For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (ESV) Have you ever heard the term, church hurt? It is basically when a person decides to stop going to church because someone said or did something that hurt their feelings. Not making light of someone being hurt by another person's actions, this is definitely wrong and uncalled for. But many people will give up on God and going to church because of other individuals and their actions. What a lot of people do not realize is that this world is made up of sinful human beings, and we cannot allow another person to stop us from having a relationship with God and looking forward to an eternity with Him. There is a saying that hurt people, hurt people. And looking at human nature over time, this is a very true statement. Many times, people who say and do things that are not nice to other people are hurting and are looking to lash out at whomever they can. We need to remember that sinful hurting people and their behavior, should not keep us from attending church and worshiping and praising God. Nor should we hold God responsible for others' bad behavior. Every human being has free will and free choice in how they conduct themselves and treat others. True love and freedom from God, allow us to choose between what is right or wrong; He does not force anyone’s choices. That being said, we should not seek to be angry at God and refuse to have a relationship with Him or go to His house of worship because of others. As we seek to go forward in life, may we not allow church or Christian hurt to stop us from having a close relationship with our Father in heaven. May we continue to grow closer to God as we journey through life and look to share God’s message of love and hope to this world. May we not allow anyone to separate us from God’s presence and His love. Blessings, Angélique To contact: 21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 1 John 2:20 (ESV) And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them. Mark 6:13 (ESV) In Christian spaces, it is common to hear the phrase “this person is anointed.” In the past when I heard this phrase, I would always think this person leads a holy life and would always be anointed. However, I recently heard a sermon where the pastor addressed this notion and basically stated that the anointing is not so much for the person, but it is for God’s assignment! A person may have the anointing of the Holy Spirit on them but, it is not so much for them personally as it is for the assignment. God anoints the mission, and in so doing, the person who is willing to be used, will be anointed for the work God has assigned. However, if they choose to step outside the will of God and pursue their own agenda, they may be gifted with certain talents but, it does not mean they are still within the anointing of the Holy Spirit. A good example of this is the story of Samson in the Bible. The pastor went on to state that the difference between gifting and anointing is that people may like and even praise you for your gifts/your talents however; when the anointing of the Holy Spirit is involved, lives can be set free and bondages broken. Having a beautiful gift can be entertaining but with an anointing, lives can be transformed. He went on to state that for one to continue in the anointing power of the Holy Spirit, a person must be willing to walk in obedience and have their life be in alignment with God's will; God's assignment. I want to point out that despite a person's decision and behavior, this does not diminish the love God has for them. God still loves us whether we stay on the assignment He has given or not. No one should feel that because they stepped outside the will of God, He will no longer love them. This notion is a lie from Satan. God loves His children and of course, wants us to live in the fulfillment of our life’s mission but, whether we do or not, He is our Father, our Creator, and He loves us. May we look to have our lives so closely aligned with God that we experience the anointing power of the Holy Spirit as we go out and positively change this world for the better. May we not get caught up in our gifts and talents but seek to use them to help others. May we be in alignment with Him, so that we will fulfill our life’s assignment, and leave a legacy of God's love and faithfulness. Blessings, Angélique To contact: 21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 (ESV) In my devotion this week, I read a story about a contractor who was hired to build a home and given full authority on how to build it. He outlined everything he was going to need as far as supplies and materials and then began to build. But as he was building, he realized he had full authority so he could then choose to use cheaper materials, take shortcuts, and still build the home and pocket the difference in cost. After completing the home, the person who hired him said “I’m giving this home to you since you have been a wonderful contractor to me in the past!” Later, as the man sat in his home, he noticed the creaking floorboards, the leaking roof, etc, and he regretted his earlier actions in building the home. Of course, the moral of this story is that we need to watch what we say or do as it may come back against us. He thought he was going to make extra money by pocketing the difference from using inferior materials as opposed to quality materials. But in the end, this was now his home, and he was dealing with the problems he caused due to the build. In thinking about this story, we need to apply this lesson to our lives, to our everyday interactions. When we work at our jobs, do projects in school, help in our communities/ our churches, are we taking shortcuts and not giving our best? Are we thinking, “It doesn’t harm me and no one will know so let me take this shortcut.” In so doing, we are just like the contractor who took shortcuts to build what eventually became his home. As stated throughout the Bible, God expects us to be honorable and have high integrity in everything we say and do. None of us are perfect, and we will make mistakes however, we should not operate in a mindset of continually trying to take shortcuts and undermine other people or projects, thinking we can get ahead and that there is no cost to us. As God’s children, He expects us to behave with the utmost respect and decency in everything we do and to everyone we meet. So, as we go forward in life, may we choose to be honorable and not try to shortcut or undermine any task or responsibilities we are given. May we perform and behave as if we are working directly for God because in many ways, we are. We may be working for other human beings, but this world and its people all belong to God. So let us always be mindful of how we move and interact in this world. And remember, look to honor God in everything we say and do! Blessings, Angélique To contact: 21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

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