“And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7 How often do you…
Courage is the ability to face conflicts, career changes, difficult tasks, illnesses, and loss with strength. We all need courage, but the problem is––we are not naturally brave and courageous. In fact, we are instinctively quite the opposite striving to protect ourselves and nurture our own self-interest. Dying daily to self while choosing to courageously…
Grief comes in all shapes and sizes, is processed through various stages, and is experienced in very unique ways based on our individual personalities. Grief can take our breath away; leave us feeling deeply sad, shocked, fearful, angry, guilty, and even regretful. When a tragedy occurs, we experience a multitude of emotions, some overwhelm us…
“So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.” 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 (NLT) Our circumstances affect…
“God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:20 (NLT) We all have unique personalities and ways of “doing life.” Some of us are patient and relaxed, while others are impatient and much more active. I fit rather perfectly into the second category — not so…
I’ve heard it said, “It’s none of your business what someone else thinks of you.” While I agree with this statement to a point, I do believe we have a responsibility as to care about character and reputation. “A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume….” Ecclesiastes 7:1 (NLT) Paul speaks to this very…
“Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn back to the Lord.” Lamentations 3:40 (NLT) Having a “busy” personality makes it challenging for me to slow down and take inventory of what’s really going on inside. For years, my response to feelings of anger, hurt, fear, and frustration was to simply stuff…
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 (NIV) There is power in the spoken word. The power to build up, encourage, and honor — and the power to tear down,…
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33b (NASB) We all get discouraged. At one time or another — over one thing or another. Discouragement seeks to continually assault our plans, our purposes,…