Glenda Inspires – Uplifting Words for a Purposeful Life

In the Book of Acts 15:11 it says, "No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are .” It is easy for human religious systems to start adding extra requirements to simple faith. In Acts 15, well-meaning believers wanted to load new Christians down with heavy rules and regulations before accepting them into the fold. Peter stood up and asked a pointed question in verse 10 that says, “N ow then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? ” The message of Acts 15 is clear: Jesus paid it all, and grace is enough. Are there places in your own life where you are placing heavy, legalistic burdens on yourself or others? Real spiritual maturity doesn't build higher walls to keep people out; it opens wider doors to welcome people in. Stand firm in the freedom of God's grace, and let your life be a light that leads others to His peace. You may listen to...

The Power of Perseverance Acts 14:19, 20 says,  19 "Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead.  20 But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe." The opinions of people are notoriously unstable. One moment, the crowd in Lystra was trying to offer sacrifices to Paul and Barnabas; the next moment, they were throwing stones at them. If you build your confidence on public approval, you will constantly be tossed around by the opinions of others. What stands out most in Acts 14 is Paul's response after being stoned. He didn't pack his bags and quit the ministry. He didn't hold a pity party. When the disciples gathered around him in prayer, he stood right back up and walked straight back into the very city where he was hurt before leaving for Derbe the next day. We all face emotional, spi...

  Acts 13:2 says, "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.'" Have you ever wondered how to hear the voice of God for your next step? Look at the environment in Acts 13. The leaders in Antioch weren't complaining, worrying, or frantically searching for their next big plan. They were doing two simple things: worshiping the Lord and fasting. It was in the middle of active, faithful service that the Holy Spirit gave them direction. When you make space to quiet the noise and focus on God, His voice becomes clear. And when He calls you to a new assignment, remember that not everyone will celebrate your growth or receive your message, and that’s okay.  Paul and Barnabas faced strong opposition, yet verse 52 says the disciples were “filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” Your joy doesn't depend on how people react to you; it depends on being obedient to th...

  Acts 12:5 says, "So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him." ​Have you ever faced a situation where every single door seemed deadlocked? Acts 12 paints a picture of absolute confinement. Peter wasn't just in jail; he was bound with two chains between two soldiers, with additional guards watching the entrance. From a human perspective, there was zero chance of escape. Yet, verse 5 holds the turning point, "but the church was earnestly praying to God for him."  ​Notice what Peter was doing while the church prayed: he was sleeping! He wasn't pacing his cell, wringing his hands, or panicking. He rested so deeply in God’s sovereignty that divine intervention had to literally wake him up. When the angel led him out, the massive iron gate leading into the city opened by itself. Whatever heavy gate or tight chain you are facing this week, remember that your job is to trust and pray. God does the heavy lifting. He is the same...

  It is easy to place people into categories. Some seem easy to love. Others seem difficult to understand. We may even assume that certain people would never be interested in God. Acts Chapter 10 reminds us to leave those judgments behind. Cornelius was a Roman centurion, a Gentile, and someone Peter would never have expected God to use in such a remarkable way. Yet God was already working in Cornelius's heart before Peter ever arrived. At the same time, God was working in Peter's heart. Sometimes God prepares both the messenger and the person who will receive the message. Peter learned that God's love is not limited by nationality, culture, appearance, or background. He boldly declared, "God is no respecter of persons." What a beautiful truth. Every person we pass on the street... Every neighbor... Every coworker... Every stranger... Every friend... Is someone created in the image of God. We never know who God is preparing to hear the gospel. That is why we shou...

  Have you ever looked at someone and thought, "There is no way that person will ever come to know the Lord?" Acts Chapter 9 reminds us why we should never give up praying for anyone. Saul was feared by Christians. He persecuted many who followed Jesus. If anyone seemed beyond hope, it was Saul. Yet God saw something different. On the road to Damascus, one encounter with Jesus changed Saul's life forever. The man who once tried to destroy the church became one of its greatest missionaries. His story reminds us that God's grace is greater than our past and His mercy reaches farther than we can imagine. Acts Chapter 9 also introduces us to Ananias. God called him to do something that must have seemed impossible—to visit the very man who had been arresting Christians. Ananias could have allowed fear to control him. He could have questioned God's plan or refused to go. Instead, he obeyed. Sometimes God asks us to love people we don't understand, f...