Obedience and faith are something that believers are called to pursue. The reward is great for both. But there can be a fine line between obedience which leads to peace, and obedience rooted in legalism. I've witnessed people I love leave the church (or other Christian communities) because legalism superseded grace. There is no hurt quite like "church hurt." Most of...
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In recent weeks I found myself in a prayer "funk." It’s a gift to be able to pray without ceasing––while we drive, do dishes, or walk the dog. Because we can pray while we simultaneously move through life, we get to be in constant communication with God. While we’re “chatting” we also have the privilege of offering intercessory prayers. Scripture is...
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The other night, I looked up at the heavens and thought, "The summer sky is starting to make her entrance. Her evening gown is black as pitch, but it's peppered with sequin stars." It occurred to me that the sparkles were bright, not despite the contrasting black but because of it. With that thought, we begin this week's devotion with something...
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"Listen! A farmer went out to plant his seed. While he was planting, some seed fell by the road, and the birds came and ate it up. Some seed fell on rocky ground where there wasn't much dirt. That seed grew very fast, because the ground was not deep. But when the sun rose, the plants dried up because they...
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Our lives are like a train. We need to ensure that our feelings are the caboose, not the engine. The engine needs to be what we know, the truth that we've learned and embraced with our minds. I'm a woman who must be careful not to let how I feel be the thing that leads my train. The first thing...
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Resurrection for the believer is about life over death. But it's also about knowing we have a home. Home is so much more than a building, isn't it? • It's a place of refuge. It's a sanctuary…the safe place we can go. • It's a place of authenticity. The moment we walk in its doors, we don't have to put on any pretense....
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WHAT IS MY CROSS? Lord, do I know? If so, have I been willing to carry it? Have I been trying to carry it by myself? WHERE AM I NOT FREE? Am I living with the consequences of my choices, or am I trying to carry the sin of another person's choices? HOW IS MY HEART? Is it tender,...
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No aspect of our lives is untouched by our hearts. Guarding our hearts is a daily decision that requires God’s daily help. We can’t do it without Him. But we can ask Him to help us. Would you pray with me? “Father, our hearts matter to you. Teach us what it means to guard them. We confess that most days are full...
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Thirst has a purpose. God designed us to thirst so that we would not perish. Thirst reminds our bodies of what they need to live–– primarily water. Other things may try to disguise themselves as adequate hydration. But the sugar in some beverages and the caffeine in others is not what our bodies need. They need WATER. And so it is with...
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When I employ self-discipline in one area of my life, the benefits tend to leak into other areas of my life. • I tend to be more intentional about my exercise when I'm disciplined about what I eat. • I have more clarity in my productive time when I'm mindful of what I do in my spare time. • I'm more likely to give others the...
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