While speaking at a conference, I gave an altar call for people to come forward if they had a prayer need. The committee had appointed a prayer team, and I would join them to pray for people. Many people came forward in response to the Word and the invitation.

As I stood at the front, a woman approached me. I looked her in the face, and my internal emotions dropped so low. I did not let her see it on my face, but internally I was thinking, “Why couldn’t you go to one of these other members of the prayer team? Anybody but me!”

This woman “Ethel” was someone I recognized. She was once in a church that my husband had pastored. She was a constant thorn in my flesh. Ethel let me know that she did not care for me and eventually left our church. In her leaving, Ethel was quite vocal to others about how terrible I was. She kept the pot stirred for a long time. (Note: there is a right way and a wrong way to leave a church. Selah!)

As Ethel approached me, she said, “Barbara Benton, I cannot believe I am asking you, of all people, to pray for me.” That made two of us who had that thought!

Some of the hardest people for which to pray are people we do not like! Those who have hurt us. Politicians. Mean boss or co-worker. Ex spouses. Can I get an amen! Oh, I am well aware that the scripture says to pray for our enemies. “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” – Matthew 5:44 NIV. In a hate-filled world, that verse is quite challenging. Some people are like sandpaper. They rub us until we are raw.

Momentarily, I was certain that Ethel would apologize. Nope, did not happen. She began to share with me a situation she was facing. I would have been more than happy to say a simple prayer, “Lord, help Ethel.” God quickly got my attention. “Barbara, why are you here? The only reason you are standing at this altar is because I sent you to be My hands, My feet, My voice.”

Quickly, I pulled Ethel into a gentle hug and prayed quietly into her ear. I prayed a faith-filled prayer based on the Word of God. As we finished, Ethel was in tears. I gave her a hug and blessed her as she walked away.

Praying for those who have been at enmity with us can be difficult, but it is one of the most releasing things we will ever do. It releases our burden where another is concerned. God can do a work in us as well as the one for which we are praying.

I do not know if Ethel’s situation changed, nor if Ethel herself changed. My job was not to change Ethel, but to be obedient to the mission of God. Let me give a little advice here: This is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Think about those that are your sandpaper in life. Pray for their salvation. Pray for their hearts to be softened. Pray for healing of their body and soul. Pray for the joy of the Lord to overtake them. Pray that God will help you to see them through His eyes. There are so many ways to pray for sandpaper people. After all, each of us is someone’s sandpaper. Let’s step up in the power of the Spirit.

Let’s pray.

Father, today I pray for those who have hurt me, lied about me, or mistreated me. I do not want a root of bitterness to take hold of my heart. Let God arise in me today. I give myself to You. Help me to extend mercy to others, just as You have extended mercy to me. Teach me to live this out. I need the power of the Holy Spirit as I deal with those who have hurt me. Amen.

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” – Colossians 4:6 NIV

Today is election day in the United States, and it is a big, meaningful election that affects us all now and for years to come. I have prayed, asked for God’s guidance for myself and for this country that I love.

This blog will not emphasize for whom you should vote. My desire is certainly that fellow believers will consider the spiritual implications that this election will have now and later.

My question today is, “What will I do tomorrow, regardless of who wins?”  

My thoughts?

It is time, as believers, that we come together in prayer. By tomorrow, the pie will have been baked. In other words, the election will pretty much be over. It is time to stop being divisive on both sides. Whether you voted for a republican, a democrat, or an independent, whether you agree with the vote or not, posts that are divisive help nothing. (I am not saying do not say or post your beliefs but stop berating those who vote differently.) How about writing a prayer! How about encouraging people to come together!

It is time to help stop the division. Do I think all division will end? Sadly, no, but it is time for God’s people to act with maturity in word and deed.

What am I going to do tomorrow? I am going to try to be a godly wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and child of God. I will continue to teach and practice Biblical values as the Word of God reveals. I will continue to be an influence for God. My mission does not change based on election results.

I find the Bible to be a life-changing book. I will pray for our president, vice president, senators, representatives, and local officials. I will serve God. The man in the White House and the party in power never takes priority over the God in my house!

I will continue to faithfully serve God tomorrow. That is what I am going to do.

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” – Romans 12:18

For more than three decades, I have been privileged to speak God’s Word all over this country. Speaking at conferences and churches is something I truly consider an honor. I have met thousands of pastors, leaders, and people of God. Thanks be to God for that privilege!

Some time back, I was speaking at a conference, and a nice basket of goodies was left in my room. Leaders usually put more items in those baskets than I could ever dream of eating. Neither my lips nor my hips could dare to consume that much in a couple of days!

Most often, the baskets and containers holding those goodies are quite nice, so I usually bring the containers home with me. Occasionally the size of the container prohibits that. If it does not fit in my luggage, it will stay behind. Carrying a basket through security is just too inconvenient.

As I looked at the basket in my hotel room, I immediately noticed that it had many flaws in the weaving. Instead of concentrating on what the basket contained, my eyes kept seeing the flaws. Rather than appreciate the goodness inside the container, I could only see its flaws.

How many times have we missed the goodness that God sent our way because we did not like the container? Ouch on me!

First Kings seventeen gives us the story of Elijah in hiding by the Brook Cherith. God has sent him there. At God’s direction, Elijah has prophesied that there would be a famine and drought in the land for the next three years. God then directed Elijah to go and hide in the region of Kerith Ravine, and there God would supply water from the brook and food would fly in on ravens. Elijah had divine supply flying his way!

Imagine if Elijah looked at the ravens who served his food, and Elijah said, “I am not eating that from a dark bird. I want a nice white dove to bring me my food. Better yet, send angels with a platter of food.” Elijah could have missed what God was providing because the vessel was not what he would have chosen.

Here is a truth: God did not tell him to eat the bird. He told him to eat the food that the bird brought. SELAH.

October is pastor appreciation month. Being a pastor is a wonderful calling from God, yet with it comes trying times. Most, I mean ALL, pastors have flaws. Unfortunately, we see the bad examples written in articles or displayed on nightly newscasts. I am talking about those who live immoral lives and often bilk the people for all they can. Those who live this way will be judged by God now or later.

Though high-profile misconduct and toxic leadership can be found, the vast majority of pastors live and minister faithfully while living on modest incomes. The news outlets are not running stories about those pastors!

Pastors are a gift to the body. Often, God is sending us words and blessings through our pastor. It is so easy to get into a pattern of concentrating on the flaws of the pastor and totally miss the content God is bringing.

That day in that hotel room at that conference, God got my attention. “Stop staring at the flaws of the container. Instead, receive the goodness it brings. Appreciate the gifts in the basket.”

“Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.” – Hebrews 13:7 NLT

Just three weeks ago, I reached a milestone in my life. I turned seventy-five years old. That cannot possibly be true! No way this young woman can be seventy-five years old, three quarters of a century. My brain feels young and vibrant, yet as I stare into the mirror, the white-haired woman who earned lots of wrinkles along the way, reveals the truth.

What a privilege it is to be given seventy-five years of life! So many never have that privilege. My son Bryan was only given half of the seventy-five years with which I have been blessed. If you have been given another day, raise those hands to the giver of life and offer thanks to Him.

As I have gotten older, a habit I developed many years ago has helped me tremendously. I lift weights at least three times per week. I never enjoy it – as in NEVER, but I know it keeps my body strong. Many people express hating “leg” day. Not me, I highly dislike arm and upper body day, but strength comes in the “weighting.”  There is not a lot of joy in the “weighting.”  Weight training is part of my life that I dislike but press through anyway.

Wait training is a part of the Christian life. It simply is. We do not have to like it, but we must learn to press through it.

After many decades of walking with God, I have learned a few things about waiting. Here are some of them.

• Trust the word of God and the God of the word. “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.” – Psalm 34:17 NKJV. God has as plan even as I wait. When it comes to His people, Jesus is always busy but not necessarily in a hurry.

• Trust in the Lord and not our own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 teaches us to lean on the Lord even when we cannot figure things out. Expect God to answer but be prepared for answers that might be different from what God does.

• Be courageous while waiting. Sometimes while waiting, fear takes over my mind and brings his friends anxiety and fretfulness. As believers let’s stand in courage that God is with us. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9 NIV

• Give God time to work. Do not run ahead of Him. “Yet how quickly they forgot what he had done! They wouldn’t wait for his counsel!” – Psalm 106:13. I know a woman who by age thirty had not married. She really wanted to be married. She married a man because he proposed, knowing she did not love him. The marriage ended in a lot of bitterness and anger. I could write many paragraphs about situations where I and others simply left the waiting room to work it out without God.  Not wise!

• Remain faithful to God. While discouraged, I have seen too many walk away because things were not working out as they envisioned. God was taking too long or doing it wrong. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” – Hebrews 10:23 NKJV

Wait training is not something I enjoy. I want God to move right now. I am three-quarters of a century old, and I have learned that I must focus on God’s trustworthiness, and not on my desired result and timing. I never like waiting, but I can testify it has brought strength to my Christian walk.

“The ability to calm your soul and wait before God is one of the most difficult things in the Christian life. Our old nature is restless…the world around us is frantically in a hurry. But a restless heart usually leads to a reckless life.” – Warren Wiersbe

“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope.” – Psalm 130:5 NKJV

Several years ago, our son gave us an Amazon Alexa. Our first thought was what do we do with this thing? Our son proceeded to show us the many uses. Let’s just say many uses do not happen in this home! We use Alexa to turn the living room lights on and off, get the weather report, time the clothes in the dryer, and play worship music. That is about it for us where Alexa is concerned!

Alexa is voice activated, and she will listen to anyone’s voice! Anyone’s voice! If we have a movie playing and one of the characters is named Alexa, our Amazon Alexa will activate every time the character’s name is mentioned. Our grandchildren love to ask her a million questions, and they love to give her math problems. Some of their questions go like this, “Alexa, what is one million times four hundred minus sixty-three plus one hundred thousand?”

Even though I own Alexa, she is persuaded by other voices.

In my daily life, I sometimes feel like Alexa. The world’s voices have grown incredibly loud. There are so many voices trying to tell me what is true and what I should believe. People try to persuade me to stray from Truth. Hundreds of voices on social media, television, and the printed word are all calling out to me. All these voices try to persuade me toward what they call truth.

In our world today, it can be difficult to discern the voice of truth. Some voices are quite persuasive in declaring truth, their truth. With so many voices calling our names, it can be hard to hear the voice of the One who owns us.

Often, the loud voice draws my attention, but the loud voice is not necessarily the right voice. Amid the loudness, I must be still and know He is God. One thing I have learned as I have journeyed with God is that I must be still and listen for His voice. We all need to slow down, sip a cup of something, and sit with God.

Thank God for good friends whose voices encourage us and give us advice. Thank God for the voice of those who teach us His word. Thank God for the melodic voice of worship songs. All these voices are good. Yet, they will never replace hearing the voice of God.

God longs for us to get quiet with Him. He still says, “Be still and know that I am God.” He invites us to step out of the frantic pace of life and its chaos and still ourselves before Him. He invites us to remember Who is in charge. Be still and listen.

“Be still and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. – Psalm 46:10-11 NLT

I often find myself listening to the song “I Can Only Imagine” by Mercy Me.

I can only imagine, What it will be like
When I walk, by your side
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When your face is before me
I can only imagine, I can only imagine

Surrounded by Your glory, What will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus, Or in awe of You be still
Will I stand in your presence, Or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine, I can only imagine.

Several years ago, I went to pick up my grandson from therapy. Joseph’s mom told him that Grammy would be picking him up, and he would be spending the night with Papa and Grammy. Joseph understood that first he had to complete his work, then Grammy would come. Joseph was enthusiastically waiting for the moment I arrived to get him. In fact, he told the therapist several times that Grammy was coming. There was never a doubt in Joseph’s mind that Grammy was coming!

As I entered the therapist’s office, the timing was perfect! Joseph was walking towards the waiting room. A gate separated the hall and the waiting room. As Joseph stepped into the hall and saw my face, his joy was uncontainable. He leaped down the hall. He laughed with glee. His leap of joy was so high, I thought he was going to jump over the gate. When he got to me, he took my hand and said, “I want to go to Grammy’s house.” (Really, it was Papa he could not wait to see.)

Joseph’s work was over, and it was time to go be with the one he loved.

Immediately, and I do mean immediately, I saw picture of what it will be like the day I finish my assignment here on earth. I shall walk down the hallway from earth to heaven. I see myself leaping, laughing, and taking the hand of Jesus, and walking into His house to live forever. I can only imagine!

Child of God, it is so easy to get caught up in the temporal, forgetting that this is not our final home. We will change addresses one day, and it will be our final address! Those who have accepted Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior, will live forever with Him in heaven.

I cannot get the visual of my grandson Joseph out of my head, nor do I want to get it out of my head! Will I leap high when I see Jesus? Will I dance and laugh as I see the One I love? Will I break into tears as I see His face, and thank Him for taking a life full of sorrow, and filling it with joy? Will I kneel and wash his feet with tears of gratitude? Will I simply stand in silence as I stand in awe of the Son of God?

I can only imagine!

A couple of years ago, Gaylon and I were in Arizona. Often when speaking of Arizona, people think of hot, hot, hot. Yes, that is part of Arizona, a big part. But the beauty of Arizona is breathtaking. The gorgeous colorful hills, peaks, and slopes of Sedona are a remarkable sight. It is as if the earth decided to put on its Sunday best.

As far as beholding the beauty of the earth, Sedona is a must see.

There is a wonderful event in Matthew seventeen that happened on a mountain, and it is most often referred to as the transfiguration. Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on a high mountain. While there, the three men watched as Jesus’ face began to shine brightly and his clothes took on a whole different look. Before their eyes appeared Moses and Elijah. It was a spiritual w-o-w moment. Jesus was “transfigured.”

The Greek word translated “transfigured” gives us the English word “metamorphosis,” which means a change on the outside that comes from the inside. When Jesus began to shine, it was not because the angels in heaven had turned a powerful spotlight on Him. It was because His divine nature was radiating through His body and His raiment. Jesus revealed His divine nature in its glory.

The men said, it is so great to be here. Peter wanted to build three shelters and prolong the moment. God had other plans. They were to leave the spiritual wow moment and go to the valley below to release those who were bound, those who were not having any wow moments. Immediately they encountered a demon-possessed man. He needed a wow moment of deliverance, yet the disciples were powerless. Jesus was frustrated at the powerlessness. Read the story in Matthew seventeen.

Many people are praying for a revival and waiting for the BIG event. God is waiting for us to come down from the mountain to the valley below, where people are bound. Wow moments in God’s presence should empower us to leave the mountain and powerfully approach the valley where the bound need wow moments.

How we need to get in God’s presence and let Him infuse us with His radiance and power. We need it in our generation, and I pray it will pour all over the next generation. May the next generation exceed us spiritually. May they have discerning hearts to see the lies of the enemy for what they are.

“God, raise up the next generation to be powerful. We call forth the power of God in their lives, that they would be men and women of God who show forth God’s glory, allowing others to experience wow moments with God.”

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV

Charles Spurgeon told a story of how during a sudden storm a woman on a ship became very terrified. She was so distraught that she found her husband, who happened to be the ship’s captain, and said, “I don’t understand how you can be so calm while I am totally terrified.”

Her husband calmly walked across his quarters and picked up his sword. He took it and aimed it at the center of her chest, but she only laughed. Then he asked, “Why aren’t you afraid of this sword? It could slay you in less than a minute.”

His wife replied, “I am not afraid of a sword that is wielded by the hand of my husband.”

“Then neither am I,” said the captain, “afraid of a storm in the hand of my heavenly Father.”

As Christ followers, we look around in today’s culture, and we could easily start to say, “Where is God? Is He even paying attention to our prayers?” God is right where He has always been and always will be – sitting on His throne in heaven. He is still God! The world, that He created, is still in His hands.

Do not be deceived. Do not live discouraged. Do not give up. Do not allow your love to grow cold. Let your faith arise – things are still in His hands.

The Bible was very clear in telling us that times such as these would come. Much of what we are seeing is proof that God is on His throne and His Word is being fulfilled. He is not shocked by anything going on – we are, but He is not. As believers, we are to continue to beam with His love and radiate His light. We can stand strong in what we believe and still be kind and loving. Wherever you are, wherever you go, bring His love.

I am determined to walk in His love and power all the way to the end. I can do that because I firmly believe it’s all in His hands, and I am in His hands.

“And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” – Matthew 24:11-14

After being at a conference all weekend, it is nice to be home and to sleep in my bed. I had the privilege of hanging out all weekend with a group of women at varying stages of their journey with God. It was my joy to teach them from God’s Word. There were tears, laughter, hugs, hands raised to God, shouts of joy. God truly met with us.

Usually when I speak at conferences, the hosts are kind enough to put a gift basket in my room. Often it has snacks, stationery, lotions, beverages, and occasionally even a gift card. The basket is one of those bonuses that I am blessed to receive.

This past weekend, since I knew the person who invited me to speak, she and I talked about things to place in my room. I requested no food items, especially sweets, because I am really trying to eat healthier. I have a love affair with chocolate, and if there is a nice stash of that glorious treat, it WILL get eaten. Chocolate probably should have been on the list of gifts of the Spirit!

My basket this past weekend was quite amazing. Almost everything in there was made from essential oils. There were several different oils to use in my diffuser and fill the atmosphere of my home with a sweet fragrance. There was oil spray for the surfaces of my home to keep them from being overtaken by harmful things that I do not even see. There were shower steamers to place on the floor of the shower, and the instruction is to let them slowly melt as you shower and breathe in their wonderful, healthy aroma as it rises.

Oil, oil and more oil. The intention of the gift was that oil would touch every area of my life. Let it fill me and my home.

I could not help but think of the Holy Spirit being the oil for the believer. In the Bible, the oil of the Holy Spirit was poured over those set apart for the work of God. The Holy Spirit anoints us and empowers us to stand strong as we work for His Kingdom.

Oil feeds a lamp with fresh light every day. Holy Spirit will fill us with a fresh touch if we take time to sit with Him. Fresh light will come to the soul and fresh strength for the journey.

Oil was used for the healing of wounds that the body had received from life. There are so many wounds in the lives of people today. It brings comfort and healing to the wounds. We are in a dysfunctional world that readily wounds the heart and emotions. The Holy Spirit stands ready to bring comfort and healing to our wounds.

The Bible speaks of the oil of joy in Isaiah 61. There is a supernatural joy available to the believer.

These items in my basket were called essential oils. The word essential means absolutely necessary, highly important, or fundamental to the core nature of something. Allowing time each day for the Holy Spirit to touch our lives is essential oil. Breathe in His fragrance. Fill Your home with His fragrance.

The oil of the Holy Spirit is not just a theological concept, but an invitation to transformed living. This heavenly oil is available to saturate our lives and leave a residue wherever we go. The essential oil of the Holy Spirit makes us carriers of His presence.

Let it be as Isaiah said.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” – Isaiah 61:1-3

“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoicein the Lord!

I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. – Habakkuk 3:17-19 NLT

The prophet Habakkuk sums up life, doesn’t he? 

On this September morning, I have been thinking and pondering about the things going on around me.

• Financial hardship for those simply trying to put bread on the table and gas in the car.
• The state of our country, in light of the Word of God.
• The endless political drama.
• A niece who is battling stage four colon cancer after losing her only sibling to ALS just two years ago.
• The chaos of the situation in the Middle East.

I could go on and on, and many of you could chime in quickly, adding your own difficulties. There have been some very good places, but 2026 has been challenging. Yet, while it might seem crazy to some, I still have great hope and faith, that God is the strength of my life.

Sometimes it feels like we are on shaky ground, and that at any moment, the earth will open and we will be swallowed up. Habakkuk reminds us that God will cause us to be sure-footed in the treacherous places.

Habakkuk also has a “yet” praise! I choose to have a “yet” praise!

It is easy to praise and be joyful when things are going well. But, the truth of life is, that things will not always go well, even when we serve God. When we face sickness, hardship, challenges, and unfairness, and still offer a “yet” praise, it shows that something supernatural has occurred in our lives. It shows that the living God is within us. He is Immanuel, the God who is with us!

Immanuel is with me today! I will celebrate what I DO have right now and not focus on what I DON’T have. God is the very present help who is with me today! I choose to go deeper in experiencing the love of the Father who gave His only Son so that I can truly LIVE! Over and over, He has shown Himself to be nearby.

Yes, there is a lot of darkness around, but the One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life is with me. The One who declared, “I am the Light,” is with me. I will lift my voice to Him, and I will have a “yet” praise!

“Believing God when “the chips are down” is one of the most difficult things that we will ever be called to do. Yet if we trust the Lord only when things are going well, then we do not really trust Him at all. When things are good, let us thank God for His blessings, but also ask Him to sustain our faith if we face real hardship. As we walk through dark times, let us ask Him to help us rejoice in Him and remember that He is our exceedingly great reward.”  – R. C. Sproul