People who struggle with insecurity know what it feels like to be an “outsider.” Whether they really are or not, there’s a real feeling of being left out or pushed to the back. It’s a tool of the devil to keep them timid– and therefore, quiet. I was once that person.I still could be if I let myself go there… ...

I had to look up the definition for clarity. As I was praying for several people around me, I realized the common denominator was struggle– they were all struggling in some form or fashion. The dictionary defines struggle as “to contend with an adversary or an opposing force.” This is the first definition and was honestly what I expected. But ...

Do you have things in your life that were once exciting that now feel like a chore? Maybe it’s your job, or your studies, or (God forbid) your marriage. My point is, we should never be led by how we “feel.” I’ve wrestled with weariness myself, but I have to remember my flesh is simply being tested. Why else do ...

When my husband and I first married, he had to get used to an extended family— not because he married into mine, but because my side of the family had multiples. My parents were divorced and remarried, so not only did our kids get extra gifts at birthdays and holidays, but we also had extra family get-togethers versus his family ...

There’s an old song that rises up in my heart occasionally. The lyrics start out like this: Who is like You, Lord in all the earth?Matchless love and beauty, endless worthNothing in this world can satisfyJesus, You’re the cup that won’t run dryYour presence is heaven to me It reminds me of the model prayer Jesus gave to His disciples. ...

When you think about it, emotions are an interesting attribute of our human make-up. And yet, God saw it fit to equip us with these feelings that influence our behavior. Emotions cause us to laugh, cry, yell, and sigh. They produce giggles, sobs, joy, and peace. And if we’re honest, some emotions are attached to sin– and yet God uses ...

Years ago, my husband and I decided to paint the trim of our house one summer. We only had one ladder so I had the bright idea that an old milk crate, turned upside-down, would be a perfect pedestal for me to stand on to reach the under-hangs of our house. And it worked for a little while, until I ...

As you know, in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the Bible describes how Jesus went from place to place ministering to people. For example, in Matthew 9:35, the Bible says, “Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among ...

Reading this quote by Charles Spurgeon always impacts my heart because of how true it is– no matter how long you’ve walked with the Lord, it’s so easy to lean on the flesh from time to time ((as if the flesh saved us in the first place). Paul said it this way in his letter to the Galatians: “How foolish ...

“But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:27).   The first time I studied this, I thought “What did Jesus mean? His disciples died a long time ago and we are still waiting to see the kingdom of God (right?)” Not quite. I lacked revelation.  ...