Steady and Strong
“I wait patiently for the Lord.” ~Psalm 40:1 Waiting is hard; being patient while we wait is harder! I have not been very patient this past week. I have been waiting for God to answer a prayer that seems to have gotten lost between my heart and His. I’m sure His inbox is always full, but […]
Laying Up Treasures
Jesus wrote the following: For where your treasure is there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:21) The question we must all ask ourselves… What do we treasure most in our hearts? On the surface, as believers, it seems like a no-brainer. Of course, our hearts are with Jesus. But upon examining where we spend […]
Whose Plan?
Do you know that God cares about your business? Your business – be it in the workforce, entrepreneurial, serving your family, serving your country, or whatever your livelihood consists of – God is concerned with it! There are many who are under the impression Christianity is mainly about going to church, stopping your daily life, […]
Pride’s Antidote
“The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.” Proverbs 16:5 Yikes! God detests those who are proud. It’s hard to imagine our Lord as someone who ‘hates,’ but scripture is clear; He does. He hates tongues that lie and gossip, hearts that devise wicked schemes, and […]
Why Do We Quarrel?
Let’s face it. Part of the human condition is that we quarrel. We cannot get along with everyone and that is ok. What we can do is understand the root source of our quarrels and allow the Holy Spirit to work in us a new way to respond. This week’s lesson is based on James […]
What Wisdom Looks Like
Who is wise and understanding among you? –James 3:13a Wisdom. Let me tell you, I need some wisdom! I am often reminded of this as I falteringly navigate the years-long task of bringing up my three young children. If it is not children that need love and care in your life, it is assuredly something […]
Words Matter
“Words are powerful; take them seriously. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” ~Matthew 12:37 As I began to prepare for this week’s lesson, Taming the Tongue, I asked the Lord to tune my ears to the right channel, to His channel. I asked Him to highlight […]
Is Faith a Crutch?
Over the years, I have been told by unbelievers that faith is a crutch; something people need to get through a crisis. My answer has always been, “It depends on how you define faith.” Scripture defines faith as follows in Hebrews 11:1: Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and evidence/conviction of things unseen. Faith […]
The Law of God’s Kingdom is Love
My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. James 2:1 This is where we left off before Thanksgiving. We’re all in need before God. We’re all sinners, in need of grace. This life is a vapor for all of us, no matter how glorious, or painful it seems […]
Joy is Possible
As we approach the New Year, I have been thinking about one of my favorite scriptures: For the joy of the Lord is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10) The people of Judah had just finished rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem. It had been destroyed when God’s people, Israel, were taken into captivity by the Babylonians. The wall […]