I read and reread the words of Psalm 47 and I stared at the page and labored over what to write. Finally, I walked away and started a pot of soup for dinner. As I chopped vegetables and stirred ingredients . . . I paused to pray and ask the Lord to guide me and…
So many feel that we are currently living in troubled times. But even in the face when we are faced with impossible problems we can be confident that God is with us and able to save us.
Do you love weddings? Many of us love the beauty of the celebration and festivities but… It’s easy to get caught up in the presentation and neglect the purpose and the promise. Most theologians believe that Psalm 45 was written for King Solomon’s wedding. However, over the years it has come to be known as…
I wonder how many of us are more like Veruca Salt than we care to admit. Remember her . . . she’s the character in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory who sang… I Want It Now I want the world. I want the whole world…I want the worksI want the whole worksPresents and prizes…
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…
