleep, fuels anxiety, and keeps old wounds fresh. When we forgive, both parties benefit.

Paul writes in Romans 12:18, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Notice that little phrase: as far as it depends on you. We cannot control another person’s actions, but we can control our response.

Years ago my mother often reminded us, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” It took me a long time to understand that obedience to those simple words almost always changes the outcome.

When old hurts begin to replay in my mind, I pray. Then I fill my thoughts with Scripture until my heart catches up with my prayers. God is faithful to meet me there.

Forgiveness is rarely easy.

Freedom is worth it.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your endless mercy and complete forgiveness. You have removed my sins as far as the east is from the west. Pour Your unconditional love into my heart and help me extend it to those who have hurt me. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I can release any bitterness or resentment I may be holding onto. I choose to let go of my need to control or fix the situation, and I lay it all at Your feet. Help me to trust You with the outcome and walk forward in peaceful freedom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I am joining a great group of Christian writers at 5-Minute Friday. We write for 5 minutes each Friday (sometimes longer). You can share your blog here https://fiveminutefriday.com/2026/07/02/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-outcome/

The Vibe May Change…

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A couple of days ago, I spent hours trying to figure out why the “Follow Me” button had disappeared from my blog. With the help of my AI assistant, I checked settings and lists, tried everything I could think of, and followed every suggestion. I knew the answer had to be somewhere in the program.

I could see the follow box. I could see the list of followers. Everything seemed to be there, yet the button refused to appear on my posts.

Then I discovered a list of buttons that had somehow been switched off. All I had to do was turn one setting back on, and voilà—my button was restored.

That little adventure made me think about our relationship with God.

Sometimes we experience a sense of goneness. We pray, worship, and read Scripture, yet God feels distant. We wonder, I’m here. Where is He? We can’t feel the vibe of His presence, so we begin to assume something has gone wrong.

But feelings are not facts.

God is faithful and always keeps His word. David wrote in Psalm 139:7-10, “Where can I flee from Your presence?” The answer is nowhere. Joshua reminds us in Joshua 1:9 that “the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” And Jesus promised in Matthew 28:20, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

The bottom line is this: God hasn’t gone anywhere.

When His presence seems hidden, the problem isn’t that He has disappeared. More often, we’ve become distracted, discouraged, or focused on the wrong things. The connection is still there because He is still there.

In Isaiah 41:8-10, God makes this promise:

“You are my servant,
I have chosen you and not cast you off;
fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

The vibe may change.

God never does.

This post is part of the weekly Five Minute Friday link-up

A Sign of Readiness

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Mother Teresa once said, “To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it.” The same applies to our spiritual lives. If we stop learning, growing, and drawing near to God, our lamps begin to dim. We may still look fine on the outside, but inside, we become like an empty lamp waiting to be filled.

Scripture often uses lamps as a picture of our relationship with God. Proverbs 31:18 says of the virtuous woman, “Her lamp does not go out at night.” In ancient times, a lamp burning after dark signaled a welcoming home for weary travelers. The lamp was more than a source of light; it was a sign of readiness. The woman described in Proverbs was prepared to serve, to care, and to offer hospitality when needed.

Psalm 18:28 reminds us that we are not responsible for producing the light ourselves. David writes, “For You light my lamp; the Lord my God illumines my darkness.” What a comforting truth! God is the One who lights the lamp and sustains its flame. As we walk with Him and mature in our faith, His light shines more brightly through us. Ancient lamps could be fitted with additional wicks to increase their brightness. In much the same way, God continues His work in us, expanding our capacity to reflect His light to the world.

Jesus used this same imagery in the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). Five were prepared with extra oil, and five were not. When the bridegroom arrived, the prepared virgins entered the wedding feast while the others were left outside. The lesson is clear: followers of Christ are to live in a state of readiness. We cannot borrow someone else’s faith or wait until the last moment to seek the Lord. We remain ready by staying close to Him, filling our minds with His Word, and allowing His Spirit to work within us.

One day, all who belong to Christ will be welcomed into the Wedding Supper of the Lamb. Until then, God faithfully does His part. He lights the lamp, supplies the oil, and tends the flame. Our part is not to manufacture the light but to remain close to Him. We do that by filling our minds with His Word, obeying what He teaches us, and keeping our hearts ready for His return. As we walk with Him day by day, His light shines more brightly through us, becoming a sign of readiness to a watching world.

Heavenly Father, how humbled I am when I realize that You are the One who fills the lamp. Lord, fill mine to overflowing with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Let my lamp continue burning brightly until I am finally admitted to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb. In Jesus’ perfect Name, make it so. Amen.

I’m sharing this article at 5-Minute Friday. We’re a group of bloggers who wait each Friday morning for a new word to use in a post. Jump on over and enjoy the posts with me. I hope you’ll be blessed in the process. Marie

God-Gifts in Disguise

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I rarely welcome criticism with open arms. Usually, I try to explain or defend my reasons and actions.

God’s Word has taught me a better way. Proverbs 15:31 speaks loudly to me on this issue: “Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.”

Life-giving correction is the key. It’s not criticism, condemnation, or shame.

There have been many times in my life when correction has been a God-gift in disguise. Times when my BFF says, “You’re not thinking clearly, Marie.” Times when my pastor’s sermon steps on my toes. Times when God’s Word convicts me of sin or a bad attitude. At those moments, I have a choice. I can cling to my pride and a haughty attitude, or I can listen.

One of the toughest life lessons I’ve learned is that I’m not always right—and God refuses to let me think I am. He never corrects me to reject me. He corrects me because He loves me and wants me to keep the Number One goal in my life front and center: becoming more and more like Him.

Abba, Father, give me ears to hear Your voice and a heart willing to obey.

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