Author: Kate Plourde Page 1 of 67

On May 16, 2025

2 Cor 12:9-10 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (10) Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Do you need more grace today? If not, do you know someone who does need more grace? Have today’s verses spoken to your heart because of a trial you are going through? Has your trial been so great that you can’t imagine ever overcoming or recovering from it? Is your illness one that will never be cured, and you must suffer through it for the rest of your life? Trials such as these may seem overwhelming at times. For some of you, it may be overwhelming all the time.

I don’t know who said this, but it reveals how we see ourselves in the midst of our trial. “Every day may not be good, but there’s something good in every day.” At the moment, I am going through a trial that, to me, seems it will have no end. As I see it, I have some choices:

I can lean ever more closer to the Savior’s side; picturing Him sitting beside me on the couch, and sharing my heart with Him
I can be comforted by reading Scripture and listening to music
I can surround myself with encouraging friends
I can ask for prayer
OR
I can dwell on my circumstances
I can go into a depression
I can blame God for my trial, along with everything else that’s wrong in my life
I can become bitter, like Naomi in Ruth 1:20
I can allow myself to stray from the Lord in hopes for something better around the corner

These choices produce deliberate outcomes. Some will provide me with more grace to withstand the enemy, while others will cause me to despair more resulting in depression. Yes, it is my choice. Which of these choices makes me long to live each day, even on days that overwhelm me? The enemy wants me to give in, and live defeated so I will be of no earthly use to the Saviour. Anytime the enemy can cause a believer to be ineffective for Christ, he has won! He wants us to quit on the Lord Jesus. When we do so, we lose the blessed opportunity to lean into the Lord’s arms and be held by Him.

God provides more grace when it is needed. You’ve been there, haven’t you? In the midst of despair, the Lord has spoken to your heart or someone reached out to encourage you? There’s the more in more grace.

He Giveth More Grace – by Annie Johnson Flint

1. He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.

2. When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

3. Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

4. His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

Are you in the midst of a trial so great that you think you won’t make it through? Make the choice. It’s easier than you think. The distractions of physical or emotional pain will have an affect on you one way or another. You must choose which way is best! The Lord Jesus will provide the grace you need. The section of the brain that produces anxiety or depression is the same part of the brain that enjoys music. If you want to overcome your trial, try listening to music. You will find that your negative thoughts will be replaced by the words of the song, along with its melody. Today’s hymn will draw you out of yourself and into the Lord’s arms, desiring His grace like a bird opening its mouth for its mother’s food.

2 Cor 1:3-5 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; (4) Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. (5) For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

There is a blessing to be had but you must seek it. Be like Paul in 2 Corinthians 2:9b Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Then provide the help and comfort of “Jesus with skin on” to someone else who is going through a similar trial! We all need comforting, especially in these end times!

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Has God Departed?

On May 14, 2025

Judges 16:20 And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.

If you are a born-again Christian, you know when you are not walking with the Lord because the fellowship with Him is not the same; it’s not as sweet. But with Samson, it was a different story … he didn’t even know that God’s power had left him! His life of compromise led to this big failure. It started in Judges 14. Let’s look at the compromises he made:

He lusted after a woman in Judges 14:1-2
Did not honor his mother and his father’s wishes in Judges 14:3
Disobeyed that Law in Judges 14:5 (he went into the vineyards); killed a lion, touching a carcass in Judges 14:8
Justified his sin by sharing it with his parents Judges 14:9

Here a little, there a little … he allowed compromise into his life to the point where he was oblivious to the impact. Oh how very sad! But before we get too judgmental, aren’t we the same? This type of compromise is what gets a Christian man’s eyes to wander, then end up in divorce. Bonhoeffer once said, “Judging others makes us blind, whereas love is illuminating. By judging others we blind ourselves to our own evil and to the grace which others are just as entitled to as we are.”

Praise the Lord that once a person is born again, the Holy Spirit comes to live within that person. He never leaves us nor will He ever forsake us. That’s a promise! Even if the relationship between parent and child goes through moments of hindered fellowship, we know that the child will always be their child. That child will always have his parents’ DNA within him. He cannot deny it. The same goes with our relationship with God. We may be disobedient, but we never lose God’s DNA in our lives! 💙💙💙 He never leaves us, nor will He ever forsake us.

Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

We must be willing, however, to follow Him without compromise, as did Samson. Samson started and ended strong, but the compromises in the middle speak with more volume. After all, when you remember Samson’s account, what do you remember? I remember how Delilah caused his strength to cease by cutting off his hair.

Today’s hymn describes the sweet relationship between Father and every born-again believer. The words are sweet as honey!

Christ Liveth in Me – Daniel W. Whittle

Once far from God and dead in sin,
  No light my heart could see;
But in God’s Word the light I found,
  Now Christ liveth in me.

Christ liveth in me,
Christ liveth in me;
Oh! what a salvation this,
  That Christ liveth in me.

2 As rays of light from yonder sun,
  The flow’rs of earth set free,
So life and light and love come forth
  From Christ living in me.

3 As lives the flow’r within the seed,
  As in the cone the tree,
So, praise the Christ of truth and grace,
  His Spirit dwelleth in me.

4 With longing all my heart is filled,
  That like Him I may be,
As on the wondrous thought I dwell
  That Christ liveth in me.

Christ lives within every born again believer. You receive His Spirit within you and thus having a new life! Salvation is a choice. Exactly what have you got to lose if you choose salvation? You will go to Heaven at the Rapture or at your death if you are saved. If you believe the lie that God would not send anyone to Hell, then you will go there. God is a righteous Judge and He will send you there, but only because it was your choice. If you want to choose salvation, please follow the link to walk you through the Scriptures on how to be saved.

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Is It Worth It?

On May 12, 2025

Each and everyone of us has been tempted to say “Is this worth it?” I sure did before I was born again. However, since I have been saved from all my sins by the blood of Jesus Christ, I have said it less and less. I have reason to because the signs of the end times and the soon coming of Jesus Christ to rapture His Bride is what led me to Him!

The born-again believer is a member of the Church, the soon-to-be Bride of Christ. We must learn to look at our negative circumstances in life as being opportunities to glorify Christ. We can glorify Him in our sorrows and even our physical pain. How others view us during these trying times should minister to them. By this, I mean that they are observing how you handle yourself as a Christian. If they see you wallowing in defeat, they won’t want to have what you have. However, if you are cheerful despite the circumstances, they will want to know why.

I love this featured hymn! It is one of my favorites and helps me to focus that one day, it will be worth it all!

It Will Be Worth It All – by Esther Kerr Rusthoi

Sometimes the day seems long,
Our trials hard to bear.
We´re tempted to complain,
to murmur and despair.
But Christ will soon appear
to catch his bride away!
All tears forever over
in God’s eternal day!

CHORUS:
It will be worth it all
when we see Jesus!
Life’s trials will seem so small
when we see Christ.
One glimpse of his dear face,
all sorrow will erase.
So, bravely run the race
till we see Christ.

At times the sky seems dark,
with not a ray of light;
We’re tossed and driven on,
no human help in sight.
But there is One in heaven,
Who knows our deepest care;
Let Jesus solve your problems,
just go to him in prayer.

Life’s day will soon be o’re,
all storms forever past;
We’ll cross the great divide
to Glory, safe at last!
We’ll share the joys of heaven:
a harp, a home, a crown;
The tempter will be banished,
We’ll lay our burdens down.

When you are in despair, may I encourage you to remember that the Lord is coming, no matter how slow His coming seems to you. Don’t give in to the scoffers who think He won’t come for a long time.

2 Peter 3:3-5a Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, (4) And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. (5) For this they willingly are ignorant…

Continue to “grow yourself” and think of the good things in your life in spite of your trials. This is what Paul encourages us to do in Philippians 4:8-9.

Philippians 4:8-9 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (9) Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and THE GOD OF PEACE SHALL BE WITH YOU.

This is what is known to be “in Christ” for the born-again believer. But to those who doubt and are not born again, salvation is a choice. Exactly what have you got to lose if you choose salvation? You will go to Heaven at the Rapture or at your death if you are saved. If you believe the lie that God would not send anyone to Hell, then you will go there. God is a righteous Judge and He will send you there, but only because it was your choice. If you want to choose salvation, please follow the link to walk you through the Scriptures on how to be saved.

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I Will Praise Him!

On May 9, 2025

What a beautiful hymn this is! It flows right into today’s devotional. 💜

Have you, or are you going through trials that seem unending and insurmountable? Some are in the midst of an illness that will never go away. Some are suffering financially with no where to go. While others are in the valley of the shadow of death. But what makes these people different from Christians going through the same trials? It is the peace which surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:7). It reminds me of the precious old hymn, It is Well With My Soul

When peace like a river attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well with my soul.”

It is difficult to say that “it is well with my soul” when the struggles of life seem to have no end. What is even harder is to praise the Lord and give thanks for these very struggles!

1 Thess. 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

It is your nature to take your eyes off God and place them on your circumstances. However, that is exactly what the enemy wants you to do. When praise flows from our lips to the only One who can give peace and reassurance, our eyes readjust and focus on God instead. Is it any wonder that the Scriptures have the most beautiful praise verses that were penned during the author’s trials?

Isa 25:1 O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

Psa 150:6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

Psa 63:3-4 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. (4) Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

Psa 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

Psa 103:1 A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Psa 42:11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Act 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

When you find yourself smack dab in the middle of a trial that you think you cannot bear, listen to the hymn I posted along with the verses. May they speak to your heart and heal your broken spirit.

Praise be to God in the Highest for having a plan so we can spend eternity with Him. Salvation is a choice. Exactly what have you got to lose if you choose salvation? You will go to Heaven at the Rapture or at your death if you are saved. If you believe the lie that God would not send anyone to Hell, then you will go there. God is a righteous Judge and He will send you there, but only because it was your choice. If you want to choose salvation, please follow the link to walk you through the Scriptures on how to be saved.

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First and Last

On May 7, 2025

Rev 21:10-14 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, (11) Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; (12) And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: (13) On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. (14) And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

The rise in anti-Semitism is heartbreaking to me. There are many Christians who believe that the Church has replaced Israel but that is the furthest thing from the truth!

Here are some fun facts:

The word Israel is mentioned 2,576 times in the whole Bible
It is mentioned 2,501 times in the Old Testament
- The first time it is mentioned is in Genesis 32:28
- It is mentioned 411 times in the Major Prophets
- It is mentioned 105 times in the Minor Prophets
- It is mentioned 43 times in Genesis
- It is mentioned 169 times in Exodus
- It is mentioned 65 times in Leviticus
- It is mentioned 236 times in Numbers
- and, It is mentioned 72 times in Deuteronomy
It is mentioned 75 times in the New Testament
The last time it is mentioned is in Revelation 21:12

If the Church was to replace Israel, there would be no need to include Israel in the end times. However, we find that in Revelation 7:4, the Lord seals 144,000 Jews (12,000 from each of the 12 Tribes). Their main job is to spread the Gospel of Yeshua, Jesus Christ.

Notice how New Jerusalem is made in Revelation 21:10-14.

First it is called holy Jerusalem.
It has twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
Its foundation: the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

The Church did not replace Israel nor did Israel replace the Church. Jesus was a Jew, born in Israel. He died so we all could be forgiven of our sins. Israel did not recognize her Messiah but they will, as a nation, at the end of the Tribulation. Israel and the Church are one, brought together by Jesus Christ!

Gal 3:28-29 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (29) And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

To be “in Christ” is to be born again, receiving His Spirit within you and thus having a new life! Salvation is a choice. Exactly what have you got to lose if you choose salvation? You will go to Heaven at the Rapture or at your death if you are saved. If you believe the lie that God would not send anyone to Hell, then you will go there. God is a righteous Judge and He will send you there, but only because it was your choice. If you want to choose salvation, please follow the link to walk you through the Scriptures on how to be saved.

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When is Bragging Good?

On May 5, 2025

Isa 25:1 O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

There are so many braggarts today. You can see this in all the selfies, the social media posts, etc. Everywhere we turn, there is someone who is boasting about an accomplishment or their body. What does God say about it?

Jer 9:23-24 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: (24) But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

Satan was the ultimate boaster – he couldn’t contain himself from bragging due to his pride!

Isa 14:12-15 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! (13) For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: (14) I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (15) Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

Is it ever OK to brag or boast? Today’s verse is only one of many that encourage us to brag on the Lord!

Exo 15:2 The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

Psa 99:5 Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.

Psa 107:32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

Do you have a roof over your head? Do you have food on the table? Do you have clothes to wear? Be thankful! Be content with what you have. Brag on the Lord who takes care of all of our needs!

Mat 6:25-26 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? (26) Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Boast about things relating to God to those around you! Brag on Him and how He provided salvation for us while we were yet sinners!!! Praise be to God in the Highest for having a plan so we can spend eternity with Him. Salvation is a choice. Exactly what have you got to lose if you choose salvation? You will go to Heaven at the Rapture or at your death if you are saved. If you believe the lie that God would not send anyone to Hell, then you will go there. God is a righteous Judge and He will send you there, but only because it was your choice. If you want to choose salvation, please follow the link to walk you through the Scriptures on how to be saved.

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Remember!

On May 2, 2025

(Genesis 19:26) But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

(Luke 17:32) Remember Lot’s wife.

I’ve heard a few messages about Mrs. Lot, and the outcome of her looking back toward Sodom and Gomorrah. But I never heard it preached in the context of the end times. The truth is that Jesus told us to remember Lot’s wife while He was talking about what will happen in the end times. The Lord’s reminder is only mentioned in Luke’s gospel.

Mrs. Lot must have heard the same warning of impending judgment from the angels as her husband. But yet, her heart was not “in it”! She couldn’t grasp the fact that the city she lived in would be completely destroyed. Before we pass judgment on her, aren’t people today doing the same thing? Even the church is asleep when it comes to the end times. Just as Mrs. Lot was not ready to leave the comforts of her life, neither is the world.

Luke goes on to tell us what Jesus wants us to watch for. Just as in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. (Luke 17:26) Lot’s wife was going about her day-to-day chores when sudden destruction was upon her city. She was not ready to grasp the reality of what was to happen. As well, the world is not spiritually ready to grasp what is to come. They don’t want to hear it. They scoff at those of us who try to warn them of the impending doom. Luke continues on to tell us about the horrors of the end times.

But for those of us who are watching, and are spiritually awake, we are ready for the Rapture of Luke 17:34-36! We won’t be on earth when the Tribulation’s judgments arrive. People have heard the Good News but, like Lot’s wife, are not ready to commit to salvation. They want to continue in their “life” and their worldly attachments. But right around the corner is their worst nightmare!

Jesus warned us to remember Lot’s wife. So remember her. Make yourself ready by receiving His gift of salvation. Salvation is a choice. Exactly what have you got to lose if you choose salvation? You will go to Heaven at the Rapture or at your death if you are saved. If you believe the lie that God would not send anyone to Hell, then you will go there. God is a righteous Judge and He will send you there, but only because it was your choice. If you want to choose salvation, please follow the link to walk you through the Scriptures on how to be saved.

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Truth Versus Peace

On April 30, 2025

“Never let us be guilty of sacrificing any portion of truth on the altar of peace.” ― J.C. Ryle

There have been many articles written about the recently deceased pope. J.C. Ryle’s quote could have been writing about this pope, but yet his ministry was in the 1800’s! We see more compromise in the pulpit in order to have unity.

However, you can’t have unity until it is centered on God’s Word. We should be leery of preachers who are becoming wealthy at the expense of the Bible! There are red flags everywhere around us today! Auditoriums filled with thousands of people waiting to hear the next “feel good” message out of the mouths of charlatans.

It breaks my heart to see how far the church has come since the day I got saved in 1980. One can hardly recognize the sermons as being presentations of the Gospel of Christ and repentance! A person cannot detect truth in today’s modern church even if it reached out and bit them! It’s so sad. We have become a soft people that fights for everything but the truth. People need to hear about Jesus Christ and the salvation He freely offers!

Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

We must remember that Germans thought if they kept silent, it would bring about peace. But instead, evil prevailed and millions were killed. Had the German churches banded together and fought, there would have been a different outcome.

“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless.
Not to speak is to speak.
Not to act is to act.”
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer

You can try to keep the peace all you want. I pity the preachers that change God’s Word and twist Scriptures come Judgment Day. When their messages are without the truth of Jesus Christ, their hearers won’t remember what was said a day later. We are the light and the salt of the earth; we fail when we don’t share the truth of God’s Word. It is what leads to salvation. It is what will be remembered.

Salvation is a choice. Exactly what have you got to lose if you choose salvation? You will go to Heaven at the Rapture or at your death if you are saved. If you believe the lie that God would not send anyone to Hell, then you will go there. God is a righteous Judge and He will send you there, but only because it was your choice. If you want to choose salvation, please follow the link to walk you through the Scriptures on how to be saved.

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Satan’s Tactics Are Not New!

On April 28, 2025