Faith to Walk on Water

By Toni Weisz/Spiritual Disciplines

Scriptures: Matthew 14: 22-33

We see in Scripture right after Jesus feeds over five thousand men, not including women and children, the disciples are to go into the boat and go before Him to the other side. Then He sends the multitude away and goes up into the mountain to pray. But the boat, now in the middle of the sea, was caught in a treacherous storm that tossed the boat to and fro for the wind was against them.

Do you ever feel like the wind is against you when you are trying to serve God and trust Him through the storms of your life? It’s hard not to focus on the storm because it surrounds us and it causes us to fear, be anxious, and feel hopeless.

Then Jesus speaks to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” Have you heard God speak those words to your heart?

Then bold and courageous Peter says, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” I want to have faith like Peter to step out of the boat to trust God when I am in the midst of a storm of uncertainty, fear, and even death.

Jesus says to us, “Come.” He wants us to grow in our faith and trust in Him.

How do we gain the confidence to step out? Through many trials and tribulations, we learn through time that God is faithful. He is working on things behind the scenes that we are not even aware of. We know that even the bad things we go through, He is working them all out for our good and His glory (Ref. Romans 8:28).

When Peter takes his eyes off of Jesus he starts to sink; the same is true for us. When we focus on the storm, we lose sight of God, and we become paralyzed by fear. Jesus is gently reminding us, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Questions to take to heart:

Are you in the midst of a storm right now?
What are you focusing on?
Is Jesus telling you it’s time to step out of the boat?
How can we pray for you?

I pray this topic was helpful for you. I have learned to trust God in the midst of the storm. He is my anchor, my refuge, and my deliverer. Please reach out if you need to talk: toni@myashestobeauty.com.

You are loved,

Toni

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Kelly’s Story of Redemption (audio)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbUBBBviMQs

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Idolatry and Codependency (Part 2)

By Toni Weisz/Recovery Tools

Scriptures: Philippians 4: 6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Idolatry is the act of putting something or someone before God in our hearts or minds. Idols are obsessions that consume us. An idol can be a job, money, a sport or hobby, a relationship, or a physical problem; anything that we put before God.

I find myself at least once per year picking up the book by Suellen McDolly, “Codependency No More.” It’s a quick read chock full of great insight, tips, and reminders to help me stay on my side of the street. Lately, I find myself jumping in and trying to control outcomes and situations in order to keep my home life more stable and comfortable. I don’t like hearing harsh and judgmental comments from an individual, so I try to control what is said to that person so that I don’t have to hear those harsh comments.

What? When I stopped to think about it, I again realized I cannot control another person’s conversation. What was I doing? Huge red flags were waving before my eyes. I felt so convicted that I was getting too intertwined in an unhealthy way. The Lord brought this to my mind. And the next day as I was journaling, He let me know what I was doing was a sin, it’s unhealthy and destructive, and it will rob me of my peace and joy.

The bottom line is when I don’t trust God to take care of things, and I jump into control things, I am telling God I can do better and I don’t need Your help. He knows I am feeling anxious and fearful. Look at Abraham and Sarah; she jumped in ahead of God’s plan and made a mess of her life and even the world because of her sin of not trusting God. I don’t want to make that same mistake.

I used to try to save, rescue, fix, and help other people too much, and it was extremely unhealthy. It was something I learned from my home of origin; it helped me cope with things I had no control over. Now I see that I have to be very careful that I don’t fall into those unhealthy behavioral patterns.

Lord, I recognize that I was trying to control things for my benefit so I could have peace in my home. That is wrong. I need to trust You and relinquish control to You completely. I surrender all to You. I pray You increase my faith and trust in You and leave the outcomes to You. I pray for this family member to have a soft heart and a desire to be in Your word daily. I believe a lot of this would change if he would do that, but I cannot control that either. All I can do is be an example of someone who is running hard after You, Lord. Help me, Lord, to keep my focus on You and You alone.

Questions to take to heart:

Are you fearful and anxious and trying to control things?
What is God leading you to do?
How can we pray for you?

Please reach out if you need to talk this week: toni@myashestobeauty.com.

To read Part 1 of Idolatry and Codependency:
https://myashestobeauty.com/idolatry-and-codependency-tonis-blog-abortion-recovery-and-abuse-support-group/

You are loved,
Toni

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Prayer That Moves Mountains

By Toni Weisz/Spiritual Disciplines

Scriptures: Mark 11:22b-24, Psalm 37:8c, 4-5, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, and Philippians 4:4-5a

We are starting a new year. I am challenging all of us to pray and ask God to give us a word or some Scriptures for this year. What is your word for this new year? Mine is, “Enter Into Your Rest.” The Scriptures are found in Mark 11. As many of you know, my son has been suffering with an unknown illness for many years. My daughter-in-law has also had some extremely troubling illnesses, and my daughter is a single mom basically raising my granddaughter on her own. I have been running hard after God all of 2025, and God has moved mightily and has answered many of my petitions, but there is still more to be done.

In my journalling time with the Lord on January 1, 2026, here is what the Holy Spirit told me:

“Little Bird, you are entering a new season. You are crossing over the Jordan onto dry land to finally enter into the promised land. The land flowing with milk and honey and abundant blessings. You have been wandering in the desert for many years. I have worked in all your lives and hearts and now, ‘Enter Into Your Rest.’ No more striving, no more fear, and no more anxiety. Do not fret; it only causes harm (Psalm 37:8c). Make Me your first thought in the morning. Make Me your priority. I am your great reward. Seek Me with your whole heart, mind, body, and soul. You have been laboring for so long; you need rest—rest for your weary soul.”

Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will bring it to pass. (Psalm 37:4-5)

“Have faith in God. For assuredly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore, I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them and you will have them.” (Mark 11:22b-24)

I am watching God’s promises unfold, and I am so much looking forward to a year of miracles. I want to have faith to move that mountain. I will be praying for this with my whole being and believing God will go before us and will fight our battles. He will provide, and He will lead us with His righteous right hand.

I pray you are also inspired to ask God for the impossible. God spoke in Genesis Chapter 1 and all of creation came into existence. If He can impregnate a virgin with the Son of God and raise Him from the dead after 3 days, God can answer your prayers, too. We just need faith to believe.

Questions to take to heart:

What is your word and verse for this year?
What things are you asking God for?
How can we pray for you?

I believe in my heart that this year 2026 is going to be our best year ever. God will move mountains, save the lost, heal the broken hearted and bind up their wounds. He will set the captives free, and He will turn our ashes onto something beautiful for our good and His glory!!!

Please reach out if you need to talk: toni@myashestobeauty.com.

You are loved,
Toni

P.S. I want to challenge us all to pray without ceasing and to rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice.

https://youtu.be/GVITQPGlI30?si=rkpm1rchU0k_oBU5

Crowder “Somebody Prayed” (Official Music Video)

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The Cover Up

By Toni Weisz/Spiritual Disciplines

Scriptures: 2 Samuel 11 and Numbers 32:23c

Have you ever covered up sin with more sin like David did in 2 Samuel when he had Uriah the Hittite killed?

When I found myself pregnant at 21, I panicked and thought, “I have to keep this a secret. How can I get rid of this problem quickly?” I made the plan, but I finally did not have my abortion until December 10, 1980, after I botched my first abortion appointment by not following protocol. This caused me to have to go home for Thanksgiving from college pregnant. God gave me several ways to escape my abortion, but I did not take them. I was convinced by the evil one that this was my only option.

Devising evil plans to cover up sin never has a good outcome. Look what happened to David’s baby with Bathsheba, and Uriah and the men who died with him, as a result of David’s sin. What about all the servants that knew about David’s adulterous affair? He caused many to stumble spiritually and to participate in his plans, and even Joab the commander of his army helped to secure Uriah’s death in battle.

Sin is all consuming, and if we allow it, it will destroy us and many other people.

“And be sure your sin will find you out.” (Numbers 32:23c)

God sees everything. So, when we think we are getting away with something, we are not; it is a lie from the devil, because God knows.

The best thing we can do is go running to God immediately and confess and repent. Perhaps even before we fall into sin and temptation, stop for a moment and pray. Consider the outcome of our decision.
Is it a good one? Does it glorify God or the evil one? Ask for help.

Questions to take to heart:

When have you sinned and tried to cover it up with another sin?
What was the outcome?
How did God restore you afterwards?
How can we pray for you?

Please reach out if you need prayer or help overcoming the sins from your past and the destruction it has left behind in your life and in the lives of others. You can email me at: toni@myashestobeauty.com.

You are loved,
Toni

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