Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 Discouragement is a temptation, I don’t believe discouragement is a sin, but it sure can lead us down a path to sinful behavior. When…

“Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith...” 1 Peter 5:8-9 The 3 a.m. heebie-jeebies. That is what I call it. I don’t even have to look at the clock anymore; I know it will be 3 a.m. Perhaps you can relate? Ever since I turned 40, I have started this thing where I wake up at 3 a.m. I am startled out of my dreams and wake feeling unsettled and disturbed. Not necessarily afraid, just not quite right. It is like I am hyper-aware of the presence of darkness, both figuratively…

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope. Psalm 130:5 (ESV) When I think about the woman I want to become, I picture an older woman sitting in a comfortable chair by a window where the light showcases the beauty of her years. Her Bible is open on her lap and she has a cup of coffee in her hands. Peace and contentment radiate from within her. I long to sit and listen to her. She is the woman my heart can bond with because I feel welcome and never judged in her presence. As the years have ticked by, my thoughts have shifted…

How do you define grace? If I were to give you a biblical definition of grace, it might be this: “Grace may be defined as the unmerited or undeserving favor of God to those who are under condemnation.” However, I believe for us to fully comprehend grace, we must experience grace. If you have not felt or recognized grace in your life yet, looking at other people’s stories, will give you the desire to search for God’s grace in your story. Today, we are going to look at three stories of grace from the Old Testament. The Story of Adam and Eve as Seen with the Eyes of Grace Adam…

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1 “You know, I’m Mom’s favorite.” “Did you know Dad said I was his favorite child?” I say similar things to my three siblings all the time. Sometimes we will hack Mom’s Facebook or add comments to a post, stating that we are the favorite child. We do this with our cousins also. We say things like: “Since Susie is my favorite cousin….,” or “Did you know Danny said…

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”  “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,  but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her. Luke 10:38-42…

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 Fear of the uncertain can keep us from achieving great things. For example: You might stay in a job you hate because you are afraid to take the plunge and try something new. Maybe you are afraid of failure. You might avoid traveling for fear of being away from your comfort zone or anxiety about the unknown. You might avoid going to the doctor because you don’t want…

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 Wow, this past season has been so full and, I am glad it has passed. Days and weeks on end brimming with activity have pulled us past our places of comfort. It was a very busy season. The lazy day’s of summer has now ushered in slow evenings on the deck spent enjoying the cricket’s songs and the comfortable company of solitude. My husband and I were making plans for the upcoming weekend when we realized we had no obligations to deal with, and…

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3 Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a hard season of life and wanted to give up? Perhaps you’re slogging through one today. Or maybe a hard season looms on the horizon? Hard is a season. I knew I was about to embark upon a hard season earlier this year. I had prepared myself to go through it. It had a beginning and an end, and I knew I would have to rely on God to get me through it. I would…