Are the hard days worth it?

If I’m honest, some days I wonder if the really hard days are worth it. I’ve uttered, more than once, when the trouble around me feels deep, “Oh Lord, won’t you just come on and get us.” But then, as He does so often, at just the right time, right when I need it, GodContinue reading “Are the hard days worth it?”

For those wrestling to understand…

Jacob wrestled with God. That’s too much for my mind to even conceive. Except, I’m wrestling. Not in the physical sense, but certainly in that I’m trying to understand what God is doing through some exhaustingly hard things in my life and in this world. I know it’s true that God routinely does things weContinue reading “For those wrestling to understand…”

Is the ground around you being dug up?

Jesus talks of two situations where God’s people die—and asks the question, were these people worse sinners than others who dwelt in Jerusalem and then, He says, unless you repent you will also perish. (Luke 13:1-5) We know this. We know we need to repent of our sins. But right after that, Jesus talks aboutContinue reading “Is the ground around you being dug up?”

When hope seems hidden…

Those who are of the faith, sometimes feel hopeless. Sometimes,circumstances,are so very bad,we even despair of life. We don’t think we can go on. We might not tell our closest friend, but we have even wished we could die. And it’s not because we are feeling so spiritual, just hoping to be in Heaven, it’sContinue reading “When hope seems hidden…”

It’s not too hard for God.

Nothing is too hard for God (Luke 1:37). I think about my cousin. He’s a pastor. A while back we had sat together and talked about Jesus, the Word, and the world. His tattoo reads, “Finish Well.” It’s actually pretty miraculous that either of us ever even started this journey of faith. My cousin andContinue reading “It’s not too hard for God.”

How many HAIRS are on your HEAD?

How many hairs are on your head? How many do you wipe off your bathroom counters every day? It’s crazy to think just how many hairs fall from our heads every, single day, while others grow in. This makes Luke 12:7 even more special: “but the very hairs on your head are all numbered.” Numbered.GodContinue reading “How many HAIRS are on your HEAD?”

How to study the Word to find HOPE

(My tips are at the end) Nothing has changed my life more than God’s Word and a desire to know Him better through it. Peter tells us it is how we grow: “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word,Continue reading “How to study the Word to find HOPE”

Good Friday. How could this be good?

The picture is horrific. Our eyes want to turn away. We know. We’ve heard the story. We’ve been told, it’s not about bunnies but about a bloody cross. That day, that Good Friday, that day that looked anything but “good” – that day everything changed. Early in the morning on the day Jesus would beContinue reading “Good Friday. How could this be good?”

Hope. But not in the way they were thinking.

I wonder about that morning after Jesus had rode in on the donkey, after the crowd had cheered and waved palm branches…I wonder, did He look around at His disciples? I wonder, as the disciples still celebrated over breakfast, did he wonder if they remembered what He had told them just a few days before?Continue reading “Hope. But not in the way they were thinking.”

Did you fall to sin yesterday?

Did you blow it yesterday? Did sin raise it’s ugly head in you again? Did something you thought you had mastered, master you? Didn’t we just talk about fearing God yesterday on this page? Are you disappointed in yourself? Friend, it’s a great date for a clean slate. And this day IS a clean slate,Continue reading “Did you fall to sin yesterday?”

I’ve doubted even after seeing God’s faithfulness.

If only…my happiness wasn’t so closely tied to whether my blessings outweigh my burdens on any given day. If only…I could be more self controlled and gentle and not mess up again today. If only…I could always walk in truth and not fall once more to the lies of the enemy. If only…my hope neverContinue reading “I’ve doubted even after seeing God’s faithfulness.”

The study is ending —but we’ve got a Savior to keep seeking as we need Him every moment!

Oh my goodness! I don’t want my study of First John to end. Oh, I’m sure the Lord will bring me back to this living, breathing, part of the Bible. He has so much more to teach me. But once again, I’ve come to the close of a book of the Bible with an increasedContinue reading “The study is ending —but we’ve got a Savior to keep seeking as we need Him every moment!”

Love me anyway?

I have known and believed God loves me and THAT keeps me going. THAT changes how I live. “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.” (1 John 4:16) The Enduring Word commentary says,Continue reading “Love me anyway?”

Hold on-even when you don’t understand!

As Christian’s, there is something we have to do that is incredibly hard to do. We have to be okay with not understanding everything. I’ve talked with so many people, in just the past week, who are walking through incredibly hard things, or dealing with situations that just make no earthly sense. Something devastating hasContinue reading “Hold on-even when you don’t understand!”

Truth. Not just a wishful hope!

“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4) ❤️ It’s not you “will” overcome them. You HAVE overcome! This isn’t a motivational speech. It’s truth! It’s a done deal.It’s certain.It’s finished. Not because of youContinue reading “Truth. Not just a wishful hope!”

He who is in us is greater-but first this…

I can’t wait to get to 1 John 4:4! It’s one of my favorite verses! It’s honestly part of the reason I was drawn to this letter by this beloved disciple. But I can’t just rush to the hope of 1 John 4:4, “He who is in you is greater than he who is inContinue reading “He who is in us is greater-but first this…”

One thing that can help you with fear…

I’m sick of seeing the enemy rob us of so many good things God has planned for us because of fear. The enemy really uses that. But here’s one thing I’ve learned that has disarmed him time and time again in my life: When I hear the enemy telling me all the bad things thatContinue reading “One thing that can help you with fear…”

We can lose things and not lose hope.

This is God’s commandment-believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ (1 John 3:23). Stop. John is talking to believers and he says God commands you believe? Don’t they already believe? When we dig deeper (I pulled out a commentary), we understand this means believe and keep believing on the Name of Jesus Christ.Continue reading “We can lose things and not lose hope.”

Hang on! Because One Day!

God’s children look different than the rest of the world. The world doesn’t really know, understand, or celebrate us, do they? John told us, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God. Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not knowContinue reading “Hang on! Because One Day!”

What could make a Christian ashamed?

John urges believers to “abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming” (1 John 2:28) What might make me ashamed as a Christian standing before the One who died for me? Perhaps if I’ve lived my life for me instead of Him? WeContinue reading “What could make a Christian ashamed?”