When you teach children right from wrong, you see this lesson very clearly. It’s wrong to be selfish, so when you’re selfish - it is sun. It’s wrong not to obey the parent or teacher. It’s right to submit to them because they are in authority UNLESS they ask you to do something wrong. This is where we teach critical thinking. The problem we have as we grow up, is that we often choose to do what we want or what feels good instead of what is right. We justify our choice in many

Have you known someone, or even been someone, whose pride was more important to them than almost anything? It’s scary and sad because when you’re like this, you will literally sacrifice the people you claim to love, and anything you have to keep from admitting that you were wrong or that you messed up. I’ve watched some people even lose everything, not just material stuff, but their families and friends too. They would rather lose it all. God opposed people like this - He res

No matter what anyone else says, God says you were created on purpose. And, you were created to fulfill a unique purpose like no one else can. God has always had a plan for you and He loves you no matter how many times you stumble. His love will never stop, no matter what. And your purpose will remain, even if you ignore it or run away. The ultimate fulfillment is when you walk God’s path of purpose and become a coworker of Christ. That is part of the plan too, to be side by

Where do you go when you need to take a minute - or a few? Where is your “hiding place?” Some will lose themselves in endless scrolling on Instagram or Ticktock, or play video games, or work in their gardens. Some just plain hide or watch mindless television. None of these things are bad, but do you ever hide with God? Let me tell you - it’s much better to do this. Making God your place of quiet retreat is always helpful and even refreshing (even if you’re exhausted). He want

Are you the kind of person who is pretty self reliant and you don’t bother God with stuff you can either do by yourself or handle on your own? You should know, that is not God’s plan for you. His plan is for you to share everything with Him - to have an ongoing dialogue with Him so that He can lead you while He protects you. And, you definitely need Him! Do you acknowledge your need for His leadership? For His protection? The Lord wants to be with you, and have you experience

Society is quick to judge. Our culture is extreme in the way it judges. If someone condemns another - they’re called evil and judgmental and do exactly what they condemn. The Church is very much under attack. When we stand up for Biblical principles and morality, we are in conflict with the world. But we must stop ourselves from judging and only love unbelievers. Showing them mercy and grace is what Christ taught - not to judge. Jesus left that to His Father, we should to! #j

This is the “tag” at the end of the first chapter of James and I don’t think I’ve given it as much thought as the part about “pure Religion” being about taking care of widows and orphans. And I had to ask myself, how am I keeping myself unpolluted from the world? I can think of some things - like, my husband and I stayed pure until we were married. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it! Today, I’m going to pay attention to ways pollution may have slithered in, though. It’s time

I don’t know anyone who likes this. Trials and troubles aren’t joy producing, at least not for me. What James is telling us is that instead of reacting to the problems and hard times with anger, worry or despair - remember that it’s just making you a stronger disciple and can increase your faith. You need faith, and sometimes you need to persevere through something to get to the next level. This is true in nature just like it’s true for people. Learning to face the worries an

Take some time today to think about the grace God has poured out on you. How He helps you every day and how He empowers you. Think about the ways He has done this for others, too. Meditate on His great mercy and amazing grace. #beamazed #amazinggrace #mercy #praisethelord #yourjourneytobeingwhole #shalom #dailydevotional

Everything Jesus did for us, He did to set us free! It’s up to us to live and walk in that freedom, though. Galatians 5:1 tells us that we must stand firm against the powers that will continually try to put us back into bondage. Things like fear, anxiety, addictions, pride, greed, etc. Fear is a big issue, though. We cannot let ourselves live in fear or make decisions based on fear or fail to do what we know is right because of fear. It doesn’t lead to life and freedom when w

Your true friends are the ones who aren’t put off by your strong emotions. Whether you’re angry, sad, hurting or joyful - your friends are there to walk it with you. They don’t avoid you when you are dealing with strong negative emotions and you need to vent or just rage for a minute - they respond with empathy and help you process what you feel without judging you for feeling that way. A true friend will also give you good and Godly counsel. Sometimes they correct you. Becau

It’s easy to fall into this trap - judging others instead of looking in the mirror. Jesus taught us to be compassionate and to love others in spite of their sin - to forgive. Our selfish nature is always going to lean the other way, though. So, we have to fight our natural inclinations every day - that’s not what our culture promotes and it isn’t the easy way. Jesus told this parable “Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and s

I don’t know about you, but I’m guilty of telling the Lord what the right time is to give me what I want. I’m sure I sound like a selfish know-it-all child when I do this. After all, I’m talking to the creator of the universe, the laws of physics and little ol’ me. I think we’ve all been there, though. When you get excited about something- especially the things God has called you too, it’s easy to get caught up and forget the whole “wait on the Lord” part. They say wisdom com

@ryanromeo said this yesterday, and I started to think about how the Lord has done this with me - over and over again. God is so much bigger than I can comprehend and He sees the end from the beginning and the beginning from the end - not just for me, but for every person and situation that I will touch directly or indirectly. AND, God sees this for EVERYONE! He is the ultimate orchestrator and conductor. How many times has my challenge, my trial, or my pain been used purpose

God is not fickle. He does not forget about you and your prayers, even when it seems like He isn’t listening. He is always listening, even when He is doing it quietly… Think about that lonely ache you have when you feel like no one is listening and look around. I bet there is someone else feeling lonely or excluded - maybe even mourning and isolated. Give them the beautiful gift of being present and listening. Reflect the light and love of Christ to them. #saltandlight #wwjd

Why do withhold kindness from others? Even people we love? It’s mind blowing how often I hear people say things like, “I don’t want him/her to think I’m a pushover.” Or “I’m mad at him/her right now.” Or “I don’t want him/her to get used to it.” As an excuse to not be kind, considerate or complimentary. I know some people who are kinder to clerks in grocery stores than they are to their families. BE KIND - to everyone. Show love and compassion to everyone. That’s what Jesus c

People are so emotional that sometimes our whole outlook on life changes based on our circumstances. When things are good, our faith is stronger and we are more optimistic (even though we also are wondering when it will end…). When we are going through hard times or various trials, we tend to be discouraged, down and even depressed and our outlook on the future is pessimistic. Often, we think God does that too - but He doesn’t!! “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and

Jesus said it this way, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Matthew‬ ‭12:34‬ What is in your heart and mind is going to show in your words, whether you want it to or not. You might be skillful in hiding your true thoughts and opinions about people and situations, but when you get squeezed or stressed, they will inadvertently spill out. So change your thoughts and judgments about others and switch to love and compassion- even if they don’t deserve it (bec

Have you ever known someone who just wasn’t willing to accept correction or learn from their mistakes? I have. It was a pride problem. They won’t listen to anyone else when they want to do it their own way… and they keep looking for the quick fix and the shortcut to glory. “To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.” Proverbs‬ ‭12:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬ “Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.” Proverbs‬ ‭18:15‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Lea

“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” Ephesians‬ ‭6:10-11‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Your strength to fight the enemy doesn’t come from within you - it comes from your faith in God working in and around you. Don’t put your confidence in your own power - that’s exactly what the devil wants you to do; he is strategically setting you up for defeat. Your victory comes from your faith and