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A devotional encouragement for those waiting on God to move

Written by Christy Hamilton.

A Moment That Felt Like Heaven Was Speaking

Today, Robert and I made a quick trip to Nacogdoches to pick up a few items for a small
garden we are planting. As we came out of the store, I looked up at the sky and noticed rays of sunshine streaming through the clouds. They were beautiful—soft beams filtering in one direction.
As we walked toward the truck, suddenly another opening appeared in the clouds. The light
shifted. Now the rays were breaking through in multiple directions.
In that moment, I felt the Lord begin speaking to my heart.
I believe I am supposed to share what I sensed Him saying.

The Lord of the Breakthrough

God says: “I am the Lord of the Breakthrough.”
Many of you have been waiting for breakthrough in specific situations. Maybe you have
prayed prayers like:
“Lord, why is this taking so long?”
“Why am I not seeing any change?”
“God, I’m standing in faith, but when will relief come?”
If we are honest, we have all been there.
But I sensed the Lord saying something deeper:
“I am not only the God of breakthrough—I am the God of the DOUBLE breakthrough.”

What Is a Breakthrough?

A breakthrough is a sudden, dramatic, or significant overcoming of an obstacle. Spiritually,
it often describes divine intervention—when God moves powerfully to bring deliverance,
victory, healing, provision, or a shift in circumstances.
One Hebrew word associated with breakthrough is:
Perets (פֶּרֶץ) — meaning “a breach, bursting forth, or breakthrough.”

2 Samuel 5:20 — The Lord of Breakthrough

“So David went to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, ‘As waters break out,
the Lord has broken out against my enemies before me.’ So that place was called Baal
Perazim.”
Baal Perazim literally means “Lord of the Breakthrough.” David recognized that God was the one who brought victory. God broke through like a rushing flood.

When There Seems to Be No Way — Isaiah 43:19

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way
in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
God specializes in making a way where there seems to be no way. What looks impossible to us is never impossible for Him.

Faith Pushes Through — Mark 5:25–34

The woman with the issue of blood believed something powerful: “If I can just touch Him…”
She pushed through the crowd in faith, and breakthrough came.
Some of you may feel exhausted from waiting, praying, and believing. But don’t stop
pressing through.
Your breakthrough may be closer than you realize.

Jesus: The Ultimate Breakthrough — Luke 1:78–79

Jesus is called the “Dayspring from on high”—the dawn from heaven.
The dawn breaks through darkness.
Jesus came to break through sin, hopelessness, fear, and death itself.
Friend, He broke through for me, and He can break through for you.

Where Do You Need a Breakthrough?

Maybe you need breakthrough in your health, finances, marriage, relationships, children,
workplace, or spiritual life.
Or maybe—just maybe—you need a DOUBLE breakthrough.
Keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep knocking.
He still heals.
He still restores.
He still delivers.

He still makes a way.
He is the Lord of the Breakthrough.

Reflection Questions

1. Where in your life are you currently waiting for breakthrough?
2. Have you limited what God can do to only one area of your life? What if God wants to
   bring a double breakthrough?
3. What step of faith is God asking you to take while you wait?

Prayer

Father,
Thank You for being the Lord of the Breakthrough. Thank You that You are not distant from
our struggles, delays, disappointments, or unanswered prayers. You see every burden we
carry and every tear we have cried.
Lord, for those who are weary in waiting, strengthen their faith today. For those who feel
discouraged, remind them that delay does not mean denial. Help us trust You when we
cannot yet see movement and believe You are still working behind the scenes.
Father, we ask for breakthrough in the places where healing, restoration, provision, peace,
and direction are needed. Break through fear, anxiety, confusion, discouragement, and
hopelessness. Make a way where there seems to be no way.
And Lord, for those who need it, we ask boldly for a DOUBLE breakthrough—move in
unexpected and abundant ways, bringing restoration beyond what was imagined.
Help us continue asking, seeking, and knocking, trusting that Your timing is perfect and Your
promises are true.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A Biblical Marriage

Written by Carli Odom

This post may not be politically correct, and to be honest, I have no interest in doing so. The Lord has set a higher standard. The views of this world do not concern me. As believers, we are made to stand out from the world.

Matthew 5:14 NIV “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”

Romans 12:2 NIV “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Of course, I’m no expert on marriage, and there’s no such thing as a perfect one. My husband and I have been together for fifteen years and married for eight. We’ve had our share of ups and downs, but with every challenge, I’m thankful to say we’re stronger because of it.

The Lord has not always been at the center of our relationship. We met when we were teenagers and made mistakes that brought to light the need to keep God at the center of our marriage. Without Him, I can assure you, we would not be married today.

Because of this journey, I’ve fallen in love with marriage. I love love. I love my marriage. I’m passionate about the biblical balance it requires. I love seeing marriages that balance each other, build families, and stand the test of time. So, let’s dive into the Word and see what God has to say about marriage.

Marriage According to Scripture:

Mark 10:6-9 NIV “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

1 Corinthians 7:3-5 NIV “The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”

Philippians 2:3-4 NIV “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NIV “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

My husband and I were arguing one day, and I had this realization that shifted my perspective. We have promised to be faithful to each other. Meaning that we deny any romantic love or advances from anyone besides our spouse. So, if we fail to meet the needs or romantic desires of our spouse, they are expected to just go without for the rest of their lives.

I can’t imagine living the rest of my life without feeling loved, understood, respected, valued, and desired by my husband. That’s why it’s so important to listen to each other and work towards a solution where you both feel loved and respected. We are designed to complement each other, not compete. We are a team, and every challenge we face is an opportunity to grow closer. It takes intentional effort and lots of communication, but it’s the most rewarding love I’ve ever experienced, next to God’s love.

There is a biblical order to the household:

1. God – Prioritize your time with God and study His word. Maintain a personal relationship with Him, and He will guide and teach you how to love.
2. Spouse – Love and care for your spouse above all else, it’s the most important relationship we have on earth.
3. Children – You must prioritize your spouse above your children. If your whole life is rooted in your children, you’ll be left with an empty marriage and a broken household when they leave.

A Husband’s Role:

Ephesians 5:25-28 NIV “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.”

1 Corinthians 11:3 NIV “But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.”

Colossians 3:19 NIV “Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.”

1 Peter 3:7 NIV “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.”

Ecclesiastes 9:9 NIV “Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun—all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun.”

1 Timothy 5:8 NIV “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

The Bible places high expectations on men. Husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loved the church—sacrificially and with care. This means prioritizing her needs over his own and providing physical, emotional, and spiritual protection. A husband leads by example, creating a safe and nurturing environment for his family to thrive.

My Pastor, Chris Smith, once said a husband and father should act as a greenhouse for his family, protecting them from the harsh circumstances of the world and fostering an environment for spiritual growth. He should keep them safe while encouraging them to reach their full potential and purpose. As the head of the household, he has a big responsibility; without a strong leader, the family unit will suffer.

A Wife’s Role:

Ephesians 5:22-24 NIV “Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.”

Proverbs 31:10-12 NIV “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.”

Proverbs 31:26-27 NIV “She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.”

1 Peter 3:1-2 NIV “Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.”

Proverbs 12:4 NIV “A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.”

Proverbs 21:19 NIV “Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.”

Proverbs 31:30 NIV “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

Submission is often misunderstood. The Lord places the biggest responsibility on the husband. He is not exempt from the burden of leading by example. When the husband leads according to God’s will, the wife can submit joyfully, trusting him to lead with love and respect. If a woman feels safe and trusts her husband to make decisions and lead the household, she will naturally want to fulfill her duties as a wife. She will worship the Lord by caring for her husband’s needs. She will respect him and honor him in every way. She will be his peace in the chaos and the calm to his storm. It’s the most beautiful thing to experience, but she is unable to do this if she can’t trust her husband to be a man of God.

A strong man allows a woman to step into her feminine role, while a weak man forces her into a masculine role. A Godly husband will love his wife as Christ loves the church. A Godly wife will love, respect, and honor her husband. This balance leads to a flourishing marriage, rooted in mutual love and trust.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

We all know those mornings where the coffee goes cold before the first sip and the “to-do” list feels like it’s winning. It’s so easy to let the chaos of motherhood pull us away from the peace we’re promised, leaving us feeling a bit adrift…

By the time I had children, both my parents were already dead. I had no clue how to be a mom. How would I raise these children with no advice, no help, no guidance? I turned to the Bible. I turned to God. I wanted my children to be good, godly people when they grew up. I turned to godly people like, James Dobson, who wrote the book, “Bringing Up Boys”, and Tony Evans with “Raising Kingdom Kids”. These men wrote books, and gave parenting advice through daily radio talk shows that I listened to every morning while doing chores. They shaped my mind and my children. I owe my family values to them. I am so thankful for them. Even thinking about their advice now brings a tear to my eye. They were men that shaped a generation for God.

The Main Reflection

Let’s look at these messy busy moments again, not as a distraction from our relationship with God, but as the very place where we get to practice anchoring our hearts in Him? Being rooted in His grace doesn’t mean waiting for a quiet hour that never comes; it means choosing to whisper a prayer while matching socks or finding His truth in the middle of a toddler meltdown. Today, let’s stop trying to do it all perfectly and instead focus on just staying steady in His love, because a tree with deep roots doesn’t worry when the wind starts to blow.

Three Ways to Stay Rooted Today:

Anchor in Prayer: Finding God in the In-Between

Most of us grew up thinking prayer required a quiet room and a perfectly still heart, but for a mom, those moments are few and far into the future. Instead of waiting for a “perfect” time that never comes, we can learn to anchor our hearts in conversation with God throughout the day. It’s about those 10 second “breath prayers” when the house feels loud or a quick “thank You” while you’re folding a third load of laundry.

• Hebrews 6:19: “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”
• Isaiah 26:3: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
• Psalm 62:2: “Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”

When we root our daily tasks in prayer, the mundane begins to feel holy. You aren’t just making another snack or cleaning another spill; you are stewarding your home with a heart that is integrated and connected to its Creator. This kind of prayer doesn’t require you to be a “professional” in your faith it just requires you to be present with the One who loves you and your children more than you can imagine.

A Practice to Try Today:

• The Sink Prayer: Every time your hands are in water—washing dishes or bathing a toddler, use that as a physical reminder to ask God to wash your heart with His peace.
• The Threshold Prayer: As you walk through any door in your house, take one deep breath and ask God to help you be an anchor of calm for whoever is on the other side of that door.

Root in Truth: Planting Seeds in the Chaos

When the noise of the world or just the noise in our living room gets too loud, it’s easy to lose our footing. We start believing the lies that we aren’t enough or that we have to do it all perfectly to be valued. This is why we must intentionally root our minds in what God says about us. Just like a tree sends its roots deep into the earth to find water, we reach into His Word to find the strength that keeps us standing when life feels shaky.

• Colossians 2:7: “Rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
• Jeremiah 17:8: “They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.”
• Psalm 1:3: “That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.”
• Ephesians 3:17: “So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love…”

Rooting in Truth isn’t about memorizing the whole Bible in a week; it’s about picking one small, beautiful promise and letting it sit in your heart while you go about your day. It’s about integrating His peace into your actual reality, so that your character is built on something much firmer than your current “to do” list.

Simple Ways to Root Your Day:

• The “Mirror Truth”: Use a dry-erase marker to write a single verse on your bathroom mirror. It’s the first thing you see in the morning, helping you anchor your identity in Him before the day even begins.
• Scripture Cards: Keep a few index cards with your favorite verses in the car console or by the kitchen sink. When you feel a wave of stress, glance at one and take a moment to breathe it in.
• Audio Word: If you can’t find time to sit and read, listen to an audio Bible app while you’re driving or prepping dinner. Let the truth wash over you while you’re in motion.

Integrity in the Small Things: The Heart of Stewardship

In ” Our Latest Reflections,” we want to talk about leading with character, but for a mom, that leadership usually happens in the quiet, unseen moments. Integrity isn’t just about the big decisions; it’s about the honest, steady way we show up for our families when no one else is watching. It’s the choice to respond with patience when we’re tired or to be a responsible manager of our home’s atmosphere.

• Luke 16:10: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.”
• Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
• 1 Corinthians 10:31: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

When we prioritize ethical stewardship in our homes, we are building a reputation of stability for our children to lean on. This integrated way of living—where our private actions match our public faith, creates a firm foundation. We aren’t striving for perfection; we are simply aiming to be anchored in honesty and rooted in the person God called us to be, one small choice at a time.

Living with Integrity Today:

• The “Hidden” Moments: Remember that how we handle a small spill or a repetitive question is a reflection of our character and how we value those around us.
• Responsible Management: Look at your daily routine as a form of stewardship, honoring God by how you care for the space and the people He has entrusted to you.
• Steady Example: By choosing honesty and grace in the “small things,” you are anchoring your children in a lifestyle of integrity that they will carry with them forever.

Reflection Questions:

When the laundry pile feels the highest, how can you turn a repetitive task, like folding clothes or washing dishes, into a physical reminder that God is present with you?

What is one “lie” about your worth or productivity that tends to surface during a busy day, and what specific Truth can you use to root it out?

What is one small choice you can make today that demonstrates the integrity you want your children to eventually model in their own lives?

Walking Together

At the end of the day, we want you to know that you don’t have to navigate these seasons alone. Our hope for Latest Reflections is that it becomes a place where we can all find the encouragement to keep anchoring our busy lives in His steady presence. As we focus on rooting our families in truth and choosing integrity in the small, quiet moments, we are building a foundation that lasts far beyond the laundry pile. Let’s continue growing together, leaning into the grace that meets us exactly where we are.

A Prayer for the Anchored Heart

“Dear Lord, thank You for meeting me right here in the middle of the mess and the laundry piles. When the day feels loud and my list feels long, help my heart stay anchored in Your unchanging peace. Root my mind in Your truth so that I can see my home not just as a series of chores, but as a place of stewardship and grace. Give me the strength to choose integrity in the small, unseen moments today. May my hands stay busy with Your work while my soul rests deeply in Your love. Amen.”