“In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.” Mark 1:35 I’ll come out and say it: I hate mornings. If you look up ‘morning person’ in the dictionary, you’d likely see my name listed in the antonyms […]
“In the day of prosperity be happy, But in the day of adversity consider— God has made the one as well as the other So that man will not discover anything that will be after him.” Ecclesiastes 7:14 Anytime a year comes to a close, it’s typical to look back and categorize it as being […]
“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 This time of year is full of resolutions, resets, and new goals. While it can […]
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 Have you ever felt like you can’t shake those past mistakes? The cloud of shame just won’t leave you alone. The writer of this scripture, Paul, knows your struggle. Before Jesus saved him, […]
“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.” 1 Corinthians 15:10 Do you ever feel like your work serves no purpose? Like your sole purpose […]
“Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” Mark 6:31 Throughout this recent holiday season, did you find yourself day-dreaming about a slower pace post-Christmas? I certainly did! I recall using phrases like “When this Christmas is over, I’ll have time to ____” or, “things should die down a bit in the […]
“O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” Psalms 34:8 During weeks like this one, full of disaster, hate, and death, it isn’t difficult to see all of the evil around us. Our world is full of sin and heartbreak, but this beautiful and uplifting […]
“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19 Those of you who read through the 2nd chapter of Luke this time each year are probably quite familiar with the Christmas story. To set the scene, Mary had been visited by the angel Gabriel, who told her that she […]
“Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.” Psalm 86:11-12 NIV Have you ever felt like you had a divided heart? The division might […]
“Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3-4 Christmas is an exciting time at any age, but can you remember how amplified those feelings […]