Saturday, January 31, 2026

Love Like Christ: The Love That Began at the Cross”

Able by Grace Ministries Valentine’s Sermon

“Love Like Christ: The Love That Began at the Cross”

Key Scriptures:
Ephesians 5:2 • Ephesians 5:25 • John 15:13 • 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 • Proverbs 3:5–6 • Psalm 127:1

Opening: Redefining Valentine’s Day

When people hear Valentine’s Day, most immediately think of chocolate, candy, roses, fancy dinners, and Hallmark cards—some sweet, some a little corny.

But Valentine’s Day was never meant to be about what we buy.

It was meant to be about how we love.

Before culture commercialized Valentine’s Day, it was rooted in faith, sacrifice, and Christ-centered devotion.

The True Origin of Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day traces back to Saint Valentine, a Christian believer who lived during a time when Christian marriage was forbidden by the Roman government.

Valentine believed love was God-ordained, not culture-controlled. He secretly performed Christian marriages, honoring covenant love centered on Christ.

For that obedience, Valentine was imprisoned and eventually martyred.

So Valentine’s Day is not rooted in romance—it is rooted in sacrifice.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)

What Does It Mean to Love Like Christ?

We often say “love like Christ,” but what does that actually mean?

To love like Christ means:

  • Loving without conditions

  • Serving without keeping score

  • Choosing sacrifice over comfort

  • Seeing people as worthy, not as burdens

“Walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us.” (Ephesians 5:2)

Jesus did not love when it was easy.
He loved when it was costly.

He loved the overlooked.
He loved the outcast.
He loved disabled people—not as projects, but as people.

To love like Christ is to love with dignity, patience, and grace.

Love Begins Before Romance

Before romantic love, Scripture calls us to love:

  • Our parents

  • Our families

  • Our friends

  • Our church family

Romantic love does not replace these relationships—it reflects Christ within them.

As we mature, love may turn toward courtship and dating, but God’s standard for love never changes.

Christ-Centered Courtship

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.” (Ephesians 5:25)

This verse is not only for marriage—it is the model.

We are not called to look for someone who simply loves us.

We are called to look for someone who loves Christ, prays with us, and loves others the way Christ loves the church.

Dating With a Disability: God Still Writes the Story

Dating with a disability can come with real challenges:

  • Being misunderstood

  • Being underestimated

  • Being overlooked

But disability does not disqualify anyone from love.

Jesus never excluded disabled people—He welcomed them, honored them, and revealed God’s glory through them.

When we allow Christ to write the story with us, He leads us in love marked by grace, patience, and purpose.

Our Story: Friendship, Prayer, and God’s Timing

Cody and I didn’t meet through dating apps or romance.

Almost 11 years ago, we met in a Facebook group, after I published an article about disability and intimacy during my disability activism and journalism days. I’m not focused on activism in the same way anymore—I’m more ministry now—but God used that season.

Cody read that article—and instead of judgment, he responded with respect, faith, and kindness.

What began as a conversation became a friendship.

There was no pressure. No expectations. Just encouragement grounded in Christ.

Even back then—without realizing it—we were praying for each other.
Not to end up together.
But because that’s what believers do.

Three years ago, God shifted the season.

Friendship turned into courtship, but Christ never left the center.

That’s how you know a love story is God-written:
It doesn’t rush.
It doesn’t force.
It grows in prayer.



10 Biblical Things to Look for in a Christ-Centered Partner

  1. Someone who prays with you

  2. Someone who loves Christ first

  3. Someone who respects your disability

  4. Someone who is patient (1 Corinthians 13:4)

  5. Someone who walks beside you

  6. Someone who encourages your faith

  7. Someone who loves others well

  8. Someone who understands covenant over convenience

  9. Someone who honors both independence and support needs

  10. Someone who lets God lead the relationship (Psalm 127:1)

Love Like Christ Through Story, Books, and Conversation

At Able by Grace Ministries, we don’t just preach these truths—we live them. One way God has called me to share His love is through stories and conversations that point hearts back to Christ.

🎧 Podcast

Faith Over Fried Chicken (Spotify)
https://open.spotify.com/show/2nF61IfAmvC9m5Xnn4Ohb7?si=16cfe9f7727f4835

📚 Books (Faith-Filled, Disability-Inclusive Love Stories)

These stories don’t replace Scripture—they exist to point hearts back to Jesus, and to remind readers that God’s love includes every person and every body.

The Power of Christ’s Love Through Us

Christ’s love transforms hearts, churches, relationships, and futures.

Whether you are single, waiting, dating, engaged, married, disabled, healing, or hopeful—you are deeply loved by God.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We thank You for Your love—the love that is patient, sacrificial, and unchanging. Thank You for reminding us that true love did not begin with a card or a gift, but at the cross, where Your Son laid down His life for us.

Teach us how to love like Christ. Help us love with grace when it is hard, patience when it is slow, and faith when the future feels uncertain.

For those who are single and waiting, remind them they are not forgotten.
For those dating or courting, help them keep You at the center.
For those married, strengthen their covenant.

For those navigating love with a disability, remind them they are wonderfully made, fully seen, and deeply valued by You.

Write our love stories according to Your perfect will.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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Sunday, January 11, 2026

A Hallelujah Through the Fire

A Hallelujah Through the Fire

A Monthly Sermon for Able by Grace Ministries

Sermon Inspiration

This sermon of inspiration for today and this month comes from the song Hallelujah by Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll.

I’m listening to this song as I write this message — and I’ve been thinking about it for weeks and weeks.

Not casually.
Not in passing.

But deeply.

Because this song doesn’t come from a place of easy faith.
It comes from lived faith.

What This Song Is Really Saying

When the song talks about having been “through hell and high water,” it’s not poetic exaggeration — it’s testimony.

It’s the voice of someone who has:

  • struggled

  • fallen

  • questioned

  • survived

And still chooses to lift a hallelujah — not because life is perfect, but because God is present.

That’s the kind of praise Scripture talks about.

Isaiah 43:2 says:

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you…
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned.”

Notice God doesn’t say if you go through the waters.
He says when.

And for many of us in the disability community, those waters came early.

Why This Song Hits Different for Us

For us, “hell and high water” looked like:

  • doctors’ rooms

  • chronic pain

  • being misunderstood

  • being prayed over instead of walked with

  • smiling on the outside while hurting on the inside

Some of us learned how to praise God while hurting — not after the pain ended.

And that’s why this song matters.

Because it reminds us:

Praise doesn’t cancel pain —
it coexists with it.

Psalm 34:19 tells us:

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”

Not few.
Many.

My Hallelujah Didn’t Come Easy (My Testimony)

I want to be transparent with you today.

In 2018, I went through one of the darkest seasons of my life.

On the outside, I was smiling.
I was writing.
I was functioning.

But on the inside, I was battling depression so deep that I didn’t want to live anymore.

That year:

  • I went through a painful breakup

  • I almost got sued by a publishing company for writing that was rightfully mine

  • and I was told I would never make it in the industry I loved most — writing

And that sentence nearly broke me.

Because writing wasn’t just a dream.
It was my calling.

I questioned everything — except God.

I stayed.

Even when staying hurt.

The Ring of Fire

Looking back now, I understand something I couldn’t see then.

God wasn’t punishing me.

He was refining me.

Isaiah 48:10 says:

“I have refined you in the furnace of affliction.”

That fire burned away:

  • fear

  • doubt

  • approval-seeking

  • insecurity

And it shaped obedience.

Fast Forward — Look What God Did

Fast forward to today.

I am:

  • a minister

  • an Amazon best-selling author

  • a woman who no longer questions God’s faithfulness

I don’t question Him anymore.

I thank Him.

Because that fire led me to:

  • my career

  • my calling

  • my voice

  • my fiancé, Cody

  • and a life that is beautiful — not because it’s easy, but because it’s God’s way

Even my body is not forgotten.

After years of being dismissed, God led me to an orthopedic doctor who specializes in cerebral palsy — a reminder that God cares about physical healing too, not just spiritual survival.

A Word for Anyone in the Fire Right Now

So hear me clearly:

👉 Don’t let this hell get you down.
👉 Don’t let the noise pull you away from Jesus Christ — our one and only Savior.
👉 Don’t let depression win.

Let Jesus win — right alongside you.

Your hallelujah doesn’t have to be loud.
It just has to be honest.

And one day, you’ll look back and realize:

The fire didn’t end you.
The water didn’t drown you.
It prepared you.

Closing Prayer

Lord,
We bring You the hallelujahs that were born in pain.
We thank You for meeting us in the fire and carrying us through the water.
Teach us to praise You not only for what You’ve done —
but for who You are.

And when we don’t have strength,
be our strength.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

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Friday, December 5, 2025

Christmas Every Day: The Love That Lives Through Us”

 

“Christmas Every Day: The Love That Lives Through Us”


Key Scripture: John 1:14 — “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.”


SERMON

INTRODUCTION


Beloved, today we gather not merely to mark a season or celebrate a holiday.

No — today we gather to remember a truth that never fades:


Christmas didn’t just happen.

Christmas happens — every day.


It happens in our breath, in our journeys, in our struggles, in our victories, and in every way Christ’s love shines through us as believers — including those of us who live with disabilities.


Christmas is not simply December 25th.

Christmas is our identity, because Emmanuel — God with us — lives in us every day.


As Christians with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and unique challenges, we don’t celebrate Christmas just once a year.


We live Christmas daily because Christ lives in us daily.


POINT 1 — CHRISTMAS SHOWS US THAT GOD SEES US AND LOVES US


When the angel appeared to the shepherds — the outcasts, the overlooked, the ones society didn’t value — God was making a bold statement:


“I see you. I cherish you. You matter to Me.”


For those of us who navigate disability, pain, or medical routines…

Christmas reminds us of this powerful truth:


God steps into our world exactly as it is — not as others expect it to be.


He didn’t come in royal robes.

He came in a manger.

Not in perfection, but in vulnerability.

Not in strength, but in humility.


Why?


So that no one — not a single one of us — could ever say,

“God doesn’t understand my circumstances.”


The manger proves that God understands our humanity and loves us through it.


POINT 2 — CHRISTMAS IS CHRIST’S LOVE LIVING THROUGH US


John 1:4 says:

“In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.”


That light wasn’t meant to stay in the stable.

It wasn’t meant to stay in Bethlehem.


It was meant to move into you.


Every time you worship in your wheelchair…

Every time you get up on a day filled with pain…

Every time you show kindness when you’re exhausted…

Every time you pray for someone even while you’re waiting for your own healing…

Every time you trust God when circumstances don’t make sense…


Christmas lives again.


You shine Christ’s light through your disability, not despite it.


POINT 3 — CHRISTMAS IS MORE THAN SEASONAL — IT IS DAILY


Yes, the world decorates for Christmas once a year.

But Christians?

People of Able By Grace Ministries?


We celebrate Christmas every day because we walk with Emmanuel — God with us.


Every act of grace…

Every moment of compassion…

Every decision to forgive…

Every breath of perseverance…

Every single time you choose hope over despair…


You are living Christmas.


Because Christmas is not a holiday.

Christmas is a person — Jesus Christ, dwelling with us, guiding us, strengthening us, and loving through us.


POINT 4 — CHRISTMAS CALLS US TO REFLECT ON OUR JOURNEYS


Your journey matters.

Your disability journey matters.

Your faith journey matters.


Every struggle you’ve faced…

Every appointment, setback, triumph, and breakthrough…

Every moment where you said, “Lord, help me”…

Every moment where you said, “Lord, I’m tired”…


Christ has been there.


Christmas calls us to remember that our story — with all its challenges — is where Jesus chooses to dwell.


And that makes our story holy.


POINT 5 — CHRISTMAS INVITES US TO EMBODY CHRIST’S LOVE


Christ came down so we could show His love to others.


You don’t need physical strength to shine His light.

You don’t need perfect health to serve Him.

You don’t need flawless speech, mobility, or energy to be used by God.


Your testimony, your resilience, your compassion, your endurance —

these are forms of worship.


You are a living nativity.

A walking testimony.

A reminder of Emmanuel.


Christmas lives in you.


🎄 ABLE BY GRACE MINISTRIES: 30-DAY CHRISTMAS EVERY DAY CHALLENGE


This challenge is designed for ALL members of the ministry,

including those with disabilities, chronic conditions, and accessibility needs.

Each day offers an inclusive way to embody Christ’s love.


WEEK 1 — CHRIST WITHIN ME


Thank God for one thing your disability has taught you.


Spend 5 minutes in praise — sitting, lying down, or however your body allows.


Message someone who helped you this year.


Write down a Bible verse that strengthens you.


Celebrate a small win from your week.


Give yourself permission to rest.


Read Luke 2 and reflect on God in humble places.


WEEK 2 — CHRIST THROUGH ME


Pray for someone who comes to mind.


Share your testimony (even privately in a journal).


Offer a small act of kindness (digital or in-person).


Pray a Psalm over someone you love.


Choose someone to forgive.


Create something: art, music, writing, or prayer.


Encourage another person with a disability.


WEEK 3 — CHRIST IN COMMUNITY


Listen to someone’s story without fixing it.


Donate something meaningful.


Pray for caregivers.


Let someone help you — receiving is also Christlike.


Invite someone to church or share a livestream.


Send comfort to someone grieving.


Write a gratitude list of people who strengthened you.


WEEK 4 — CHRIST EVERY DAY


Read John 1:14 — reflect on “God with us” daily.


Light a candle and pray for God’s light in your home.


Do something that brings you adaptive, accessible joy.


Thank Jesus for coming close.


Set a spiritual goal for next year.


Write a letter to your future self about God’s faithfulness.


Choose one habit to keep all year.


Share the Gospel with someone in a small way.


Celebrate your journey — you lived Christmas for 30 days.


🕊️ MINISTRY PRAYER LIST


Today we lift up:


• Great-Aunt Alma


Recently diagnosed with severe bone disease.

We pray for healing, peace, comfort, and God’s sustaining grace for her body and spirit.

May she feel Emmanuel — God with her — in every moment.


• All members of Able By Grace Ministries


Especially those living with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and long-term medical needs.


• Caregivers and healthcare teams


Who provide love, stability, and essential support.


• Families who are grieving or struggling this season

• Our ministry leaders and volunteers


That we may continue to show Christ’s love to all.


BENEDICTION


May the Christ who came in a manger walk beside you this week.

May Emmanuel dwell in your struggle, in your strength, and in your story.

May His light shine through your disability and your testimony.

May you live Christmas not for a season, but for a lifetime.


Amen.

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Saturday, November 1, 2025

A Thanksgiving Sermon for Able by Grace Ministries

 

An Attitude of Thanksgiving”

A Thanksgiving Sermon for Able by Grace Ministries
By Tylia L. Flores

Opening Scripture

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Church family, as we enter this Thanksgiving season, my heart is overflowing — not just because of the aroma of turkey and sweet potatoes, but because of the aroma of gratitude. There’s something sacred about this time of year. It’s a season when we slow down long enough to remember:

God has brought us through another year.

Another year of challenges, another year of blessings, another year of grace upon grace.

1. Thanksgiving Is Not a Day — It’s a Posture

The world may see Thanksgiving as a holiday, a date on the calendar, but for us — for followers of Christ, especially those of us living with disabilities — Thanksgiving is a lifestyle. It’s the rhythm of our faith.

We don’t give thanks because life is easy. We give thanks because God is faithful.

For many of us with cerebral palsy or other conditions, the world often tells us what we can’t do.
But God — oh, I love those two words, “But God” — God reminds us of what we can do through His strength.

I thank God that I can wake up every morning and move forward, even when my muscles don’t always cooperate. I thank God that even on hard days, His Spirit lifts me higher than my limitations ever could.

And that’s what Paul meant when he said,

“I have learned to be content in all circumstances.” (Philippians 4:11)

Thanksgiving is not found in the absence of struggle; it’s found in the presence of the Savior.

2. Thanksgiving in the Bible: Gratitude That Gives

When we open the Word, we find that gratitude isn’t passive — it moves people to give, to serve, to worship.

Think of the poor widow in Luke 21:1-4. She only had two coins, but she gave all she had.
Jesus looked at her and said, “She gave more than all the others.”
Why? Because she gave out of her heart of gratitude.

Or consider the women who followed Jesus — Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna — who supported His ministry out of their own means (Luke 8:1-3). They had been healed, and out of gratitude, they gave.

And of course, let’s not forget when Jesus gave thanks before breaking the bread and feeding the five thousand (John 6:11).
Even before the miracle, Jesus gave thanks.

Church, hear me: Thanksgiving precedes the miracle.
If you can thank God before the healing, before the breakthrough, before the open door — you are walking in the power of faith.

3. Living With Cerebral Palsy and Living With Thanksgiving

As someone living with cerebral palsy, Thanksgiving hits me a little differently.
It’s not just about what’s on my plate, but about what’s in my spirit.

I think about the hospital stays, the physical therapy sessions, the moments of frustration — and then I think about how every one of those moments became a testimony.

See, the world might look at us and see disability, but God looks at us and sees divine ability.
He sees perseverance, courage, faith, and purpose.

Every wheelchair, every walker, every brace becomes a symbol of victory — because we keep moving. We keep showing up. We keep trusting.

So this year, I thank God for:

  • The people who love me and walk beside me.

  • The strength to keep writing, speaking, and serving.

  • The ability to turn pain into purpose, and struggle into story.

  • The grace to say, “I’m still here — and that’s something to thank God for.”

If you’ve overcome even one obstacle this year, you’ve got something to praise God for.
Because every breath is proof that God isn’t done working in your story.

4. The Power of Giving Thanks in Community

Thanksgiving also reminds us that gratitude grows stronger when shared.

When one of us rejoices, we all rejoice.
When one of us struggles, we all pray.

And today, we as a ministry come together in that spirit of unity to lift up brothers and sisters in need of prayer and healing.

5. Prayer List for November

Let us come before the Lord together:

🙏 Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your goodness, mercy, and healing power. Today we bring before You our loved ones:

  • James Svitek, a 33-year-old man with cerebral palsy from Indiana, recently diagnosed with bladder cancer and now undergoing chemotherapy. Lord, place Your healing hand upon James. Surround him with Your peace and power. Strengthen his parents, Pam and James Sr., his siblings Grace and Waylon, his sister-in-law Holly, and his beloved girlfriend of 13 years, Karlie Grice. Be the calm in their storm, and remind them that You are Jehovah Rapha — the God who heals.

  • We also lift up Paul Anderson Sr. of Port Charlotte, Florida, who is battling kidney failure and undergoing dialysis. Lord, touch his body, restore his strength, and comfort his family — his son Paul Jr., his daughters Samantha and Nicole, his wife Deborah, and Paul Jr.’s wife Bianca. May Your presence fill their home with peace that passes all understanding.

  • We pray for every member of our Able by Grace Ministries family facing physical pain, loneliness, or discouragement. Let this Thanksgiving remind them that they are seen, loved, and cherished by You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

6. Closing Reflection: The True Meaning of Thanks

Beloved, Thanksgiving is not just a holiday we observe — it’s a testimony we live.
When you look back at your year, maybe you see pain. But look closer — you’ll also see purpose.

You’ll see prayers answered, strength renewed, and grace multiplied.
And that’s what we’re celebrating today — not perfection, but providence.

So this Thanksgiving, I challenge you:

  • Thank God for the people who stayed.

  • Thank God for the lessons learned through the pain.

  • Thank God for the ability to breathe, to love, to forgive, and to hope again.

Because every moment we’re still here is a moment to testify:

“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” — Psalm 126:3

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,
We thank You for being the giver of every good and perfect gift.
Thank You for carrying us through another year, for the grace that sustains us, and for the love that never fails.
Teach us to live with open hands and grateful hearts.
May our gratitude turn into generosity, our faith into action, and our testimonies into light for others.
In Jesus’ mighty name,
Amen.

Final Blessing

This Thanksgiving, remember — you are Able by Grace.
Not by strength alone, not by circumstance, not by ability — but by grace.

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Wednesday, October 1, 2025

“He Won’t: Let Go and Leave It to God”

Able by Grace Ministries Sermon

“He Won’t: Let Go and Leave It to God”

Introduction: From Struggle to Testimony
Beloved family of God,
This month has been a valley for me. Cerebral palsy has always been part of my journey, but this time the pain from my hip dislocation and spasticity was heavier than usual. There were days I couldn’t rest. Days I questioned how much more my body could take. Days where I whispered, “Lord, I don’t understand.”

But every time I reached that breaking point, God whispered back: “Let go. Leave it to Me.”

And He gave me a song—not just to hear, but to live: “He Won’t.”

1. Christ, Our Firm Foundation
The song begins:

“Christ is my firm foundation,
The Rock on which I stand,
When everything around me is shaking,
I’ve never been more glad.”

My body may shake, my hip may shift, but Christ does not move! He is my Rock.

Matthew 7:24–25 tells us:

“The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”

When your life is anchored in Jesus, storms will come—but you will not collapse. My hip may be unstable, but my faith is unshakable, because it rests on the One who never changes.

2. A Personal Thorn, A Divine Grace
When my hip gave me pain, I thought of Paul’s thorn. Paul prayed for it to be removed, but God said:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

I have learned—my hip, my spasticity—this is my thorn. But it’s not my defeat, it’s my testimony. It’s the place where God’s power shows up strongest. Every step I take, every struggle I face, I carry this truth: I am not held by my own strength—I am held by His.

3. Peter in the Storm
There’s another story in Scripture that reminds me of this truth.

In Matthew 14, Peter steps out of the boat to walk on water toward Jesus. At first, he walks strong. But when he takes his eyes off Jesus and focuses on the wind and waves, he begins to sink.

And yet, when Peter cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out His hand and pulled him up.

That’s what faith is: not pretending the storm isn’t real, but keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus, knowing He won’t let you drown. My spasticity may feel like a storm. My hip pain may feel like waves crashing. But like Peter, I can cry out, “Lord, save me,” and trust that He will reach out His hand.

4. The Song That Preaches the Gospel
The next line of the song says:

“That I put my faith in Jesus,
‘Cause He’s never let me down,
He’s faithful through generations,
So why would He fail now?
He won’t.”

Think about that—He has never let Abraham down. He never let Joseph down when he was in the pit. He never let David down when he faced Goliath. He never let Peter drown in the storm. He never let Paul down in chains.

And He has never let me down—not through cerebral palsy, not through hip dislocation, not through the tears I’ve shed this month.

So why would He start failing now? He won’t.

5. Joy in the Chaos, Peace That Makes No Sense
Another lyric says:

“I’ve still got joy in chaos,
I’ve got peace that makes no sense.”

Chaos came for me. Pain came. Restlessness came. But somehow, I found peace that no doctor, no medicine, no therapy could give me. That’s the peace of Philippians 4:7:

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

This peace is not logical—it’s supernatural. And it belongs to every believer who chooses to trust Him.

6. The Storms Will Come, But He Won’t Fail
The bridge of the song proclaims:

“Rain came, wind blew,
But my house was built on You.
I’m safe with You,
I’m gonna make it through.”

Yes—the rain came. Yes—the wind blew. Yes—the pain pressed in. But because my house is built on Jesus, I am still here, still standing, still testifying.

Peter didn’t drown. Job wasn’t abandoned. Paul wasn’t destroyed. And neither are we—because He won’t fail!

Conclusion: Declare It Over Your Life
So, family, as we close, I want you to stand and declare the words of this song not as lyrics—but as your testimony:

“Christ is my firm foundation,
The Rock on which I stand,
When everything around me is shaking,
I’ve never been more glad.
That I put my faith in Jesus,
‘Cause He’s never let me down.
He’s faithful through generations,
So why would He fail now?
He won’t!”

Say it with me: He won’t!
Over your health: He won’t!
Over your family: He won’t!
Over your struggles: He won’t!

Let go. Leave it to God. And know this: the same God who held me through my spasticity and hip dislocation is the same God who will hold you through whatever storm you face.

He has never failed.
He never will.
He won’t!

Amen.

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Monday, September 1, 2025

Honoring Labor Day: The Sacred Work of Caregivers and the Strength of Christ


Honoring Labor Day: The Sacred Work of Caregivers and the Strength of Christ

Labor Day is more than just a holiday marked by cookouts, parades, and the symbolic close of summer. It is a day that honors the dignity of work and the tireless efforts of men and women across our nation. But here at Able by Grace Ministries, Labor Day invites us into a deeper reflection. It asks us to pause and see the value of work not just in traditional ways, but also in the lives of those with disabilities and the caregivers who stand beside them.

The Meaning of Labor for People with Disabilities

When we think of “labor,” most people imagine physical or professional work. But for people with disabilities, labor often looks different. It may not come with a paycheck or a title, but it is still holy work.

  • It is the labor of enduring therapy sessions that test patience and strength.

  • It is the labor of showing up to medical appointments with hope, even after countless setbacks.

  • It is the labor of advocating for accessibility, equity, and dignity in spaces that were not designed with us in mind.

  • It is the labor of simply getting up each day, knowing that our journey may be more difficult but choosing to live with courage anyway.

This labor is not wasted. In fact, it mirrors the perseverance of the saints who pressed on in faith, even when the world did not understand. As Paul writes in Colossians 3:23:

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”

Our labor may be unconventional, but it is sacred. It is a testimony to God’s power in weakness and His glory in perseverance.

Caregivers: The Anchors of the Journey

If people with disabilities carry out a holy labor, then caregivers perform a labor of love that is equally sacred. They are the ones who rise early, stay up late, and give of themselves without asking for recognition. They are the ones who hold our hands in hospital rooms, who sit patiently during therapy, who lift us when we cannot lift ourselves.

Caregivers are more than just helpers—they are anchors. Their love and dedication tether us to hope when life feels overwhelming. Their prayers and encouragement are often the difference between giving up and pressing forward. They do not simply watch from the sidelines; they step into the trenches of our lives, sacrificing their own comfort for our well-being.

Scripture reflects this truth in Galatians 6:9:

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Caregivers model this verse daily. Their faithfulness reflects the heart of Christ Himself, who laid down His life for others. Without caregivers, ministries like ours would not be possible. They are the backbone, the foundation, and often the silent strength behind every victory we celebrate.

Building Something New: Strength Through Christ Coaching

In honoring the labor of both people with disabilities and caregivers, we are thrilled to share that God is doing something new within Able by Grace Ministries. Behind the scenes, we are building a new initiative called Strength Through Christ Coaching.

This is a faith-based life coaching program designed to empower Christians with disabilities to:

  • Embrace their God-given purpose.

  • Build confidence in who God created them to be.

  • Live with strength and hope through Christ.

Grounded in Philippians 4:13—“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”—this program is about more than just personal development. It is about spiritual growth, identity in Christ, and the courage to live boldly in the face of obstacles.

Our vision is to create a safe, Christ-centered space where individuals can not only set goals and pursue dreams, but also strengthen their faith and walk in the fullness of God’s calling. Just as caregivers are anchors in our lives, this program is designed to anchor people with disabilities in their identity as beloved children of God.

How the Church Can Respond

Labor Day also calls the Church to action. Too often, the work of people with disabilities and caregivers goes unnoticed. Churches have a unique opportunity to change that.

  • Celebrate the labor of people with disabilities. Recognize their perseverance as testimony, not pity.

  • Support caregivers. Offer respite care, prayer groups, and encouragement to sustain them in their work.

  • Create opportunities. Build ministries and spaces where both people with disabilities and caregivers can thrive, not just survive.

  • Partner with initiatives. Support programs like Strength Through Christ Coaching that are equipping people to live out their God-given callings.

When the Church embraces these roles, it reflects the Kingdom of God—a place where every person’s labor, seen or unseen, is honored and valued.

A Call to Action

This Labor Day, let us commit to more than just rest and celebration. Let us recommit ourselves to uplifting the daily labors of people with disabilities, to honoring the tireless work of caregivers, and to building ministries that reflect the love and strength of Christ.

And if you would like to stay connected to what God is doing here, we invite you to join us by giving our Facebook page a like: Able by Grace Ministries on Facebook.

Together, let’s labor in love, knowing that our work is never in vain when done for the Lord. As Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 15:58:

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

A Prayer for Labor Day

Heavenly Father,
On this Labor Day, we lift up to You the work of every hand, heart, and soul. We thank You for the strength You give us to labor daily—whether in traditional jobs, in quiet perseverance, or in the unseen battles of disability and caregiving.

Lord, we especially pray for caregivers. Bless their selfless service, renew their spirits, and remind them that their labor of love reflects Your own heart. Strengthen them with patience, joy, and rest.

We also pray for every person with a disability, that they may know their worth and purpose in You. Remind them that their work, whether small or great, is a testimony of Your power made perfect in weakness.

Bless our new journey with Strength Through Christ Coaching. May it equip Your people with courage, confidence, and a deeper faith in Your promises.

On this day, let us find rest in You, O Lord, knowing that our labor in You is never in vain.

In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.

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Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Even in the Wilderness: Seven Ways to Advocate for Christ from a Place of Weakness

 My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,


First, and with a humble heart, I must apologize for my extended silence on this blog. Many of you who walk a similar path understand all too well the unpredictable nature of our bodies and minds. I have been walking through a season of significant flare-ups—a wilderness of pain and exhaustion where even the simplest tasks felt like mountains to climb. In these moments, the enemy loves to whisper lies of uselessness and isolation. But the Holy Spirit, our ever-present Comforter, has been reminding me that our advocacy for Christ is not silenced by our limitations; it is often refined by them.


The Apostle Paul, who was given a “thorn in the flesh,” heard the Lord say to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9). It is from this very place of weakness, this total dependence on His sufficient grace, that I write to you today. Our disabilities do not disqualify us from the Great Commission; they provide us with a unique and powerful testimony of His sustaining power.


God does not see us as broken advocates. In fact, Scripture is filled with His promises that declare our purpose and strength in Him:


We are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), every part of our being intentionally crafted by the Creator’s hand.


He declares, “I have chosen the weak things of the world to shame the strong” (1 Corinthians 1:27). Our perceived weaknesses are the very platforms He uses to showcase His glory.


We are His “masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). This includes the good work of advocacy, prepared specifically for you with your unique gifts and challenges.


We are not just recipients of mercy; we are ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). Here are seven ways you can advocate for Him, right where you are, even from your bed or your wheelchair.


1. The Ministry of Persistent Prayer

When your body is captive, your spirit can soar on the wings of intercession. Your prayer closet becomes a command center for advancing God’s kingdom. Pray for your church, your pastors, missionaries, and the lost. Your prayers are a powerful force, and in your isolation, you are participating in battles seen and unseen. This is a high and holy calling.


2. The Witness of Unshakable Joy

The world expects those suffering to be bitter and angry. When they see a genuine, Spirit-filled joy and peace in you that defies your circumstances, it points directly to the source of that strength: Jesus Christ. Your smile, your kind word in the midst of pain, is a profound testimony that Christ is truly enough.


3. The Power of Your Testimony

Your story is yours alone. Share how God meets you in the valley of flare-ups. Share the scriptures that are your anchor when the storm rages. You can do this one-on-one, in a small group, or even through written words or social media from your home. “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” (Revelation 12:11). Your story of grace is a weapon against the darkness.


4. The Ministry of Presence (Even a Virtual One)

Sometimes, advocacy is simply being there. A text message saying, “I’m praying for you,” a comment on a friend’s post with a Bible verse, or a short email to encourage your pastor. In a disconnected world, using your available energy to connect with and uplift others is a radical act of love that reflects Christ.


5. Cultivating a Grateful Heart

Advocacy can be as simple as declaring gratitude to the Lord, especially when it’s hard. Thanking God for the small victories—a moment of reduced pain, a beautiful sunrise, a helpful hand—is an act of spiritual warfare. It proclaims that God is still good and on His throne, and it encourages those around you to also give thanks.


6. Gentle Education within the Church

Many in our churches simply don’t understand chronic illness or disability. You can advocate by gently and lovingly helping them understand. This isn’t about accusation; it’s about invitation. Invite them into your world so the Body of Christ can become more inclusive, compassionate, and accessible, truly reflecting the heart of our Savior who always made room for the marginalized.


7. Embracing the Covenant Community

On days when you can, make every effort to be with God’s people. Your presence in the pew (or accessible parking spot!) matters. You are a vital part of the Body (1 Corinthians 12:22). By showing up, you advocate for the truth that the church is not just for the strong and healthy, but for all believers, and your presence makes the body more complete.


Remember, dear friend, advocacy is not about your ability, but your availability to the Holy Spirit. It is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27), shining through the cracks of your earthen vessel.


Thank you for your grace during my absence. Thank you for your prayers. Let us continue to point each other to the cross, where our weakness is exchanged for His strength, and our pain finds its purpose in His plan.


In His Sufficient Grace,


Able by Grace Ministries

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