Tag: Obedience

Not In The Storm

Today’s a new day!

There comes a moment in life when you realize the journey is not about pretending to be strong every second of every day. It is about learning how to walk honestly with God through both the beautiful moments and the painful ones. As I continue walking this crazy beautiful health journey, I am jumping into the deep end of life.  I am choosing to live fully, love deeply, and embrace every moment God places in front of me. I am taking trips with my bride, cherishing the laughter, the quiet moments, and the memories we are building together. I am having deep and meaningful conversations about real life, real struggles, real faith, and real hope. No sugar coating. No masks. Just honesty wrapped in grace.

Some days are incredibly good. Some days feel light, hopeful, and full of strength. Then there are days that are really tough. Days where the storm feels loud and exhausting. But through every high and every low, I refuse to let the storm become my identity. My diagnosis is not my identity. My struggles are not my identity. My difficult moments are not my identity. My identity is found completely in Christ, and that is the only identity that truly matters.

The world often tries to define people by what they are going through.   God defines us by who we belong to. We belong to Him. We are loved by Him. We are redeemed by Him. We are sustained by Him. Storms may shape parts of our story, but they do not get to name us. Jesus does.

What this journey has taught me more than anything is this: life is too precious to spend buried under fear, hesitation, or regret. Too many people are waiting for “someday” to start living. Someday they will take the dream trip. Someday they will say “I love you.” Someday they will forgive. Someday they will have the hard but healing conversation. Someday they will step out in faith and pursue what God placed in their heart. But someday is never promised.

So my encouragement to everyone reading this is simple: live life to the fullest. Trust God enough to truly live. Take the trip. Make the phone call. Sit down and have the real conversation. Laugh loudly. Love deeply. Pray boldly. Stop allowing fear to keep you trapped in a life of “I wish I would have.” The storm may still rage around you, but there is a way to live beyond the storm.

Living beyond the storm does not mean pretending the storm is not real. It means refusing to let the storm steal your joy, your purpose, your faith, or your ability to truly live. It means understanding that even in the middle of pain, God is still writing beautiful chapters. It means choosing to see every breath as a gift and every day as an opportunity to love God and love people well.

At the end of our lives, most people will not regret loving too much, believing too much, or trusting God too deeply. They will regret the moments fear kept them from fully living. So live courageously. Live gratefully. Live authentically. And no matter what storm comes your way, never forget who you are.

Your identity is not in the storm.

Your identity is in Christ. ~OC

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Before We Speak

Today’s a new day! 

In a world overflowing with criticism, outrage, and division, followers of Jesus are called to respond differently. It is easy to point out someone’s failures. It is easy to condemn, shame, or speak harshly when people fall short. But Christ never called His people to become professional judges of broken humanity. He called us to become carriers of grace, truth, and prayer. Before we rush to criticize someone’s life, we should first fall to our knees and pray for their heart. Before we speak words of condemnation, we should ask God to move in their life the same way He once moved in ours.

Every person you see fighting battles, making mistakes, or wandering far from God is still someone deeply loved by the Creator. Many people are carrying wounds nobody knows about. Some are drowning in fear, addiction, loneliness, bitterness, or shame. They do not need believers throwing stones from a distance; they need people willing to intercede for them with compassion. Jesus showed us what mercy looks like. Even while hanging on the cross, He prayed, “Father, forgive them.” If the Son of God responded to hatred with prayer and forgiveness, how much more should we?

Pray more than you judge. Pray more than you condemn. Pray for your family members who seem far from God. Pray for those who hurt you. Pray for those trapped in sin. Pray for those who mock your faith. Prayer has the power to soften hardened hearts, restore broken lives, and bring people into an encounter with Jesus that no argument ever could. Condemnation pushes people further into darkness, but prayer invites the light of God into impossible situations.

The Church shines brightest when it reflects the heart of Christ. Truth matters, but truth without love becomes noise. We are called to stand for righteousness while still extending mercy to people who desperately need hope. None of us were saved because we were perfect; we were saved because Jesus loved us in the middle of our brokenness. May we become believers known not for harsh judgment, but for powerful prayers, compassionate hearts, and a relentless desire to see people redeemed by the grace of God. ~OC

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A Calling. A Challenge

Today’s a new day!

There are moments when numbers stop being statistics and start becoming something deeply personal. Right now is one of those moments.

Roughly 3 to 3.4 billion people in the world have had little to no access to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That’s about 40–42% of the global population. Take a moment and really sit with that. Those aren’t just figures on a page. Each number represents a life. A story. A soul created with purpose, longing for truth, searching for hope—whether they realize it yet or not.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by a number that large. It can seem distant, like a problem too big for any one person to impact. But the Gospel has never spread because of massive systems alone—it has always moved from person to person, heart to heart, conversation to conversation. And that brings the reality closer than we might be comfortable admitting. 

Because at some point, it becomes personal.

Many of us know the quiet tension that rises when we feel prompted to share our faith. The hesitation. The inner dialogue. What if they reject me? What if they think I’m strange? What if I say the wrong thing? Fear of rejection and ridicule can be powerful enough to silence even the most sincere believer.

But here’s the question we have to wrestle with: what are we more concerned about—the temporary discomfort of being rejected, or the eternal reality that we might be the only person who ever shares Jesus with that individual?

That shifts everything.

We often assume someone else will step in. Someone more equipped, more confident, more eloquent. But what if there is no one else? What if the opportunity in front of you isn’t random, but intentional? A divine appointment placed in your path for a reason?

Jesus didn’t call His followers to comfort—He called them to purpose. He didn’t promise that every conversation would be easy or well received, but He did make it clear that every soul matters. His love is not meant to be contained; it’s meant to be shared. Boldly. Compassionately. Authentically.

And sharing doesn’t always look like standing on a stage or having all the right answers. Sometimes it looks like a simple conversation. A testimony. A moment of kindness that opens the door to something deeper. Sometimes it’s just being willing—available to be used.

The world is searching. Beneath the noise, the distractions, and the brokenness, there is a deep hunger for hope and truth. The message of Jesus is still life-changing. Still healing. Still the answer.

So the question remains: what will we do with the opportunity in front of us?

Will we allow fear to keep us silent, or will we step forward in faith, trusting that God can use even our imperfect words? Will we focus on how we might be perceived, or on the eternal impact a single conversation could have?

Every day presents moments that matter more than we realize. Moments where eternity brushes up against the ordinary. Moments where a simple act of obedience can ripple far beyond what we can see.

Those billions of people aren’t just “out there.” They are closer than we think—in our communities, our workplaces, our daily routines.

And maybe, just maybe, one of them is waiting for someone like you to speak up. ~OC

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Not A Coincidence

Today’s a new day!

There are moments in life when you look back and wonder how you made it through. The nights that felt endless, the heartbreak that cut deeper than words, the battles you thought would surely take you out—but somehow, you’re still here. It’s easy to chalk it up to luck, coincidence, or sheer willpower. But the truth runs deeper than that. You survived everything that was meant to destroy you, and that’s not a coincidence—that was Jesus. In the middle of the chaos, when you couldn’t see a way forward, He was already making one. When you were too weak to stand, He was carrying you. Even when you didn’t recognize His hand, His presence never left your side.

Jesus doesn’t just show up in the good moments; He proves Himself in the fire. Every trial you walked through and came out of wasn’t just something you endured—it was something He brought you through. The pain didn’t have the final say. The enemy didn’t win. Your story didn’t end there. What was meant to break you became part of the testimony that now defines you. So when doubt tries to creep in and tell you that you’re alone or forgotten, remember your own history. Look at the evidence of grace all over your life. You’re still standing, still breathing, still moving forward—and that’s all the proof you need. Jesus has been faithful before, and He will be faithful again. ~OC

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The Story Behind The Music 

Today’s a new day!

People often ask me how I started writing music, and the honest answer might surprise them—I don’t come from some deep well of musical training or natural talent. I’ve never claimed to be a musician in the traditional sense. But what I have always had is an ear for music and a mind full of thoughts that never seem to sit still. For years, those thoughts found their way into blog posts, journal entries, and scattered writings. I didn’t realize at the time that God was planting seeds—words that would one day find a different kind of rhythm and voice.

As time has gone on, I’ve heard people assume that what I write must just be random phrases plugged into some app, especially with how much AI is shaping the world around us. But I want to be clear—every word I share comes from a real place. It comes from my heart, from my experiences, and from what strength I still have to express what’s inside me. These songs aren’t manufactured; they’re lived. They are pieces of my journey, shaped by faith, struggle, and the quiet moments where God meets me right where I am. Yes, the vocals and music are AI generated, but each word, each vocal and style of music comes from God inspired inspiration. And a lot of late nights.

The turning point came during a time of prayer. I felt God speaking to my spirit, nudging me to take those old writings and begin turning them into songs. My first response was hesitation—I told Him plainly, “I don’t know how to write music.” But in that stillness, I felt His answer just as clearly: I do. It wasn’t about technique or training; it was about obedience. So I started, unsure but willing, trusting that if He called me to it, He would carry me through it.

Not long after, I prayed a simple but bold prayer—that God would give me something new to write every single day. And in His faithfulness, He has answered that prayer again and again. Each morning brings a new thought, a new message, a new opportunity to share something He’s placed on my heart. That’s why so many of you receive those daily texts or posts—it’s not routine, it’s provision. This journey isn’t about becoming a great songwriter; it’s about being a willing vessel. And as long as He keeps giving me the words, I’ll keep writing them. ~OC

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Integrity Over Influence

Dear Church and Christian Community,

Be careful about aligning yourself with voices that do not truly reflect the heart of God. Not everyone who speaks in ways that sound righteous is walking in truth. There are those who will use spiritual language, quote Scripture, and appear to stand for Christian values, yet their lives and motives reveal something far different. Discernment is not optional in this hour—it is essential. We must test every spirit, not by charisma or influence, but by the fruit they produce and the truth they uphold. Don’t allow yourself to be drawn in by words that sound good on the surface but are rooted in deception.

There is a dangerous temptation to trade integrity for influence—to get a seat at the political table at any cost. But what does it profit the Church to gain temporary access and lose its prophetic voice? When we entangle ourselves in a web of compromise and half-truths, our witness becomes clouded. The world is not changed by our proximity to power, but by our faithfulness to truth. Your temporary presence in places of influence may feel significant in the moment, but it can leave a lasting stain on your testimony if it is built on alignment with what is false.

Do not fall for the hype that blinds you from seeing clearly. Hype is loud, emotional, and persuasive—but truth is steady, consistent, and grounded in God’s Word. We are called to walk in the light, even when it costs us popularity, position, or approval. The Church must remain anchored in Christ, not swayed by cultural waves or political promises. Stand firm. Speak truth. And above all, guard your heart so that you are not led astray by what merely appears right, but instead remain faithful to what is right in the eyes of God. ~OC

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Stay Rooted

Today’s a new day!

Be careful who you listen to and trust—this simple truth carries deep spiritual weight. In a world full of voices, opinions, and influences, not everything that looks good is good for you. Just as salt and sugar can appear nearly identical at a glance, what we hear can sound sweet, wise, or convincing while actually leading us away from truth. The Bible reminds us to test every spirit and to seek discernment, because deception rarely announces itself boldly—it often comes dressed in familiarity and comfort. If we are not grounded in God’s Word, we can easily mistake something harmful for something helpful.

Trust is a precious gift, and it should not be given lightly. As believers, we are called to anchor our trust in God first, allowing His truth to shape how we evaluate everything else. When we rely solely on human wisdom without seeking divine guidance, we risk being misled. Just as consuming salt when expecting sugar would leave a bitter taste, following the wrong voices can leave us spiritually drained and confused. Stay rooted in prayer, immerse yourself in Scripture, and ask God for wisdom to discern what is truly good. Not everything that looks right is right—but God’s truth will never lead you astray. ~OC

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No Authority

Today’s a new day!

Fear is a powerful emotion, but as a believer, it does not have authority over your life. Scripture reminds us time and time again that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. When fear tries to creep in—whether it’s fear of the unknown, fear of failure, or fear of loss—you can stand firm knowing that it does not come from God. Instead, it is something you are called to resist through faith. God’s presence in your life is greater than any anxiety that tries to take hold, and His promises are unshakable even when your circumstances feel uncertain.

Walking in freedom from fear requires trust. It means choosing to believe God’s truth over your feelings. Fear may speak loudly, but it does not have the final say—God does. When you anchor your heart in His Word, you begin to see that fear loses its grip. You are not defined by your worries or limited by your doubts; you are defined by who God says you are: chosen, loved, and secure in Him. As you continue to lean into His presence, you’ll find that courage rises, peace settles in, and fear fades into the background where it belongs—powerless and without authority over your life. ~OC

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Purpose Equals Peace

Today’s a new day! 

For more than two decades, I have walked a road marked by uncertainty, pain, and countless moments where I was told my life might soon end. After hearing over fifty times that I had only hours, weeks, or months to live, I stopped counting. Not out of denial, but out of a quiet realization—life was never meant to be lived under the constant shadow of “what if today is the last day?” Instead, I chose to seek something deeper. In the midst of my storm, I prayed and asked Jesus to show me my purpose within the pain. And He answered.

What I discovered changed everything. My hospital rooms became mission fields. Waiting rooms turned into places of ministry. Conversations with doctors, nurses, and fellow patients became opportunities to encourage, uplift, and share hope. God didn’t remove my storm, but He gave it meaning. Over the years, He has allowed me to walk alongside others in their darkest moments—offering support, listening ears, and reminders that they are not alone. It has been one of the greatest privileges of my life to be used in this way. And in that purpose, I found something unexpected: peace. A deep, unshakable peace that doesn’t depend on circumstances.

Time and time again, I’ve heard others share a similar testimony. When they begin to understand that God has a purpose even in their suffering, something shifts. The fear loosens its grip. The questions quiet. And peace begins to take root. It doesn’t mean the storm disappears—but it does mean the storm no longer defines them. So today, I want to gently challenge you: what is God revealing to you in your current season? Are you leaning in to listen, or are you overwhelmed by the noise of the storm? Have you allowed your struggle to become your identity, or are you willing to surrender it?

Take a moment today to lay your burdens at the foot of the Cross. In fact, don’t just lay them down—leave them there. Nail your fears, your pain, your questions, and your weariness to the Cross and trust that Jesus will carry what you cannot. I can’t promise that your season of hardship will end quickly, or even in the way you hope. But I can promise this: when you seek God’s purpose in the storm, you will find His peace. Even now, as I continue walking through ongoing health challenges, I do so with hope and a calm assurance that God is not finished.

So the question remains—are you willing to take that first step today? To trust, to seek, and to walk forward in the purpose God has prepared for you? Peace and victory are not found in the absence of storms, but in the presence of Jesus within them. ~OC

You can check out the Spoken Word version at my YouTube channel Todd E. Shoemaker Music.

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Use Wisely

Today’s a New Day!

There are 10,080 minutes in every week—an abundant gift that often slips quietly through our hands if we’re not intentional. Scripture reminds us to “redeem the time,” to be mindful that each moment is an opportunity to draw closer to God and reflect His love in the world. When we begin to view our time not as something to spend, but as something to steward, our perspective shifts. Even the smallest portions of our day can become sacred. A few minutes in prayer in the morning, meditating on God’s Word during a lunch break, or offering gratitude in the quiet moments before sleep—all of these practices help anchor our hearts in Him. Loving God with our time doesn’t require perfection; it requires presence, consistency, and a willingness to invite Him into the ordinary rhythms of our lives.

But our calling doesn’t stop with loving God—it flows outward into how we love and serve others. Within those same 10,080 minutes are countless chances to show kindness, extend grace, and meet the needs of our neighbors. Sometimes that looks like serving in a church or volunteering in the community, but often it’s found in everyday interactions: listening attentively, offering encouragement, forgiving quickly, or simply being available when someone is in need. When we intentionally set aside time to serve others, we reflect the heart of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve. A life well-lived isn’t measured by how busy we are, but by how faithfully we use our time to love God and love people. If we dedicate even a fraction of our weekly minutes to these purposes, we begin to see that every moment holds eternal significance. ~OC

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