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...

  Life doesn't always go according to our plans. We make schedules, organize our calendars, and prepare for what we believe the day will bring. Then suddenly, something changes. A phone call. A delay. A closed door. A change of direction. At first, we often see these moments as interruptions. But what if God sees them as opportunities? Acts Chapter 8 gives us a wonderful example of this truth. After persecution arose against the early church, believers were scattered from Jerusalem. What appeared to be a setback became the very means by which the gospel spread to new cities and new people. Philip faithfully preached in Samaria, where many believed in Jesus Christ. Later, an angel of the Lord directed him to leave a fruitful ministry and travel down a lonely desert road. From a human perspective, it may not have made sense. Yet on that road, Philip met an Ethiopian official who was searching the Scriptures and longing for understanding. Philip explained the good news of What looked ...

In a world filled with distractions, challenges, and opposition, God calls His people to remain faithful. Not faithful only when things are going well. Not faithful only when the road is easy. But faithful to the very end. Acts  Chapter 7 gives us a powerful example of what true faithfulness looks like through the life of Stephen. Stephen was a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit. When he was falsely accused and brought before the religious leaders, he did not become fearful or compromise the truth. Instead, he boldly shared the history of God's faithfulness and proclaimed the truth about Jesus Christ. As Stephen spoke, the crowd became angry. Their hearts were hardened against the message he shared. Yet Stephen remained focused on God. He was locked in. He did not allow the crowd to distract him. He did not allow the accusations to silence him. He did not allow fear to weaken his faith. Even as stones were thrown at him, Stephen kept his eyes fixed on Heaven. While others focus...

  Acts Chapter 5 reminds us that God desires sincerity, integrity, and wholehearted devotion from His people. It is a chapter filled with both sobering warnings and inspiring examples of courage. Through the events recorded here, we see that the message of Jesus cannot be silenced. A Matter of the Heart The chapter begins with the account of Ananias and Sapphira, who chose to deceive the early church about their offering. Their story reminds us that God sees beyond outward appearances and looks at the condition of our hearts. He desires honesty and genuine faith rather than empty displays of devotion. The Gospel Continues to Spread Despite growing opposition, the apostles continued performing signs and wonders among the people. Many came to faith in Jesus Christ as the church continued to grow. The religious leaders, filled with jealousy, had the apostles arrested in an attempt to stop their ministry. But God's plans could not be hindered. Choosing Obedience Over Fear An angel of ...

  Acts Chapter 4 reminds believers that following Jesus Christ will not always be easy. The early disciples faced questioning, threats, and opposition because they boldly shared the gospel. Yet even under pressure, they refused to remain silent about what God had done. Standing Firm in Faith After the healing of the lame man, Peter and John were arrested and brought before religious leaders. They were questioned about the miracle and warned not to speak or teach anymore in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered with courage and conviction. They understood that obeying God was more important than pleasing people. Even though opposition came against them, they refused to stop sharing the truth. Boldness Through the Holy Spirit The disciples did not rely on their own strength. The Holy Spirit gave them wisdom, boldness, and peace during difficult moments. Instead of praying for an easy path, the believers prayed for greater boldness to continue speaking God’s Word faithfully. ...

  Acts Chapter 3 shows the power of Jesus Christ continuing to work through His disciples after His resurrection and ascension. What begins with a man asking for money becomes a powerful testimony of healing, faith, and the authority found in the name of Jesus . A Man in Need Peter and John were going to the temple at the hour of prayer when they encountered a man who had been lame from birth. Every day he was laid at the temple gate called Beautiful, asking others for help. When he saw Peter and John , he expected to receive money. But God had something greater waiting for him. The Power in the Name of Jesus Peter said to the man: “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” Immediately, the man received strength in his feet and ankles. He stood, walked, leaped, and praised God . This miracle was not done through human power. It was done through faith in the name of Jesus Christ. A Witness to the Pe...

    Acts Chapter 2 is one of the most powerful chapters in the Bible. It marks the coming of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the early church . What Jesus promised in Acts Chapter 1 now becomes a reality as believers are filled with power from Heaven . The Day of Pentecost The disciples were gathered together in one place when suddenly there came a sound from Heaven like a rushing mighty wind. Tongues like fire appeared, and they were all filled with the  Holy Spirit. This was not an ordinary moment. God was empowering His people for the work ahead. The Holy Spirit gave them boldness, strength, and the ability to speak in other languages so people from many nations could hear and understand the message of God . Confusion and Questions As the crowd gathered, many were amazed and confused by what they were witnessing. Some questioned what was happening, while others mocked and accused the disciples of being drunk. But Peter stood up boldly and explained ...

  Waiting on the Promise: A Look at Acts Chapter 1 Acts Chapter 1 marks an important transition in Scripture. Jesus had risen from the dead and spent time with His disciples . He taught and prepared them for what was to come. Before ascending into Heaven, He gave them instructions and a promise that would change everything. The Continuing Work of Jesus Luke begins Acts by reminding Theophilus of all that Jesus began to do and teach. This chapter serves as a bridge between the earthly ministry of Jesus and the beginning of the early church. Even though Jesus would soon ascend into Heaven , His work was far from over. The Promise of the Holy Spirit Jesus instructed the disciples not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for the promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit . The disciples were lookin g for immediate answers about the Kingdom , but understand that they would need spiritual power before stepping into their assignment. This reminds belie...

  John Chapter 21 gives us a beautiful picture of the love, patience, and restoration of Jesus after His resurrection. The disciples had experienced fear, disappointment, and uncertainty, yet Jesus met them right where they were and reminded them that their purpose was still alive. Back to the Familiar After everything that had happened, several of the disciples returned to fishing. It was familiar territory for them. But after fishing all night, they caught nothing. How often do we return to what feels comfortable when we are uncertain about what comes next? Yet even in those moments, Jesus still comes looking for us. Jesus on the Shore As morning came, Jesus stood on the shore, though the disciples did not recognize Him at first. He told them to cast the net on the right side of the ship, and suddenly the net was filled with fish. This miracle reminded them who He was. Jesus was showing them that without Him, their efforts would always come up empty, but with Him, there is p...

John chapter 20 reveals one of the most powerful moments in Scripture, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. What begins in sorrow quickly turns into hope, as those closest to Him begin to realize that He is alive. The Empty Tomb Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She found that the stone had been rolled away. At first, there was confusion and grief. She believed someone had taken away the body of Jesus.  How often do we misunderstand what God is doing in our lives?  What looks like loss can actually be the beginning of something greater. Jesus Calls Her by Name As Mary stood weeping, Jesus appeared to her but she did not recognize Him at first. It wasn’t until He called her by name that she knew it was Him. This moment is deeply personal. Jesus didn’t just rise. He revealed Himself in a personal way. The same is true today. He knows each of us by  name and meets us where we are. Peace in the Midst of Fear Later, the disciples were gathered behind...

  Love is one of the most powerful emotions we can experience. It brings connection, healing, and purpose. But true love is not just a feeling. It is a reflection of God Himself. What the Bible Says About Love The Bible teaches us that love begins with God. 1 John 4:7-8 says: Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. This shows us that love is not just something God gives us. It is who He truly is. John 13:34 says: A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. We are called to love others the same way Christ loves us. He loves us with patience, kindness, and grace. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 says: 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evi...