When you’re faced with unexpected circumstances, how can you respond in a way that is God-honoring and helpful? You know what it’s like. You have this vision of how you believe things will (or should) go. It’s a lovely vision–neat and tidy. But as things begin to unfold, they aren’t what you imagined and it’s…
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.Mark 1:35 What does it really mean to be alone? Getting alone is getting harder and harder in our culture. There is a constant noise that surrounds us and it…
Trusting in God’s character spreads across every aspect of our lives — including how we choose to live. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV) Lately, I’ve been studying…
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…
“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…
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…
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)…
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…
Sometimes saying “I’m sorry” just isn’t enough and some action is necessary. “So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First, be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Matthew…
We live in a culture where being right is more valued than being kind. But we are called to something greater and can change the climate around us. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesian 4:32 (ESV) If you are unfamiliar with what cancel culture is,…
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