Life lessons and applications from the Word of God.
Am I really supposed to be grateful for … everything???
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.1 Thessalonians 5:18 It's that time of year when we start thinking of those things for which we are grateful. Social media posts spring up by the thousands saying something like "30...
Should I read the whole bible?
In my last post, I explained why it is essential that we are reading the Bible daily. However, I didn't discuss "what" we should be reading. There are so many choices out there -- devotionals, fill-in-the-blank studies, and short or long reading plans -- to name a...
Why you need to be reading the Bible daily
Recently, I was on this diet where I fasted for 1 or 2 nonconsecutive days a week. I would stop eating after dinner and not eat again until dinner the next day. I learned real quick that on those fasting days I had to be sure to drink an abundance of water otherwise...
Being faithful to bible study
I have been asking myself how I am spending my time. Am I being a good steward of the time God has given me? Psalm 37:5 says, "Commit your way to the Lord" and Psalm 5:3 encourages,"In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will...
Finding the Gospel in Fall
I know that I am not alone when I say that I love fall. The colors, the crispness in the air, the cool temperatures, the smell of pumpkin and cinnamon wafting through the air as we cuddle in sweaters and blankets before a fire -- yes, those thoughts bring a smile to...
When you don’t feel like God is listening
The psalmists had highs and lows; joys and sorrows just like us. In Psalm 77, Asaph relates a particularly low time in his life where he doesn't feel the presence of the Lord. He then determines to do something about it. In verses 1-9 Asaph lifts up his...
Taming the monster within
It happens more often than I care to admit. I have a sweet, quiet morning pouring over scriptures, inspired by God's greatness, only to become a monster just a few short hours later. How did I so quickly lose self-control as I go from sweet commune with God to crabby,...
Cultivating Patience
On his birthday last fall, my oldest son was given a chicken by a good friend of his. This friend knew he had been wanting chickens for a long time but had been told to wait until we had the right land for them. Now that we did, he figured this would be the perfect...
Recognizing God’s Grace in the Midst of the Desert
There are times when I grow weary of waiting for The Lord. I wonder, "When, Lord? When will you come in and bless this family. When will our prayer finally be answered?" Its at these times that I must come before the Lord fervently and soak myself even more in His...
Remembering the Promises
Have you ever been right in the middle of a hard situation and wondered why you ever started down that path to begin with? You know, left the comfort of what you knew and journeyed into the unknown. At the time it seemed like the right decision, but, at this moment,...