Part of the work God does to grow us and change us is by testing through various trials. On the other hand, some of the changing work He does in our lives is quiet and gentle as He asks us to willingly bend our hearts to the work He is doing.
Read more..God promises to be with us always. In fact, we cannot escape his presence.
Read more..How many of us have an hour to pray? Though it would be sweet, can we really find that much time in a day or even a week to commit solely to prayer? These words of Christ to His sleeping disciples come to mind like words cutting deep: “Could you not watch with me one hour?” (Matthew 26:40)
Read more..Each of us has a fantasy that our family will be like the Walton's, an expectation that our dearest friends will be our next of kin. Jesus didn't have that expectation.
Read more..When we maximize our problems, we minimize God’s greatness and we also minimize—in our minds—God’s ability to handle our problems.
Read more..When we have worry, doubt, and fear clutched tightly in our hands and our hearts are ruled by anxiety, God wants to say something to us of this effect, “Let go of your burdens and give them to me. I will put in your hands that are now empty and open...Joy, Peace, and Freedom.”
Read more..Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. Mark it down: God loves you with an unearthly love.
Read more..Our faith leads us to discover a love we don’t deserve. And yet God gives this love to us. This grace comes in the form of God himself taking on human form. This grace and mercy comes in a form of Jesus taking our punishment for us by dying for us on the cross. By our faith we stand in God’s grace as free beings, free from sin, free from punishment.
Read more..“Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18
Read more..Untested faith may be real faith, but it is sure to be immature faith. It is likely to remain immature as long as it never faces difficulties. When all things seem against it, faith often prospers. Storms are faith's illuminators.
Read more..God wants us to make a conscious effort to control our words. But it will require us to dig deeper to find the root cause.
Read more..Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” There’s a cycle that happens in our lives as we choose to bring God into focus throughout our day. Here is one of my favorite examples of this beautiful circle effect.
Read more..What 'furnaces experiences' have you had? How did you find strength within them? How does solitude prepare you for daily life?
Read more..In today's world it is virtually impossible to avoid stress. Almost everyone is carrying some amount of it, in varying degrees.
Read more..Relying on God takes practice. Seeking Him daily through prayer and asking for what we need for the day means we must trust Him to provide. As we learn to trust in His daily provision, the anxieties of our own efforts are lessened.
Read more..Many Christians struggle with waiting. So why might the Lord have us delay? One reason is to protect us.
Read more..Today: Read Psalm 23 afresh. What is the Lord saying to you in the midst of your life? Trust him to lead you from this day forward — all the days of your life!
Read more..Holy God, Thank you for knowing me and going with me through all my days. Please make your presence known to me this day as I seek to honor you in what I do and say. In the name of Jesus, my Lord, I ask this. Amen.
Read more..Have you felt the nudge to yield your plans, wishes and burdens to God?
Read more..My own power is inadequate to make the changes I want to see in my life. But the amazing power of the Spirit in me can transform me into someone who looks and acts more like Christ. As a result, I can live the abundant life he promised.
Read more..It was time for my annual self-evaluation. The past year was busier than usual, but busyness does not always translate into more successes.
Read more..Take a 15-minute break and walk and talk with God about the neediness you are feeling today. Release others from filling that for you and ask God to meet the needs of your heart from His great supply.
Read more.."You are all around me--in front and in back--and have put your hand on me." Psalm 139:5 Pause and listen as His Majesty whispers ever so gently,
Read more..“David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with all his might, while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.” 2 Samuel 7:14
Read more..