Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. – 2 Corinthians 5:17, KJV It is terribly easy to become depressed when something we love comes to an end. We mourn for the loss, and naturally so. Whether we lose a loved one to death or distance, or whether we see… Continue reading Don’t lament the end of an era.
Category: Growth
When you doubt, just ask God for reassurance. He’s happy to give it.
…for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. – Hebrews 13:5, KJV My 8-year old daughter was sitting quietly next to me as the two of us – along with my father-in-law, my son, and my niece – were returning from a mildly successful fishing excursion on my father-in-law’s boat. The… Continue reading When you doubt, just ask God for reassurance. He’s happy to give it.
God likes it when you choose not to brood.
And the patriarchs [Jacob’s sons], boiling with envy and hatred and anger, sold Joseph into slavery in Egypt; but God was with him. – Acts 7:9, Amplified Bible I was reminded of a great life lesson when speaking recently with a retired Army Colonel. During the conversation, the Colonel said, “One of the best pieces of advise I ever gave my children was… Continue reading God likes it when you choose not to brood.
Joy is a choice.
This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. – Psalm 118:24, KJV When trouble comes, it is never welcome. Trouble comes to us all, and it usually comes upon us as a thief in the night – unexpectedly, suddenly, and without mercy. No matter how hard… Continue reading Joy is a choice.
Have the faith of a potato farmer.
…For those who honor Me I will honor… – 1 Samuel 2:30, Amplified Bible Some years ago I heard a challenging parable of two farmers. I don’t remember where I heard it or who originated it, but it goes something like this. Two farmers were staring disaster in the face as their farms languished in… Continue reading Have the faith of a potato farmer.
God would rather you not rebuild Jericho.
In his days, Hiel the Bethelite built Jericho… – 1 Kings 16:34, Amplified Bible Merriam-Webster.com defines the word “stronghold” as a “a fortified place” or “a place of security or survival.” (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stronghold) The word “fortification” is derived from the Latin words fortis, or “strong,” and facere, or “to make.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stronghold) So, the intent of a… Continue reading God would rather you not rebuild Jericho.
Busy? How about visiting with God for a spell.
But Martha [overly occupied and too busy] was distracted with much serving…- Luke 10:40, Amplified Bible Martha had Jesus Christ Himself in her house, and she desperately wanted to serve Him. In the midst of her service, however, she became a little bitter towards her sister, Mary, who was listening to Jesus teach rather than… Continue reading Busy? How about visiting with God for a spell.
God will keep His promises. Just be patient.
…Surely the land on which your feet have walked shall be an inheritance to you and your children always, because you have wholly followed the Lord my God. – Joshua 14:9, Amplified Bible Patience is one of the hardest virtues to harvest. Like any good crop, we must wait for patience to grow until its… Continue reading God will keep His promises. Just be patient.
Make sure your roots are drinking from the right water source.
…he shall be like a tree planted by the waters that spreads out its roots by the river… – Jeremiah 17:8, Amplified Bible In Jeremiah 17:7-8, God gives us a picture of what a God-dependent believer is like. Such a person is like a tree planted by a river, a tree which drinks deeply and… Continue reading Make sure your roots are drinking from the right water source.
Let God save you from the hurt.
…ye are of more value than many sparrows. Luke 12:7, KJV The film October Baby tells the moving story of a young woman named Hannah who finds out that she is the survivor of a failed abortion. By the end of the story, through many tears mixed with constant doubt, she finds her way to… Continue reading Let God save you from the hurt.