We all have struggles when it comes to studying God's Word. Distractions pop in, tough passages frustrate us, temptations pull at us. How do we get the most out of our time with the Bible? Here are a few practical tips....
When we open our hands to receive God's salvation, he also gives us spiritual gifts. But only through submission and discipline can our gifts realize their potential....
Knowing WHAT we believe is vital, but we must also know WHY we believe it. Do our beliefs line up with Scripture, or are they more closely held with tradition or personal values?...
Have you ever been called by the wrong name? It can be hurtful, even when we know it is an honest mistake. But one name should never be forgotten--the Name above all names....
Have you fully embraced your new life in Christ, or do you remain paralyzed by past shame, stuck between The Rock and a hard place?...
God has indeed uniquely equipped each believer to serve Him and His kingdom, but did you know that HOW we use them matters, too? The Apostle Paul has some thoughts for us on how we live out our calling....
Do you have a favorite coffee cup? One that has just the right look, the right feel, the right capacity? Just like our favorite mug, we have each been created to fill a unique purpose--and it is a beautiful thing when we find the right fit!...
Spring has sprung, and it is time to start cleaning up our gardens! Exciting, but maybe a little overwhelming, too. But as we clean the messes in our yards, do we think about the mess we made in the Garden of Eden so many years ago? Does it remind us of God's redemptive work as He seeks to restore His creation?...
Many of us have filtering systems for our drinking water, but the Bible tells us we need one for our hearts, too....
As we seek to put our spiritual gifts into practice, we must examine our hearts. Are we letting pride seep in where only God deserves the credit? Are we serving ourselves or Him? How do we exercise humility in our walk?...
A simple missions trip turned into something much bigger when one woman asked "Why?" Through God's faithfulness and the willingness of a small group of women, He has provided for women in need around the world....
What does it mean to live a significant life? Too often we equate significance with money, fame, or power. But God gives us a much different definition....
The Bible tells us not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). What does that look like in our lives, though?...
When the grass seems greener on the other side, how do we keep trusting God?...
How do we trust God with our finances when the numbers don't seem to add up? We keep giving to Him first....
Although voices around us might say that marriage is about our own personal happiness, God's Word says it is about much more: it is a picture of Christ and the Church. With that in mind, how do we handle the conflicts, the highs and lows, the changing nature of a marriage?...
How often do we make choices that seem good and fulfilling on the outside, but actually leave us empty? By looking at the stories of Ruth and the Israelites in Malachi's time, we see how God provides for His people--and how He draws them back when poor choices are made....
As we decorate and celebrate, do we remember the WHY behind all that we do? Let us not forget the Savior who came to give His life for each of us....
We were made to worship... but WHOM are we worshipping? Do we put our efforts into people and accomplishments that are temporary and fallible? Or do we worship The One who created the very desire in our hearts?...
We love to picture Baby Jesus lying in the manger each December. But even as an infant, Jesus's life was headed in one direction: to point people back to God. ...
Do we trust God's faithfulness and love even when we are experiencing trials? Even when we are going through disastrous times? Or do we, like the Israelites, struggle to see how He has loved us?...
We often equate love with happiness and warm fuzzy feelings, but true love goes much deeper. Real love means doing what is best for someone, even when it is hard or doesn't feel good....
Sometimes we wonder why God seems slow to answer... but maybe He is the one who is patiently waiting for us, so that He may draw us to repentance and life in Him....
When Jesus heard Lazarus was ill, he waited two more days before going to him! What do we do when it feels like we are waiting for God to answer our prayers?...
Ever since Adam and Eve made the fateful choice to eat the forbidden fruit, death has been a reality for each of us--haunting some, fascinating others. But thanks be to God! Through Jesus, he has destroyed the power of death for those who believe!...
Are you in the middle of a trial, waiting for God to show up? Good news: He's already there! How do we LIVE, not just survive, when hard times come?...
Once upon a time, two maple trees stood guard over our front yard.They lived and served together for close to 20 years. Each spring new branches reached heavenward and sprouted a thick mass of green leaves. Each autumn the green would bloom into golden orange waves of foliage until the last frosty wind blew each leaf to the ground. To the average onlooker, these trees appeared identical in every way. But the difference between them was revealed one spring day: their roots....
When my husband surprised me with a puppy, I had no idea my new companion would stick to me like velcro! What can we learn about abiding in Jesus from my sweet pup?...
When we read that God "commands" us to be strong and courageous, we can often feel intimidated. Does that mean I have failed if I feel afraid? Let's take a closer look at this imperative....
Long before Jesus called himself the good shepherd, David told us what to look for in our Heavenly Shepherd. The now familiar Psalm 23 helps us to understand just what Jesus meant by that phrase and why it is important for us even today....
I spent years trying to be the best baseball mom possible, running to practices, buying the favorite Gatorade flavors, and cheering him on to victory! Imagine my surprise when he asked me to stop yelling at his games. ...
Are you hiding from the sins or hardships in your life, afraid to bring them into the light? Let Christ's power reveal the truth: he has already defeated the monsters that loom in the dark!...
On a dark night, my husband and I found ourselves stranded in the middle of nowhere in Barbados. Two local men offered to lead us back to our place, giving us one piece of advice: follow their lights. Throughout history, God has encouraged us to do the same, to follow HIS light in this dark world. ...
The aroma of freshly-baked bread is one of the most irresistible smells in the world. But every baker knows the frustration of a ruined loaf! How do we find bread that truly satisfies in a world full of disappointment and discouragement?...
Obeying God in times of trial is hard. How do we respond when he doesn't deliver us from hard times?...
The words that come out of our mouths can be like a spark that causes a forest fire. Remembering to be slow to speak with wisdom, understanding and knowledge is something we would all be wise to remember. ...
If you've been a follower of Christ for some time, you may already feel like skipping this blog post, based on the title! Many sermons have been spoken on this topic and I'm sure we will continue to hear more throughout our walk.But it's an important idea when we are working through our current series, "The Message of Habakkuk: When Your Circumstances Challenge the Promise...
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