But the Lord said to Joshua, “Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this? Israel has sinned and broken my covenant! Joshua 7:10-11 (NLT) Last week we discussed the sin of Israel by way of Achan and how they were defeated at AI on their first attempt to overtake that city. For this post, let us look at when we sin and how we turn to God asking Him to bless us, even though we are oftentimes still living in sin and/or coveting our sinful behavior. In the book of Joshua 7:10-11, Joshua prayed to God due to the defeat at AI but in response, God basically told him to get up and take care of the problem. Granted, at the time Joshua did not know what the problem was however, when God informed him, he got up from praying and took care of the problem. There are consequences to disobedience. There are consequences for sinning and continuing to remain in a sinful situation. So many of us continue in our sinful behavior but then cry out to God for His blessings and at times His help. The lesson for us is that there is a time to pray but there is also a time to” get up” and deal with the issues that are holding us back physically, emotionally, and spiritually. At times we hope that by praying and crying out to God, He will overlook our continued disobedience and still bless us and give us what we are wanting in our lives. But God's ultimate goal is for us to turn away from disobedience and sin, and to trust Him in every aspect of our lives; to move forward in faith and obedience. None of us are perfect and we will sin from time to time. But our goal should be to live a life choosing not to sin and not to be disobedient to God's word. May we choose to allow God to heal our wounds and to fill any void that is in our lives. May we turn away from any sinful temptations and/or lifestyle and instead, turn fully to God and trust Him completely, always. Blessings, Angélique To contact: 21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

"Israel has sinned and broken my covenant! They have stolen some of the things that I commanded must be set apart for me. And they have not only stolen them but have lied about it and hidden the things among their own belongings.” Joshua 7:11 (NLT) All of us need to fix our aching hearts so that they do not lead us to develop the heart of Achan. In Joshua Chapter 7 from the Bible, God instructed the children of Israel to take the city of AI. Unbeknownst to the leader Joshua and the rest of the tribe of Israel, God was not with them on their first attempt to take this city. Their failure was due to Achan, one of the Israelite soldiers, who had taken items from Jericho (the battle prior) when everyone was strictly told not to take the devoted things. Due to his disobedience, the Israelites were not able to take the city, and thirty-six of them lost their lives. For this post, we will focus on what led to Achan being disobedient to God’s instructions by deciding to take the devoted items. More than likely, Achan was not a devoted/obedient follower of God one day, and then the next day decided to be disobedient. Achan, just like many of us, can allow a negative seed to be planted in our minds and our hearts, then allow it to fester and grow. In Achan’s case, he had a longing and a desire for these items and wanted them for himself. We can read this story and shake our heads at Achan but, in doing so, we need to also take a look at our behavior and what has captured our attention that can lead us to being disobedient. Even in our current time, some people lust after and desire items that do not belong to them or envy another’s position, money, or power. And it is not only objects people desire; they also want other people who are in committed relationships with another. Some seek to entice a person away from their marriage partner and then find themselves in an adulterous affair. And once that illicit relationship is discovered, it could then end up destroying the marriage and extended family. Lying, stealing, and coveting, will always lead to defying God and His Holy Word. And as stated, this disobedient behavior does not start overnight. It grows if we do not guard against it. One must guard their heart, their mind, and their decisions at all times. We have to constantly be on guard to not allow things and other people to be substitutes for what is really going on inside of us. We need to be honest with ourselves and come to God through prayer, Bible study, and if necessary, counseling, so that we are not seeking to engage in illicit activities and behavior that will lead down a dark path. As we go forward in life, may we look to keep our mind and heart guarded against the illicit enticements of this world. May we seek God's light of love, honesty, and integrity, and base any of our decisions/actions on His precepts. If we do this, we will not allow our aching/troubled hearts, to become like Achan’s. Blessings, Angélique To contact: 21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

“Kind words are like honey — sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” Proverbs 16:24 (NLT) Last week I talked about the power of words. I want to continue and expand on the power of our parting words. In my devotions this week, I read about how significant our parting words can be. In the story, the person stated that when they left their loved one's hospital room, they turned back and said I love you even though the person was now nonverbal. But in turning back, they saw their loved one mouth the words back to them. That visit was the last time. This had me thinking about how one never knows if the words spoken to another may be the last. Our time here on Earth is finite and our words and last impressions can be significant and impactful. Not trying to be grim or dwell on gloom and doom but, I am seeking to be realistic. When parting from someone, how we speak and conduct ourselves with our actions and our words, may be our last interaction. Now, it does not have to mean that our parting is due to death. It could be not seeing or interacting with them for a long while. But how we part from one another should be uplifting, encouraging, and positive for us, as well as for the other person. Our positive last impression could be what is needed in order to continue on the journey of life. As the Bible says in Colossians 4:6, “Let our speech, always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. As we move forward in life may our parting words to others, whether family, friends, or an acquaintance, be uplifting and positive. This world can be grim, and many are feeling the weight of the negative/evil environment all around however, if we all choose to give positive/encouraging words to everyone as we part, what a wonderful world this could be. Be the positive light and change this world so desperately needs with your parting words! Blessings, Angélique To contact: 21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. Proverbs 18:21 (ESV) Words have the power to encourage and uplift or the power to break down and destroy. When we speak our words, they not only impact/ influence others, but they also have the ability to affect us as well. As the verse above states, the power of the tongue, or the power of our words will produce either good or bad fruit. Meaning, we can speak positive/encouraging words to others as well as to ourselves or, we can speak negative/discouraging words and end up reaping the consequences; whether good or bad. Can you remember a time you have spoken words you regret or if you were the recipient of undeserved gossip? Think of the power of life and death of those words and their lasting impact. Our words matter, and God has allowed us the power to choose what we say. As Jesus said in Luke 6:45, what you say flows from what is in your heart. In order for us to have goodness and truth in our hearts, we need to get close to God and His Holy Word and choose to be positive, sharing uplifting/encouraging words with others as well as with ourselves. All of us must master the art of self-control and choose to control our tongue/our words. Depending on our upbringing and environment, it may be challenging and difficult to control our words but, it is not impossible. We will stumble at times and say things we will regret however, we should continue to strive to do better and never give up. So, as we move forward in life, may we use words that will bring healing and hope to this dying world. With all the negative headlines and situations that are happening across this country as well as the rest of the world, may we choose to make a conscious effort to speak positive, encouraging, and affirming words to everyone we meet. If everyone did this, we would have the ability to change this world for the better. Blessings, Angélique To contact: 21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

(Repost from July 2025) Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you. Proverbs 3:29 (ESV) And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. Luke 6:31 (ESV) But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 1 John 3:17 (ESV) Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4 (ESV) Do you consider yourself a good neighbor? In this polarized and divisive society we live in, do you honestly consider yourself, a good neighbor? Can your neighbor look to you to assist and help in a time of crisis? Or are you a neighbor who comes and goes, sticking to your home, and not interacting at all with anyone? Throughout the entire Bible, God emphasizes being kind to your neighbor. If someone asked who is my neighbor, it could be the person living next to you, a co-worker at the office, another student at the desk next to you, the person who sits on the same pew at church, or the very next person you meet. The point is God does not want us to live a life of isolation or in our own personal vacuum as if others around us do not exist. On the other hand, God does not encourage one to go overboard and constantly be in your neighbor’s life and business; there is a Bible verse that addresses this, Proverbs 25:17. However, He does encourage us to reach out and be caring and attentive to each other. Given the current global events, particularly in the United States, more people than ever need friendly neighbors who offer support and care. Fear of harm, both personal and collective, has created a climate of uncertainty. In addition, loneliness is a common issue, and many people yearn for meaningful interactions. So many in this digital age hide behind cell phones, laptops, and various digital devices instead of interacting with each other face to face. As God’s children, we should not lose the human touch and connection. While we should not be intrusive, I do encourage checking in on them from time to time and seeing how they are doing. They, as well as you, need encouragement to continue this journey called life. May we all seek to go out and make a difference in the world by being friendly, helpful, caring, and kind to everyone we meet. Blessings, Angélique To contact: 21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

The day is near when I, the Lord, will judge all godless nations! As you have done to Israel, so it will be done to you. All your evil deeds will fall back on your own heads. Obadiah 1:15 Bless those who persecute you. Don't curse them; pray that God will bless them. Romans 12:14 With human nature, it is sometimes easy to be happy and/or have a vengeful stance toward our enemy when they fail or suffer harm. Because of how they have treated us, we gloat or celebrate when terrible things happen to them. But when you stop to think about this, as a child of God, is God pleased with that type of attitude or behavior from us? And the answer is a definitive, No! As said in the above verse, Obadiah 1:15, God is not pleased when we celebrate when evil things happen to our enemies. As the verse states, what you may wish on someone else can fall back onto you. In the Bible passage of Obadiah, the people of Edom were descendants of Esau, who was Jacob’s twin brother, and therefore, they were cousins to the Children of Israel. But through the years, the two people groups were estranged from one another to the point where Edomites and the Israelites became sworn enemies. In the verses from Obadiah, it describes how the Israelites were taken over, captured, and their land plundered. Instead of the Edomites helping the Israelites fight against their enemies, they rejoiced over what was happening to them. They even went into the Israelites' territory and plundered the area, taking the spoils that were left behind. In these verses, God clearly states He is not happy with their response to the situation. When you read the Old Testament and understand what happened to the Israelites and why, it does not mean God expects other people groups to rejoice at their misfortune. The same can be said for us today. It is easy to see evil and find enemies amongst various people groups. But God does not expect us to stoop to their level or respond in the same manner as they would by hating them and wanting misfortune to come their way. As said before, it is very tempting with our human nature to want terrible things to happen to people we do not like; however, that is not what pleases God and how He expects us to behave. Despite how we may feel about a person or people groups who do harm to others, God wants His children to have a different response to those in the world than what our flesh dictates. From now on, may we pray and seek to behave in a manner towards our enemies that pleases God. May we look to pray for them and not wish for any harm to befall them or us. Blessings, Angélique To contact: 21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

(Repost-Oct. 2025) I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 (ESV) But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Ephesians 6:10 (ESV) I heard a sermon recently where the pastor asked the question, "Do you think God gives us strength just to lounge around, lie back, and take it easy, while there is work to do here on Earth?" The answer of course is no! Throughout the Bible, from the Old to the New Testament, God gave strength to His people to move forward and do the work that He has called them to do. It was true in bible times, and it is just as true for us today. Of course, there will be times when God wants us to relax and enjoy life however, as you look around this world, there is a lot of work that needs to be done to push back against the pervasive evil that surrounds us every day. I have written in previous blogs how God has given each and every one of us gifts and talents to use to glorify His name and to spread His message to the world. Some have taken these talents and used them for their own personal gain and depending on what they are doing, God may not mind if they do. However, the ultimate reason we were placed on this Earth was not only for our own personal endeavors but, to glorify God and spread His message of love, peace, hope, and salvation to the world. There are many who are apprehensive about using their gifts and talents to share God‘s message to others. However, all we need to remember is that God will give us what we need, when we need it. Whether it is physical, emotional, mental, financial, and last, but definitely not least, spiritual, He will equip us with what we need to move forward to do His will. As stated before, evil is prevalent throughout this entire world. Of course, there is good in the world and happiness can be found but, there is an undercurrent of evil seeking to destroy God‘s people by any means necessary. God has given us the privilege of sharing the gospel with everyone we meet and to encourage them as they move out in faith to live their lives according to His word. God does not need us to do the work but, He grants us the privilege to work alongside Him for the betterment of our world. Do we need God’s strength? Absolutely! Dear God, thank you for the strength you provide for all of us each and every day. May we continue to praise and honor you and move out and share your gospel and plan of salvation, to this dying world. Blessings, Angélique

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 (ESV) In today’s culture that is influenced by various media outlets, there is a strong desire for people to experience the feeling of being in love. Love is from God, and being in love and loved by another is a beautiful gift. However, many are basking in the feelings of being in love and not really understanding the nature and depth involved with true love. Everyone enjoys the euphoria and the feelings; however, true love comes with commitment, sacrifice, and faithfulness, not just the good, melting feelings that are associated with being in love. Throughout the Bible, God speaks of love, and His Son, Jesus, paid the ultimate price of dying on the cross because of His love for His children. Many can tell you they love you or they have a strong feeling of love for you, but without actions to back it up, it is just a surface feeling without depth. True love and being truly in love with someone require honesty, commitment, and sacrifice of one's time and one's efforts. The feeling of being in love is wonderful, but without sacrifice it is empty. Bottom line, never trust the feeling of being in love without action. Also, be mindful that some can show actions for a brief time to “win” a person over. But one must look for long-term consistent behavior and commitment, to decide if the love another feels for them is true love or just surface feelings. God wants His children to experience true love and to feel in love all the days of their lives. Unfortunately, however, we do live in a fallen world, and we must be careful regarding whom we let into our hearts. Also to note, it is not only other people to be wary of, but we too must also be mindful of our professing love for another, as the same rules apply. Are we being honest, committed, and willing to sacrifice as well? May we seek to love others truly and be loved in return. Look for true love and commitment, not just a fleeting, surface-level feeling when it comes to love. Blessings, Angélique To contact: 21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 1 Peter 2:16 (ESV) For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13 (ESV) July 4th in the United States is celebrated as Independence Day from British rule. But when one stops to really look at the truth of what was involved in settlers coming here and taking control from the Indians (who were already here) and all that has happened afterward (trans-Atlantic slave trade, continuous injustice, etc.), it begs the question: Is there true independence for everyone? And if so, at what cost? In the world today, with sin and evil so prevalent, for one to be truly independent and free, you must be anchored in God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Because if one looks at this country as well as the rest of the world, with the true history that brought us to this present day, one would be sorely disappointed at how many people and governments are not living up to Godly moral standards. However, by giving our hearts to God and trusting in Him despite the craziness we see going on in this world, one can find true independence and peace. In God's word, He told us that in this world we will face trouble and trying times, but He also told us to take heart, He has overcome this world. So, as many look to celebrate Independence Day here in the United States, despite the feeling of discontent with what we see happening all around, we can trust and believe that God sees all, and by staying connected to Him, He will see us through these trying times. We will be able to have peace and celebrate this Independence Day and beyond, because we know that true happiness and independence can only be found by being completely dependent on God. Blessings, Angélique To contact: 21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. James 5:7 (ESV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Galatians 5:22 (ESV) Patience. I do not know for some, but for me, having and maintaining patience at times can be very difficult. It is especially hard when you are excited for a trip or special event to occur, while waiting to receive news of a job offer or program acceptance, for test results, for your life partner, and the list can go on and on. The famous saying that patience is a virtue (this is not in the Bible, however) is definitely true. The Bible speaks of patience throughout its pages, and it does state that patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit. Just as patience (when developed) can be a powerful gift, impatience (which is the complete opposite) can be costly and the root of many of our failures. Being impatient and rushing to fix a situation can have a lasting and detrimental impact on not just our current life circumstances, but on future generations as well. Take, for example, the story of Abraham and Sarah, and their wanting to have a child. They did not wait for God to do what He said when He promised to give them a son. Due to their impatience, they orchestrated a plan for their servant Hagar to become pregnant by Abraham and have a child to carry on his lineage and God’s promises. By not waiting on God, they tried to circumvent and speed up the process by taking matters into their own hands. And as a result, we are all seeing the effects of this decision with the Jews and the Muslims to this day; the Jews being the line of Isaac (Sarah’s son) and the Muslims from the lineage of Ishmael (Hagar’s son). When looking at our own lives and our choices, just like Abraham and Sarah, it is not always easy to be patient and wait. Being patient is definitely a virtue and a spiritual gift we all need to continuously pray for and always look to develop. Now, while we are being patient and waiting on God to answer, we should stay busy by being His witnesses and spreading His gospel to this dying world. Patience is truly a virtue. It is a spiritual gift we all should look to develop, grow, and maintain throughout our lives. Blessings, Angélique To contact: 21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:35 & 37-39 (NLT) There will be times in our lives when we will encounter the storms of life. Life will not always be calm and peaceful, as we all will have storms that we have to go through. The question is, how will you react? In the story from the Bible verses above, Jesus and the disciples were looking to cross the lake to the other side. Probably when they started, it was calm and very nice weather, and Jesus fell asleep. However, as they sailed, the storm swelled, and the boat began to be difficult for them to maneuver. A point to realize from this story is that at least four out of the twelve disciples were expert fishermen who had seen storms in the past and knew how to handle a boat. However, this storm was obviously worse than what they had ever experienced. After many attempts to get the boat out of the storm and to the other side, the disciples cried out to Jesus in fear as they felt they were going to die. And what did Jesus do? As you read further into the story, Jesus woke up, rebuked the winds and the rain, and everything calmed down. In reading this story, I believe almost all of us are just like the disciples at various times in our lives when we encounter storms. Just like the disciples, we are scared and fear the worst outcome for ourselves and others. Due to our human frailty, it is understandable that we react in the same manner as they did. It is in the midst of hopelessness that we might try to save ourselves, just like the disciples. Also, like the disciples, when we feel fear, pain, or loss, we start to question or doubt God’s love and care for us. We feel He should act in a certain way based on what we think and believe from our human perspective. However, we need to realize (like the disciples) that it is in life’s storms that God can work His greatest miracles. God desires a close relationship with us and for us to trust in Him completely for the storms that we will go through. As we move forward in life, may we remember that God is with us and He is faithful; even when we feel His apparent lack of involvement, does not make sense to us. We must trust and believe He is always there with us and can calm the storms when we cannot. Blessings, Angélique To contact: 21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (ESV) But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14 (ESV) When asked what they crave, most people think of their favorite foods. For some, it could be their looks, attention, money, people, power, or any combination of all of these. In this materialistic society with the constant commercialism and consumerism, what people crave/desire is ever before them and most often, within an easy reach. Unfortunately, many cravings/desires that the world and other people promote are not aligned with God’s will for our lives. In addition, many will do whatever it takes to satisfy those cravings and lustful desires, no matter the cost. Once a person obtains the object of what they crave, initially, they feel satisfied and a feeling of accomplishment. But after the excitement is over and things settle down, they will realize these objects and/or other people, cannot truly satisfy the deep longings of their soul. God has said throughout the Bible that His children need to seek after Him, His ways, and His precepts. We must realize that the things of this world and even the people will eventually pass away. No other human nor various objects or situations, are capable of consistently quenching our thirst and/or our cravings. To achieve the deep-down joy and peace that surpasses all understanding, one must seek and maintain a connection with God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. So, as we move forward in life, may we look to have our ultimate yearnings and cravings directed to God; the only one who can truly satisfy. Of course, we live in this world and will have certain cravings, however, may we be aware of God’s will and seek to keep a guard over our lustful wants and desires, now and always. Blessings, Angélique To contact: 21stcglmediateam@gmail.com