"God gives wisdom, knowledge, and happiness to those who please him." Ecclesiastes 2:26 (TEV)
A fresh start. A new beginning. Every day. That's what we have with God. To live your life as a pleasing testimony to Him. To be a light to the world. To live in a way that shows you serve a living Savior who continues to renew you each morning. Who forgives your sins..."Have we not all one Father? Did not one God create us?" Malachi 2:10
My father passed away several years ago after a long battle with cancer. He died far too young. I still miss him...a lot. But, I have many wonderful memories of him. He loved me and really cared for me. He was so kind to me. I know that he helped make me who I am today..."So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up." Galatians 6:9 NLT
Sometimes life is not fair. We keep doing good. We take care of our kids. We volunteer our time for a church committee. We pay our bills on time. Overall, we do a pretty good job of living. But, nobody really notices and we certainly don’t get any major rewards for it..."Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love." 1 John 4:7-8 NLT
God is crazy about you. You are His child. His princess. He showers you with every good thing. Instead of obsessing over what you don’t have, think about all you do have. His love and attention. Fresh air. Clean water. Food. Shelter. A place of..."There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit." 1 Corinthians 12:4
Teaching. Counseling. Shepherding. Showing mercy. Giving. As Christians, God gives each of us different gifts. Some of you know what your gifts are—it’s just obvious to you. You may be comfortable speaking in front of a crowd, leading a Bible study group in your church, counseling others, or maybe..."Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34
Becky can’t sleep at night. She keeps having nightmares about her mother, who abused her as a child. Even though her mother has been dead for ten years, Becky still struggles to forgive. Why would God even ask Becky to forgive someone who caused her so much pain? Giving..."Surrender to God!" James 4:7 CEV
Why do we feel safer driving our cars than flying when we know that we’re more likely to wreck our car than die on a plane? Because we’re in the pilot’s seat—in total control (or so we think). It’s like this every day—in most situations. We desire control in circumstances because we feel safe when..."... we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:3-5
Loss. Divorce. Death. Cancer. Ever ask God why? I think we all have. But to "rejoice in suffering?" If making sense of pain in our lives is not difficult enough, now we’re also told to rejoice in it? You're probably wondering what Paul was thinking when he wrote this. "Was he in his right mind?"..."Relish life with the spouse you love. Each and every day of your precarious life. Each day is God's gift. It’s all you get in exchange for the hard work of staying alive. Make the most of each one!" Ecclesiastes 9:9 (MSG)
Living God’s dream means living in close relationships. There’s nothing more precious than spending time with those we love. From time to time we should review what’s really important in our lives and rethink how we spend our time. It’s what life is all about—meaningful relationships. Solomon..."When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold." Job 23:10b
Job is one of the most fascinating and well-known men in the Bible. He lost his children, his vast wealth, eventually his health, and was left with only an embittered wife and unwise friends. Can you imagine? Yet, Job knew he was not alone. He understood that God knew who he was,..."Arise, go to Zarephath… See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you." 1 Kings 17:9
The ministry of Extraordinary Women was born out of the belief that God can do extraordinary things using ordinary women. The widow of Zarephath is no exception. In the midst of the various trials and heartaches of losing her husband, nearly losing her son and her own life, this ordinary woman..."I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8
Sleep. Need more of it? I do. Sleep is the most important component of renewing our bodies every day. But our fast-paced society has robbed us of it as we overexert ourselves trying to take care of our children, husbands, homes and work. The result is that we tend to neglect our own bodies...
