“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30 nkjv
When people – your kids, family, friends – look at you, what do they see? How would they describe you? What words would they use? Kind? Gentle? Loving? Grouchy? Distant? Busy? Christlike?Think of life this way – God has given my spouse to me because He wants to work through me to make him...“The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your Lord.” Psalm 45:11
Have you ever looked in the mirror at crazy hair? Frustrated. Aggravated. Tense. You swear you’re not going to resign to the bad hair day; instead, you pull your hair up or put on a hat. Or, have you looked out the window you glare into gloomy, cold weather and realize you need some kind of...“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:15-16
“Grace” is one of the most beautiful words I have ever heard. If someone were to describe me, I hope the word “grace” would be used in their description. Grace is a quality pleasing for its charm. Grace is attractive. Desirable. An ‘unmerited favor.’ Grace is a favor rendered by one who need..."Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10 NIV
God has given each of us, by His grace, a gift—a spiritual gift. And since we have received the gift by grace, we are to use it in service to others. I’ve heard this concept compared to a waitress at a restaurant. A waitress offers food to guests, not with pride because she didn’t prepare the food..."The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands." Psalm 138:8 esv
Have you lost the focus in your life? Are you bogged down in the mundane and the routine? Are you bored and seeking excitement in the wrong places with the wrong people? Does your life seem to have no point or meaning? Well, I’ve got some good news for you. Nothing is wasted with God. He uses every..."He who walks in integrity walks securely." Proverbs 10:9 nkjv
Integrity. Character. Honesty. Living clean. In a world filled with insider trading problems, steroid abuse in sports, infidelity in our marriages, tax evasion and a myriad of other headline grabbing flaws, those words listed above seem completely foreign in our society. Our kids today are getting...But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me’! Matthew 14:30
Don’t you love a child’s heart? To hear their dreams. Ask any child what they aspire to be when they grow up you get an assortment of bold answers. “A race car driver!” “A fireman!” “An American Idol!” You see, for a child there are no limits – no risks. They are determined to reach their dream...."Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassion never fails. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentation 3:22-23 NIV
Tragedy, heartache, and loss-not one of us is immune to times of trouble. Nobody can escape them. The storms of life are inevitable. Life has its way of handing us many blows. And when storms hit, we can feel forsaken and unloved. The question is not whether we'll have storms; the question is what...“The Lord is compassion and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. ” Psalm 103:8-12
God’s dream for you includes His desire for you to be free. Free from your past sins. Past hurts. A messed up, reckless lifestyle. He wants to free you from it all. Nothing you ever did and nothing you ever will do disqualifies you from being loved by or used by God.Just as we must avoid the...“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
Forgiving is difficult. Your child is dishonest; a friend betrays you; your boss criticizes you in front of others; your husband lies and has an affair. The result? Anger, resentment, fear. And if we aren’t careful, the pain and anger will give way to resentment and bitterness, eventually...“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:1-2
Did you know that as daughters of God, we are “fire-proof?” Yes, that’s right, no need for fire alarms that make an excruciating continual beeping noise when the battery needs changing. And no need for flame-retardant PJ’s either! We are 100% flame resistant!Well, “flame resistant” in the spiritual...“Come near to God and he will come near to you.” James 4:8
Life is all about relationships. Friends. Family. Husband. God. Each one demands a lot of personal time, energy, and heart. And with online communication and cell phones you would think we’d somehow be better connected. But we’re not! We may be connected on the facts of life but not on the issues...
