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<h3>Quote of the Day</h3>Pray, Believe and Release“Prayer isn’t about convincing God to do my will. It’s about trusting God to do His.” ~ ray mileurThis one hits close to home for me, because I’ve had to learn this lesson the hard way—more than once.There have been seasons when I prayed with my mind already made up about how God “should” answer. I wasn’t really surrendering. I was negotiating. I was handing God a script and asking Him to follow it.And when He didn’t? I felt frustrated, disappointed, and sometimes even quietly resentful—though I’d never say that out loud.What I’ve learned over time is this: the moment I truly release something to God, peace shows up—even before the answer does.Releasing doesn’t mean I stop caring. It means I stop controlling. It means I stop trying to force God’s hand and start trusting God’s heart.Some of the best answers to prayer in my life didn’t look like answers at first. They looked like delays. They looked like closed doors. They looked like “no” when I was praying for “yes.”But looking back now, I can see God was protecting me, redirecting me, and shaping me in ways I never would have chosen for myself.That’s why I’m learning to pray differently these days.I still bring my needs to God. I still ask boldly.But I finish every prayer with open hands instead of clenched fists.“Lord, I trust You with the answer. I trust You with the timing. And I trust You with the outcome—even if it’s not what I hoped for.”That’s not giving up. That’s growing up in faith.Walk in faith, rest in grace, and trust the One who walks beside you. In His love and grace, ray mileur“Helping believers walk closer to Jesus, one day at a time.” <a href="http://www.raymileurministries.com" data-mce-href="http://www.raymileurministries.com">www.raymileurministries.com</a> If today’s quote and my reflection encouraged you, please consider sharing it with someone who may need this reminder.You can find over 400 daily devotionals and reflections at: www.raymileurministries.comSometimes the message we need most is the one God uses us to pass along

Quote of the Day

There has been another ICE-involved shooting, and once again our nation feels the weight of grief, fear, and division. A life has been lost. Families are shattered. Communities are on edge.This is a moment for the people of God to do what we do best—fall to our knees and lift our voices in prayer.Heavenly Father, we come to You heavy-hearted. We lift up our law enforcement officers, the grieving families whose lives have been changed forever. We ask You to comfort them with Your peace that passes all understanding.Lord, grant wisdom and restraint to our leaders, and citizens alike. Soften hardened hearts. Heal what violence has broken. Bring calm where anger and fear have taken root.May justice be pursued with humility, and may mercy guide every step forward.In Jesus’ name, Amen.Let us be known not for our shouting, but for our praying—and for standing for both truth and compassion.ray

Protests Leads to Shooting in Minnesoto - Let us Pray

<h3>A New Way to Stay Connected</h3>Dear Friends,As many of you know, my ministry pages and messaging access on Facebook are no longer available. While that door has closed, God has opened another.I’ve created a new ministry account on Twitter where I’ll be sharing daily Scripture, short devotional thoughts, prayers, and encouragement — the same heart and message you’ve come to expect here.If you’d like another simple way to stay connected and receive these daily reflections, I invite you to follow me on Twitter.You can find me here: <a data-mce-href="https://x.com/RayMileur1" href="https://x.com/RayMileur1" title="Ray Mileur Ministries on Twitter / X" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ray Mileur Ministries (@RayMileur1) / X</a> This will be one more place where we can walk together in faith, stay encouraged in God’s Word, and keep pointing one another toward Jesus.Thank you for being part of this ministry and for continuing to walk this road with me.In His love and grace,ray mileur

A New Way to Stay Connected

<h3>Let us Pray </h3>Dear Heavenly Father, We come before You with humble hearts, knowing that You are sovereign over the winds, the snow, and the fury of the storm. You spoke creation into being, painting the world with Your majesty, and You still hold every gust and flake in Your mighty hands today. Remind us of Your nearness, even when the world feels cold and uncertain.Lord, we lift up our guardians—police officers, firefighters, EMTs, utility crews, highway workers, dispatchers, and all who will put themselves in harm’s way to serve others. Grant them courage and resilience. Give them strength beyond their own, wisdom in each decision, and a sense of Your presence as they brave the elements. Sharpen their judgment. Keep them alert, safe, and able to return home to their families, letting their service be a beacon of hope in the darkness.Father, we pray especially for the elderly, the disabled, the vulnerable, and those who feel isolated in this season. We ask for Your covering over every community in the path of this winter storm. Protect families in their homes—let their walls stand strong and their hearts be filled with comfort. Guard those who must travel. Provide warmth where the cold threatens, light where darkness lingers, and peace where fear tries to take hold. Let love and compassion be the fire that banishes despair.We lift up our first responders and those who live alone. Place Your angels around them, encircling them with Your protection. Stir the hearts of neighbors, churches, and caregivers to reach out, to check on one another, and to share warmth—both physical and spiritual. Let no one be forgotten in the cold; instead, let kindness be the thread that weaves every community together in this season of trial.We also lift up the animals—pets, livestock, and wildlife—who face the storm’s bite. Provide shelter from the freezing winds. Protect them from harm, hunger, and fear. Empower their caretakers with wisdom and compassion. Soften every heart to show mercy and responsibility, that all Your creatures may find safety and care in this time.Lord, we ask that this storm would pass with minimal damage, minimal loss, and maximum grace. Where power is lost, restore it swiftly. Where roads are dangerous, let Your hand guide each traveler. Where fear rises, let faith rise higher and hope burn brighter. Transform every hardship into a testimony of Your goodness and the resilience of Your people.We trust You, not just in calm weather, but in the midst of the storm. In the howling wind and swirling snow, teach us to lean on You, to find courage in Your promises, and to remember that even the fiercest night will yield to Your dawn.You are our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in trouble.In Jesus’ name, Amen. If you know someone who lives in the path of this storm, or someone who serves on the front lines, please share this prayer on your page. You never know who needs to see it, pray it, or feel less alone tonight. Let’s cover this storm in prayer—together.&nbsp;Thank you,&nbsp;In His love,ray

Let us Pray

There was a time in my walk with the Lord when I thought faith was something I had to manufacture. I believed that if I just felt stronger, believed harder, or spoke the right words with enough confidence, things would fall into place. I wasn’t trying to twist God’s arm, but I was quietly leaning more on my own understanding than I realized. Looking back now, I can see that I wasn’t growing in faith—I was just growing in effort.<figure id="figure-hma9qx8y8bmkqa2urc"><img id="hma9qx8y8bmkqa2urc" src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/dHrWRsKV1GIagJyueY9M1LJou0TDAu1elIhCAdb2UfRKktYLSNrUByu8LRmeE3ap.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/dHrWRsKV1GIagJyueY9M1LJou0TDAu1elIhCAdb2UfRKktYLSNrUByu8LRmeE3ap.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Romans 10:17 changed that for me in a simple but profound way: “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” That verse pulled faith out of my emotions and anchored it firmly in God’s Word. It reminded me that faith isn’t something I stir up inside myself; it’s something God builds in me as I stay close to His truth.I’ve learned that when my Bible stays closed, my faith doesn’t get stronger—it gets thinner. When prayer turns into a list of demands instead of a posture of listening, my faith doesn’t mature—it gets shallow. But when I make room to hear God’s Word, even on days when I don’t feel especially spiritual, something steady begins to happen inside me. My thinking straightens out. My fears quiet down. My perspective shifts. Not because my circumstances changed, but because God’s Word did its quiet work in my heart.I’ve also learned how easy it is to get in God’s way. I plan. I strategize. I try to control outcomes. And then I ask God to bless what I already decided. That’s not faith—that’s management. Real faith starts when I surrender the steering wheel and let God’s Word set the direction. It means trusting Him enough to obey what He says even when it doesn’t make immediate sense or fit neatly into my plans.The older I get, the more grateful I am that faith doesn’t depend on my strength. It depends on God’s faithfulness. My job isn’t to perform spiritual gymnastics for God. My job is to stay rooted in His Word, keep my heart open, and remain teachable. When I do that, faith grows naturally—quietly, steadily, and deeply.If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s this: faith becomes real when it moves from our ears to our hearts and from our hearts into our daily choices. God doesn’t ask us to create faith. He asks us to receive it, nurture it, and live it out one obedient step at a time.And the more I stay out of His way, the more clearly I can see His hand at work in my life. Walk in faith, rest in grace, and trust the One who walks beside you.In His love and grace, ray mileur “Helping believers walk closer to Jesus, one day at a time.” <a href="http://www.raymileurministries.com">www.raymileurministries.com</a> If today’s devotion encouraged you, please consider sharing it with someone who could use a reminder to anchor their faith in God’s Word. You’re also welcome to bookmark this page and return daily for new devotionals.

Scripture of the Day

<h3>The Substance of Our Faith</h3>“Faith is not a power we use; it is a trust we place in God’s Word.” ~ ray mileurOur walk with the Lord begins by hearing the Word, which gives us a measure of faith that leads to salvation. However, faith is not a one-time act or experience; it is a lifelong practice that grows as our knowledge of God's Word increases.The word “faith” is translated from the Greek word pistis, meaning belief, trust, or confidence in someone or something. Its verb form is most often translated as “believe.”Hebrews 11:6 tells us, “without faith, we cannot please God.” Therefore, it’s important to understand the source of our faith. Romans 10:17 (KJV) says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” This verse emphasizes the importance of continually hearing the Word—not just having heard it once—as the key to growing into mature Christian faith.The scripture “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God” teaches that faith develops by taking in God’s Word. This stands in stark contrast to many modern-day faith movements, which often teach a version of faith that does not align with scripture. For example, they may present faith as a personal power, making man the central element rather than the Word of God.Pastor JThe late John MacArthur had recently commented on the Word of Faith movement: “When they talk about the power of faith, they mean that we can use our faith as a power to write our own future history. We can literally believe things into being. We have the power of faith that can create a healing. We have the power of faith that can bring about a salvation. We have the power of faith that can change how people can treat us. We have the power of faith that can change our economic situation, that can take us from poverty to wealth, that can take us from having little to having much, from being deprived to being prosperous, from being a failure to being successful, from being a nobody to being a somebody, from having only ambitions and hopes and dreams to experiencing fulfillment.”This false teaching suggests that the substance and power of faith begin within the individual, rather than in the Word of God. In contrast, sound biblical faith is rooted in studying, meditating on, and confessing the Word. It is not a free-flowing power of positive thinking or feelings, but the true substance of our faith. Only through faith in the Word and the Gospel of Jesus can we place our hope for the future.As you place your trust and faith in Him and His Word may God’s Word—the very substance of our faith—fill you with joy, peace, and hope for the future. The Lord be with you.In His Name. <h3>Let us Pray</h3>Dear Heavenlty Father, Thank You for the gift of faith that comes not from within me, but from hearing and receiving Your Word. Deepen my understanding of what it means to walk by faith, so that my trust in You is rooted in a growing knowledge of Your truth. Help me to see the details of Your promises in Scripture and to discern the difference between genuine faith and the false teachings that place trust in myself instead of in You. Give me a spirit of humility and perseverance as I study, meditate on, and obey Your Word, so that my life reflects the depth and richness of Your love. May my faith be marked by a clear description of Your work in my life—joy in trials, peace in uncertainty, and hope that endures. Let Your Word inspire me daily, filling my heart with courage to live boldly for You and to share Your truth with others. In Jesus' name, Amen Walk in faith, rest in grace, and trust the One who walks beside you. In His love and grace, ray mileur “Helping believers walk closer to Jesus, one day at a time.” <a href="http://www.raymileurministries.com">www.raymileurministries.com</a> If today’s devotion encouraged you, please consider sharing it with someone who could use a reminder to anchor their faith in God’s Word. You’re also welcome to bookmark this page and return daily for new devotionals.