I’m a follower of Christ, learning daily to walk the narrow path laid out in His Word. Through Rooted & Raised: Anchoring Women & Children in Christ, I simply seek to point others back to Scripture, tested by the Holy Spirit, lived out in faith, and anchored in truth.
● This space isn’t about lofty theology or grand platforms. It’s about humble obedience, Kingdom living, and helping others, especially women and families, rediscover the kind of faith that bears fruit, costs something, and reflects the love of Christ. My heart is to encourage others as I learn, grow, and surrender alongside them.
● This space isn’t built on lofty theology or big platforms, it’s grounded in humble obedience, Kingdom living, and encouraging women and families to rediscover a faith that bears fruit, costs something, and reflects the love of Christ.
● I don’t have a budget for an editor, publisher, or team behind the scenes. Everything you see here is created prayerfully and paid for out of pocket, using the tools I can afford to help present a clear, polished message of truth and hope.
● If you're blessed by what you read and would like to contribute toward this work, you’re welcome to support via:
📲 Cash App: $RootedRaised
📖 “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” —Matthew 16:24 (NKJV)
Following Jesus means choosing to walk His way every day.
It means loving others, doing what is right, telling the truth, forgiving when it’s hard, and trusting Jesus even when things feel difficult. But following Jesus isn’t something you do by yourself.
The Holy Spirit helps you follow Him.
He reminds you of Jesus’ teachings. He helps you choose right over wrong. He gives you strength when obedience feels hard. He helps you say no to sin and yes to God. He comforts you when following Jesus feels lonely. He guides you step by step.
You don’t have to know everything to follow Jesus. You just need a willing heart. And the Holy Spirit walks with you every step of the way.
Talk About It:
What is one way you can follow Jesus today?
How can the Holy Spirit help you make that choice?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, help me follow Jesus. Teach me to love, obey, and trust Him every day. Thank You for guiding me and helping me grow. Amen.
📖 “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” —Luke 9:23 (NKJV)
Following Jesus is not a one-time decision. It is a daily choice. Some days it feels natural and joyful. Other days it feels costly, uncomfortable, or lonely.
Following Jesus means choosing His way over your own—His truth over popular opinion, His will over personal comfort, His values over cultural pressure. That is not easy. And God never expected you to do it alone. The Holy Spirit helps you follow Jesus day by day.
He reminds you of Jesus’ words when you’re tempted to compromise. He gives you strength to say no when sin looks appealing. He helps you choose humility instead of pride. He guides your steps when you’re unsure what to do next. He convicts your heart when something is pulling you away from Christ. He gives courage when following Jesus sets you apart. He comforts you when obedience feels costly. He keeps drawing your heart back to Jesus when distractions compete.
Following Jesus doesn’t mean having everything figured out. It means trusting Him enough to take the next step. Sometimes that step looks like obedience. Sometimes it looks like repentance. Sometimes it looks like waiting. Sometimes it looks like standing firm when others walk away.
The Holy Spirit does not rush you—but He does lead you. As you follow Jesus daily, your heart is shaped, your faith deepens, and your life begins to reflect Christ more clearly.
Talk About It:
What makes following Jesus hardest for you right now?
What is one area where the Holy Spirit may be calling you to take a next step of obedience?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, help me follow Jesus every day. Give me courage to choose His way, strength to resist temptation, and humility to obey even when it’s hard. Guide my steps and shape my heart so my life reflects Christ more and more. Amen.
📖 “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” —Joshua 24:15 (NKJV)
Following Jesus is not only a personal journey—it is something a family learns to do together. Every home makes daily choices: what values guide decisions, how conflicts are handled, what voices shape attitudes, and what direction the family is moving.
The Holy Spirit helps your family follow Jesus in these everyday moments.
He helps your home choose love over selfishness. He guides parents to lead with humility and wisdom. He teaches children obedience rooted in trust. He brings conviction when attitudes drift away from Christ. He restores unity when tension rises. He strengthens your family to stand firm in faith together. He reminds your home that serving the Lord is a daily choice, not a one-time declaration.
Following Jesus as a family does not mean perfection. It means intention. It means choosing Christ as your foundation. It means aligning your words, habits, and priorities with His truth. It means teaching one another through example. It means repenting quickly and forgiving freely. It means walking together—even when the path is challenging.
A family that follows Jesus becomes a place of discipleship, growth, and grace. And the Holy Spirit is faithful to lead a willing home—step by step, day by day.
Talk About It Together:
What does following Jesus look like in our family right now?
What is one way we can choose to serve the Lord together this week?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, help our family follow Jesus. Guide our choices, shape our hearts, and help us serve the Lord together with love and faithfulness. When following feels hard, give us strength. When we stumble, lead us back with grace. Let our home honor Christ in all that we do. Amen.
In times of hostility, believers are often pressured to choose between love and truth—as if one must be sacrificed to preserve the other. Scripture never presents this as a legitimate choice. In Christ, love and truth are united.
“Speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ.” — Ephesians 4:15 (NKJV)
Truth without love becomes harsh. Love without truth becomes hollow.
The call of the Christian is not to balance these two, but to live them together, as Christ did.
Jesus Commanded Love Under Pressure
Jesus’ command to love enemies was not given in a peaceful context. It was given to disciples who would soon face rejection, persecution, and loss.
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” — Matthew 5:44 (NKJV)
This command does not deny evil. It denies retaliation.
Loving an enemy does not mean agreeing with them, affirming wrongdoing, or abandoning truth. It means refusing to allow hatred to take root in the heart.
Love Is an Act of Obedience, Not Emotion
Biblical love is not defined by feeling, but by obedience.
“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us.” — 1 John 3:16 (NKJV)
Love often involves restraint:
restraint of anger
restraint of bitterness
restraint of the desire to repay wrong for wrong
Paul instructs believers:
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” — Romans 12:21 (NKJV)
Overcoming evil does not require denying truth—it requires trusting God with justice.
Jesus Did Not Compromise Truth to Preserve Peace
While Jesus loved His enemies, He never softened truth to avoid conflict.
“Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?” — John 8:46 (NKJV)
Jesus spoke plainly. He corrected error. He confronted hypocrisy.
Yet even in rebuke, His aim was repentance, not destruction.
This is the pattern believers are called to follow.
Loving Enemies Guards the Heart
One of the reasons Jesus commands love for enemies is not only for their sake—but for ours.
Hatred corrodes the soul. Bitterness clouds discernment. Resentment weakens prayer.
Scripture warns:
“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you… and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” — Ephesians 4:31–32 (NKJV)
Loving enemies is a form of spiritual self-guarding.
Prayer Is Central to Loving Without Compromise
Jesus did not say, “Feel affection for your enemies.” He said, pray for them.
Prayer:
keeps love from growing cold
prevents truth from turning harsh
aligns the heart with God’s mercy
Stephen exemplified this posture even at the moment of death:
“Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” — Acts 7:60 (NKJV)
This was not weakness. It was Christlikeness.
Trusting God With Justice
One of the greatest obstacles to loving enemies is the fear that injustice will go unanswered. Scripture addresses this directly.
“Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” — Romans 12:19 (NKJV)
Loving enemies does not deny justice. It entrusts justice to God.
This frees the believer to remain faithful, prayerful, and steady—even when wrongs persist.
A Witness That Endures
Jesus taught that love would distinguish His followers, especially under pressure.
“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” — John 13:35 (NKJV)
And Peter instructs believers to maintain a clear conscience even when misunderstood or opposed:
“Having a good conscience, that when they defame you… those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.” — 1 Peter 3:16 (NKJV)
Love anchored in truth becomes a testimony that endures beyond conflict.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, teach us to love as You loved. Guard our hearts from bitterness and our words from harshness. Help us to speak truth with humility, to pray for those who oppose us, and to trust You with justice. Keep our love alive, our faith steady, and our witness faithful until the end. Amen.
📖 “Be still, and know that I am God.” —Psalm 46:10a (NKJV)
Listening to God is not about striving harder. It is about becoming still enough to hear.
Many women long to hear God clearly—to know what step to take, which door to walk through, when to speak, when to wait, when to let go, and when to hold steady. But life is loud. Responsibilities press in. Emotions compete for attention. Opinions surround you. Urgency demands answers. And fear often disguises itself as wisdom. This is where the Holy Spirit lovingly trains your heart to listen. He does not shout over the noise. He invites you into stillness.
He teaches you to recognize God’s voice by aligning your heart with God’s Word. He slows your spirit when anxiety rushes ahead. He brings Scripture to mind that steadies your direction. He gives peace when God is saying “yes.” He creates unease when something is not from Him. He guards you from impulsive decisions. He helps you discern the difference between emotion and truth. He teaches you to wait without fear.
God’s voice is consistent with His character. It never contradicts Scripture. It never pressures you into panic. It never leads you into sin. It never produces condemnation. Instead, it draws you closer to Christ, produces peace even in uncertainty, and strengthens obedience even when the path is difficult. Listening to God is a posture of surrender— a heart that says, “Speak, Lord, I am listening.” And the Holy Spirit is faithful to guide a listening heart. You do not need to force clarity. You need to cultivate attentiveness. Stillness is not wasted time. It is sacred ground.
Reflect:
What noise or distraction is making it hardest for you to listen right now?
How is the Holy Spirit inviting you to slow down and be still before God?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, train my heart to listen. Quiet the noise around me and within me. Help me recognize God’s voice through His Word, and trust Your guidance even when the way forward feels unclear. Teach me to wait with peace, to listen with humility, and to follow with confidence. Amen.
📖 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” —John 10:27 (NKJV)
God speaks to His children because He loves them.But listening doesn’t always mean hearing words out loud. Sometimes God speaks softly to your heart.
The Holy Spirit helps you listen to God.
He helps you understand the Bible. He reminds you of God’s truth during the day. He helps you feel a gentle nudge when something is right—or wrong. He helps you pay attention when God wants to teach you something. He helps you follow Jesus step by step.
Listening to God means paying attention, being still, praying, obeying, and trusting Him. You don’t have to be perfect to listen well. You just need a heart that wants to follow Jesus. And the Holy Spirit helps you do that every day.
Talk About It:
When is it easiest for you to listen to God?
How can you make time to be quiet and listen today?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, help me listen to God. Teach me to hear His voice and follow Jesus with a willing heart. Thank You for guiding me every day. Amen.
📖 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” —John 10:27 (NKJV)
One of the biggest questions teens ask is: How do I know what God wants me to do? How do I hear God’s voice?
God does speak—but not usually the way movies or social media portray it. God’s voice is not chaotic. It is not confusing. It is not manipulative. It is not condemning.
The Holy Spirit teaches you how to recognize God’s voice.
He speaks through Scripture. He brings conviction—not shame. He gives peace, not pressure. He aligns with God’s character, not emotions alone. He guides gently, not forcefully. He draws you closer to Jesus, not toward sin.
The Holy Spirit helps you hear God when:
• you read the Bible with an open heart • you pray honestly • you slow down instead of rushing decisions • you choose obedience in small things • you quiet competing voices • you test thoughts against Scripture • you listen with humility, not pride
God’s voice becomes clearer the more you learn His Word. The more you walk with Him, the more familiar His voice becomes. And just like any relationship, listening grows with time and trust.
Sometimes God leads with clarity. Sometimes He leads one step at a time. Sometimes He says “wait.” Sometimes He says “no.” Sometimes He redirects you quietly. But the Holy Spirit is always guiding. You are not guessing blindly. You are learning to follow the Shepherd who knows you and loves you.
Talk About It:
What voices compete for your attention the most?
How can you create more space to listen for God’s guidance?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, teach me to hear God’s voice. Help me recognize truth, reject confusion, and follow Jesus with wisdom and humility. Quiet the noise around me and guide me step by step in Your truth. Amen.
📖 “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” —Hebrews 3:15a (NKJV)
Listening to God is something a family can learn to do together. In a busy home, it’s easy for voices, schedules, opinions, and emotions to compete for attention. But God desires to guide families—not through confusion or pressure—but through His Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps your family learn how to listen to God.
He teaches your home to slow down. He brings God’s Word to remembrance. He helps parents lead with wisdom and humility. He helps children learn to recognize right from wrong. He brings unity when decisions need to be made. He softens hearts when correction is needed. He creates peace when God is guiding your steps. He helps your family respond with obedience, not resistance.
Listening to God as a family doesn’t mean everyone hears something different. It means everyone is learning to submit to the same Shepherd.
Families listen to God when they:
pray together
read Scripture together
pause before reacting
seek God before making decisions
talk through situations with humility
test choices against God’s Word
choose obedience over convenience
God delights in guiding families who are willing to listen.
When a home learns to hear His voice, confusion gives way to clarity, anxiety gives way to peace, and division gives way to unity. The Holy Spirit faithfully leads a listening family.
Talk About It Together:
When does our family need to slow down and listen to God more carefully?
How can we make space to hear God through prayer and His Word?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, help our family listen to God. Quiet distractions, soften our hearts, and guide our conversations and decisions. Teach us to hear God’s voice through His Word and to respond with obedience, trust, and unity. Lead our home in Your truth and peace. Amen.
Guarding the heart is not a passive task. Scripture consistently presents it as an active, ongoing responsibility—especially in seasons marked by difficulty, injustice, or prolonged strain.
“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” — Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV)
The command assumes pressure. A heart that is not intentionally guarded will be shaped by circumstances rather than by truth.
Prayer as the First Line of Defense
Prayer is not merely a response to hardship; it is a means by which the heart remains aligned with God. Without prayer, weariness quietly takes root. With prayer, the heart is kept soft, attentive, and responsive to the Spirit.
Paul exhorts believers:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” — Philippians 4:6 (NKJV)
Prayer redirects anxiety into trust. It keeps discouragement from hardening into bitterness and prevents fatigue from becoming indifference.
Perseverance Requires Watchfulness
Jesus repeatedly connected perseverance with watchfulness and prayer. This was not spoken to unbelievers, but to His own disciples.
“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.” — Matthew 26:41 (NKJV)
The temptation is not always overt sin. Often it is quiet withdrawal—less prayer, less compassion, less expectancy. Watchfulness guards against drifting when answers seem delayed and outcomes remain uncertain.
Gratitude Preserves the Heart
Scripture consistently ties thanksgiving to spiritual stability. Gratitude does not deny hardship; it keeps hardship from defining the heart.
“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV)
A thankful heart resists bitterness. It remembers God’s faithfulness even when circumstances remain unresolved.
Endurance Is Formed, Not Improvised
Endurance is not summoned in a moment of crisis; it is formed over time through continued dependence on God. This is why Scripture repeatedly calls believers to perseverance.
“But let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” — Galatians 6:9 (NKJV)
Losing heart is not inevitable. It is prevented through prayer, watchfulness, and continued trust in God’s promises.
A Quiet but Steady Hope
Guarding the heart does not mean suppressing grief or ignoring reality. It means anchoring the soul in God’s character when circumstances test faith.
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” — Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)
Peace here is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of trust.
Closing Prayer
Father, teach us to guard our hearts with diligence. Keep us watchful in prayer, steady in perseverance, and thankful in all things. When weariness threatens our love, renew us by Your Spirit. Help us to endure with faith, humility, and trust in Your promises, until the day we see Christ face to face. Amen.
📖 “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” —1 Corinthians 3:16 (NKJV)
There are seasons when you feel deeply aware of God’s presence—and seasons when you feel quiet, weary, or unseen. But your security does not rest on what you feel. It rests on what God has promised.
The Holy Spirit does not visit you. He dwells in you. He abides when life is steady and when it is unraveling. He remains when faith feels strong and when it feels fragile. He stays when you are confident and when you are unsure. He does not withdraw when you struggle. He does not leave when you are exhausted. He does not abandon you when you fall short. You are never navigating life alone.
The Holy Spirit is with you:
• when you carry responsibilities no one sees • when you feel emotionally spent • when prayers feel quiet • when obedience feels costly • when grief lingers • when hope feels thin • when you are becoming something new • when you are learning to let go • when you need strength beyond your own
He is not distant. He is not passive. He is not silent. He comforts. He convicts. He guides. He intercedes. He strengthens. He restores. He remains.
Your life is not sustained by your consistency, your discipline, or your spiritual performance.It is sustained by His presence. And because the Holy Spirit abides in you, you can rest—even while growing, even while healing, even while waiting, even while learning to trust again. This is not the end of the journey. It is a deepening of it.
Reflect:
Where do you need to rest in the truth that God is with you right now?
What would change if you truly believed you were never alone in this season?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, thank You for abiding with me. When I feel weary, remind me You are near. When I feel alone, anchor me in truth. Help me rest—not in my strength, but in Your presence. Teach me to walk with confidence, peace, and humility, knowing that You dwell in me and will never leave. Amen.
