I paused today to write Thanksgiving prayers, because… I’m getting ready to spend a busy weekend prepping the kitchen for Thanksgiving and decorating for Christmas. I know I may be breaking an unwritten code by putting up my Christmas tree before Thanksgiving, but the gratitude holiday is so late this year, I can’t wait any…
I don’t know what it’s like at your house, but it doesn’t seem like it’s getting easier for families to slow down and connect over meaningful conversations. It can be difficult to find time for conversations that encourage our families and make our relationships closer. Even for those who try to organize their schedules to…
How well do you KNOW Jesus? Some individuals seem to have a distorted view of Him. People who mold Him into who they want Him to be, not who He really is. What does it mean when someone says they are thankful for Jesus? As I read comments and articles, I realize there are some…
Are you grateful and kind when you talk to yourself, or are you your own worst critic? I’ll admit that I’m prone to severe self-criticism. I want to enjoy the blessing of a positive attitude, but it’s hard to remain positive when we focus on our flaws and failures. Did you know that there are…
How proficient are you at staying focused and living one day at a time? I have to admit it depends on the day. It’s a goal I’m working towards. Yes, I’ve read Jesus’ words thousands of times… “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”…
Are you restless? Dissatisfied? Where do you look when you want to be content? Discontentment is nothing new. It’s what prompted the first sin. Satan tempted Eve and Adam, convincing them that God was holding out on them by not letting them eat from the tree of Good and Evil. The serpent replied to the…
Sometimes we forget that the battle is real. I’ve been gathering with a group of friends at church to work through Annie Downs’ Study, Looking for Lovely. I actually started looking for life’s lovely moments when I began Counting My Blessings years ago. So, I expected a “lovely” time doing the homework and meeting with…
Is it easy for you to share your faith? I’ve known outgoing individuals for whom sharing their faith in Jesus came naturally. And I’ve known others who are more introverted and don’t know where to begin. John wanted the world to know the Jesus he knew—the Son of God, his Lord and Savior. He wrote…
What does it take to help a soul prosper? When was the last time you thought about your soul and whether or not it was prospering? There are so many things vying for our attention: things to do, places to be, people to engage, and entertainment to distract. The thought hit me as I read…
I’m wordy. I don’t believe I’ve ever been succinct. I express my thoughts and emotions with words. Lots of words. If someone asked you to describe your faith in as few words as possible, what would you say? I’ve always said, “Jesus.” He is the One on whom our faith is focused. He is the…
Do you know your eternal future is secure? Do you question whether or not God is listening to your prayers? What do you think when you hear the words eternity and prayer? John addresses these concerns toward the end of his first letter. Here’s his answer to the first question… I have written this to…
We’re pausing our study of John’s letters today because it’s my birthday. So, I decided to share some verses that have blessed and encouraged me throughout my life. Helpful verses that the Spirit has used to grow my faith and give me peace and strength for life. The following 10 verses are part of my…
What do you do when you’re living through hard days and fear an uncertain future? John wanted believers to live with peace, confident that their eternal future was secure in Jesus. He wrote… Every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against…
The Bible says that when you love God, it’s wrong to hate your neighbor. That’s not an easy word to hear. It’s inspiring and encouraging to talk about how much God loves us. It’s easy to say the words, “I love God.” The challenge is when His Word says, “show me.” Jesus said, “If you…
Fear can prompt us to avoid foolish decisions and keep us out of dangerous situations. It can also paralyze us and keep us from living the life God wants for us. So, what do you and I need to defeat the fear that keeps us from truly living? I’ve written about my struggle with fear…
If you grew up attending Sunday School or Children’s Church, you likely learned to sing “Jesus Loves Me” at a very young age. Jesus loves me! this I know,For the Bible tells me so;Little ones to Him belong;They are weak, but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me!Yes, Jesus loves me!Yes, Jesus loves me!The Bible…
How do you handle hateful conflict? How should you and I love people who are selfish, divisive, and cruel? How are we to love individuals so determined to get their own way that they will say and do anything to manipulate an outcome? How do you and I love as God commands? John wrote… Dear…
Spiritual battles are real. It feels like the war between good and evil is becoming more evident every day. I wrote this two days after Charlie Kirk’s assassination. I’ve watched the news and scrolled social media. I’ve observed expressions of love and hate. I’ve seen people professing their faith and others mock that faith. Good…
How are you and I supposed to know who we can believe? How can we identify reliable teachers or preachers who are sharing the truth? We have to test their words against the true Word.
Have you ever wondered about the difference between believing in Jesus’ name and believing in Jesus? The Bible tells us that both are important in a believer’s heart. John wrote… God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV) And……
You and I have been called to live with love for God and people. It’s one of the things that makes our faith unique. Other religions insist on obedience to a specific list of rules. And some believe that those who won’t comply deserve death. Christians trust God through faith in Jesus. Jesus is God…
