I cannot remember a time in my life when I didn't need or call on Jesus. Many years ago, I fell backwards in my kitchen and had a very bad fall. Hours later, I lay on my hospital bed and received the diagnosis that I had broken my neck. God had been there that day to catch my fall and to save me from sudden death because He had a plan and work for me to do. When my daughter was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and depression, He carried us through that, too. When my son's marriage ended badly and he hit rock bottom, God helped me to be there to support my family when they needed me most. Today, I rejoice in God's goodness, grace, and mercy for the many times in my life that He has allowed me to share what He has done for me and my family, and I will never cease to thank Him with my whole heart.

Like any solid relationship, being a faithful follower of Jesus Christ takes work. It's like growing a plant from a seed to maturity, watering it every day and carefully pruning and tending it until it grows strong on its own. Being a Christian is something like this: we are either a faithful follower of the Lord Jesus Christ or we are not. If we know Him, we will love Him and follow Him to the end — a faithful follower we will be. He is there for Christians in sickness, in health, in our joys, and in our sorrows. He is with us at all hours of the day or night.

Jeremiah 29:11-12 – "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you." (NIV)

Isaiah 40:31 – But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (NIV)

Are you a faithful follower of our Lord Jesus Christ? Why not start today!

Prayer: Gracious God, we thank You for the many times that You have helped us through the most horrendous of situations. In the name of our Lord Jesus, we pray. Amen.

I love to travel with my husband, whether it is by road, ship, or plane, but for some unknown reason, for the last two years of my mother's life, I developed a fear of flying. The thought of going to the airport and getting on a plane filled me with fear and dread. I couldn't understand it — I was an avid traveller. What was worse was that I couldn't travel to be with my mother, who lived 2,370 kilometres (about 1,470 miles) away in Hollywood, Florida, USA. I saw her often on FaceTime whenever my sister or her faithful friends helped her, but it was too far to travel by car, so flying it had to be. Not being able to get up and go was creating even more anxiety in my life, and I knew that I had to stop these fears from taking over for good. I also knew that fear has no place in the life of a Christian, but I just couldn't shake it off — it was overwhelming.

After wrestling with my deep fears on my own, I took them to my heavenly Father, Who was waiting to act. I asked God to help me and to fill me with His strength so that I could get on a plane to go and see Mom — fearlessly. He did! When I woke up the next morning, I felt renewed and fearless and ready to book my flight — but I received a call from my sister that Mom had passed that morning. I booked my flight and went to her — late, but I went. But why did it take me so long to ask God when I knew better?

2 Timothy 1:7 – For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (NKJV)

1 John 4:18 – There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. (NKJV)

Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (NKJV)

God is the answer to all our anxieties and fears. Letting go and letting God is the only way to freedom from anxiety and fear in our daily lives.

How are you feeling today? Have you been experiencing any anxiety or fear recently? Then let us pray:

Prayer: Almighty God, only You can free us from the burden of our anxiety and fear. Release us from them and grant us the grace and mercy to walk freely from these thorns in our flesh. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen!

Mark 16:15 – He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." (NIV)

John 20:21 – Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." (NIV)

I was pleasantly surprised to receive a phone call from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada on this cold -44 degrees Celsius morning, from a fellow brother in Christ Jesus, who called to say hello and to say that he is receiving his PresbyCan Daily Devotional, but that he hadn't seen anything from me recently. This call made me stop and think about the numerous similar questions I have been asked recently: "Have you stopped writing?" or "I haven't heard from you for a while."

Over the past few months, I have not been sharing the good news of Jesus Christ in print, not because I don't love Him, but because I have been working for God in other ways. God often changes our assignments when He sees other things that we need to do for Him. With His grace and mercy, we can always do more for Jesus if we stay focused and on track, while spreading the gospel as we do His work and everything else in between.

1 Peter 3:15-17 – But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. (NIV)

What I have come to realize is that when I took time out from spreading the good news in print to God's people who are looking and waiting for the message from the gospel, they miss receiving it.

Christians must not take time out from spreading the good news to everyone who needs to hear the Word of God because:

• Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (NIV)
• Proverbs 4:23 – Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (NIV)
• Romans 15:4 – For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (NIV)

What have you previously been doing for Jesus Christ that you have not done for a while? "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." (1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV)

Prayer: Gracious God, help us to serve You with our whole being in more than one way. We can do this with Your help and in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

John 14:3-4 – And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going. (NIV)

Is there life after death? Yes! Before Alzheimer's disease robbed my mother Leanora of her memory, my sister and I went to the funeral home with Mom to make funeral arrangements. Looking back today, I have to say that Mom was realistic about what was to come.

Fast forward to 2024. When a priest was called to Mom's bedside on October 17th to pray with her, she was fully engaged as to why he was there. Mom lived to be ninety-eight years old, and she was tired and ready to go home. When Mom passed less than twenty-four hours later, I was over 2,300 kilometres away. So, God sent His messenger to alert me of Mom's passing.

Between the hours of 4:00 and 8:10 A.M. I had a dream. I was standing in an empty room with two doors. One door was to my left and the other to my right. I saw what appeared to be a bride moving past the door to my right. To get a better look at the bride, I dashed out through the door to my left to glimpse her, and there she was, all dressed in white with arms wide open. As I walked towards her, a figure to my left distracted me. As I turned back to look at the bride, I saw her back as she moved forward, looking straight ahead with arms open wide. I thought to myself, The bride is gone! I woke up at 8:10 A.M. I called my sister, and she told me that Mom had passed at 7:01 A.M. Our loving God gave me the gift of experiencing Mom's journey home. He sent His messenger.

My dear brothers and sisters, for those who believe in Jesus, death is not the end but the beginning of a new life. Today, I am at peace and grateful to God for the knowledge that my dear mother is home with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 41:10a – So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. (NIV)

Psalm 23:4 – Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (NIV)

Friends, we must keep these words in our hearts — and trust them — until that day.

Prayer: Gracious God, thank You for the opportunity to share the good news with everyone. Lord Jesus, our hearts rejoice with the knowledge that there is life after death for all who believe in You and trust in Your promise of eternal life. Amen!

Psalm 119:11 – I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (NIV)

On our long yearly road trips to the American south, it gives me immense pleasure to be able to take my Bible and Bible Gateway along for the ride. I listen while we cruise through the mountains and countryside along the scenic American Interstate Highway 75, a 1,435 mile (2,310 kilometre) journey which takes about 24 hours one way, including one overnight stop.

Whether I am the driver or the passenger, I listen to Bible Gateway hands-free on my phone or on my tablet as our car eats up the miles. I find it relaxing and comforting knowing that we can have God's Word surrounding us in the car on the trip. Although I have read parts of the Bible several times, I usually start each journey there and back at the beginning — Genesis — and finish my listening at the end of the trip.

Matthew 11:15 – He who has ears, let him hear. (NIV)

Recently, I shared with someone that I listened to the daily devotionals. The response was, "Thank you, Yvonne. That's interesting that you listen to the devotionals instead of reading them." I replied, "I listen to the devotionals, then I read them right after." I love listening to daily devotionals and to Bible Gateway. I believe that I developed my love for storytelling because I love to listen to stories being read to me. God wants us to connect with Him whether we listen or read His Word.

God wants us to be better listeners. James, Jesus' brother, writes, "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak" (James 1:19a NIV). Isaiah records God's words: "Listen, listen to me; … Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live." (Isaiah 55:2b,3a NIV)

The Word of God is powerful. "They are not just idle words for you — they are your life." (Deuteronomy 32:47a NIV)

Psalm 119:130 – The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. (NIV)

Listening to and reading God's Word daily will keep us on the right path, and in a continuous relationship with Him and everyone around us.

Are you a good listener? Try listening to the daily devotionals or to the Bible on Bible Gateway. Listen with your ears — and hear with your heart. It is fun!

Prayer: Gracious God, thank You for giving us ears and hearts to hear You, and the ability to understand Your instructions as they are written in the Scriptures. It is in Jesus' precious name that we pray. Amen!

Matthew 5:4 – Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (NIV)

He was a young, talented rugby player, and he was hospitalized after a very bad accident. She was a petite young nurse who nursed him back to health. Soon afterwards, they fell in love, got married, shared a beautiful life together, and had two amazing children and six grandchildren. When she became seriously ill and was hospitalized during the early days of COVID-19, he visited her every day. When the hospital announced that they would be shutting their doors because the virus was spreading, he immediately arranged for her discharge. He carried her home and became her full-time caregiver for the next four months.

There were times when he became angry and frustrated with the laundry and cooking. Sue had diabetes and she had to eat her meals on time to control her diabetes. When she stopped feeding herself, Jim fed her. At times, he felt helpless and alone, and he was afraid of the future without her.

They were in their own home alone and in isolation until she died. The fourth anniversary of Sue's death was on August 20th. At the end of my one-and-a-half-hour conversation with him, I said, "This is quite a story," and he said, "I know — you can write it if you want to." I answered, "I might do just that."

The original purpose of my call was to express my gratitude for the new duties that he had taken on as the clerk of session at our church. He shared with me that after her death, he felt guilty that she had gone first: survivor's guilt. His wonderful family, his pastors, and his brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus stepped in. He became an elder and an active participant in several areas of his church. God gave him the strength to get through one of the most challenging periods in his life. Now God is using him to help others, and he is doing it for God's glory.

As Christians, we believe that God has a plan for each of us, including the length of our lives. Therefore, it is not up to us whether we live or die, and we should not feel any guilt if we are spared while someone else dies. The apostle Paul wrote, "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1 NIV)

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, You know our hearts and You know us inside and out. Please release us from the unnecessary guilt that we are carrying around today. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for giving us Your strength and grace to live each day in victory. For this we pray, in Your name. Amen.

1 John 5:14-15 – This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us — whatever we ask — we know that we have what we asked of him. (NIV)

Depression and anxiety are mental health disorders, and millions of people throughout the world suffer from them. They do not discriminate or show favouritism, and there is no shame in admitting to having a mental health condition. We need to talk about it openly.

Recently, I was faced with a family crisis and God's divine intervention was required.

My daughter suffers from depression and anxiety. She had been doing well over the past few years, but when she became engaged in a family conflict, she was unable to cope, and her stress and anxiety levels increased. Upon realizing this, I asked if I could drop by so that we could talk, and she agreed. As I drove across town, I asked God to touch my lips so that I would say the right words. I also prayed for a sign, because I needed help.

As I prayed, there appeared in my vision the face of a pastor friend whom I know and trust, and my heart leaped for joy. I asked my daughter if she would be willing to speak to a friend who was a pastor, and she answered, "Yes!" I called, and my heart felt as if it would explode with gratitude when this friend answered. I explained to my friend why I was calling. She said, "Yes, I have a few minutes. I will speak to her." I listened as these two strangers talked. At the end of the conversation, my daughter was calm and relaxed. About fifteen minutes later, she said, "Mom, thank you. My conversation with Pastor Ruth felt like lancing a boil."

We are told, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2 NIV) Pastor Ruth provided spiritual support to my daughter, and I will be forever grateful to her for her kindness!

Isaiah 41:10 – So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (NIV)

Who will you call when you need help? When we need medical, mental, physical, or spiritual advice or counselling, it's good to seek help from professionals. But I pray that your first call will be to God!

Prayer: Dear Lord God, we thank You for hearing our cries for help when we call to You. We thank You for sending us the right people to help us through our difficulties. It is in Jesus' name that we pray. Amen!