03/28/2024
Would you let Jesus wash your feet? Isn't it hard to imagine lifting our dirty toes to the King of Kings? None of us are worthy of his care and attention; yet in Christ's perfect love, he gives us nothing less. Does your human heart struggle like mine to serve others humbly as Jesus did?
03/27/2024
This Holy Wednesday, we are invited - just like the Samaritan woman - to rest and remember Jesus and His story of salvation for us
03/26/2024
Is there someone to whom you need to grant the gift of forgiveness this Holy Tuesday? Then lift your heart to Him today and seek His help.
03/25/2024
Holy Monday reminds us of the worthiness of our Savior. He was faultless, and people had taken His house of worship and made it about selfish gain.
03/24/2024
Palm Sunday is an invitation. A chance to clear our vision. To set aside the mundane and the urgent. It’s a chance to fix our eyes on Jesus and marvel once again at the wonder of the cross.
03/23/2024
Without despair, there is no need for hope. Without the darkness, there is no need for the hope of light. And without death, there is no need for the renewal of life.
03/22/2024
If you’ve been set free by Jesus, Easter is a wonderful time to thank God for His promises that were fulfilled through His Son. In His own words, Jesus tells us four life-changing ways His resurrection sets us free.
03/21/2024
Have you ever asked yourself if you will ever be healed or whole? Life has a way of breaking you down. Sin had a way of destroying you. When we look at our world and even our personal lives, this side of eternity can feel hopeless.
03/20/2024
As we go participate in our many family traditions, celebrations, and gatherings, let's not forget to point our kids to the true source of our joy.
03/19/2024
Today, I invite you to join with me in praying together to intentionally reflect in three areas. Our sin, His greatness, and His Spirit’s leading.
03/18/2024
Biblical compassion exudes kindness, extends forgiveness, is humble and patient, and bears one another’s burdens (Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:1, Galatians 6:2). Essentially, it is selfless.
03/17/2024
St. Patrick’s Day reminds me God sees me. I hope we all take a moment to remember our ancestors, our history, and our journey thus far with God, remembering every layer of our story has been written purposefully by a God who loves us more than we can comprehend.
03/16/2024
You may not be the next Billy Graham sharing the gospel with millions. But you may be called instead to give loving attention to just one other person.
03/15/2024
God’s ways are not always our ways, but his ways are always the best. Let’s go to God now and ask him to give us a glimpse of his perspective.
03/14/2024
To truly see a glimmer of heaven, we look to the Bible to give us glimpses of it through the eyes of those who have beheld it, including Stephen, who saw it as he was being stoned to death, and the rich man looking over from Hades. As well as the Apostle John, who received a personal tour of heaven.
03/13/2024
Although we may wrestle with why God has allowed certain things to take place, He offers Himself as a refuge. He is not scared or unprepared for your questions, tears, or anger. His hands are strong enough to hold us when we are falling apart.
03/12/2024
Friend, I know how difficult it is to keep your thoughts focused on the Lord. To not be swayed by the things of this world, prioritizing the things that have no eternal significance over time with the Lord. But we serve a God who is patient with His children and gives grace and mercy when we fall short.
03/11/2024
The feeling of depletion is not in itself a blessing, but when we take it to Christ, it can be turned into a testimony of the fullness of God. Let’s go before the throne of grace and ask the Lord to meet us in our personal situations. He cares for each of our needs.
03/10/2024
Continue to stand in the gap for those that God lays on your heart. Pray diligently for them. Embody God’s love in their life. Show them how much the Father cares for them with your own caring words and kindness. Remember that God loves them and desires for them to find freedom and redemption even more than you do.
03/09/2024
When your peace begins to deplete, do you pause and seek a restoration of God’s refreshment and direction?
03/08/2024
Making a joyful noise doesn’t necessarily mean we need to shout, but we can have a joyful battle cry in our hearts that will propel us into a grateful attitude. If you woke up today with worries on your mind instead of a joyful noise in your heart, it’s never too late to turn it around. God hears our battle cry.
03/07/2024
In a culture that thrives off of cutting off relationships and “canceling” anyone who makes you frustrated, I ask myself daily how I can follow God’s will and not be led by my own carnal nature to run from things that feel tough. This battle of knowing when to step away or adjust a relationship can be overwhelming.
03/06/2024
Music is amazing. It is a way of expressing our emotions artistically. It joins us with others. It is unique, reveals a person’s style, and plays a huge role in culture as a whole. Can you think back to two or three specific moments when God used a song to encourage you in your faith?
03/05/2024
Humility is a mind that is set on Christ with submission to the will of God. When we bow in submission to the Lord, He will come to our rescue.
03/04/2024
When clarity is what you’re seeking, can I remind us both to pause and seek God. Seek him and his Word first in all things, and look and see all the things he will do.
03/03/2024
Have you ever felt discouraged in your faith, as if you were lacking all the resources necessary to live your faith in the way that God is calling you?
03/02/2024
We serve a God who knows and loves us intimately, who lends his ear to hear our cries ( Psalm 116:1-2). We simply have to call on His name.
03/01/2024
Watching someone you love live their life apart from Jesus is excruciating. You want to be the one to save them, even though you know that’s not how salvation goes. I write this as the one who wasn’t living for Jesus and caused excruciating pain to those who loved me.
02/29/2024
If you’re a part of a complicated denomination, simplify it. Lent is between you and Jesus. Make some margin to connect with Him. Take the journey.
02/28/2024
Very few things hurt worse than being misunderstood, especially when the one who misunderstands is someone very close to you. Whenever I face a situation like this, I want to get defensive. I want to explain myself.
02/27/2024
God equipped you with time, talents, and treasures. Could you be the answer to a friend or family member’s prayer?
02/26/2024
Discouragement is a dangerous foe, but we have power through God’s Word and the Holy Spirit to loosen its hold on us. We can speak truth to our weary hearts, seeking Jesus as we trust him to respond. God Almighty loves us and has called us to a great purpose.
02/25/2024
I invite you to join me in taking a pause in your morning, even if it is after all the kiddos are in school (or you have to hide in your closet), so you can truly honor God for all His goodness and faithfulness. Because the truth of the matter is that when we give thanks to God in the morning, it sets the tone for our day and gives way for us to praise Him throughout it.
02/24/2024
We have the honor and ability to bring our families before the Lord in prayer, while we also have to choose to submit our families to the One who watches over each of our people all the time. Being the watchman for our people isn't an easy task, but it's a holy calling.
02/23/2024
Our deep bond with the Lord, made possible because of Calvary, changes everything. His love transforms us and radically alters what we do with our lives.
02/22/2024
I’m not sure what it looks like out your window right now or if the neutral colors of a cold, dim winter even darken your soul and spirit like they tend to with mine. But, we most certainly all walk through and weather seasons where the life surrounding us feels less than bright, our purpose tank is falling toward empty, or our contentment with the same ole, same ole is next to non-existent.
02/21/2024
I don't know exactly what you are going through right now, but I do know that God sees you, and even when it feels like He has checked out, I can assure you He is there with you. And here’s the other good news: even if, like me, faith doesn’t come naturally to you, we can ask God to help us in our unbelief.
02/20/2024
Although we can’t go back and regain opportunities to share the gospel with those who have passed away, we can learn from these sorrows and make an effort to share Him with others from here out, like there is no tomorrow to come. Because the truth is, we aren’t given a guarantee that they will be here next year, month, or week or even tomorrow.
02/19/2024
As believers in Christ, we are called to be filled with the Holy Spirit, which means we live out His fruit in our lives. It just so happens that complaining is not on that list. Today, we will take time to pray against complaining in our own lives and press into gratitude by faith in Christ.
02/18/2024
When we follow His way, truth, and life examples, we fully surrender our lives to Him and seek His will and way.
02/17/2024
There is something incredibly beautiful that happens when we allow the joy and peace of God to be what we live from.
02/16/2024
Is there a desire God has planted in your heart? Maybe a story you want to share? Or perhaps you are in need of encouragement and looking for someone to stir your faith?
02/15/2024
When we draw close to God, he is quicker at drawing closer to us! Today, not only tomorrow.
02/14/2024
Most of us often learn how to serve others by watching those close to us serve. As neighbors, friends, co-workers, family members, and especially as parents, we have countless opportunities to model serving one another and, in the process, to encourage and inspire others to serve each other.
02/13/2024
Remember that God sees you. When you feel invisible, remember that his heart is tender toward you. He walks with you, guiding you, bringing you comfort and rest.
02/12/2024
Words can be painful. Sometimes I think it might be easier to endure sticks and stones over a verbal attack. May we extend forgiveness to those who have carelessly spoken a rash word that caused us pain. And ask the Holy Spirit to transform our rash words into words full of wisdom that bring healing.
02/11/2024
When one season comes to a close, and we see new doors open for our lives, we need space to process grief while simultaneously embracing the joy that comes when we start something new. We often don’t feel things in a vacuum. Each new experience offers a mixture of positive and negative feelings, and that's okay.
02/10/2024
We may never forget the sin against us, but we can forgive, trading resentment for reconciliation.
02/09/2024
The motive behind Adam and Eve’s disobedience was comparison, which led to covetousness, which led to pride, which led to selfishness, which led to ungratefulness for what God had already provided (all rooted in fear).
02/08/2024
Prayer is powerful. Our prayers are heard in heaven. Scripture says the Lord is already on the move in response before we are done praying. He loves us, His children. So why does it feel like our prayers go unnoticed and unanswered at times?
02/07/2024
What if I held God’s blessings close to my heart rather than in contempt? What if I chose to walk in joy and gratitude versus pity and annoyance?
02/06/2024
It can seem like a mountain-sized challenge to fight against the work of the enemy each day. We can be tempted to ignore the spiritual battle taking place out of fear or indifference. We can fix our eyes on the temporary instead of the eternal.
02/05/2024
But as wonderful as being freed from sin’s grip, God doesn’t want us to stop there because Jesus is the door, the gate to knowing Him as Father.
02/04/2024
We are able to keep pressing forward, casting off distractions, discouragements, and disappointment because He is the One who is faithful to complete the work that He began in us.
02/03/2024
Being children of God is our inheritance! We have the ability to be Spirit-led. “There is so much more I want to tell you,” Jesus said, “but you can’t bear it now.” (John 16:12 NLT) We often crave answers we don’t receive direct answers to.
02/02/2024
On a scale of 1 to 10, how patient are you? Do you greet long line-ups with ease? Do you sit in traffic jams in a state of quiet contentment? If you are like me, probably not.
02/01/2024
Today, my prayer for you is that you find your joy in the Lord. No matter what the situation looks like around you, you make the choice to run to Him.
01/31/2024
The mindset of Christ helps us lay aside our worst-case scenarios and view other people through the lens of humility so we can discover the power of God at work in them and us.
01/30/2024
In Romans 8:1, the Bible tells us that we do not have to carry condemnation in our lives when we’re truly in Christ. If you are a born-again believer, condemnation does not exist because the punishment for our failures and sins does not exist.
01/29/2024
The truth is the more we engage with others, the more inevitable conflict becomes. But we have two options when approaching difficult interactions: we can harbor bitterness or show the love of God.
01/28/2024
The power of winter in the physical world allows the ground to rest so that in the growing season, it can do what God designed it to do—produce life. We also produce life. We can speak life with our words and bring life with our actions. But there’s a season for rest too.
01/27/2024
With eyes full of unimaginable end-of-the-world apocalyptic and catastrophic images, many are up at night, unable to sleep or find rest, living in a perpetual state of terror.
01/26/2024
Great leaders are formed by learning and observing the strategies of those who have blazed the trail before them. But there is a fine line between learning from others and comparing ourselves to each other.
01/25/2024
No matter what is going on around us, even if it seems like everything is falling apart, we must remember that God holds the entire universe in His hands. He is completely sovereign. Nothing passes through His hands by accident.
01/24/2024
The next time something catches you by surprise, and you find those anxious feelings bubbling inside you, your thoughts going every which way, try this. Allow anxiety to prompt you to pray. Talk to God about your problems and trials.
01/23/2024
While we can’t save others, God, in His graciousness, invites us to be co-laborers with him in the process!
01/22/2024
To be able to imitate Christ and enjoy this kind of fellowship with Him, we must look to Jesus as our example. Even though Jesus was God in the flesh, He still leaned upon God the Father for everything He said and did while He walked this earth. Jesus would rise early to pray and seek God for His will for the day.
01/21/2024
Our Savior, Jesus, is empathetic toward us. Empathy means a wise understanding of what another person is going through. Many people say, “I know how you feel.” Jesus actually knows.
01/20/2024
Do you struggle with believing lies? Is there a particular deceit that entangles you, trapping you on more than one occasion? For me, that lie is that what I do with my time and how I use my talents are insignificant.
01/19/2024
What motivates your drive toward Christ? For the Apostle Paul, it was the prize of the upward call of God.
01/18/2024
Let’s choose to remember these truths in moments of fear and pain. Life is going to throw us some challenges. It’s not going to be easy all of the time. But in Christ, we have the strength to get through it.
01/17/2024
After almost nine years of sobriety, someone I love relapsed back into the pit of addiction. Stunned by this setback and overwhelmed with disappointment, I’ve questioned why God would allow something that was once such a testimony of redemption to be squandered by a series of bad choices.
01/16/2024
The Bible continually calls us to patience. Patience is an unpopular discipline, particularly today. We are told that time not spent in activity is but a waste; Idle hands are the devil’s plaything, we hear.
01/15/2024
If we find ourselves no longer hungry for spiritual things, our spiritual health may be in great danger. We need to find out why we have stopped being hungry for pursuing God’s Word and Kingdom pursuits.
01/14/2024
This title seems odd, right? Why would people want to know the reasons someone prays? Well, I believe when someone knows why we pray and who or what we’re praying for, they get a glimpse into who we are and what God is doing in our lives.
01/13/2024
There is so much out of our control. This fact, along with the overwhelming standards of beauty, performance, and success, produces a perfect storm of anxiety about not being good enough.
01/12/2024
As readers of the Bible, we often get caught in the mindset of reading the Bible to find ourselves. It is true that the Bible is full of the ways that God loves us, the beautiful ways that God created us, and how He longs to be invited into our lives.
01/11/2024
We want to be the sole protector of our people and our circumstances, we want to be the guide of our life, we want to be the redeemer of hardships we face, and we want to act as Savior.
01/10/2024
Have you ever drifted down a river in a boat? When we drift, we are at the mercy of the river current. We risk collision with floating tree trunks or shallow shores
01/09/2024
Paul knew following Jesus in a world full of temptations was going to be arduous, like running a long race. One that would require the right pacing. He knew we would fare better if we didn’t come out the gate ablaze and burn out too quickly.
01/08/2024
May we approach planning humbly, learning to adjust and adapt when things don’t work out how we’d hoped. Because God is all-knowing and loves us dearly, we can trust His plans are always better than anything we orchestrate.
01/07/2024
Jesus was the servant of all. In fact, He was the Servant King. Christ shares in the Gospel of John the importance of serving and following Him as He serves others.
01/06/2024
Positive thinking is important, but without proper roots, we may force our view of what is good in front of what God proclaims “good.” Gratefulness intersects with positivity in a realistic way which allows us to see what we currently have and entrust God with what is to come.
01/05/2024
Do you ever start January with resolutions all shiny and bright? Do you think, “This is the year I’m going to get it all together?” And some of us work those goals like a bread maker kneading dough. But others, like myself, find those shiny resolutions dulling after a few days.
01/04/2024
We fall prey to a lie that true and lasting change depends only on our ability, convincing ourselves we aren’t capable. Have you ever been there?
01/03/2024
Daily tasks, jobs, and roles can regularly leave us feeling depleted and run down. In addition, our stubborn human hearts often deter us from dealing with sin, conflict, and emotion. Besides that, we are finite beings and simply run out of our own meager supply of goodness. Left to ourselves, we are going to fall short every single time.
01/02/2024
Every year I pray and choose a word that will set the tone of the new year. Some words I’ve chosen are words such as kind, patient, and this past year I chose the word proclaim. It is such a joy to see how God uses words and this simple yearly rhythm to grow me and direct my steps.
01/01/2024
The year is over and done with, and the new year, as it always does, has begun in earnest. Every year, as New Year’s Day draws closer, we all want to imagine that a prosperous and optimistic future awaits us. So much so that we alienate ourselves from all the bad that we experienced during the past year and look forward to a new beginning.
12/31/2023
The New Year is upon us and as we begin to possibly ponder resolutions and ways to grow in every aspect of our lives, let’s consider how we can continue to bring forth generosity this coming year. 2 Corinthians 9:7 lays out for us a beautiful depiction of the cheerful giver. If we take a look at the verse before that in 2 Corinthians 9:6, it tells us that whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, but whoever sows generously will reap generously.
12/30/2023
The everlasting peace of Jesus may be hard to comprehend, but once we experience it for ourselves, we are forever changed. However long the storm we’re facing lasts, God is faithful. His peace is available to us from beginning to end.
12/29/2023
In our efforts to do good, let’s not forget the presence of our Holy God.
12/28/2023
The death of a child creates grief far too visceral to articulate. As Christian people, how do we walk through a loss so pronounced and painful? How do we hold together the belief in God’s goodness with the unfair reality of a child’s death?
12/27/2023
What might be just another thing we have to deal with could be a turning point in another person’s life. Maybe not, but what if we approach every opportunity as a possible life-changing interaction? Too dramatic, some may think? Possibly but isn’t it better to err on thinking it may be a God opportunity rather than just a big waste of time?
12/26/2023
There’s no denying that the Christmas season brings a mixture of emotions; within minutes, we can feel joy, excitement, anxiousness, irritation, and loneliness. But year after year, among the hustle and bustle, I’ve noticed that people are kinder, more patient, and generally in a better mood, which I attribute to the gift of Christmas cheer.
12/25/2023
We know the true meaning of Christmas, and we are invited each year to take time and press into the joy and worship of our Savior. Today, let’s pray as we prepare our hearts for Christmas.
12/24/2023
Silent Night, a beloved Christmas carol with humble beginnings that dates back to 1816. Written by a young priest in Germany after a longstanding war and fall in political and social status, this song was inspired when he took a walk one cold winter night, noticing the stillness and peacefulness of his little town.
12/23/2023
May this Christmas season be one of you living fully in the peace that the Lord gives, and may that peace flowing from you be the reason that people turn to the Lord and discover the truth of why we celebrate Christmas as they fall in love with Jesus who is so much more than just a baby in the manger.
12/22/2023
Family is important. We are all purposefully placed by a purposeful God. It’s not always easy to find, or embrace, those people. For multiple reasons, we often have trouble connecting with each other.
12/21/2023
If you’ve ever wondered if God sees the misery, hears the cries, and is concerned with suffering, the answer is ‘yes.’ Still, it’s hard for us to understand how such a loving, compassionate, and giving God could ever even allow any suffering in the world.
12/20/2023
The word “everlasting” for a long time was one that had me thinking of hard seasons, slow seasons, and seasons of my life that seemed as if they’d never end. But, God. He has redeemed this word for me because, truly the only thing everlasting is Him. No season, no hurt, no pain, not even the victories we will see as a human on this side of heaven will ever last forever.
12/19/2023
Although we don’t have much control over the words other people will say around the table, we can pray beforehand for holiday meal conversations to be glorifying and Christ-centered. And should someone begin to say something that is not gracious or seasoned with salt, we can pray that the Lord would set a guard over our mouths and keep watch over our lips (Psalm 141:3).
12/18/2023
Remember that true joy, lasting joy, comes from the presence of God. Take a moment to acknowledge He is with us, and we will be with Him forever because of this miraculous birth. This is our source of true joy this Christmas.
12/17/2023
This time of year can feel hectic and overwhelming. There are a million to-do lists happening at once, family schedules to be worked out, travel plans to be solidified, and more. It can be easy to fall into the temptation to be anxious, stressed, or fearful. However, as we focus on the fourth candle of Advent today, may we remember the wonderful gift of peace that Jesus has brought to us.
12/16/2023
When we consider our own preparations for Christmas, may we prepare our hearts to receive him. We can examine our thoughts and attitudes and eliminate the ones that turn our hearts toward doubt and despair. Our hardships don’t exclude God’s presence in our life.
12/15/2023
This is the first Christmas without my mom. This Christmas will be different and difficult. Maybe you find yourself in a different and difficult Christmas season as well.
12/14/2023
Each year as the Christmas season gets closer, my heart fills with excitement over celebrating Jesus with family and friends. The decorations, the parties, the gifts…they all occupy my mind and time. But as Christmas Day approaches, my thoughts usually turn to Mary.
12/13/2023
The prophet Isaiah points out crucial truths in the verses above, by which we can operate in our daily lives. When our emotions start to run away, we can instead choose to yield to the following powerful truths as we pray.
12/12/2023
We, too, can experience the season's excitement like Mary those many years ago. As believers, we thank the Lord for sending his Son and eagerly wait for the second coming of Jesus. As we enter the Advent season, may we keep Christ at the center of our hearts and celebration as we remember that He alone is the reason for the season.
12/11/2023
Jesus, the Savior of the world, came as an infant, grew to be a man, died on the cross for our sins, conquered death through His resurrection, and will one day return. So, this promise God is with you covers every detail and every little nuance of your life.
12/10/2023
As we pray through the third advent candle, the candle of joy, may our hearts reflect on the beautiful message from the angel given to the Shepherds in the fields. The angel brought good news of great joy.
12/09/2023
At Jesus’ birth, God lit the night sky to make his announcement. Can you imagine sitting in the dark, warming yourself by a fire, tuning your ear to the night sounds when an angel appears before you and the glory of God fills the night?
12/08/2023
As we find ourselves in the season of celebrating Jesus’ birth and all He is to us, I pray that your heart would be softened to see the great, intricate works of our Mighty God. And may you will find yourself in awe and wonder at His works.
12/07/2023
Peace is a high commodity these days. Desired by the masses, found by few. Often individuals believe if they can gather wealth, family, and a prominent position, peace will come.
12/06/2023
Recently I had the rare treat of grabbing dinner with some of my closest girlfriends. We began discussing our upcoming holiday plans. Within minutes the topic of in-laws, family tension, and general dread over getting together with relatives in the upcoming weeks was brought up.
12/05/2023
During the holidays, we are easily convinced with marketing strategies that we need to spend a lot of money to make holiday gatherings special, provide lavish gifts, and shop all the holiday deals.
12/04/2023
Christmastime is a beautiful and holy time of year, causing us to pause and reflect on God’s rich love for us, soaking in all its wonders, but for the overwhelmed mom, going into this season can cause a surge of panic. As excitement and anticipation grow, so do the anxiety, frantic nerves, and seasonal stress.
12/03/2023
Today as we pray through the first candle, hope, may we be reminded of the fulfilled promise of Jesus as the Messiah long awaited by the people of God.
12/02/2023
Nothing could ever take away the Truth of Christmas. Jesus is the Truth. He was born on earth as a gift to us. It’s the greatest love story of all time. Let’s pray to fully embrace Him this Christmas.
12/01/2023
We are often too easily swept away in all the magical traditions causing us to forget the true gift of the Christmas season. As we prepare our homes and families for Christmas, can we also prepare room in our hearts and minds?
11/30/2023
When God allows for disappointment to happen in our life, we must remember that all things that come our way are meant to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in us and conform us to the image of Christ, whether we were expecting them to happen or not. When we are disappointed, we are given an appointment to praise God no matter what.
11/29/2023
Whether it is a pesky weeklong cold during the start of the fall weather, a chronic illness, or a serious disease. We or people we know are living life today with sickness. God did not intend for us to be sick in this world. Our bodies were perfectly designed to be healthy and strong. However, when we sinned and darkness entered the world, sicknesses came to be.
11/28/2023
Feeling heartbroken is probably one of the worst pains we endure as humans. It’s an outwardly unseen injury, a wound so deep, no one else can remove the pain from us no matter how many sweet, comforting words they speak to us.
11/27/2023
As we face the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s easy to let our peace slip away. Yet, Jesus longs for us to exchange our stress for his peace.
11/26/2023
We are called to be good stewards of our time, talents, and treasures. But where things can get sideways is when we begin to worship an orderly and predictable life to the point where we come unglued when something threatens our plans. For some of us, uncertainty is a stumbling block to joyfully submitting to God’s divine interruptions.
11/25/2023
This time of year is not just about the gifts, the songs, the food, and the decorations. It’s a season of remembrance; it’s a season of giving and serving those around us.
11/24/2023
Life is hard, struggles are real, but the Lord is still good. In our lives, in the midst of all our hard places, we can still find so much that we can be thankful for. God calls us to be a thankful people.
11/23/2023
Thanksgiving is not just God’s will for one day a year, but for every day of our lives. As we pray for Thanksgiving may it remind us to be thankful always.
11/22/2023
I recently called one of my siblings to ask about holiday gathering plans. I wanted to know if he’d be okay with having the thanksgiving meal at our house this year. The conversation was going great until we began to go over the guest list.
11/21/2023
This is the season of harvest. A time of celebration, brilliant leaves, and Thanksgiving. As we reflect in our hearts this fall, we can be reminded to take time to praise God in prayer though gratitude.
11/20/2023
Thanksgiving and Christmas are possibly the only times when every family member can come together and finally catch up. Although this can be a joyous time seeing on another, there might be some questions that can go too far.
11/19/2023
You can be fully devoted to the Lord in a way that a married person cannot. Today as we pray over singles, may we remember that they have a beautiful purpose in God’s kingdom.
11/18/2023
Have you ever been hated? If so, you’re in good company because Jesus was perfect, yet He had those who hated Him to the extent of wanting Him dead. More concern should be if the world loves us because it’s a sign we most likely aren’t living our lives for God.
11/17/2023
As we are surrounded by loved ones, co-workers, and strangers who do not have Jesus in their hearts, may this be a reminder for us to pray boldly for them and to speak up and share the gospel in authentic ways while we have the time. One of the most powerful ways we can minister to them is by prayer. Let’s take time today to lift up those we are burdened for to know Christ.
11/16/2023
Our walk with God isn’t always easy or straightforward. There are times in our spiritual lives when we feel overwhelmed.
11/15/2023
There are also moments when we are serving the Lord faithfully and do not know how He is going to show up in the midst of the busyness and in our inadequacies. However, He is ever faithful to provide all that we need in Him to accomplish His kingdom work even when we feel weak.
11/14/2023
Do you ever feel like you’re going through the same battle again and again? Like you never find relief from the struggles you’re facing? Maybe, like me, you’ve heard the saying— that each one of us is either about to enter a battle, right in the middle of one, or coming out of one into a time of rest.
11/13/2023
Has God called you to something that feels daunting? Do your current circumstances feel overwhelming and leave you doubting your ability to thrive? This prayer will remind you that God is always with you.
11/12/2023
Kindness seems to be a lost art in our culture today. Although it is promoted a lot, true kindness can only come from the Holy Spirit. Sure, a person can do an act of kindness, but a person can truly only be kind because of the Holy Spirit in life.
11/11/2023
A prayer for Veteran's Day, for all the men and women who serve to protect our freedoms.
11/10/2023
Many are reluctant to cry out to God when suffering for fear their complaints would offend Him. And rightly so! Remember in Exodus when the Lord burned with anger at the Israelites for grumbling? But there is a significant difference between complaining about God versus complaining to God.
11/09/2023
Loving ourselves is choosing to see ourselves as loved by God, no matter what. We silence our inner enemy that nitpicks over the littlest of things. The words of Jesus call us to claim God’s love even when we feel we are at our worst.
11/08/2023
I had forgotten how to pray. It was my first Moms In Prayer group and we bowed our heads and hearts before the Lord to lift our children to him. Tears leaked from my eyes as I sat listening to the other women pray for my child.
11/07/2023
As a follower of Christ, I have been called to spread the gospel, to be a fisher of man — that means within my own family and the world around me. I’ve been suppressing that call, even ignoring it, but hearing my sisters admit they have drifted away has awaken that call within me, and I pray that it will for all of us today.
11/06/2023
The idea of drawing near God’s throne with confidence can fill us with trepidation. Will God reject us? Will he turn his back to us? Can we be vulnerable before God, or do we need to wear a façade of strength?
11/05/2023
When we learn to number our days, we become more aware of the Holy Spirit at work in us and through us. And staying in sync with him helps us consider each item on our to-do list and decide whether it is a priority.
11/04/2023
Discouragement is dangerous. It’s one of the greatest tactics of the enemy, because discouragement ushers in doubt, and doubt makes us question our calling or, even worse, our faith.
11/03/2023
Expectations, especially unspoken, can create trouble in our lives. It leads to assumptions where we guess, sometimes wrongly, and then disappointment comes in waves. But do we know how to answer that when Jesus asks the question?
11/02/2023
Today, we are going to pray boldly for the Holy Spirit to renew us and reveal victory in our lives. We do not have this by anything that we can do but because of what Jesus has already done for us.
11/01/2023
When I think about the joy of my parents and in-laws entering this season, I smile. I am delighted to watch how they step into this new time with such anticipation and excitement.
10/31/2023
As Christ's followers, we are called to lead with love … and not situationally. All the time, we are to love God and love people. Let’s keep these truths close as we pray for our trick-or-treaters.
10/30/2023
Teens struggle for acceptance among peers, and as parents, we need to remind them that they are loved and accepted just as God created them, not because of how they look, what they drive, or the toys that they possess.
10/29/2023
Rejection had overwhelmed me so much that I wasn’t being fully honest with people in my life. The lie I believed was that I would be rejected if my sin or wrongdoing was discovered.
10/28/2023
When the calendar hit October 1, my soul filled with glee as I realized the sweep of holidays was in full effect: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. I love this time of year!
10/27/2023
While we need food daily to nourish our bodies, there is another kind of nourishment that feeds our souls, and that’s Jesus Himself.
10/26/2023
When a storm of life rages all around us, it’s hard to believe any relief waits beyond its terrifying fury. Gray clouds and devastating winds block our view of the coming sunrise. That’s when we must have faith in the certainty that storms will eventually cease. That light will shine once again.
10/25/2023
The husband being the head of the home doesn’t mean the wife doesn’t get a say in what happens in the family or the wife is disconnected from family matters, it means at the end of the day, the husband is held responsible for the decisions made. It is God's order for the family.
10/24/2023
Often times, we may experience burnout or exhaustion trying to depend only on ourselves. When we depend daily on ourselves, it can lead to us daily denying our need for Jesus.
10/23/2023
We know that God is with us and with our futures. It can be really easy to live in a future hope — so much so that we can miss the present — our once future. Even though we have so many hope-filled promises about the future, Jesus also reminds us to take care of what will happen today.
10/22/2023
Worship simply means “ascribing worth.” It is what/who you give your time, your devotion, your affection, your finances, your heart, your praise, and thanksgiving.
10/21/2023
In Psalm 139, the Bible says that He knew the days of my life and recorded them before I had even breathed my first breath. He knew what was best for me, more than I certainly knew for myself. Yet, it took many hard moments, such as being a military spouse and being states from home and my daughter being diagnosed with epilepsy, to realize that there were so many things I couldn’t control. Instead of relying on my wit, I needed to truly learn the beauty of trusting in the Lord.
10/20/2023
There are times when you and I must answer a phone call, open an envelope, or encounter a headline from a breaking news story that leaves us holding our breath. In these moments, fear feels powerful until we remember that we have an All-Powerful, All-Knowing, All-Present God. If you struggle with doubt and worry, you are not the only one.
10/19/2023
Stephanos, Fortunatus, Achaicus, Tychicus, Barnabus, Timothy, and Onesimus. When you hear these names, what does it make you think of? For many of us, most of these names would not “ring any bells” at all. So who were they? And why were they mentioned in Scripture?
10/18/2023
When life is stagnant, it can be hard to hear God’s guiding voice. It is an unknown occurrence that happens from time to time. We can be in the Word, seeking God through prayer daily, yet no doors seem to be opening, all we hear are crickets in return.
10/17/2023
Smack dab in the middle of the Lord’s prayer found in Matthew 6 and Luke 11, Jesus is teaching his followers how to pray. After He has blessed the name of God the Father and shared his desire for the Lord’s kingdom to come and will to be done, we find a few short yet powerful words: give us this day our daily bread.
10/16/2023
In Galatians 6:2, the apostle Paul encourages the church with this, “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” He knew there would be times when we would need help, and as a fellowship of believers, we can fulfill God’s great plan by being there to help carry one another’s burdens.
10/15/2023
Over and over in Scripture, we see a common command of God to respect those who are older than us and to not forget them in their old age. There is such beauty in learning from the generations who have come before us. We all have things that we can take away from each other.
10/14/2023
Anti-Semitism, hatred, and persecution of the Jewish people are in direct opposition to God's Word and His promise to bless and protect them.
10/13/2023
Whether it is in our daily places of work or school, in our homes, in our churches, in our organizations, or on our favorite teams, there are leaders. The Lord has specifically called certain people to positions of leadership among believers.
10/12/2023
Scripture calls us in Romans to celebrate and empathize with those around us. People are celebrating exciting news, and we join in the rejoicing. However, not every day is going to be a walk in the park. When others come to us in mourning, the response of a believer in Christ should be to mourn with them.
10/11/2023
Let’s ask God to remake us and renew our minds today.
10/10/2023
It can be so hard to reconcile the reality of death and suffering with the goodness of God. I believe that the tragedies in life are not created by God nor is it part of His plan or will.
10/09/2023
When we follow Christ into the unknown, He sees us.
10/08/2023
I will. These two words, when spoken, proclaim that you will do what you say no matter what.
10/07/2023
When we see what’s ahead and feel powerless to face it, we can trust God to help us.
10/06/2023
Jesus knows the end of the story, and He works all things for our good.
10/05/2023
It is our job, then, to approach God’s throne with confidence.
10/04/2023
Today, may we be reminded that we have a God who sees us.
10/03/2023
Taste and see that the Lord is good; Happy is the one who trusts in Him.
10/02/2023
God has entrusted each one of us with different family members. Whether biologically or through adoption, the Lord has strategically placed each one of us where we are for a reason.
10/01/2023
Who have you been praying would receive the gift of salvation through Jesus? God has not given up on them.