He Took Me by the Hand: The Power of Divine Guidance
Published: May 2, 2025
Reading Time: 4–5 minutes
There are moments when life feels like too much to carry.
Moments when discouragement, fear, grief, or failure seem to have the final say. But there’s a deeper truth: God is still reaching. Still restoring. Still taking us by the hand.
In Scripture, God's hand symbolizes more than help — it represents His power, presence, and personal guidance. Time and again, we see that when God takes someone by the hand, everything changes.
His Hand Brings Change
In the Book of Acts, Peter lifted a lame man at the temple gate by the hand — and immediately, his feet and ankles received strength. That man went from begging to leaping and praising.
In Mark 5, Jesus took a dead girl by the hand — and she rose.
In Mark 8, He led a blind man away from the crowd, took him by the hand, and gave him sight.
In Matthew 14, Peter began to sink after walking on water — and Jesus reached out His hand and saved him.
These aren't just moments in history. They’re windows into how God still moves today.
What Happens When God Takes You by the Hand?
When God leads, He doesn’t just pull you forward — He pulls you out:
Out of depression
Out of addiction
Out of confusion
Out of defeat
He leads us into peace, purpose, and healing. And even when His hand brings testing or correction, it's never to harm — always to heal.
“I came in broken, but I left restored. I came in blind, but I left with vision. I came in stuck, but I walked out free.”
– The testimony of everyone who’s truly taken by His hand.
It’s Time to Reach Out
It’s not about being perfect. You don’t have to “have it all together” to grab hold of God’s hand — just be willing.
Are you stuck at the gate like the lame man?
Are you sinking like Peter?
Are you buried in grief like Jairus?
Are you spiritually blind and surrounded by doubt?
The hand of God is extended to you.
You Might Be the Hand Someone Else Needs
Sometimes, God’s hand comes through His people. Just as Peter reached for the beggar, you may be called to extend hope to someone else.
Your faith.
Your prayer.
Your worship.
Your obedience.
It all becomes a conduit for someone else’s miracle.
Final Thoughts
When Jesus takes us by the hand, it’s not just for a moment — it’s a lifetime of direction and victory. It’s time to stop walking alone. He’s reaching for you.
Take His hand. Let Him lead.
From Pastor Darren: A Call to Holiness – Living by the Spirit
Friday, April 25th 2025
TCOD family,
I want to take a few moments to share something God has placed deep in my heart. This isn’t just another message—it’s a reminder, a challenge, and a call to every one of us: we are called to holiness. Not by our standards, but by His Word. And that call is still very much alive today.
Holiness Isn’t Optional
We’re living in a world where, if you ask around, nobody’s lost. Everyone thinks they’re okay. But when you hold up your life next to the Word of God, the truth becomes clear. Romans 3:23 tells us plainly: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” And thank God for 1 John 2:1 that reminds us: “If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”
That’s not just comforting—it’s life-changing. But the question is: are we truly living holy? Holiness isn't just what people see on the outside. It starts inside. It begins with surrender.
The Struggle Is Real
Even after being born again—repenting, being baptized in Jesus’ name, and receiving the Holy Ghost—we still carry that sinful nature. That flesh is still very much alive. I tell folks all the time, "After you come out of that water, you’re going to be fighting hell with a toothpick." That’s why we need each other. That’s why we need to walk in the Spirit. Because good intentions? They won’t get the job done.
Romans 7 shows us the battle—Paul himself saying, “When I would do good, evil is present with me.” But Romans 8 gives us the victory: walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Like a Bird Against Gravity
I shared this example the other night, and it stuck with some folks. Think of a bird flying—it’s flapping its wings, overcoming gravity. But the moment it stops, it drops. It’s the same with us. The moment we stop praying, stop worshiping, stop seeking God… we fall. The flesh takes over. And flesh never leads us into holiness.
Holiness requires action. Daily flapping. Daily surrender. And when we walk in the Spirit, we begin to soar again.
Know. Reckon. Yield.
Romans 6 lays out a threefold approach to victory over sin:
Know – Know that when you were born again, you died to sin. It no longer has dominion over you.
Reckon – Reckon yourself dead to sin. Act like it. Believe it.
Yield – Yield your body and life to righteousness. Stop going the same way, stop seeing the same people, stop the old habits. Yield to God.
They Need You
Let me say this clearly—we’ve got people who’ve repented, been baptized, filled with the Holy Ghost… and they’re not here anymore. And that may be our fault. You don’t give birth to a baby and then feed it once a week. No—we nurture, we support, we grow them up in the Lord. New believers need you. They need your prayers, your friendship, your discipleship. Don’t leave them to figure it out on their own.
Choose to Live Holy
Holiness is a choice. I told the church plainly: “Don’t just act like you’re saved. Be saved.” If you’re still doing the things you used to do, talking the same, thinking the same, something’s got to change. Because holiness isn’t just about looking right on Sunday—it’s about being right when no one’s watching.
God didn’t erase your sinful nature, but He did give you dominion over it. And that’s the message: you’re not forced to sin anymore. You’ve got the Spirit of God living inside you. Choose to walk in it.
Church, I love you. And I want to see each of us not just surviving, but soaring. Let’s not go through the motions anymore. Let’s live a life that pleases God in every area—at church, at home, at work, on the road. Let’s live holy.
Flap those wings every day. Don’t let gravity win.
– Pastor Darren