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#missionstrong
Meeting People Where They Are
& Tying Everything to the Great Commission
Recent Articles
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
1 day ago3 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
6 days ago3 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
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Praying for Wisdom
James 1:5 (NIV) “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Father God, We acknowledge today that we need You. We do not want to rely on our own understanding, emotions, or instincts alone. We invite Your wisdom into ever
Ron and Star Nelson
Jan 122 min read
God Be Glorified Forever
“To Him be the glory forever! Amen.” — Romans 11:36 “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” — 1 Thess. 5:18 “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” — Psalm 150:6 Heavenly Father, We come before You today not with a list of requests, but with hearts of gratitude. You are holy, faithful, and worthy of all praise. Before You do anything for us, You deserve our worship. Teach us to slow down, to behold Your glory, and to honor You
Ron and Star Nelson
Jan 73 min read
“When God Looks at the Offering”
Scripture Focus: Genesis 4:3–7; Hebrews 11:4 Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020) 3 In the course of time Cain presented some of the land’s produce as an offering to the LORD. 4 And Abel also presented an offering—some of the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions. The LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but he did not have regard for Cain and his offering. Cain was furious, and he looked despondent. 6 Then the LORD said to
Ron and Star Nelson
Jan 53 min read
Words Shape Community
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” — Ephesians 4:29 (NIV) At Sowing Seeds of Joy , we often remind one another that everything we do is about sowing forward —planting seeds today that will produce a harvest tomorrow. Scripture makes it clear that one of the most powerful ways we sow is through our words , especially within community. The boo
Ron and Star Nelson
Dec 29, 20253 min read
Hot Pursuit
Scripture Focus: “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” — Philippians 3:12 (NIV) Lord Jesus, We come not to perform, but to pursue. Awaken our hearts again—stir holy hunger where routine has dulled us. Help us lay aside distractions, disappointments, and delays that slow our steps. Draw us close and give us the courage to press on after You with our whole hearts. Amen. To be in hot pursuit of Jesus is to refuse a faith that is casual, co
Ron and Star Nelson
Dec 29, 20252 min read
It’s a Wonderful Life — When Heaven Pulls Back the Curtain
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18 (NIV) Father God, We come to You carrying questions we don’t always say out loud—questions about purpose, impact, and whether our lives truly matter. Quiet our hearts as we reflect today. Open our eyes to see ourselves the way You see us, not through disappointment or comparison, but through Your eternal truth. Restore hope where weariness has settled and let Your Spirit remind
Ron and Star Nelson
Dec 22, 20253 min read
When Peace Is Interrupted on the Mountaintop
Guarding the Spirit When Conflict Knocks Uninvited; trouble don't last always Gracious Father, We come before You now, grateful for Your presence and mindful of our need for You. Thank You for being the God of peace in a world filled with noise, tension, and unrest. As we enter this moment of reflection, quiet our hearts and still our minds. Where distractions linger, remove them. Where unrest tries to settle, replace it with Your calm. Holy Spirit, guard the atmosphere of th
Ron and Star Nelson
Dec 15, 20253 min read
"Let God be True"
Romans 3:4 — “Let God be true, and every man a liar.” Father, Quiet our hearts in Your presence. Remove the noise of opinions, fears, and doubts so that Your voice becomes the clearest one we hear. Teach us today what it means to let You be true in every part of our lives. Align our hearts with Your Word, anchor us in Your promises, and help us walk by faith and not by sight. In Jesus’ name, amen. There is a phrase tucked inside Romans 3:4 that invites every believer into a
Ron and Star Nelson
Dec 7, 20255 min read
“Choosing Darkness Instead of Truth”
Based on 2 Thessalonians 2:6–12 Father, in the name of Jesus, we come before You with open hearts. Shine Your light on every corner of our lives—places we see clearly and places we’ve tried to hide. Lord, we confess that sometimes darkness feels comfortable, familiar, or easy, but it is never Your desire for us. Today, awaken us to Your truth. Give us eyes that see, ears that hear, and hearts that respond to Your voice. Break every deception, silence every lie, and pull us aw
Ron and Star Nelson
Nov 29, 20254 min read
“Overflowing Comfort”
“For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.” — 2 Corinthians 1:5 (KJV) Healing Waters Father, meet us in this moment. Where our hearts feel stretched, discouraged, burdened, or overwhelmed, remind us that Your comfort is never in short supply. Let Your Word settle like healing waters over every ache and every unanswered question. Thank You that Your comfort is not measured, limited, or delayed. As we read Your Word, remind us t
Ron and Star Nelson
Nov 28, 20254 min read
Is It in You?
Father, in the name of Jesus, we come before You with open hearts and yielded spirits. We ask that You search us today—deeply, honestly, and lovingly. Remove every distraction, quiet every competing voice, and let Your Holy Spirit speak clearly to the places within us that need Your touch. Lord, reveal what is truly inside of us—our motives, our desires, our hidden struggles, our unspoken fears—and align them with Your will. As we read and reflect, let Your Word illuminate ou
Ron and Star Nelson
Nov 26, 20254 min read
Living Beyond the Moment with a Kingdom Mindset - Sowing forward
© Ron and Star Nelson — Sowing Seeds of Joy, Inc. All rights reserved. This blog and its contents are protected by copyright. No portion of this material may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means—without prior written permission from the authors and Sowing Seeds of Joy, Inc. “Whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”— 2 Corinthians 9:6 Father, in the name of Jesus, we come before You with open hearts and expectant faith. As we enter
Ron and Star Nelson
Nov 25, 20254 min read
Praise God in the Midst of Your Transition
Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts open and hands lifted—not because every answer is clear, but because You are faithful in every season. As we stand in the middle of what was and what is yet to come, teach us to trust You more deeply. Quiet our anxious thoughts and stir in us a song of praise that rises above uncertainty. Lord, help us to see our transitions not as interruptions, but as invitations—to grow, to depend on You, and to witness Your hand at work in n
Ron and Star Nelson
Nov 11, 20253 min read
“Walking by Faith So We Can Confirm His Word”
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”— 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV) Teach us what it means to walk not by what we see, but by what we know of You. Strengthen our trust in Your promises even when the path ahead is unclear. Help us to move in obedience so that our lives might confirm Your Word and bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen. When God speaks, His Word already carries power — but it is through our faith-filled action that His Word is confirmed in the earth. Wa
Ron and Star Nelson
Nov 10, 20254 min read
Where Were the Men?
A Reflection on John 8:3–11 “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” — John 8:7 (NIV) Gracious and Holy Father, we come before You humbled by the weight of this story — a story that reminds us of our own brokenness, our own tendency to judge, and our deep need for mercy. Just as Jesus stooped low to meet the woman in her shame, stoop low today and meet us in our places of pride, pain, or pretense. Open our eyes to see as You see — beyond s
Ron and Star Nelson
Nov 3, 20254 min read
“Oh, That You Would Bless Me Indeed!”
Reflections from the Prayer of Jabez – 1 Chronicles 4:9–10 Heavenly Father, We come before You with hearts of humility and expectation. Like Jabez, we recognize that our beginnings do not determine our destinies. We ask You today to bless us indeed — not merely with things, but with Your presence, power, and purpose. Enlarge our hearts to love more deeply, our hands to serve more faithfully, and our reach to impact more lives for Your glory. As we read and reflect upon thi
Ron and Star Nelson
Oct 22, 20254 min read
"The World Is Full of Quitters"
Heavenly Father, strengthen our hearts when the world around us gives up too easily. Help us to persevere in faith, to stand firm in the race You’ve called us to run, and to remember that You reward endurance and steadfastness. In Jesus’ name, amen. “The world is full of quitters.” Those words, spoken by artist Amy Sherrill during her appearance on 60 Minutes , echoed like a trumpet blast of truth. In just a few simple words, she exposed a deep flaw in our culture— one that
Ron and Star Nelson
Oct 20, 20253 min read
"Praising Him on the Open Road"
Heavenly Father, we come before You with gratitude in our hearts. As we embark on this journey of reflection, we ask that You fill our hearts with joy and our minds with peace. May our everyday moments, even those behind the wheel, become moments of worship. In Jesus' name, Amen. Psalm 34:1 (KJV) “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” 👉 A reminder that praise isn’t confined to the sanctuary—it can fill your car, your commute, your
Ron and Star Nelson
Oct 16, 20253 min read
“Faith Under Pressure”
Scripture: “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” — James 1:2–3 (NLT) Faith is not forged in comfort—it’s forged in conflict. Every trial, every unexpected setback, and every mountain that refuses to move right away has a purpose. God doesn’t allow storms to destroy us; He allows them to develop us. We often pray for str
Ron and Star Nelson
Oct 15, 20253 min read
✂️ Cut the Cake: Readiness, Generosity, and Celebration
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” — Psalm 23:5 (NIV) Father,...
Ron and Star Nelson
Oct 6, 20254 min read
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