When I read false accusations about the things some say Christians believe, I typically think . . . no one asked me. Here are some of the things the internet shares about Christians… And as I thought about that list, I realized Solomon really was right… History merely repeats itself. It has all been done…
What do you do when you’re discouraged? It can be easy to sit in discouragement but what if there’s a better way? What if there’s a way to be encouraged and live with joy?
I’m often stunned by God’s perfect timing and it happened again today. It’s Good Friday. The day we remember Christ’s suffering and death. Yesterday was what we call, Maundy Thursday, the day we remember Him washing His disciple’s feet and teaching them a way to remember what He was about to do through participation in…
When you find yourself in a pit of despair, it’s hard to wait patiently. Join us to learn about 5 things you can do when your heart is overwhelmed and you need God’s help.
Have you ever said or done something that made you feel so ashamed you felt sick inside? Maybe you were a child, a teen, a young adult . . . or maybe it was more recent than that. Our sinful failures can cause mental and physical suffering. David wrote… My guilt overwhelms me— it is a…
I have to admit, I felt convicted by David’s words in Psalm 39. I said to myself, “I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say.I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me.”But as I stood there in silence— not even speaking of good things— the turmoil within me grew worse. Psalm…
What does it mean to take “delight” in the Lord? David wrote… Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires. Psalm 37:4 The Life Application Bible notes say… “To delight in someone means to experience great pleasure and joy in his or her presence.” And I found the following synonyms for the…
There are spiritual battles raging in and around the hearts and minds of individuals everywhere. It’s nothing new. David wrote about it thousands of years ago… Sin speaks to the sinful man within his heart. There is no fear of God in his eyes. For he makes much of himself in his own eyes. So his…
I wonder, are we quick to believe what’s unjust and untrue? A dozen years ago, I traveled to Bolivia with a team of bloggers to share stories about the ministry of World Vision. Although many moments touched my heart, there was one specific afternoon that made me think about mirrors, comparisons, judgments, and the way…
“Taste and see how gracious the Lord is.” Psalm 34:8 (GNV) I can’t read that verse without hearing a melody . . . the one that my vocal coach taught me so I could sing those words for vocal warmups. I love the way the Life Application Bible notes explain them: “Taste and see” does…
Do you trust easily or does your trust have to be earned? I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt and trust easily but if that trust is broken . . . well, let’s just say I’m much more cautious after that. My family knows that nothing upsets me more quickly or deeply…
God’s forgiveness is a free gift given to sinners when they humbly repent through faith in Christ Jesus. It is a gift that we can celebrate with joy.
How’s your stress level? We know that stress isn’t good for us but eliminating it is easier said than done. Where do you turn when life is stressful? I looked online for some healthy tips and found… But we also know that we do some unhealthy things when we’re stressed… Whether healthy or unhealthy, the…
No one wants to be on the receiving end of God’s discipline. But what if there’s a wonderful higher purpose in His discipline that demonstrates His love?
There is great power in the voice of the Lord. He tells us to “just breathe,” listen to His voice, and trust Him to give us what we need.
What do you think of when you hear the word mercy? Mercy is requested when we need forgiveness to avoid punishment and desired when we need relief from pain and suffering. It is often thought of as compassion. Years ago, I learned the following definition of God’s grace and mercy… Grace = God giving me…
There was a time in my life when I would read the first verse of Psalm 27… The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 And I could quickly reply, “let me count the ways!” My list of concerns, fueled by the enemy’s whispers of potential problems, convinced me that…
Can followers of Jesus stop sinning? We’re taking a closer look at sin, obedience, and forgiveness. Come on over and join the conversation.
Baseball legend Yogi Berra was known for crazy sayings that came to be known as “Berra-isms.” One of his more famous sayings is… “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” But which one? How do you know which road to take? David evidently had a decision to make. He had come…
God told Job… “Everything under heaven belongs to me.” Job 41:11b And David prayed His words back to Him… The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to Him. Psalm 24:1 Then he wondered if God is sovereign and everything belongs to Him… The answer… The one who has…
Psalm 23 was my mom’s favorite. Most nights, she included it as part of her evening prayers. She said praying those words gave her the peace she needed to relax and rest. There is peace in our Shepherd’s presence. Growing up, my family lived much of life at Our Shepherd Church. I used to say…
