I don’t write book reviews often, but this book has my name all over it. So, I couldn’t resist. The first time I heard Seph Schlueter’s song, Counting My Blessings, it felt like it was written just for me. ( I’m thinking you might be able to guess why! 😉 ) If you’re not familiar…
What is God’s goodness? Goodness is listed among the Fruit of the Spirit… The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22–23a The Spirit is a member of the one true God we call “good!” But what exactly do we mean…
How are worship, obedience, and God’s love related? What would you say if someone asked you, “Why do you worship God? Why do you believe it’s important to trust and obey Jesus?” Take a moment or two to really think about it. Do you worship God because… Although those are all understandable responses, there is…
It’s a hard truth to accept, but I believed the enemy’s lie. Like Eve, I failed to walk away. I stood at the tree and listened as he hissed… “God’s holding out on you.” For God knows that on the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will become like…
When life feels overwhelming, do you wonder if God knows the details of your struggle? A couple of sparrows built a nest on my daughter’s front porch last year. Although they were rather messy little things, it was fun watching momma sit on her eggs, faithfully feed her little ones, and eventually see them fly…
In this sinful and broken world, God pours out His goodness. He invites us to bring our pain, fear, failures, and confusion to Him, and by His grace through Jesus and the power of the Spirit, He pours patience, mercy, kindness, and love into us. Then He uses us to pour His goodness into the…
Do you ever have days when you feel unlovable? Days when you can’t stop thinking about your weaknesses, flaws, and failures. Days when your self-awareness turns into self-focus, and the things bothering you are louder than those blessing you. Me too. More often than I’d like. The times we feel unlovable may be one of…
Baskets filled with candy and tiny treasures. Head-to-toe new outfits. And the fragrance of flowers and festive music fills our church sanctuaries. We love to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection, but it’s hard to look at all He endured before… He used His servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid…
Have you ever believed you had all the answers, only to realize you don’t even have all the questions? I think that’s the main thing I’ve learned through my daily Bible Study. I don’t know that I ever believed I had all the answers, but I know that faithfully studying God’s Word has made me…
Toby Mac once said… “I’ll never be a non-stumbler. I’ll be a forgiven stumbler, but never a non-stumbler.” Picture this… You’ve had one of those days when you stumbled so badly that you collapsed into bed, relieved it was over. You want a “do over” because you said things you regret, wasted time you can’t…
Guilt. Everyone has to deal with it and handle it one way or another because we all have something, maybe multiple somethings, that makes us cringe and want to hide in shame. I thought about adding a list of examples, but then decided it would only be a distraction. You have your list, and I…
Do you ever question God’s love? Have you ever doubted His plans and purposes? I’ve been reading Joseph’s story in the Book of Genesis this week. His father favored him, and His brothers sold him into slavery. A bitter woman lied about him, and he was thrown into prison. Joseph was 17 when his brothers…
Do you have everything you need? Not everything you want, but everything you need. Jesus promised that when you and I “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else,” we will have everything we need. (Luke 12:31) But I often wonder if we really believe Him. I’m guilty of confusing my needs with my wants….
Jesus is the reason lives can be filled with faith, hope, and love. He is the reason for our Christmas Prayer. God graciously gave us the greatest gift ever given in the person of a tiny babe born in Bethlehem. Through Him, He gave the gifts of mercy and grace, forgiveness and compassion, sacrifice and…
You might be willing to suffer a lot for someone you love, but how much would you suffer for people who betrayed, denied, and hated you? That’s the overwhelming love of Jesus. The following words prove that Jesus knew what was coming, but they must have been confusing and upsetting for His disciples… Dear children,…
How often do you focus on the simple truth of God’s love in the Bible? It’s one of the reasons I write. I used to treat the Bible as a manual full of dos and don’ts until God showed me its truly transformative message. Because I love sharing His love in this space and want…
How would you answer the following question… What are the reasons Jesus came into the world? If you know, love, and trust Jesus, you would probably be quick to discuss His suffering, death, and resurrection. But is that all? If that were the only reason, He wouldn’t have had to leave heaven for 33 long…
Jesus said… So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him. Matthew 7:11 But what does it mean that God gives good gifts? We know it’s not like making a list of things we want…
I recently received the following comment on a post about SEEKing God through Bible TRUTH and prayer… “Seeking an imaginary deity is reaching for a state of delusion.” A few months ago, the same individual left this… “Reading what ancient charlatans invented is a waste of time. You will learn nothing.” His attitude is nothing…
The Bible says“God is love.” 1 John 4:16 But what exactly does that mean? Do you ever wonder how God shows His love? It’s important! The Bible says we should, “love others the way God loves us;” so, we need to know how God loves us if we want to love like Him. We know He…
God hears your cries! You can count on Him! I’ve shared this story in the past, so please bear with me if you’ve heard it before… I remember the birth of our first child as if it happened yesterday. She was born on her due date, following a mercifully manageable and unmedicated labor and delivery….
