May 27, 2026 • Angela Vandagriff • Colossians 1:10
Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.
Today, Angela Vandagriff shares how God challenged her to move beyond serving only within her comfort zone and step into a deeper obedience to Christ’s call to serve.
“And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me”’ (Matthew 25:40 NKJV).
Living in an ivory tower of beautiful servitude, unaware of how sheltered my service had become, God needed to move me. I was only serving those who were easy to serve.
I helped feed the hungry, clothed those in need, and opened my home to the unhoused. I extended Christ’s love to the lovable. But I wasn’t fully living in God’s calling for my life. I had not yet surrendered myself to the kind of service Jesus required from me.
In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 25, Jesus talks about feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, and visiting the sick. Check those boxes for me. However, I quickly read past the words “visit the prisoner”.
That phrase unsettled me. It made me uncomfortable, yet I began to recognize what the Lord had been whispering to my heart all along. I had been unwilling to step out of what was safe, resisting the deeper call He was placing before me. God was urging me to take the light into the darkness by serving the least, the incarcerated.
The Lord placed today’s Scripture before me: “To whatever degree you have served the least of My people, you have done it unto Me. Those words stopped me, humbled me. I had not been serving the least of His people, the incarcerated! My soul was convicted; I had not been serving the Lord to the degree I was called.
I ran from the least of His children and chose the safety of my ivory tower. God asked more of me, and I ran. Today, I'm blooming; I no longer run from the darkness.
Is God calling you out of your ivory tower? Be spontaneous today and serve outside of your comfort zone. Take your light and run toward the darkness!
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
May 26, 2026 • Andi Benson • 1 Peter 4:10
Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.
Today, Andi Benson reminds us that God has uniquely gifted each of us to serve others where He has placed us.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10 NIV).
Serving others is not just a suggestion in the Christian life—it is a calling woven into our very being as followers of Christ. God has uniquely gifted each of us to bless and uplift those around us. When we choose to serve, we become living expressions of His grace, reflecting His love in tangible ways.
We might feel that our gifts are small or insignificant, or we may wish we were placed somewhere else, somewhere with more opportunity or visibility. But God, in His wisdom, has planted you exactly where you are for a purpose. Your family, workplace, church, and community are not random; they are your mission field.
In time, I have come to realize that service to the Lord is ever-changing. The paths I’ve walked, the hurts I’ve endured, the lessons I’ve learned, and the wisdom that has come from each have prepared and shaped me for whatever God calls me to in that season of life. Service is most natural when we relate and show compassion to those around us.
Serving where God has placed you brings growth. It stretches your patience, deepens your compassion, and strengthens your faith. In the quiet, unseen acts of service—helping a neighbor, encouraging a friend, or volunteering your time—you begin to see God working through you. These moments shape your character and draw you closer to Him.
Faithfulness in small things leads to greater spiritual maturity. As you steward the gifts God has given you, you learn to depend on His strength rather than your own. Serving becomes less about obligation and more about joy, as you witness the impact of God’s grace flowing through your obedience.
Today, ask yourself: How can I serve right where I am? Trust that God will use your willingness to not only bless others but to grow you into the person He has called you to be.
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
May 25, 2026 • Susan Hales • Matthew 28:19–20
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.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:19–20 NIV).
There is a Netflix series called Famous Last Words. This series features in-depth interviews with famous people that will air after the subjects' deaths.
Our key verse is the last words of Jesus on earth, so it deserves our utmost attention.
Disciple means learner. Jesus selected 12 disciples during His earthly ministry and taught them for three years. His last words to them were to go and make disciples and teach them to obey everything He commanded.
As believers, we are called to follow Jesus, so we are also instructed to make disciples and teach others. But what does that mean?
Discipleship, also known as biblical mentoring, is a relationship in which a person intentionally invests their life in another to help them grow in their walk with the Lord.
Soon, I'll be working with a young woman interested in discipleship, having just attended a class on the topic at church. I admit, I'm feeling rather anxious about this.
However, I know that transformation originates from the Holy Spirit, not from me. And God equips us for what He calls us to do.
God’s plan and the aim of discipleship is the multiplication of the Gospel to transform people and the world. Each disciple will disciple others, and the process will continue.
Will you obey the last words of Jesus to disciple others and achieve God’s plan to change the world for His glory?
Thank you for joining us today. To learn more about OhSoFree Ministries, please visit us at http://www.ohsofreeministries.com
Freely Speaking Audio Devotion
May 20, 2026 • Marge Webb • John 4:36
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.
“And he who reaps receives wages and gathers fruit for eternal life; that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together” (John 4:36 NKJV).
The first spring after we married, Jeff and I planted a yard full of beautiful flowers. I must confess I didn’t know the difference between a petunia and a pansy, but my friend at work lived on a farm and gave me a variety of flowers. She explained how to plant each flower, and which ones needed shade or sun. I learned so much, and the yard looked pretty.
The next spring, I was 3 or 4 months pregnant, throwing up with morning sickness at various times of day, struggling to get to work, and caring nothing about planting. The yard was bare, and that was the end of my planting days. Jeff took up the mantle a few years later and now loves gardening.
There are many references in the Bible to gardening. The entire building of man’s relationship to God begins in a garden. Jesus speaks about being a vine into which we should be grafted. The above verse from John talks about sowing seeds and reaping a harvest.
My favorite is a parable in Matthew chapter 13 describing how seeds should and should not be sown to produce a good crop. If we sow in healthy soil, free from rocks and thorns, and if we sow at the proper depth, we will reap a good harvest. When the disciples asked Jesus why he spoke in parables, he explained that they would not understand his teachings if he didn’t tell stories.
Jesus was obviously a master teacher. Jesus goes on in Matthew 13 to quote from Isaiah because many of Isaiah’s prophecies were fulfilled through Jesus' presence on earth. His parable of sowing seed taught His disciples then and teaches us now to hide God’s word deep in our hearts so that when trials come, God’s truth will help us survive and thrive.
In what ways are you blooming this spring, and what is God teaching 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
May 19, 2026 • Sharon Gomez • 2 Peter 3:18
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.
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen” (2 Peter 3:18, NIV).
Springtime brings blooming flowers, busy bees, colorful butterflies, and new growth everywhere in our grass, trees, and bushes. Spring warmth and sunshine spark this renewal in nature and in us, too. We run to the garden supply stores to restock our gardens, or we roll up our sleeves to deep-clean our patio chairs and BBQs!
Spring is also a time for spiritual renewal. It can be a time to reflect on how Christ has grown us, or a time to act on a nudge God has been laying on our hearts. I have been taking a deep dive into the chronological study of the Bible, and I feel my knowledge of not just biblical stories is growing—I’m learning to see God’s character through His written word.
In today’s verse, Peter encourages us to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. Whether we have been in church all our lives or are just now starting to understand the Christian Faith, growing in God’s word is a lifetime journey—a journey we choose to pursue and strive to live by.
This knowledge can be found not just in our weekly church messages, but also in small-group study, individual quiet time, commentary videos or readings, and even in creative processes like decorating your Bible or journaling a verse with words or drawings.
God zealously wants us to know Him, and the best way to know Him is to look at the life of Jesus. As we do this, our hearts begin to open, and grace fills us, slowly transforming us from the inside out. Our faith matures, and we begin to glorify God by sharing our knowledge, loving others, and serving those around us.
Is there an experience you had that God used to transform you, or is there an area you feel God nudging you toward growth?
Thank you for joining us today. To learn more about OhSoFree Ministries, please visit us at http://www.ohsofreeministries.com
Freely Speaking Audio Devotion
May 13, 2026 • Tara Thompson • Mark 10:45
Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.
Today, Tara Thompson encourages us to follow Jesus’ example of humility by choosing to serve others rather than seeking to be served.
“For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45, KJV).
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to focus on being served rather than serving? In a world that constantly tells us to prioritize ourselves, Jesus offers a completely different model, one rooted in humility and sacrifice.
Sometimes it seems like everything hits at once. One evening, after a long day, someone close to me needed help. My first instinct was to think, “I don’t have the energy for this.” But something nudged me to pause and serve anyway.
What I thought would drain me actually filled me! That simple act shifted my perspective and reminded me that serving others isn’t a burden; it’s a calling.
Today’s verse from the book of Mark shows us that Jesus, the Son of God, did not come to be served, but to serve others. If anyone deserved to be waited on, it was Him! Yet He chose humility, compassion, and ultimately sacrifice. Serving others isn’t about convenience; it’s about reflecting Christ’s heart.
Applying this Scripture means looking for opportunities—big or small—to put others before ourselves. It could be offering your time, extending patience, or simply showing kindness when it’s inconvenient. True service often happens in the “unnoticed” moments.
When we serve like Jesus did, we not only bless others, but we also grow our faith. Over time, we spiritually mature and start to align our Will with His. We even become more like Him with each step of obedience.
Think about one opportunity in your life right now where you can serve. Once you have accomplished that act, reflect on how the experience grew your faith.
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
May 12, 2026 • Angela Gray • Galatians 6:2
Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.
Today’s devotion was written by Angela Gray.
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2 NIV).
Gym memberships are great for getting into shape, but as a teen, the barn was my gym; bags of feed were my weights, and hauling hay became my exercise regimen. Strength and stamina came easily to me then.
That’s certainly not the case anymore. Health issues and age have brought an end to my heavy-lifting days. Nowadays, I often need someone to help me carry things that have become too heavy for me to handle on my own.
In Galatians 6, Paul tells us to “Carry each other’s burdens.” He tells us to lift up fellow believers who have stumbled under the weight of burdens, and to restore those who are weighted down by their failures and may have fallen into sin.
Paul says that when we help others carry their burdens, we are fulfilling “the law of Christ”. What is the law of Christ? John 13:34 makes it simple and clear.“…Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another”.
This love was displayed by Jesus when he prayed for Peter. Peter believed he was ready to give his life for Christ, yet just as Jesus had foretold, Peter ended up denying knowing Jesus. After that failure, a broken Peter went out and wept bitterly.
Even though Jesus knew Peter would stumble and fall, he prayed that Peter would return to him and, one day, strengthen others. In the book of Acts, we read about Peter's boldness after he was restored.
Like Peter, I’ve stumbled and failed Jesus, but Jesus prayed for me, too. He sent fellow believers–some I met through OhSoFree–to uplift me, to help carry my burden, to show me the love of Jesus.
His love now gives me the strength to pray for others who are weighed down by their burdens and to lift them up as we each grow stronger in our love for Christ and for each other.
If you are struggling, let me encourage you, my friend. Jesus loves you. He sees you. He has prayed for you. He wants to mend the brokenness and restore you today.
Thank you for joining us today. To learn more about OhSoFree Ministries, please visit us at http://www.ohsofreeministries.com
Freely Speaking Audio Devotion
May 11, 2026 • Sharee Gaiser • Colossians 1:10
Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.
Today, Sharee Gaiser encourages us to take inventory of our thoughts so that we grow in the knowledge of God.
“…so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” (Colossians 1:10 NIV)
When I was growing up, I didn’t think it mattered much what I thought about. Thoughts felt hidden—private, unseen, and harmless. Some lifted my perspective, but others lingered, quietly shaping how I saw myself, others, and even God. Over time, I’ve come to realize that thoughts are never neutral. They form the soil from which our actions grow, and ultimately, the fruit our lives produce.
We don’t often take inventory of our thought life. Yet Scripture reminds us that the way we live—our words, choices, and attitudes—flows from what we nurture within. Our thoughts precede our actions. What we dwell on will, sooner or later, be expressed in how we live and serve.
One persistent thought I’ve carried for much of my life is that I need to prove I am good enough for God and for others to accept me. That belief has quietly shaped my motivations, often leading me to strive, perform, and seek approval rather than serve from a place of rest. It’s a heavy way to live, and it quietly distorts the heart of the Gospel.
In Colossians, Paul calls believers to live lives that please God—not through striving, but through “growing in the knowledge of God.” As I’ve come to know Him more deeply through Scripture, prayer, and gathering with other believers, my thinking has been transformed. I now know that I am already fully known and deeply loved in Christ. From that place of security, everything shifts. I no longer need to strive to earn acceptance; I can live from the acceptance I already have.
The fruit we produce is shaped by the thoughts we cultivate. When our minds are rooted in truth, our lives will reflect it, bearing good fruit that flows from freedom rather than pressure.
What thoughts are you allowing to take root in your life? Are they leading you toward truth, or away from it?
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
May 5, 2026 • Liz'a Biswell • Genesis 50:20
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.
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people” (Genesis 50:20 NLT).
I’ve struggled to receive the love and identity offered through Jesus. Trauma twisted what love meant to me. Love became harm, loss, and fear. I was hurt and betrayed by people who were supposed to love me. I became afraid of being loved at all. Because of others’ harmful actions, I became convinced that something must be wrong with me.
“But God” appears nearly 600 times in Scripture, depending on the translation. It’s my favorite phrase because it marks the moment when human failure or desperate circumstances are overturned by divine action. In Genesis 50:20, Joseph tells his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good.” The people who should have loved him allowed jealousy to lead to betrayal, and Joseph endured years of suffering. But God used every part of his story to position him for purpose.
Everyone carries wounds and struggles. Everyone has a choice. We can allow these things to define and destroy us, or we can surrender them to God and let Him use them for good. When we give God our pain, He gives us healing and restoration. As He restores us, we understand who we are in Him and what He created us to do. This kind of love cannot stay contained; it overflows from us to those around us, and this becomes our ministry. As we grow in our identity, our ministries grow with us.
Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” Today, I pray that you grow in the identity Jesus has given you. Believe what God says about you—not what the world has done to you. And where love once meant fear or loss, may you now experience the steady, healing love of 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
April 28, 2026 • Andi Benson • Colossians 1:17
Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.
Today, Andi Benson reminds us that it is God who holds everything together.
“He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17 NIV).
In a world that constantly changes, where stability feels absent, and certainty is rare, this simple yet profound verse anchors our hearts: Jesus is before all things, and in Him all things HOLD together. That means before your first breath, before your greatest joy, before your deepest wound—He was there. And not only was He present, but He was also sovereign.
To say Jesus is “before all things” reminds us that He is in and above every circumstance. Nothing surprises Him. Nothing outruns Him. Nothing overpowers Him. When life feels chaotic, we can rest in the truth that He precedes the chaos and reigns over it.
Throughout my life, I’ve experienced countless moments where God has held me and kept everything together. I am no stranger to hardship—I've battled illness, gone through divorce, lost my home, and mourned the death of my spouse. Much of my life has been marked by pain and upheaval. Yet, through every trial, God has always been by my side.
“In Him all things hold together.” The atoms of the universe, the rhythm of seasons, even the beating of our hearts. The relationships we cherish, the purpose we seek, the hope we cling to, all work through Christ. When we try to hold our lives together on our own, we struggle. When we surrender, we discover that He has been holding us all along.
Jesus is not just a helper added to our plans. He is everything. He is the source, the sustainer, and the center. Remove Him, and life unravels. When you trust Him, your life comes into balance.
Today, whatever feels like it’s falling apart, remember it is not you who must hold everything together. Christ already does. Rest in Him. Build on Him. Let your life revolve around the One who holds it all.
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 27, 2026 • Susan Hales • John 8:34–36
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.
“Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed’” (John 8:34-36 NIV).
While growing up, I attended church with my family and followed all the rules like a good girl. When I left home for college, I abandoned God and left the church and all the rules and regulations behind. I thought, at last, I’m free!
I did not realize I had traded those rules for chains of selfishness, sin, guilt, and shame. Many bad choices led me to a place in my life I never wanted to be.
When I considered attending church, I imagined God would never forgive me because my life was so messed up.
I finally realized that Satan disguises sin as freedom. Also, I recognized God never abandoned me, even though I had abandoned Him. He loves me so much that He sent His Son Jesus to earth to pay the price for my sin and be the ultimate sacrifice.
Jesus offers everyone true freedom. Freedom from death. Freedom from the slavery of sin. Freedom from guilt and shame. We are truly free in Christ.
Instead of following the rules, Jesus urges us to follow Him.
Instead of being slaves to sin, we are adopted into the family of Christ when we accept Him as our Savior.
Do you want true freedom? Realize that your sin separates you from God and that He gives the gracious gift of eternal life through belief in Jesus Christ.
Romans 10:9 says “…that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved…”
Are you ready to be truly free?
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 22, 2026 • Angela Vandagriff • Psalm 23:1–3
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 qualities of Jesus, our good shepherd.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake” (Psalms 23:1,3 KJV).
My life has unfolded in waves of chaos, each one snowballing—fear growing louder, devastation deeper, until my soul cried out in the pains of my life: “God, where are you?”
Have you ever screamed out in desperation like that?
Have you needed a Shepherd to guide you, yet found His voice too distant to hear—seemingly lost beneath the noise of fear and the chaos of life? Have you wandered into snares you could not escape, believing yourself too broken and unworthy to be rescued?
I was like that. And yet… He found me. He drew me from darkness, from fear, from places I could not save myself. When I read, “The Lord is my shepherd,” I have difficulty comprehending the depth of that promise, yet He has made that promise real for me.
In today's scripture, we discover a Shepherd who searches, rescues, guards, and provides for His sheep, never abandoning them but restoring their souls. Jesus is my Shepherd who knows where I am at all times. He watches over me, pursues me, protects me, provides for me, and remains steadfast. He remains just as steadfast in your life as well.
A shepherd leads his sheep; he does not drive them. With the hook of his staff, he pulls them from danger, guiding them away from harm. The rod is not for punishment—it directs, protects, and removes threats that could destroy a sheep.
The Lord, our Shepherd, does not force or push us. He draws us safely, corrects with love, and pours His healing over our hurts. By His hands, we are guided, protected, and restored.
My sweet friend, what are you running from today? Do you need a Shepherd to pull you from brokenness, shame, grief, fear, or anxiety? Stop running. Be still. Let the greatest Shepherd guide you, protect you, and restore your soul.
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 21, 2026 • Sharon Gomez • 1 Timothy 2:5
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.
“For there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity - the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5, NLT).
Death is the price needed to atone for sin. This year, I am taking a deep dive into a chronological study of the bible. So far, I have worked through the book of Job, Genesis, and Exodus. Reading through these books that outline God’s creation of a kingdom, I find myself consistently grateful for Jesus.
God wanted to dwell with His chosen people, so He provided many ways for them to fulfill the debt of sin: a tent in the wilderness (Exodus 33:7-11), a portable tabernacle (Exodus 40), High Priests (Leviticus 16:32-34), and detailed sacrificial systems (Leviticus 1-7) were lovingly provided and put into place. Yet there was always a plan for the perfect mediator, Jesus.
Today’s verse, written by Timothy (believed to be some 1,500-1,600 years after Exodus), is just one of many that testify to Jesus as our ultimate sacrifice and the only one who can reconcile us to God.
Jesus means so many things to me (friend, teacher, comforter, and companion, to name a few), but right now, Jesus as mediator means the most. From the beginning of time, God wanted to be close to us, but humanity fell short of being Holy enough to be in His presence. After Jesus ascended into heaven and poured out His Spirit, all who believed were saved.
When God looks at us through the blood-stained Jesus, He sees us as sinless. We become worthy for the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts, so we have access to God 24/7!
We became the tabernacle living in the wilderness. Like those who were gifted the skills to construct the tabernacle, we are gifted to carry out God’s purpose wherever and however we are, because He meets us there!
Thank Jesus for what He did, confess any sins, and walk into your day with confidence that the perfect mediator is making the way into the kingdom of heaven!
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 15, 2026 • Marge Webb • Psalm 3:3
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.
“But Thou, O Lord, art a Shield for me; My glory, and the lifter up of mine head” (Psalm 3:3 KJV).
After the little green Vega rolled to a dead stop on the Turner Turnpike, my friend Marcia and I walked a mile to the Phillips66 station. This was not a lively On Cue or a fancy Buckee’s like we have today. This hole-in-the-wall had only one customer as it was 10 minutes until closing. We had left our college campus in Springfield, Mo., hours before and should have already arrived in Oklahoma City.
“God, what are we going to do?” I prayed silently. I was not about to wake my dad and have him drive 90 miles from Ada to rescue us, and Marcia’s parents were missionaries in Africa. We were in a desperate situation. Then I saw a huge, shiny red 18-wheeler and had an idea.
“Sir, would you be heading for Oklahoma City?” I timidly asked the big rig driver. He was, and we climbed into his truck. The rest of the story of Marcia telling the truck driver about Jesus, drunks chatting with us as we arrive in the city, finding a place to stay at midnight, and how we found a ride back to Springfield is even crazier than hitchhiking.
The Psalmist David knew God as a protector while running from his rebellious son, Absalom, when he penned the verse above. David knew God as a protector when he bravely faced Goliath. His previous fights with a lion and a bear let him know that God would be with him as he faced this giant.
Almighty God, the all-powerful and ever-present being in our lives, protects us from whatever comes our way. He guards us from evil, and His presence shelters us from harm.
Did Marcia and I do a dumb thing, hitching a ride with a stranger? Perhaps. But I don’t recall being fearful because I believe that after praying, God provided the best way to reach our destination. If He provided the ride, I knew He would protect us.
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 14, 2026 • Angela Gray • Matthew 1:23
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
