Monday, June 1, 2026

31 Bible Verses to Remember When You're Struggling to Understand Your Disability

31 Bible Verses to Remember When You're Struggling to Understand Your Disability

A Month of Encouragement from God's Word

By Tylia L. Flores
Able by Grace Ministries

Living with a disability can bring many questions. There may be days when you feel discouraged, misunderstood, overlooked, or even wonder why God made you the way He did.

As Christians, we can find comfort in knowing that our identity is not found in our diagnosis, wheelchair, AAC device, crutches, or limitations. Our identity is found in Christ.

Whether you live with Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Muscular Dystrophy, Blindness, Deafness, Chronic Illness, Mental Health Challenges, or any other disability, God's promises remain true.

Here are 31 Bible verses—one for each day of the month—to remind you that God loves you, has a purpose for your life, and will never leave you.

Day 1

Psalm 139:14

"I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

God created you intentionally and wonderfully.

Day 2

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you..."

Your future is in God's hands.

Day 3

Isaiah 41:10

"Fear not, for I am with you."

You never face your disability alone.

Day 4

2 Corinthians 12:9

"My grace is sufficient for you."

God's grace will carry you through.

Day 5

Romans 8:28

"All things work together for good..."

God can use every part of your story.

Day 6

John 9:3

"This happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him."

Your life can display God's glory.

Day 7

Philippians 4:13

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Christ gives strength for every challenge.

Day 8

Deuteronomy 31:8

"The Lord Himself goes before you."

God is already ahead of every obstacle.

Day 9

Joshua 1:9

"Be strong and courageous."

God's presence gives courage.

Day 10

Psalm 34:18

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted."

God is near when life hurts.

Day 11

Isaiah 40:31

"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength."

God renews weary hearts.

Day 12

Romans 15:13

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace."

Hope is found in Christ.

Day 13

Psalm 46:1

"God is our refuge and strength."

Run to Him when you feel overwhelmed.

Day 14

Matthew 11:28

"Come to Me, all who are weary."

Jesus welcomes the tired and burdened.

Day 15

Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart."

Even when you don't understand, God does.

Day 16

Lamentations 3:22-23

"His mercies are new every morning."

Every day is a fresh start.

Day 17

Psalm 73:26

"God is the strength of my heart."

When your body is weak, God remains strong.

Day 18

1 Peter 5:7

"Cast all your anxiety on Him."

Give your worries to God.

Day 19

Hebrews 13:5

"I will never leave you nor forsake you."

You are never abandoned.

Day 20

Isaiah 43:2

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you."

God walks through every storm with you.

Day 21

Romans 12:12

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

Keep praying.

Day 22

Psalm 121:1-2

"My help comes from the Lord."

Your help comes from Heaven.

Day 23

Ephesians 2:10

"We are God's workmanship."

You are one of God's masterpieces.

Day 24

Zephaniah 3:17

"He will rejoice over you with singing."

God delights in you.

Day 25

James 1:2-4

"Consider it pure joy..."

Trials can strengthen faith.

Day 26

Psalm 55:22

"Cast your burden on the Lord."

You do not have to carry it alone.

Day 27

2 Timothy 1:7

"God has not given us a spirit of fear."

Choose faith over fear.

Day 28

Colossians 3:12

"Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility..."

Let Christ shape your character.

Day 29

Micah 6:8

"Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God."

Your purpose is greater than your disability.

Day 30

Revelation 21:4

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes."

A perfect future awaits believers.

Day 31

Romans 5:3-5

"Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."

God is using your journey to build something beautiful.

Final Encouragement

If you're struggling to understand your disability today, remember this:

God is not asking you to understand everything. He is asking you to trust Him.

Your disability is not your identity.
Your diagnosis is not your destiny.
Your wheelchair is not your worth.
Your limitations are not your label.

You are a child of God, created in His image, redeemed by Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and called for a purpose.

The same God who created the mountains, oceans, stars, and galaxies created you—and He doesn't make mistakes.

No matter what challenge you face, you are able by grace.

"But by the grace of God I am what I am." — 1 Corinthians 15:10

Stories That Heal.


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Thursday, April 30, 2026

Ministry Without Barriers: Making the Gospel Accessible to All

🌿 Ministry Without Barriers: Making the Gospel Accessible to All

By Tylia L. Flores

✨ Introduction: The Ones Jesus Stopped For

If you read through the Gospels slowly—really slowly—you’ll start to notice something.

Jesus was never in a rush when it came to people.

Especially the ones the world overlooked.

The ones sitting on the sidelines.
The ones whispered about.
The ones who felt like they didn’t quite “fit” anywhere.

He stopped for them.

He looked them in the eyes.
He called them by name.
He made space where there was none.

And I can’t help but wonder…

If Jesus walked into some of our churches today—both physical and online—
would He still find people sitting on the sidelines?

Not because they don’t want to be part of the Body…

…but because there are still barriers in the way.

Not loud ones.
Not always intentional ones.

But quiet ones.

The kind that make someone feel unseen.
The kind that make someone feel like a visitor instead of family.

And that’s where this message begins.

💛 You Were Never an Afterthought

If you are someone living with a disability—visible or invisible—I want to say this gently, but clearly:

You were never an afterthought in the Kingdom of God.

You were never Plan B.
You were never “almost.”
You were never “less than.”

You were chosen.

“I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” — Psalm 139:14

That includes the parts of you that others don’t understand.
That includes the days that feel heavy.
That includes the questions you’ve whispered to God when no one else was around.

There is not a single detail about you that God overlooked.

Not one.

And when Jesus spoke about the man born blind, He didn’t frame his life as a tragedy.

He reframed it as purpose.

“This happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” — John 9:3

Displayed.

Not hidden.
Not apologized for.
Not explained away.

Displayed.

Which means your life—exactly as it is—is not something God is trying to “work around.”

It’s something He is working through.

💔 When the Church Doesn’t Feel Like Home

This part is hard—but it’s real.

There are people who love Jesus deeply…
but have quietly stepped away from church spaces.

Not because they lost faith.

But because they felt forgotten.

Maybe no one thought about accessibility.
Maybe no one made space for their voice.
Maybe they were only seen when someone needed a “story,” but not when leadership was being built.

And over time…
that kind of silence can feel louder than rejection.

But here’s the truth we have to hold onto:

The Church is still God’s idea.

And that means we don’t walk away from it—we help it grow.

We help it become what it was always meant to be.

A place where no one has to fight to belong.

🌐 Breaking Barriers in a Digital World

Online ministry is one of the greatest opportunities we’ve ever been given.

It has the power to reach:

  • The person who can’t physically attend church
  • The one who is homebound
  • The one who is hurting quietly behind a screen

But only if we make it accessible.

Not perfect.

Just intentional.

🎥 When You Add Captions… You Say, “You Matter.”

It’s easy to see captions as a feature.

But to someone who is deaf or hard of hearing…
it’s the difference between being included and being left out.

It’s the difference between hearing the Gospel…
and watching it pass by silently.

🗣 When You Describe What Others See… You Invite Someone In

There are people listening who cannot see what you see.

But they still long to experience it.

When you take a moment to describe what’s happening—
you’re not just explaining.

You’re opening a door.

🧠 When You Speak Clearly… You Show Compassion

Not everyone processes information the same way.

And that’s okay.

The Gospel was never meant to be complicated.

Jesus spoke in stories.
In parables.
In ways people could understand.

Clarity is not “watering things down.”

It’s making sure no one misses the living water.

🎧 When You Offer Different Formats… You Reach Different Hearts

Some people read.
Some people listen.
Some people watch.

Accessibility means meeting people where they are—not expecting them to meet us where we are.

💬 When You Create Safe Spaces… You Reflect Jesus

Before people feel safe to grow—they need to feel safe to exist.

A kind comment.
A moderated space.
A welcoming tone.

These things matter more than we realize.

🌍 When You Include… You Reflect the Kingdom

People with disabilities are not just meant to be included.

They are meant to lead.

To teach.
To speak.
To minister.

Because the Body of Christ is incomplete without them.

“Those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable.” — 1 Corinthians 12:22

Indispensable.

Let that sit for a moment.

❤️ Faith That Shows Up

Sometimes ministry looks like a sermon.

And sometimes…
it looks like showing up in someone’s hardest moment.

Today, I want to gently introduce you to three individuals whose stories carry both struggle and incredible strength.

🧡 Bruce: Holding Onto Hope

Bruce didn’t plan for this journey.

None of us ever do.

A diagnosis of Stage 4 colon cancer has changed everything—surgeries, treatments, uncertainty.

And yet… there’s still hope in his words.

Still faith.

Still a quiet courage that says, “I will keep going.”

👉 Support Bruce:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/bruces-journey-hope-and-healing-ahead

💜 Keisha: Fighting for Everyday Freedom

Keisha’s life is shaped by strength most people don’t see.

Living with SMA Type 2 means relying on a wheelchair—but it also means navigating a world that isn’t always built with her in mind.

Right now, something as simple as transportation is a barrier.

But it doesn’t have to be.

👉 Support Keisha:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-keisha-get-a-wheelchair-accessible-vehicle

💙 Aaron: A Voice That Still Has So Much to Say

Aaron’s story is nothing short of miraculous.

From a 5% chance of survival… to a life filled with perseverance, growth, and purpose.

His podcast isn’t just a hobby—it’s his voice.

His way of reaching others.

And right now, that voice has been paused—not by choice, but by circumstance.

👉 Support Aaron:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-aaron-get-back-to-podcasting

🙏 Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We come to You with hearts that feel both heavy and hopeful.

Heavy because we see the need.
Hopeful because we know You are still moving.

Lord, we lift up Bruce to You.
Wrap him in Your peace. Strengthen his body. Be near to him in every treatment, every moment of fear, and every quiet prayer.

Father, we lift up Keisha.
You see her heart, her strength, her daily challenges. Make a way where there seems to be no way. Provide what she needs and remind her that she is never alone.

And Lord, we lift up Aaron.
Thank You for his life, his testimony, and his determination. Restore what has been lost. Open doors so he can continue to use his voice to encourage others.

God, be with their families.
Hold them together in the moments that feel overwhelming.

And Father… change us too.

Open our eyes to the barriers we didn’t realize were there.
Soften our hearts.
Teach us how to love better.
Teach us how to include.
Teach us how to serve like Jesus did.

Let our ministries reflect Your heart—
where no one is overlooked,
no one is forgotten,
and no one has to fight to belong.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

🌟 Final Reflection

At the end of the day, ministry isn’t about how many people we reach.

It’s about who we made room for.

Because the Gospel is not just something we preach.

It’s something we make accessible.

It’s something we live.

It’s something we open wide enough…

…for everyone to come in.

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Tuesday, March 31, 2026

He Still Rolls Stones Away


He Still Rolls Stones Away

For Able by Grace Ministries

Main Scripture: Matthew 28:2–6

INTRODUCTION

This April, we remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We remember the empty tomb.
We remember the victory.
We remember the miracle.

But tonight, I want to draw our attention to something we often overlook…

The stone.

The stone was heavy.
It was sealed.
It was meant to keep something in—and keep hope out.

And if I can be honest with you…

There were moments in my life where I knew exactly what that felt like.

Not a physical stone…
but something just as real.

There were moments where I felt limited.
Moments where I felt unseen.
Moments where I questioned whether certain doors would ever open for me.

There were quiet prayers I prayed that didn’t have immediate answers.

Moments where I sat with God and thought,
“Lord… I don’t know how this is going to move.”

POINT 1: The Stone Was Never a Problem for God

Before anyone reached the tomb… God had already moved.

The women were still on their way, wondering how the stone would be rolled away.

But heaven had already responded.

And that truth has carried me through some of the most uncertain seasons of my life.

There were times when I felt like I was waiting…
waiting for clarity, waiting for direction, waiting for something to shift.

I questioned whether my voice would truly reach people.
I questioned whether my story mattered the way I believed it did.

But what I didn’t see at the time was this:

God was already moving.

Before I saw the opportunities…
before I saw the impact…
before I understood the purpose…

He had already begun working behind the scenes.

What felt like silence… was actually preparation.

And maybe someone listening today needs to hear this:

What you’re worried about—God has already started working on.

POINT 2: The Stone Was Rolled Away for You to See

Jesus did not need the stone to be moved in order to rise.

The stone was moved so people could look in and see that He was no longer there.

And I had to come to terms with something in my own journey:

God was not just doing something in me—He was doing something through me.

There were times I didn’t understand why my life looked the way it did.

Why certain struggles were part of my story.
Why my path felt different from others.

But over time, I began to see it differently.

God was allowing my life to be a testimony.

Through my writing…
through my ministry…
through the moments I didn’t even feel strong…

He was revealing His presence.

That is how Able by Grace Ministries came to life.

Not out of perfection.
Not out of having everything figured out.

But out of surrender.

Out of saying, “God, if You can use this… then use me.”

POINT 3: What Looked Like an Ending Was a Beginning

The tomb looked like the end.

It looked final.
It looked sealed.
It looked like nothing could change.

And there were seasons in my life that felt that way too.

Seasons where I thought something had ended.
Where I thought maybe a dream had closed.
Where I had to sit with disappointment I didn’t expect.

But God has a way of stepping into what feels final…
and turning it into something new.

Some of the moments I once questioned…
I now recognize as turning points.

Moments where God was shaping my faith.
Strengthening my identity.
Drawing me closer to Him.

Even in seasons where connection looked different…
where community came through screens instead of rooms…
where I leaned into virtual spaces and faith-based connections…

God was still present.

He was still building.
Still connecting.
Still transforming.

What felt like isolation…
became preparation.

POINT 4: Even in Weakness, God Still Moves Stones

There were also personal battles.

Moments where I wrestled with how I saw myself.

Moments where I wondered if people would understand me…
if they would see past limitations…
if my voice would truly matter.

And in those moments, it felt like the stone was heavier.

But God began to change my perspective.

He showed me that what I saw as a limitation…
He saw as a place where His strength could be revealed.

My disability was never something He overlooked.

It was something He chose to work through.

Not to hold me back…
but to bring Him glory.

And through everything—my writing, my ministry, my message—He kept reminding me:

“My grace is sufficient for you.”

And that truth is not just for me.

It is for anyone who feels overlooked, uncertain, or limited.

God does not disqualify you based on what you struggle with.

He meets you there… and He moves from there.

CLOSING

I don’t know what your stone looks like today.

It may be something visible.
It may be something deeply personal.
It may be something you haven’t spoken out loud.

But I know this:

The stone did not stop Jesus.

And whatever you are facing…
it is not stronger than God.

The same power that moved that stone is still at work.

Still present.
Still faithful.
Still able.

So today, I invite you to do something simple, but powerful:

Give it to Him.

Not because you understand how it will change…
but because you trust the One who can change it.

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord,

You are the God who moves what we cannot move.

You see every burden, every question, every silent struggle.

And just as You rolled the stone away from the tomb…

I believe You are still working in our lives today.

Teach us to trust You in the waiting.
Strengthen us in the uncertainty.
And remind us that nothing is beyond Your power.

Use our stories—every part of them—for Your glory.

In Jesus’ name,

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Saturday, February 28, 2026

Marked by Grace

 

🌿 Marked by Grace

Why March Matters

By Tylia L. Flores | Able by Grace Ministries

March is not random.

When I look at this month, I don’t just see dates on a calendar. I see divine alignment.

In just a few short weeks, we reflect on:

  • Lent — a season of sacrifice and preparation.

  • St. Patrick’s Day — a testimony of bold, missionary faith.

  • Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month — a reminder that every body carries purpose.

  • And we prepare our hearts for Easter — resurrection.

That is not coincidence.

That is orchestration.

God is intentional with seasons.

And I believe March is a reminder month — a month where God whispers:

Pause.
Reflect.
Remember your mission.

The Cross Is the Foundation

Lent calls us to slow down and consider what Jesus endured.

Isaiah 53:5 reminds us:

“He was pierced for our transgressions… by His wounds we are healed.”

By His wounds.

Not by comfort.
Not by applause.
Not by ease.

By sacrifice.

The cross looked like weakness.
It looked like defeat.
It looked like loss.

But it was redemption.

And here’s why that matters:

Without the cross, Lent is ritual.
Without the cross, St. Patrick’s Day is just green decorations.
Without the cross, awareness months are just information.

But because of the cross, pain has purpose.

Because of the cross, weakness is not wasted.

Because of the cross, scars tell stories.

St. Patrick: When Pain Becomes Mission

Saint Patrick was kidnapped as a teenager and enslaved in Ireland.

He could have grown bitter.
He could have stayed angry.

Instead, he returned to the very land that hurt him — to preach Christ.

He used a shamrock to explain the Trinity.
He turned trauma into testimony.

That’s the power of surrender.

Pain becomes platform when it’s placed in God’s hands.

And that same truth applies to us.

What if the thing that wounded you
is the very place God wants to use you?

We All Carry Something

Here’s something I’ve learned:

We all carry something.

Some carry it physically.
Some emotionally.
Some spiritually.
Some silently.

Anxiety.
Depression.
Grief.
Chronic illness.
Trauma.
A diagnosis.
A delay.
A heartbreak.

We all carry something.

And the world says:

Hide it.
Be ashamed.
Fix it first.

But Psalm 139 says:

“I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

Wonderfully made does not mean struggle-free.

It means intentionally formed.

Even the parts that stretch you.
Even the parts that humble you.
Even the parts that make you dependent on God.

Romans 8:28 says:

“In all things God works…”

Not that all things are good.

But that God works in them.

The hospital room.
The therapy sessions.
The waiting season.
The fatigue.
The tears.

God wastes nothing.

My Journey with Cerebral Palsy

March is also Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month.

And as someone who lives with cerebral palsy, this month is personal.

It has not been easy.

It has meant:

Doctor visits.
Fatigue.
Feeling different.
Being underestimated.
Working harder in some areas.
Moments of frustration.

There was a time when my prayer sounded like this:

“God… why me?”

Why this body?
Why this diagnosis?
Why the struggle?

Maybe you’ve prayed that too.

But something shifted in my heart.

Instead of asking “Why me?”

I started praying:

“God… use me.”

And that shift changed everything.

From “Why Me?” to “Use Me”

“Why me?” keeps you stuck in explanation.

“Use me” moves you into purpose.

“Why me?” focuses on the burden.

“Use me” focuses on the assignment.

When I prayed “Use me,” I stopped seeing cerebral palsy as something to overcome.

I started seeing it as something to steward.

As something God could use.

As unique lenses He gave me.

Through those lenses, I see differently.

I notice who feels left out.
I understand weakness without judgment.
I move with empathy.
I write with compassion.

Cerebral palsy slowed my steps — but it deepened my spirit.

It shaped my voice.

It shaped Able by Grace Ministries.

It shaped my literary ministry — the books, the devotionals, the projects behind the scenes that most people never see.

My voice was not born from perfection.

It was born from surrender.

Long Before Medicine Named It…

In Acts of the Apostles 3:2, we read about:

“A man lame from birth…”

Carried daily.

Limited physically.

But not limited spiritually.

He became a testimony.

And long before medicine —

William John Little later described cerebral palsy (once called “Little’s Disease”) —

God already knew.

Before science named it.

Before doctors studied it.

God knit me together.

Psalm 139 reminds us:

“You knit me together in my mother’s womb.”

God does not accidentally knit.

He intentionally forms.

What Will You Do With What You Carry?

So here is the question March asks all of us:

What will you do with what you carry?

You can grow bitter.

Or you can grow bold.

You can hide it.

Or you can surrender it.

Stop asking:

“Why me?”

Start praying:

“Use me.”

Use me in my illness.
Use me in my grief.
Use me in my disability.
Use me in my waiting.
Use me in my story.

Because when surrendered, weakness becomes witness.

And we are not marked by limitation.

We are marked by grace.

Final Reflection

2 Corinthians 12:9 says:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”

March reminds us:

Lent — surrender.
St. Patrick — mission.
Cerebral Palsy Awareness — purpose.
Easter — resurrection.

And in the middle of it all, God is still forming stories.

Including yours.

So this month, shift the prayer.

From “Why me?”

To “Use me.”

And watch what He does.

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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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