Nancy G. Marquez: Founder / President Determined Women's Ministry

The Bible encourages us to sing a new song to the Lord, which means a refreshing and passionate song that comes from the heart and is directed to God. This is because God has done wonders in our lives, and we don't need any other reason to sing to Him. Even the characters from the Bible sang when they saw the wonders of God. We can sing a new song to the Lord every day for the wonders He has done in our lives, and the mere fact of being alive and saved by grace is already a reason to sing.

Psalm 56 was written by King David when he was imprisoned by the Philistines. Despite his distress, David trusted in God and wrote a song of confidence. He acknowledged that it's okay to have fears but important to maintain trust in God even on the day when fear is present. Doubt and fear can be fought with faith, so send faith ahead to guard your heart from fear.

Meditation on God is an essential spiritual discipline that brings sweetness and joy to our lives. The psalmist expressed that his meditation on God was sweet and resulted in rejoicing. We should discipline ourselves in meditation to experience more joy in our daily lives. Rejoicing is the result of the sweetness that comes as a product of meditation on God.

When we are facing difficult situations and feel defenseless, we can take refuge in God. The Psalmist David, who was facing bankruptcy and danger, affirmed that his life was among lions - fierce enemies ready to devour his faith. He begged for God's mercy and declared his trust in Him, taking refuge in the shadow of His wings until the difficult moments passed. We too can find refuge in God when we face problems, situations, and temptations that threaten our faith and trust in Him.

The Power of Forgiveness is crucial for inner peace. Guilty conscience destroys inner peace, but forgiveness can free us from the burden of guilt. The Power of Forgiveness originated from God's promise of redemption in Genesis and climaxed on the cross of Calvary. Humanity seeks peace through various forms of power, but only forgiveness can lead to true peace. God set the example of forgiveness, and by forgiving others, we also free ourselves. The power of forgiveness is available to all.

Jesus promises us His peace, which surpasses all understanding and guards our hearts and thoughts. This peace is like the "Pillow of the Sea," which remains undisturbed beneath the storms and winds. True peace is found within us, even in the midst of difficulties, and allows us to rest confidently.

A man asked God for a flower and butterfly but received a cactus and caterpillar. He was sad but later realized that the cactus produced a beautiful flower and the caterpillar turned into a butterfly. This shows that God knows what is best for us and will give us what we need, even if it's not what we asked for. Trust in God's plan and expect His best.

God is like a master artist who takes a hard stone and breaks it to give it shape. Similarly, we are like hard stones that God breaks to shape us for His divine purpose. This breaking can bring tears and emotions, but it is important to know that God is close to us and doing something beautiful in us. The Apostle Paul reminds us that the afflictions we face now are nothing compared to the glory God will manifest in us. So, let us not fear the process of breaking, because the blessings to come are greater.

To set our sights on things above and not on things on earth means to focus on spiritual things and look with the eyes of faith. It involves looking beyond present circumstances and obstacles, and having a vision that focuses on the future, is purpose-centered, guided by need, and involves people. God wants us to learn to look beyond our comfort zones and see the blessings and opportunities that await us. He is looking for people with peripheral vision who can see both the present and the heights where He resides.

David prays for protection from his oppressors and asks God to see his righteousness. He vows to keep himself from wickedness and asks God to sustain his steps. He asks for God's mercy and protection from his enemies who seek his life. David trusts in God's deliverance and looks forward to seeing God's face in righteousness, being satisfied when he wakes up in God's likeness. The believer finds their satisfaction in wanting to become like Christ and finding their ultimate fulfillment in His presence.

As children of a true God, we must live in truth. The Holy Spirit is our guide to all truth. Let's be honest with God and allow His Spirit to help us live, speak, and think truthfully.

The poem "No Te Rendas" encourages people not to give up when facing difficulties in life. Even when things seem to be going wrong, and resources are low, it's important to remember that God is still in control. Life can be unpredictable, but we must persevere and keep fighting, as success may be just around the corner. The author encourages bravery and determination in the face of adversity.

Lot's wife became a pillar of salt because she disobeyed God's command to not look back while fleeing from destruction. This represents believers, the church, who are saved by God's grace but become stagnant and unresponsive to the Holy Spirit's direction. This happens when we cling to material possessions, stay connected to the past, walk behind God, and do things behind His back. We must remember Lot's wife as a warning to live in the present and look forward to the future with excitement. A determined believer learns from the past, lives in the present, and looks forward to the future.

God's promises are trustworthy because God's character is truthful and faithful. Unlike humans, God does not lie, change or fail to fulfill His promises. We can trust in His promises even when circumstances seem contrary.

Losses can be a painful process in life, and it can feel like a giant that wants to crush our faith in God. However, as children of God, we must stand firm and declare that God is faithful and keeps his promises. What is taken from us will be returned more fully later if we remain faithful in our Christian journey. Job lost everything in the first chapter of his life, but in the end, he was blessed more than before. When the enemy tries to discourage us, we must trust in God and declare our faith in Him.

Our victory is assured when we fight in the spirit and not in our own strength. We have been given spiritual weapons such as prayer, the Word, fasting, and obedience to win the daily battle. The Holy Spirit is with us to help us obtain victory. Let's fight for our marriages, families, moral values, and to establish the Kingdom of God on earth.

Small things can have a big impact over time, like little foxes that can destroy a vineyard. We should not overlook the small things or forget that they have the potential to grow. Small things are born within us and can lead to bigger issues. We need to be vigilant and prevent these little things from ruining our lives and relationships.

Learning to listen to God is the best thing we can do. We hear many voices, which can make us feel anxious and discouraged, but when we hear God's voice, we feel peace and joy. Let's open our ears and listen to God, who is always speaking to us.

To be successful in life, we must avoid distractions and stay focused on our purpose. If we lose focus, we can ask God for discernment and the Holy Spirit to help us adjust our spiritual lens. A determined believer focuses on things above and not on earthly things.

We need to see the big picture of God's will for our lives and not focus on isolated elements. Every circumstance in our life falls within God's complete plan, and He is working to fulfill His purpose in every situation. God answers our prayers according to His eternal design and purpose, and prayer is the channel through which God's will is brought to earth. Prayer magnifies the power of God in a particular situation or life, and we should not doubt the power of our prayers.

Intercession is the act of praying for the needs of others, and it is a lifestyle that every believer can participate in. It is not just a gift or ministry for a select few. Intercession is associated with characteristics such as passion, persistence, and standing in the gap for others. It is important to pray with God's mind and heart, which is full of love and mercy. Jesus Christ is our model for intercession.

The National Day of Prayer's theme is "One Nation Under God," a phrase from the pledge to the American flag. However, the nation has turned its back on God, leading to spiritual contamination. The future of the nation depends on the people of God humbling themselves and praying, seeking God's face and turning from their wicked ways. Effective prayer is expressing God's heart through our words, and it is the channel through which God's will is brought to earth. By faith, we believe we are still "One Nation Under God" and that God is still in control. We must prioritize praying for the nation and understand that God has positioned us to intercede in times of need. We pray for forgiveness, repentance, and for the nation to return to divine principles. We also pray for each area of cultural influence to be penetrated by the Holy Spirit and for the nation to become "One Nation Under God" with freedom and justice for all.