Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.
Today’s devotion was written by Angela Gray.
“...and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us’” (Matthew 1:23b, NLT).
Alone. Just saying the word “alone” can initiate feelings of emptiness and isolation.
As a longtime introvert, I had often felt alone, even in a room full of people. Socially awkward and unable to easily connect with others, carrying on a simple conversation with a new or casual acquaintance could be emotionally exhausting.
When I was asked the question, “What does Jesus mean to you?” my heart immediately answered, knowing Jesus means I never have to feel alone again. The gospel of Matthew assures me that Jesus is and always will be with me.
Matthew 1:23 reminds me that Jesus is called Immanuel, which means “God with us”, so when I speak his name, I am assured of his presence. In the last verse of Matthew, he records Jesus' commission to his disciples to go into all the world and make disciples, and Matthew ends with Jesus' promise to always be with them.
The same One whose very name means “God is with us” extends that same promise to me today when He says, “I am with you always” and I can rest assured that I am not alone. In every situation, His presence banishes anxiety and brings peace to my heart and mind. Because I know Jesus is with me, I can now encourage others and share the promise that Jesus will be with them, too.
If you feel isolated, companionless, alone, let me remind you today: Jesus has never forgotten you, never rejected you, and never left you. God is with you.
Thank you for joining us today. To learn more about OhSoFree Ministries, please visit us at http://www.ohsofreeministries.com
Freely Speaking Audio Devotion
April 13, 2026 • Sharee Gaiser • Psalm 46:1, Romans 5:8, John 15:15
Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.
Today Sharee Gaiser shares about her abiding friendship with Jesus.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 NIV
For many years, I served as a Christian school principal and was responsible for interviewing prospective staff. One of my favorite parts of the process was learning about each applicant’s faith journey. A question I always asked was: What does Jesus mean to you?
This question, though simple, is not easy to answer. Most would respond, “Everything.” While sincere, I often sensed there was more beneath the surface. “Everything” is true — but it does not always reveal the stories behind the word.
It made me realize how difficult it can truly be to put into words what Jesus personally and deeply means to us. Our experiences and Christ’s transforming work continually shape and guide how we describe Him.
If I were asked that question today, my answer would be clearer. Jesus is my Saviour. Scripture says, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). I did not find Him; He rescued me. When I was lost in my own understanding and striving, He drew me by grace. My salvation is not built on my goodness but on His finished work at the cross.
Jesus is also my friend. He calls His disciples friends (John 15:15), and I have come to cherish the tenderness of that truth. Jesus is never distant or detached; He walks beside me. In prayer, in Scripture, and in silence, I have found Him faithful and near.
And He is my ever-present help in times of trouble. As Psalm 46:1 reminds us, God is our refuge and strength. When anxiety rises, or circumstances feel uncertain, I cling to this promise: I am not alone. Christ is with me, steadying my heart and anchoring my hope.
To say Jesus is “everything” is not exaggeration — it is my testimony. He is my Redeemer, companion, and refuge, revealing more of Himself with every season of my life.
Friend, who is Jesus to you today, and how is His presence shaping the way you live, trust, and hope right where you are?
Thank you for joining us today. If you would like to learn more about OhSoFree Ministries, please visit us at http://www.ohsofreeministries.com/
Freely Speaking Audio Devotion
April 8, 2026 • Tara Thompson • Matthew 11:28
Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.
Today, Tara Thompson shares about the rest Jesus offers.
There are moments in life when the weight of everything feels too heavy to carry. The responsibilities, the worries, the unanswered prayers, the quiet battles no one else sees—sometimes they all pile up until your soul feels exhausted.
I remember a season in my life when I felt completely overwhelmed and weary. Responsibilities seemed endless, and no matter how hard I tried to push forward, my heart felt tired in a way that sleep couldn’t fix. My mind was restless, my spirit was drained, and I felt like I was carrying burdens I didn’t know how to put down. Then I was reminded of Jesus' words in Matthew 11:28.
Jesus doesn’t say we must fix everything first, become stronger, or have all the answers. He simply calls us to come to Him with the very burdens that are weighing us down. Jesus understands weariness. He sees the quiet struggles, the hidden anxieties, and the pressures we carry every day. And instead of telling us to try harder or carry more, He offers something the world cannot give—rest for our souls.
The kind of rest Jesus offers is deeper than physical rest. It’s the peace that comes when we lay our worries before Him, trust Him with what we cannot control, and remember that we were never meant to carry life’s burdens alone. When we bring our struggles to Jesus, we begin to experience the relief of knowing that the One who holds the world is also holding us.
What area of your life can you surrender to Jesus to find rest in Him?
Thank you for joining us today. If you would like to learn more about OhSoFree Ministries, please visit us at http://www.ohsofreeministries.com
Freely Speaking Audio Devotion
April 7, 2026 • Liz'a Biswell • Luke 17:15–16
Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.
Today’s devotion was written by Liz’a Biswell.
“One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, ‘Praise God!’ He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him for what He had done. This man was a Samaritan” (Luke 17:15–16 NLT).
Before Jesus, fear of abandonment shaped everything about my life. I pushed people away before they had the chance to leave me. I kept my distance to avoid the guilt and shame tied to the ways I coped with my trauma. I questioned motives, hid my true self, and believed I was unlovable. If I couldn’t love myself, how could anyone else?
Jesus changed all of that. Jesus is life, community, family, and purpose. In Luke 17:14, Jesus shows that God’s love reaches the isolated and the outcast, restoring dignity and a place in society. Yet what moves me most is what happens next: “One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, ‘Praise God!’ He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him for what He had done. This man was a Samaritan” (Luke 17:15–16 NLT).
The Samaritan, considered the least likely to honor God, became the loudest worshiper. Everything against him, yet Jesus welcomed him, affirmed him, and restored him. Jesus said, “...Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you” (Luke 17:19NLT).
I want to be like that man. The one least expected to praise God with a loud voice. The one who returns again and again to give thanks. The one who loves the “lepers”—the isolated, the ashamed, the overlooked—the way Jesus loves me. I know my faith has made me well. So I will go and testify to what Jesus has done for me!
There is power and healing in your testimony.
What has Jesus done for you?
Who do you need to tell?
Don’t let the people you love live under the enemy’s lies. Seek out the isolated and the outcast. Carry the good news to them. Tell them restoration is found in Jesus.
Thank you for joining us today. To learn more about OhSoFree Ministries, please visit us at http://www.ohsofreeministries.com
Freely Speaking Audio Devotion
March 25, 2026 • Angela Vandagriff • 2 Corinthians 10:5
Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.
Today, Angela Vandagriff highlights the transforming power of God’s truth.
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV).
Does your mind live in survival mode, seeing the worst in every situation? That's how I live, a prisoner of my own toxic thoughts. I didn’t always live in survival mode. My younger self lived carefree—until trauma trained my mind to expect the worst.
One whisper of trouble sends my thoughts spiraling out of control, stealing my peace and crippling me in fear. My heart pounds, my breath falters, and suddenly I’m unable to function.
All because my thoughts have written a false narrative.
I pray for strength, but it’s not long before my thoughts shift to imaginary tragedies that may never happen. Fear lives quietly, but fiercely inside me, draining my strength. I survive imagined disasters only to collapse under the weight of devastation that only occurs in my mind. I can’t keep living this way! In these moments, I feel God urging me to let go of this toxic trait, allowing Him to transform my most critical handicap into freedom.
Today’s Scripture calls us to destroy every argument and arrogant thought that rises against the truth of God. The Holy Spirit is urging you and me to take our thoughts captive and surrender them to Him, trusting that He will replace the lies, fear, and anxiety with His truth, enabling us to live in peace and freedom.
God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). When fear invades our thoughts, that's not of God! My goal is to take fear captive and exchange it for truth so I can walk in the freedom of God’s peace. That's where God is calling me to live. That's where He is calling you to live.
What thoughts do you need to take captive today? Exchange Satan’s false narrative for God’s truth and walk in His peace and freedom today!
Thank you for joining us. If you would like to learn more about OhSoFree Ministries, please visit us at http://www.ohsofreeministries.com/
Freely Speaking Audio Devotion
March 24, 2026 • Andi Benson • Proverbs 3:5–6
Today, Andi Benson shares an honest reflection, describing her struggle with control and the exhaustion that comes from relying on her own understanding.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV).
How often do we stress our way through life, convinced that if we just plan, worry, and control enough, everything will turn out perfectly? We lean heavily on our own understanding, our logic, our experiences, our limited perspective, only to end up exhausted, anxious, and stuck.
This is an honest account of my life. Several years ago, I realized my need to control situations—not by asserting authority, but through passive-aggressive worrying and fixing, believing only I could handle things. This mindset kept me in constant internal conflict, holding on to my own ideas of what was best.
Proverbs 3:5-6 offers a radical alternative to this thought: letting go.
Letting go is not giving up; it is giving over. It is the active, daily surrender of our need to control the outcome of our relationships, finances, and future. It is the humble admission that God sees the entire picture while we only see a tiny corner of the canvas. When we trust God with all our heart—not just the comfortable parts—we make room for His transformation.
Transformation requires a change of hands. We must release our grip so God can take over. When we acknowledge Him, we invite Him into the mundane tasks, the difficult conversations, and the major decisions. Only then can He make our paths straight.
Today, what are you holding onto? What fear or plan are you gripping too tightly? Take a breath and let go. Trust that the One who holds everything also holds your future, transforming you from the inside out.
I encourage you to say this prayer out loud:
Lord, I surrender my need for control. Forgive me for trying to be the god of my own life. I place my trust in You, knowing Your ways are higher than mine. Transform me, guide my steps, and make my path straight. Amen.
Thank you for joining us today. If you would like to learn more about OhSoFree Ministries, please visit us at http://www.ohsofreeministries.com
Freely Speaking Audio Devotion
March 23, 2026 • Susan Hales • Galatians 1:10
Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.
Today’s devotion was written by Susan Hales.
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10 NIV).
Invitations mailed. Church reserved. Dresses purchased. Tuxes rented. Flowers ordered. Everything was perfect, except I was making the biggest mistake of my life. We dated throughout high school and college, and the next logical step was marriage.
However, I had more than cold feet; I was frozen to the ground. If I canceled my wedding, no one else would ever love me. What would people think if I backed out now?
My name is Susan, and I am a recovering people-pleaser.
In my quest for approval and validation by others, I pleased other people so they would like me. I feared rejection and depended on others for my self-esteem.
Because I'm a recovering people-pleaser, I now ask myself, am I seeking to please people or God?
Are you dealing with people-pleasing? Do what God desires, not just what people expect from you. Look to God for your self-worth by cultivating a relationship with Him. As the Apostle Paul wrote in our key verse, be a servant of Christ, not people.
When we focus on what God desires from us, we honor Him, and He becomes most important in our lives.
Also, be who God says you are, not what others want you to be.
I pretended to be someone else to be liked by other people. But Christ’s love has set me free to be me. Not what others think but reflecting the one who created me for His glory.
Always remember, God loves you exactly as you are because he created you–one of a kind, set apart for your unique purpose in the world.
Doing God's will enables Him to use us for His Kingdom purposes, enriches our lives, and gives us eternal life with Him.
Thank you for joining us today. To learn more about OhSoFree Ministries, please visit us at http://www.ohsofreeministries.com
Freely Speaking Audio Devotion
March 18, 2026 • Marge Webb • Exodus 20:3–4
Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.
Today’s devotion was written by Marge Webb.
“You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything...” (Exodus 20:3-4 NIV).
The year was 1965, and my brother, Don, and I were waiting by the door for the arrival of a new appliance for our home. Oh, not just any appliance; a brand-new TV. I’m sure it wasn’t big or fancy, and it was way inferior to the huge television set in my living room now. Instead of the hundreds of channels cable offers today, we had four stations. But this TV was our first color television. It was spiffy, and our first show to watch that night was Batman with all the flashes of bam, zonk, kapow, and wham blazing in living color.
Television is something that I must exercise caution with so as not to idolize the “boob tube” as my mother called it. My favorite programs are game shows and sports, but watching athletic events can be very time-consuming.
I read a quote recently that said the greatest measure of who we are and what we love is how we spend our time. When we spend too much time consumed by anything, it becomes an idol.
The verses above, found in Exodus, contain the beginning of what we call the Ten Commandments. Ironically, while Moses was on Mt. Sinai in the presence of Almighty God, his peeps were below building golden calves to worship. Their desire to have a god who could be seen and touched stemmed from a lack of trust in an unseen holy God. This diversion established a pattern of rebellion and idol worship that would last for decades.
The idolization of television is a problem when it robs us of productivity. If we aren’t careful, important tasks can be pushed aside in favor of entertainment. From a spiritual standpoint, we may lose focus on the time we spend reading the Bible, praying, and worshipping. Television can also take away precious time reserved for our families.
What occupies too much of your time? Has it become an idol in your life?
Thank you for joining us today. To learn more about OhSoFree Ministries, please visit us at http://www.ohsofreeministries.com
Freely Speaking Audio Devotion
March 17, 2026 • Sharon Gomez • Colossians 3:2
Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.
Today’s devotion was written by Sharon Gomez.
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:2, NIV).
Colossians 3:2 is short but powerful, and it has sustained me throughout this past month. Trials are nothing new, but when the enemy attacks from within the family and within the workplace at the same time, the spiritual battle becomes unrecognizable, and my emotions want to control the narrative.
It’s through these seasons that God transforms me. As I recognize the battle and shift my mindset, I begin to understand that these trials are God’s teachings. He is teaching me to trust His process and, through His word, how to respond.
In fact, Chapter 3 of Colossians is like a mini-instruction manual for those living in Christ. The chapter starts out by setting our hearts and minds on things above. The Apostle Paul calls us to let our old selves die and to let our new selves live from a place of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, all bound together with love and harmony. As Christ followers, we are called to live with His peace and gratitude and to teach others to do the same. The chapter wraps up with instructions for husbands, wives, parents, and children. It reminds us how to respond to attacks against us and even how to carry ourselves in our workplaces.
God transforms us when we let go of how we think our circumstances should be, or how we think other people should respond. Instead of focusing on our unfair circumstances, we can be comforted by the knowledge that we are powerless to change what we cannot control. This comfort leads us to peace beyond our understanding (Philippians, 4:7).
In the day-to-day, when my mind replays hurtful words or dwells on unfair circumstances, I tell myself, Sharon, set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. I encourage you to try this right now:
(Insert your name), set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. Peace be with you today, sister.
Thank you for joining us today. To learn more about OhSoFree Ministries, please visit us at http://www.ohsofreeministries.com
Freely Speaking Audio Devotion
March 11, 2026 • Tara Thompson • Psalm 103:11–12
Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.
Today, Tara Thompson reminds us that when God forgives, He completely removes our sin.
“For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:11–12 KJV).
Have you ever committed a sin that stays in your mind long after you’ve repented and received forgiveness from the Lord?
When I was growing up, my pastor used to sing a song called “Thanks to Calvary.” One of the main lines in the song lets us know, “Thanks to Calvary, we don't come here anymore.” It was such a beautiful reminder that when we are saved, we don’t have to live in places of guilt or shame from our past.
There is a strange burden we carry as humans: the need to remember what God has chosen to forget. We replay conversations, rehearse failures, and revisit moments we wish we could undo. Sometimes our own minds drag our past forward without invitation. Sometimes other people do it. We let voices pull us backward into places where grace has already emptied, but we don’t have to live there anymore.
Psalm 103 reminds us that God does not merely cover our sin. He removes it. And He doesn’t remove it a short distance, where it might still be found if searched for carefully. He removes it “as far as the east is from the west”—a distance that can never be closed, never reversed, never retraced. East and west do not meet again.
If God has removed your transgressions, then guilt no longer has legal authority over you. Conviction may lead you to repentance—but guilt that lingers after forgiveness is not from Him. It is a place He has already left behind.
Because where God has forgotten, you are no longer required to remember.
What would change if you let go of the guilt that God no longer remembers?
Thank you for joining us today. If you would like to learn more about OhSoFree Ministries, please visit us at http://www.ohsofreeministries.com/
Freely Speaking Audio Devotion
March 10, 2026 • Angela Gray • Psalm 86:11
Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.
Today’s devotion was written by Angela Gray.
“Teach me Thy way, O LORD; I will walk in Thy truth; Unite my heart to fear Thy name” (Psalm 86:11 KJV).
“Drop the stick!” My adorable Pug, Cricket, stared me down with determination, refusing to move as I held the door open and called her inside. Clutching her beloved stick in her jaws, she wouldn’t budge.
There were treats, toys, and cuddles awaiting her inside, but all she focused on was “the stick”.
She knows she can’t bring sticks into the house, and as the stand-off dragged on, it hit me—Cricket and I aren’t so different. I’ve been facing my own “Drop the stick” moment.
Last year, I was given a wonderful opportunity, and after much prayer, I felt peace in accepting it. Decision made. Action taken. Everything was falling into place—until suddenly, it wasn’t. Plans unraveled without explanation, and I was left with nothing.
The heartbreak and disappointment hit hard. Instead of handing it over to Jesus, I clung to my hurt and remained stuck, unable to move forward.
Today’s verse became my prayer as I wrestled with letting go of my expectations to embrace whatever new thing God might have in store for me. Praying for Him to teach me His way, I was reminded through His Word that He still has a plan—nothing surprises Him, even when I don’t understand.
God answered my prayer for a “united heart” when I relinquished the broken pieces of my hurt and disappointment to Him, and He continues to guide me toward His perfect purpose.
If you find yourself holding onto hurt or disappointment, my prayer for you today is that you will leave it at Jesus’ feet. My dear sister, “drop the stick” and discover the joy of embracing His good and perfect will.
Thank you for joining us today. To learn more about OhSoFree Ministries, please visit us at http://www.ohsofreeministries.com
Freely Speaking Audio Devotion
March 9, 2026 • Sharee Gaiser • Hebrews 12:1
Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.
Today, Sharee Gaiser challenges us to consider what comforts or habits may be quietly hindering our growth.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1 NIV)
Let me introduce you to my couch. It’s red leather—my favorite color—and the place where I love to curl up with a good book and let the hours slip by. Often, before I realize it, the sun is sinking low and the day is nearly gone.
Many hours have been spent on that couch when I could have been doing other things, one of them being exercise. It’s here that my shoulds and coulds quietly dissolve into, I can’t be bothered.
I have a love–hate relationship with exercise. My body needs it, yet I resist it with surprising creativity. While I’ve never heard a booming command from God to get up and move, I sensed a persistent nudge in my spirit. Alongside nagging pain in my body: stiff joints and lingering aches; stillness had overstayed its welcome. What my body was feeling, my spirit already knew—God was inviting me to move, not out of pressure, but out of care.
My resistance also pointed to something deeper, revealing a habit of choosing comfort over discipline, control over trust, and avoidance over obedience. These choices promise rest or safety yet quietly limit me, both physically and spiritually.
Hebrews 12:1 doesn’t only call us to throw off sin; it urges us to lay aside everything that hinders. God’s invitation isn’t to try harder but to run freer. Perseverance, after all, is formed through movement.
As God gently coaxes me to move my body daily, He’s also inviting me to examine what I cling to for comfort and control. Some hindrances don’t feel heavy at all—they feel comfortable. The couch isn’t the real issue; it’s what it represents when I choose ease over obedience.
Friends, what comfort, habit, or resistance might be quietly hindering your ability to run freely with God right now? Why not surrender it to Him?
Thank you for joining us today. If you would like to learn more about OhSoFree Ministries, please visit us at http://www.ohsofreeministries.com/
Freely Speaking Audio Devotion
March 3, 2026 • Liz'a Biswell • James 4:10
Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.
Today’s devotion was written by Liz’a Biswell.
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.” (James 4:10 ESV).
I recently attended a women’s retreat where the speaker focused on keeping joy abundantly in our hearts. I was eager for wisdom, but my excitement faded when she explained that anger often stems from pride. I wasn’t prepared for that truth. I became defensive, justifying my anger and refusing to see myself as prideful. At the end of the session, she asked, “What is keeping joy from living in our hearts?” I quickly wrote anger. The Holy Spirit nudged me to add pride. I wrote it, but I didn’t see it as my issue.
Since then, the Holy Spirit has revealed many areas where pride and even haughtiness had taken root. It was not pleasant—honestly, it was devastating. Proverbs 16:18 warns, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Yet God has been gentle, patient, and persistent. His correction is love, protecting me and guiding me to lay down pride and anger. When I fail, He begins again. When I surrender, He exalts me, just as James 4:10 promises.
God doesn’t remove anything without replacing it with something better. If I want abundant joy, I have to lay down anger and pride. As I’ve done this, I’ve experienced peace and growth in my ministry. Our Father knows what is good for us, and we can trust Him.
God exposes the worst in us not to shame us, but to reveal our need for Him. When we face the truth of our sin, we also encounter His grace. Through His mercy, we begin to grasp His deep love. That love strengthens our faith and draws us closer to Him. This is how He makes us new—shaping us into who He created us to be.
May we choose obedience even when it stretches us, trusting that every surrender makes more room for His joy and His blessings. His way may not always be easy, but it always leads to life.
Thank you for joining us today. To learn more about OhSoFree Ministries, please visit us at http://www.ohsofreeministries.com
Freely Speaking Audio Devotion
February 25, 2026 • Angela Vandagriff • Jude 21–22
Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.
Today, Angela Vandagriff reminds us of the power of God’s mercy, especially in our struggles and doubts.
“...keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt...” (Jude 1:21-22 ESV).
Raised in church during the '60s and '70s, I saw little mercy extended towards those who questioned the Word of God. My church often shunned people who opposed their views. Segregation was real, and if you weren’t part of the "right" denomination, you weren’t saved.
Sadly, I learned more about legalism and judgment than I did mercy. I was scared of God, and I was left confused and unable to surrender to Him completely. However, with age came wisdom, but that wisdom often came from sin and regret. As I experienced God's mercy and His longsuffering toward me, I began to open my heart, allowing Him in.
With each season of my life, I've had to surrender to God the struggles I've faced. He replaced the struggles with gifts of mercy. As a recipient of God’s never-ending mercy, I am more aware of the brokenness and shame in those around me, enabling me to extend genuine mercy and love to others.
Today’s scripture reminds us that the key to eternal life is the love and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are called to diligently keep ourselves in the love of God and to extend mercy and long suffering to those who struggle and doubt, allowing our actions toward them to reflect Jesus within us.
If left unattended, our struggles and doubts can become spiritual blinders, hindering us from seeing our spiritual gifts. God uses our struggles as tools to help minister to those around us. Jesus lives in us, and people will see Him in us when we use our gifts as an outward show of love.
Is God asking you to surrender a struggle to strengthen a spiritual gift? Surrendering will allow God's love to shine through you, touching someone who desperately needs to see Him.
Thank you for joining us today. If you would like to learn more about OhSoFree Ministries, please visit us at http://www.ohsofreeministries.com
Freely Speaking Audio Devotion
February 24, 2026 • Andi Benson • John 15:5
Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.
Today, Andi Benson shares about the life we experience by abiding in Christ.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NIV)
In John 15:5, Jesus reminds us that He is the vine and we are the branches. This simple image carries a powerful truth about the Christian life. A branch does not produce fruit by its own strength. Its only responsibility is to remain connected to the vine. In the same way, Jesus teaches us that true spiritual fruit comes not from our effort alone, but from His life flowing through us.
When Jesus lives in us, our lives begin to reflect His character. Love grows where bitterness once lived. Patience replaces frustration. Kindness, faithfulness, and self-control begin to appear—not because we forced them, but because Christ is at work within us. This fruit is evidence of His presence. Without Him, we can do nothing of eternal value.
I wish I could say my life always reflects God’s character, but I’ve often fallen short by speaking harshly or letting my emotions get the best of me instead of showing patience and kindness. In those times, I didn’t seek the Lord’s guidance and acted on my own, contrary to how God wants me to respond.
Abiding in Christ means staying close to Him daily, trusting Him, listening to His Word, praying honestly, and depending on His strength rather than our own. As we remain in Him, He shapes our hearts, corrects our attitudes, and aligns our desires with His will. Fruit does not appear overnight; it grows over time as we stay connected. Our role is closeness; His role is transformation.
Today, ask yourself not, “How can I do more?” but “How can I abide more deeply in Christ?” As you stay rooted in Him, His life will flow through yours, and His fruit will be clearly seen.
Thank you for joining us today. If you would like to learn more about OhSoFree Ministries, please visit us at http://www.ohsofreeministries.com/
Freely Speaking Audio Devotion
February 23, 2026 • Susan Hales • John 14:27
Susan Hales, Monday, February 23, 2026
Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.
Today’s devotion was written by Susan Hales.
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27 NIV).
Following my divorce, I was never at peace because I was on a fruitless search for my soulmate, a man who would love me as I am despite my many faults.
After my cancer diagnosis, I realized nothing in the world can give me peace because no mortal man will love me like God does. He loves me, faults and all, and always forgives me, even though He knows everything about me.
Our key verse is from Jesus’ farewell message to His disciples. When Jesus told them to be at peace and not afraid, His perspective went beyond the cross. He saw His resurrection, His return to heaven, and the arrival of the Holy Spirit.
When you trust in Jesus, you find three kinds of peace.
Peace with God. You are reconciled to God, and your sins are forgiven. No matter what happens, you have a Savior named Jesus. He saves you from eternal punishment, and you will spend eternity with Him.
Peace with others. When you are right with God, all your other relationships fall into place. To improve relationships with others, focus on your relationship with God.
Peace within. The Holy Spirit lives in you when you accept Jesus as your Savior. He is your Comforter and Guide. You experience peace because the Holy Spirit is with you, guiding your way. The more time you spend with Jesus, the more peace you have.
Do I always have peace about everything? No, experiencing God's peace does not mean avoiding problems, pain, and sorrow. But I find comfort and encouragement in God's Word, knowing God will never leave me or forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:8).
Peace is a free gift from God. Do you need peace? God is close. Call on Him today.
Thank you for joining us today. If you would like to learn more about OhSoFree Ministries, please visit us at http://www.ohsofreeministries.com
Freely Speaking Audio Devotion
February 18, 2026 • Marge Webb • Matthew 5:16
Marge Webb, Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.
Today’s devotion was written by Marge Webb.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” Matthew 5:16 (KJV).
Shuffling down the mammoth cave with its steep, slippery slope, I suppose I felt both excitement and fear. The freezing temperatures and the long hike to the bottom were taxing on my five-year-old frame. When we finally reached our destination tour guides pointed out stalagmites and other cave features. But my most stark memory of this adventure was when they turned off all the lights. I’ve never in my 70 years experienced such utter blackness. This wasn’t the darkness of an unlit bedroom or the beauty of a starry night. It was literally pitch black.
At times, this is how I see the world around me—utter darkness. People walking around with their eyes closed, oblivious to their true hope in Jesus. Since the Garden of Eden, people have lived in spiritual darkness. When this month’s theme of “Jesus in Me,” popped up, my mind turned to letting my light shine, which I pray to do daily.
When Jesus spoke the words “let your light shine” in Matthew 5, he was speaking to his disciples and to others who gathered to listen. They had heard an outstanding sermon that day, one of the finest Jesus ever preached. We call it the Sermon on the Mount, and Jesus tells us that we are blessed when we are merciful, meek, and promote peace. He also tells us to be glad when people persecute us and insult us.
Letting our light shine amid persecution is difficult. When a spouse has addiction struggles, we don’t feel happy and shiny. When teenage children are rebellious, our glowing light can dim. Darkness closes in on us.
The lights finally came on in my childhood trip to Carlsbad Caverns, and an elevator provided a quick ride back to the surface. All was well.
When we experience a season of difficulty, let’s keep our light shining. We can dispel the darkness, bringing hope to those around us with Christ’s love, life, and light.
Thank you for joining us today. If you would like to learn more about OhSoFree Ministries, please visit us at http://www.ohsofreeministries.com
Freely Speaking Audio Devotion
February 17, 2026 • Sharon Gomez • Romans 12:15
Sharon Gomez, Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.
Today’s devotion was written by Sharon Gomez.
”Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15, NIV).
Have you ever had sympathy pains when someone you care about hurts? Like when I see a cut on my mom’s 86-year-old arm, I’m sure I feel a tingle on that very spot of my own arm!
I consider myself an empathetic person, and I have been told many times that I should have been a therapist! If you are an empath like me, it can be a gift and a “heart-ship.” I have felt my heart be light when others are joyful, and I have felt my heart ache when I see others in pain. Jesus lives in me when I allow my gifts to be used for others.
Today’s verse falls under the heading of “Love in Action” in the NIV version of Romans Chapter 12. Sandwiched between the verses to “bless those who persecute us” and to “live in harmony with one another” lies our verse on rejoicing and mourning with one another. Paul’s directives are clear, and, knowing the human heart, he sets them up in verse 2 with “Do not conform to the pattern of this world…” Instead of relying on our own motivations to use our gifts, we are provided with a means to live in a way that is the opposite of our culture.
The knowledge that Jesus lives in me is the motivation I need to continue living the way that pleases Him, and it’s a reminder I don’t need to rely on my own feelings or willpower to do so. Living with Jesus in me isn’t always easy, but it inevitably leads to gratitude for His grace and the desire to stay faithful.
Can you identify how it looks for Jesus to live in you? Maybe you know it immediately, or perhaps it requires some prayer. Either way, take a moment to appreciate that special part of you and thank God for the gift only you can give.
Thank you for joining us today. If you would like to learn more about OhSoFree Ministries, please visit us at http://www.ohsofreeministries.com/.
Freely Speaking Audio Devotion
February 11, 2026 • Tara Thompson • John 13:4–5
Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.
Today, Tara Thompson encourages us to seek opportunities to serve prayerfully.
“He rose from supper. He laid aside His outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around His waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet” (John 13:4-5 KJV).
When was the last time you took the time to wash the feet of others? Maybe we don’t get the chance to literally wash each other's feet, but there are so many opportunities before us each day to serve others in the way Jesus would.
From a very young age, my mom always taught my sister and I to care for others. Our favorite way to serve others was in the kitchen through preparing meals or baking treats. We would help her in the kitchen, and then we would go with her to deliver the meals to neighbors or to those who just needed a little “pick me up.” We would always leave feeling like we had lifted not only others' spirits, but also our own.
John 13:4-5 talks about how Jesus served the disciples by washing their feet. He saw an opportunity and humbled Himself to serve. These verses should encourage us to do the same.
I’ve always heard the saying that we may be the only Jesus some people see. My young heart didn’t fully comprehend what we were doing then, but I do now. We were doing our best to love others the way Jesus asks us to do—to let His light shine through us.
Maybe washing feet looks like preparing a meal, picking up groceries for someone who can’t get out, helping a neighbor with yardwork, or just sitting and listening to someone’s story. Whatever the opportunity, may we let Jesus’ light shine in us as we serve others.
Is there a friend, coworker, neighbor, or church member who needs an act of service? Pray about whose feet the Lord calls you to wash today.
Thank you for joining us today. If you would like to learn more about OhSoFree Ministries, please visit us at http://www.ohsofreeministries.com/
Freely Speaking Audio Devotion
February 10, 2026 • Angela Gray • Proverbs 15:1
Angela Gray, Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.
Today’s devotion was written by Angela Gray.
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1 NIV).
My pursuit of gentleness began during a painful season of conflict with my teenage son. Raised voices and angry words had become the daily norm in our home, and I mourned the loss of the close relationship we had always shared. I was bewildered by the sudden disrespect and rebellion, and I found myself responding in hurt and frustration. Every harsh word widened the distance between us, and my heart was broken.
As I poured out my heart to the LORD, asking Him to change my son’s attitude, I heard the Holy Spirit whisper, “A gentle answer turns away wrath…” My prayer quickly changed to, LORD, change MY heart,” and from that moment, things began to change.
The Holy Spirit now tempered my responses with gentleness, and when gentleness governed MY attitude, the harsh words of anger spewing from my son were diffused. Calm replaced chaos, and in only a few days, my son opened up to me about the struggles he was facing.
The use of the word “gentle” in today’s scripture does not mean weak or timid. Its meaning is “tenderness with underlying strength,” and it perfectly describes Jesus's response as he faced arguments, accusations, and anger. Do you recall his calm defense in the discussions with the Pharisees, the peace he portrayed in Pilate’s hall, and the prayer of forgiveness he prayed over those who crucified him?
Isaiah 40:11 tells of a shepherd who GENTLY leads the sheep who are with young. I’m so thankful for the gentleness Christ has shown this mother and how He has made that same gentleness available to me through the presence of the Holy Spirit working in me. I long to reflect that gentleness in my countenance, words, and actions every day.
If you find you are struggling with conflict in a relationship, I encourage you to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and let His gentleness change your heart and heal the hurt.
Thank you for joining us today. If you would like to learn more about OhSoFree Ministries, please visit us at http://www.ohsofreeministries.com/.
Freely Speaking Audio Devotion
February 9, 2026 • Sharee Gaiser • Romans 8:25
Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.
Today, Sharee Gaiser reminds us that hopeful waiting is an act of trust in God’s faithfulness.
“But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” Romans 8:25 (NIV)
Patience has never been my strong suit. I dislike waiting and living with chronic health conditions has forced me into seasons of delays I never chose. Unanswered prayers, unpredictable situations and limits I cannot overcome by effort alone are my reality. And yet… it is precisely in this waiting that Christ has been at work—not fixing my circumstances but transforming my heart.
In these unchosen seasons, patience takes root. Healing may be delayed and frustration may rise as I long for life to be different. And yet… God is teaching me to hold life honestly, trusting Him in the midst of reality rather than wishing it away. Romans 8:25 reminds us that biblical hope is not passive wishing but active trust in God’s future work. Even when the outcome is unseen, hope calls us to rely on His faithfulness.
One word has reshaped how I face these challenges: yet. A simple word that turns statements of limitation into statements of possibility.
God has not healed me… yet.
I can’t do that… yet.
Adding ‘yet’ to honest struggles allows me to live in the tension of waiting without losing hope. It reminds me that God’s work continues, even when I cannot see progress. Yet is not passive; it is a quiet declaration that growth, healing and transformation remain possible. I can trust, rest and keep walking forward, knowing that God is always at work.
Where does impatience show up in your life? Try adding yet to your statements of struggle. Instead of saying, “I am not thriving,” say, “I am not thriving… yet.” This small shift reframes discouragement into hope, reminding us that God is at work even when progress feels slow.
This fruit didn’t appear overnight. It has been shaped gradually through prayer, surrender, and God’s quiet faithfulness. His patience steadies my hope and keeps anxiety from taking over. God isn’t finished with me… yet. And in this sacred space of waiting, patience continues to grow—gently nurtured by His hand.
Thank you for joining us today. If you would like to learn more about OhSoFree Ministries, please visit us at http://www.ohsofreeministries.com/
