Good morning! I think the greatest hurdle to change is the fact that we may need to alter our lifestyle or give up something we enjoy or have accepted as a normal condition of life. Yet, once we make a decision to change we expect all the promises of the transformation (e.g., a healthier lifestyle, self-improvement, etc.). Especially, when make a life change to follow Jesus. Enjoy today’s devotion. 

BIBLE VERSE  – Matthew 4:18-22 NLT
“18 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him.

21 A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. 22 They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.”

REFLECTION
Jesus said, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people.” Jesus was calling his first disciples to follow him.

As Christians our immediate response might be, I will follow you Lord. However, what would your response be if Jesus came to you today at work, school, or home, and said, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people”? __________

Think about it again, what would your response be? ____________

Brothers and sisters, Jesus is calling you. He calls us daily to follow Him.

• What is holding you back from following Him with your whole heart (e.g., fear, finances, time)? _____________

• What are you willing to give up or change to follow Him? ______

As we begin this week, my heart/soul desires to prompt you to spend time in worship. As my response to the questions above is perfectly stated in the song Gracefully Broken sung by Tasha Cobbs Leonard, I pray that your heart is moved to worship the one and only living God – Jesus Christ. If you have a chance to listen to the song, it is available on YouTube 
https://youtu.be/AzZC3EbH6iE

PRAYER
Father God, thank you for calling us to follow you. Lord, so many things are calling us to follow them/it, but Lord we want to follow you and your plan for our lives. Lord, don’t let us fall back into old patterns or dismiss your call on our lives. Lord, strengthen us to stand firm on your Word and trust that as we follow you all your promises will be fulfilled within our lives. Lord, remove our doubts and fears. Lord, teach us to discern your call and direction so that we will not be persuaded by the devil’s schemes or distractions. Lord, we surrender our lives to you. Have your way in us. Use us to bring you glory, teach us to fish for people who do not know you and to point people back to you. 

Lord, we lift up our sisters and brothers in the faith who are currently experiencing challenges in their life, walk, and faith. Lord, strengthen and give them the power to breakthrough whatever they are facing and let them experience your presence and peace in their lives today and the days ahead. Lord, we pray for the young lady going on an interview today. Lord, we ask that you give her favor with the interview panel and that you reveal to her the assignments and environment of the workplace before she commits to this new opportunity. Lord, give her wisdom and discernment to respond to their questions, and accept or deny the position in accordance with your leading. Lord, we pray for those seeking employment or additional opportunities to earn income. Lord, bless their hands, mouths, and minds to do well in interviews, with their clients, in their businesses, and in the environments that you are sending them. Lord, keep them focused on you and bless them. Lord, we pray for those who are struggling with depression and anxiety and fear. Lord, we ask that you bind the enemy and remove those spirits from them. Lord, help each person to seek you and any medical assistance they may need to help break the things that have them bound. Lord, work in them and break those chains. Lord, we pray for the man struggling with leg pain. We pray for the man who had heart work performed. We pray for the man who had a stroke. We pray for the man who had a brain injury. Lord, we thank you for sparing their lives. Lord, we ask that you continue to heal them and help them to recover from all their illnesses. Lord, send the right doctors with the knowledge and wisdom to help them fully recover and heal. Lord, work in their lives and change their hearts to know, serve, and worship you. Lord, change us too. In Jesus name, amen.

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SAVE THE DATE

Saturday, July 19, 2025 we will host our next Women’s Retreat. Our theme for the retreat is taken from Ephesians 6:10-17.

Our Theme is: She is Armed & Dangerous  – “Take the helmet of salvation & the sword of the spirit.”

Thanks to our faithful donors, the retreat will be a hybrid of in-person and virtual participation. Stay tuned for more updates.

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS

Sisters, we are looking for volunteers for our upcoming events and also to fill an open Board position.

If you would like to join us or get more information, please send an email to: contactus@maryewhiteministries.com

PRAYER REQUEST
Do you have a prayer request? We would love to pray for you. Send your prayer request to: contactus@maryewhiteministries.com

Bible Reference: http://biblegateway.com

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