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#missionstrong
Meeting People Where They Are
& Tying Everything to the Great Commission
Recent Articles
Forgiveness: When to Offer
Father, thank You for another day and another opportunity to sit in Your presence. Lord, each of us carries experiences that have wounded us. Some wounds have healed, while others still hurt when we think about them. Give us wisdom today to understand forgiveness from Your perspective. Help us release bitterness without ignoring truth. Help us forgive without confusing forgiveness with trust. Help us extend grace while still walking in wisdom. And where there is a wound in ou
Ron and Star Nelson
2 days ago4 min read
Nara ekele - Receive My Paise
“Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name; bring an offering and enter his courts.”— Psalm 96:8 (CSB) Heavenly Father, We come before You with grateful hearts. You have been faithful, merciful, patient, and kind. Forgive us for the times we have received Your blessings without giving You the honor You deserve. Today, we bring You the offering of our praise. Receive our worship, our gratitude, our obedience, and our lives. May everything we say and do bring glory to Your name
Ron and Star Nelson
6 days ago5 min read
Who is Jesus to You?
"But what about you He asked. Who do you say I am?" Matthew 16:15 NIV Heavenly Father, We come before You today with grateful hearts, thanking You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. As we open Your Word, remove every distraction and help us see Jesus more clearly than ever before. May this not simply be a lesson about Him, but an encounter with Him. Reveal to us who He truly is and what it means to follow Him. Transform our hearts as we behold Your Son. In Jesus' name, A
Ron and Star Nelson
Jul 273 min read
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Forgiveness: When to Offer
Father, thank You for another day and another opportunity to sit in Your presence. Lord, each of us carries experiences that have wounded us. Some wounds have healed, while others still hurt when we think about them. Give us wisdom today to understand forgiveness from Your perspective. Help us release bitterness without ignoring truth. Help us forgive without confusing forgiveness with trust. Help us extend grace while still walking in wisdom. And where there is a wound in ou
Ron and Star Nelson
2 days ago4 min read
Nara ekele - Receive My Paise
“Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name; bring an offering and enter his courts.”— Psalm 96:8 (CSB) Heavenly Father, We come before You with grateful hearts. You have been faithful, merciful, patient, and kind. Forgive us for the times we have received Your blessings without giving You the honor You deserve. Today, we bring You the offering of our praise. Receive our worship, our gratitude, our obedience, and our lives. May everything we say and do bring glory to Your name
Ron and Star Nelson
6 days ago5 min read
Who is Jesus to You?
"But what about you He asked. Who do you say I am?" Matthew 16:15 NIV Heavenly Father, We come before You today with grateful hearts, thanking You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. As we open Your Word, remove every distraction and help us see Jesus more clearly than ever before. May this not simply be a lesson about Him, but an encounter with Him. Reveal to us who He truly is and what it means to follow Him. Transform our hearts as we behold Your Son. In Jesus' name, A
Ron and Star Nelson
Jul 273 min read
We Have This Treasure
2 Corinthians 4:7 (CSB) "Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us." Heavenly Father, Thank You for reminding us today that our greatest possession is not found in what we own but in who lives within us. Thank You for placing the priceless treasure of Your grace, Your Spirit, and Your gospel into our lives. As we pause during this noonday hour, quiet our hearts so that we may recognize the incredible privilege of
Ron and Star Nelson
Jul 223 min read
A Heart of Flesh
"Lord, Keep My Heart Tender" Heavenly Father, We come before You today with grateful hearts, thanking You for another opportunity to gather in Your presence. Thank You for Your mercy that greeted us this morning and for Your faithfulness that has sustained us throughout our lives. Lord, before we ask You to change our circumstances, we ask that You change us. Search our hearts today. Wherever pride has hardened us, soften us. Wherever disappointment has discouraged us, restor
Ron and Star Nelson
Jul 134 min read
Beyond Self-Confidence
Learning to Live with God-Confidence Such is the confidence we have through Christ before God. It is not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God. — 2 Corinthians 3:4–5 (CSB) Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight. — Proverbs 3:5–6 (CSB) Heavenly Father, As we gather before You at this noonday hour, we pa
Ron and Star Nelson
Jul 94 min read
His Outstretched Arms
His Outstretched Arms "Indeed, the LORD's arm is not too weak to save, and his ear is not too deaf to hear."— Isaiah 59:1 (CSB) "The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms."— Deuteronomy 33:27 (CSB) Heavenly Father, Before we ask You for anything today, we pause simply to acknowledge who You are. You are our Creator, our Sustainer, our Redeemer, and our loving Father. You have been faithful through every season of our lives. Long before we
Ron and Star Nelson
Jul 84 min read
Beyond the Lights: Seeing Souls in the City
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”— Matthew 9:36 Recently, Star and I visited Las Vegas, Neveda. Before going, I carried certain expectations. I expected noise, gambling, drunkenness, excess, and the reputation attached to the city, “Sin City.” I expected to see the worst of humanity on display. And yes, some of that exists here. But as Star and I walked the Strip, something deeper began
Ron and Star Nelson
Jun 22 min read
Before You Face the World, Face God
Based on Psalm 5 Psalm 5:8 "Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face." Father, At this noonday hour, we pause to acknowledge that You are our Guide, our Defender, and our Shield. Thank You for hearing our prayers and for caring about every detail of our lives. Like David, we ask You to lead us in Your righteousness and make Your path straight before us. Where there is confusion, bring clarity. Where there is anxiety,
Ron and Star Nelson
Jun 14 min read
“When the Broken Begin to Praise”
Based on Hannah’s Prayer — 1 Samuel 2:1–10 Father, at this noonday hour we pause to acknowledge that You are holy, faithful, and worthy of all praise. Thank You for being the God who sees tears that others overlook and hears prayers whispered in pain and desperation. Just as You remembered Hannah, remind us today that You have not forgotten us. Lift our hearts above discouragement, fear, pride, and comparison. Teach us to trust You in seasons of waiting and to praise You not
Ron and Star Nelson
May 123 min read
Faithful When It Doesn't Make Sense
"Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: 'The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever!'" - Revelation 11:15 (CSB) Lord, In a world that often feels chaotic and unclear, steady my heart. Help me not just to understand Your Word but to live it. Remind me, God, that You have been my fourth Man in the fire—more than enough—even when it didn’t make sense, You were there. Give me courage to be faithful, even whe
Ron and Star Nelson
Apr 233 min read
The Pattern We Keep Missing
Revelation 6:1–8 (MSG) 6 1-2 I watched while the Lamb ripped off the first of the seven seals. I heard one of the Animals roar, “Come out!” I looked—I saw a white horse. Its rider carried a bow and was given a victory garland. He rode off victorious, conquering right and left. 3-4 When the Lamb ripped off the second seal, I heard the second Animal cry, “Come out!” Another horse appeared, this one red. Its rider was off to take peace from the earth, setting people at each o
Ron and Star Nelson
Apr 153 min read
Clean House, Lord.
Matthew 21:12–13 (NIV) “Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there… ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” Matthew 21:18–19 (NIV) “Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves… ‘May you never bear fruit again!’” Father, We come before You not just to be inspired but to be transformed. As we reflect on this moment in Your Word, give us the courage
Ron and Star Nelson
Mar 302 min read
👑 Who’s on the Throne of Your Heart?
“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”— Matthew 6:21 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”— Proverbs 3:5 We come before You today not just with words—but with our hearts open and exposed before You. Search us, Lord. Not what we show people… but who we really are. If there is anything sitting on the throne of our hearts that does not belong to You—remove it. If pride is there, humble us. If fear is there, strengthen u
Ron and Star Nelson
Mar 233 min read
Waiting on God
“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” — Psalms 27:14 Gracious and Sovereign Father, We come before You with hearts that long to trust You more deeply. In a world that moves quickly and demands immediate answers, teach us the sacred discipline of waiting upon You. Lord, quiet our restless thoughts and calm our anxious hearts. Help us to remember that Your timing is perfect and that Your plans for us are good. Wh
Ron and Star Nelson
Mar 123 min read
Rely on God (And Not Yourself)
(Inspired by a devotional from Cornerstone Baptist Church, Arlington, TX) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.” — Proverbs 3:5 (NLT) Father, Before we read another word, quiet our hearts. Strip away distraction. Remove pride. Expose anything in us that competes with You. Teach us again what it means to depend on You daily — not casually, not occasionally, but completely. In Jesus’ name, Amen. This morning, we were struck by a devoti
Ron and Star Nelson
Feb 263 min read
London, Paris, and the Danger of Becoming a “Local”
“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine upon us, that Your way may be known on earth, Your saving power among all nations.” — Psalm 67:1–2 It is possible to be blessed… and yet become small. Psalm 67 reminds us that God never blesses His people for containment. His grace is not meant to circle within our walls; it is meant to radiate beyond them. The psalmist connects blessing with purpose — “that Your way may be known on earth.” The favor of God car
Ron and Star Nelson
Feb 244 min read
🌍 Welcome Our Newest Missionary Partner! 🌍
We are excited to welcome Morris Tsuma as the newest missionary to join the Sowing Seeds of Joy family! Morris has answered God’s call to serve faithfully, and we are grateful for his heart for the nations and his commitment to advancing the gospel through compassionate service. To our donors and partners—thank you. Your prayers and generosity make it possible for missionaries like Morris to step into God’s work with confidence and support. As Morris begins this journey with
Ron and Star Nelson
Jan 281 min read
Pray for the World
“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 24:14 (ESV) Lord, have mercy on the nations. We lift before You every country, culture, and people group. Where there is war, bring peace. Where there is oppression, bring justice. Where there is spiritual darkness, let the light of Your gospel shine. Strengthen Your church around the world and raise up faithful witnesses who wil
Ron and Star Nelson
Jan 283 min read
Pray for Strength
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV) “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Lord God, You see the places where we feel weak, tired, and worn. You know the burdens we carry and the responsibilities that weigh on us. Today, we come to You not pretending to be strong but trusting that You are. Strengthen us where we are depleted. Help us where we feel overwhelmed. Uphold us when we
Ron and Star Nelson
Jan 263 min read
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