Have you ever doubted God is real? And if He’s real, is He near? And if He’s near, is He good? Have you felt like a broken Christian as you questioned? Especially if you questioned this Christmas-time of year? I struggled about writing those sentences. I don’t want to cause anyone, who hasn’t questioned, toContinue reading “Have you ever doubted God is real? Near? Good?”
Tag Archives: read the Word
When you really need to remember again…
In the middle of the night, I confess, I have sometimes laid awake with worry. Should I have done things differently? Did I make the right decisions? Did I say the right things? In the dark of night, I feel myself tempted to believe it’s all up to me. Fear begins to surround me asContinue reading “When you really need to remember again…”
Help for the struggles
Slow down, friend. Take note of this. This is some help-you stuff. The Apostle Paul doesn’t just say take a passing glance at good things, he says MEDITATE on them. “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things areContinue reading “Help for the struggles”
Let’s keep remembering where our help comes from…
Let’s keep remembering our help comes from the LORD in the good days and the hard ones. King David famously penned psalms of remembering in both. At times, he describes feeling overwhelmed and distressed-like dwelling in the darkness of the dead: “Hear my prayer, O Lord,Give ear to my supplications!In Your faithfulness answer me,And inContinue reading “Let’s keep remembering where our help comes from…”
Scary circumstances?
When I look at my circumstances, I’ve been fearful and worried; but when I turn my eyes to Jesus, when I remember His faithful promises, when I trust Him again and again, my faith grows stronger. Paul talks about Abraham’s faith. He pens his letter emphatically assuring his audience of new believers (both Jew andContinue reading “Scary circumstances?”
But what if they say, “Don’t judge me.”?
Like me, you probably hear the phrase “don’t judge” a lot in our world and often out of the mouths of Christians. But the Bible says, “But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”Hebrews 5:14 ESV If we wantContinue reading “But what if they say, “Don’t judge me.”?”
Trying Harder? Frustrated with your own sin?
I think it’s HUGE that we understand this! What exactly does Jesus mean when He says, “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds itContinue reading “Trying Harder? Frustrated with your own sin?”
I believe. Help my unbelief.
I just read one of my favorite verses ( Mark 9:24). How merciful and gracious…. “I believe; help my unbelief.” Help me believe You God.Help me hold on.Help me follow You when your way doesn’t seem easy. Help me believe when my eyes can’t see You and my heart can’t feel You. Help me believeContinue reading “I believe. Help my unbelief.”
Disconnection Causes Tripping
This morning, I am reminded my friend and mentor, once told me “ministry is seductive”. I’ve pondered her words for years and asked God to guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus as I write and speak. One day as I prayed, the Holy Spirit helped me think about myself as a water hose.Continue reading “Disconnection Causes Tripping”
These are not the days not to do your homework!
I was worried and teary-eyed. I remember looking at my wise, older friend who had faced so much heartache, but had so much joy, and said, “But, what do I do?” She looked at me and smiled and said, “You keep seeking Jesus through His Word. You diligently guard your heart and mind in Him,Continue reading “These are not the days not to do your homework!”
The enemy won’t make it easy. This will help you.
Those who were made new by the blood of Christ, will never live content in their old ways. Though we may try to hold on to certain sins, downplaying their dangers, our hearts will never find peace there. As we daily surrender our will to the way of the Lord, we are refreshed to walkContinue reading “The enemy won’t make it easy. This will help you.”
Words on a page. Hope in my heart.
Words on a page.Hope in my heart. These words weren’t meant to be put on a shelf after Easter. I need to remember again. Maybe you do, too? As His blood flowed down, and the human heart of my Savior stopped , the curtain separating men from a Holy God was torn in two. (LukeContinue reading “Words on a page. Hope in my heart.”
Where PEACE is found.
I talk with people who try and try again to find peace. They are spending loads of money on vacations, antidepressants, and secular counselors. And many of them have tried religion too. The problem is they are just seeking relief from their pain and troubles but they aren’t really looking for God. Oh, some ofContinue reading “Where PEACE is found.”
We see the trouble. We can’t see this.
I couldn’t sleep. I woke up early thinking about this world (and, to be honest, my own little world and some things heavy on my heart). I was reminded again of my study of Daniel— Daniel is praying fervently as the Lord, through Gabriel, explains the things which are to come— the destruction of Jerusalem,Continue reading “We see the trouble. We can’t see this.”
The world is hard. The Bible is God-breathed to help us.
Even when Jesus walked the earth, there were those who pretended to be righteous. They wanted to deliver Him to the power and authority of the governor. They wanted to catch Him in something so the government could contain, control, and ultimately condemn Him. But He perceived their craftiness (Luke 20:23). And so should we!Continue reading “The world is hard. The Bible is God-breathed to help us.”
When we are tempted to fear…
I can’t remember what had caused me to fear way back then, I just remember her response. Oh, how I miss my wise friend. She’s with Jesus now. She told me, “When the world is crazy, when you don’t know what to do, draw closer to Jesus. Be prepared to give an answer for theContinue reading “When we are tempted to fear…”
Keep on, there’s a HARVEST!
In an attempt to flee temptation, I decided to drop off the extra box of yummy doughnuts from this weekend’s company to my skinny, sugar-loving mom. As I was leaving, she asked me to wait so she could read to me what she had just learned from her book on Revelation. Her almost eighty-year-old fingersContinue reading “Keep on, there’s a HARVEST!”
Asking…
I was so sad. For some reason, our cuckoo clock had crashed to the floor and had been laying,in pieces, on my dining room table, for weeks. We had bought it years ago when our young family lived overseas. I walked by as my husband, reading glasses perched on his nose, and pliers in hisContinue reading “Asking…”
Day In. Day Out. Worth It!
Like many of you, I have the Bible on my smart phone, but there is just something special about “my” printed copy of God’s Word. Holding it in my hands, I remember the days when I underlined the pages, some of them wrinkled from my tears. It’s a history, tattered, highlighted, and written-on of JesusContinue reading “Day In. Day Out. Worth It!”
Monday Morning Life and Peace
Have you ever read a familiar passage of scripture and suddenly, something just stands out to you, that maybe, you never really noticed before? I’ve honestly thought to myself, though I know it’s not true, “God, did you just put that there?” This happened to me as I was reading in Philippians. Paul was givingContinue reading “Monday Morning Life and Peace”