The normal, ordinary days can feel small and mundane. But these days are the make-up of our lives and help renew our strength. “Blessed by the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation!” Psalm 68:19 In my opinion, the winter months feel at least three times as long as the…
When we face suffering, we may be tempted to wonder if God truly loves us. But maybe His love isn’t synonymous with our pain? “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” John 11:3 (ESV) It had been almost three years since my husband was first diagnosed with a type of blood cancer. Out of necessity, his…
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15 ESV “Friendship doubles our joys and divides our griefs.” I’ve read that quote countless times over the years, starting in high school when my English teacher chalked it on the top right corner of the blackboard. The thought made sense to me then,…
….to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. (Titus 3:2b) Matt and I were definitely having our differences that day. Nor was this some mild dispute like whose turn it was to pick up the kids or who left the stove burner on. No, this disagreement had to do…
Discouragement can be self-inflicted if we don’t take our thoughts captive. “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5 ESV) Do you ever find yourself plagued with regrets? Or fears for the future? Things might be going well but then suddenly it seems as if a dark cloud closes…
Our children will learn real faith through real life. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14 ESV I was bent over my phone, fully absorbed in a text message when I heard my nine-year-old son behind me,…
Missing out on God’s word slowly dries out our soul. God is calling us to Himself so we can stop withering away. “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8 ESV I heard a small voice in the back of the van singing something. I wasn’t…
If you want to grow closer to God, it may be you need to simply go back to the basics and let all the excess go. When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Exodus 3:4 (ESV) I…
We all have room for growing in grace as we follow the Lord’s leading for our lives. “You, therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus…
God opens doors and closes doors as we go through life. Life is full of change. Navigating the changes that life brings our way can be scary at times. One of my favorite scriptures is found in Psalms 37:23, where it says, “The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their…
How we can create a peaceful atmosphere when life keeps speeding up. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”Matthew 11:28-30…
Bringing Christmas back to being Christ-focused brings a kind of joy only He can give. “And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments…
When waiting feels intense and hard and scary, we have an opportunity to learn to wait in a new way. But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31 ESV)…
Are you ready to make it your daily habit to give thanks to God—not only when things are going great, but when things are going wrong too? “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV) My husband could hear her crying all the…
When you wake up, what is your first thought? Is it dread for the coming day? Or can you focus on something positive to get you started? “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence, there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16: 11 ESV…
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