“What would you like?” is a question we usually ask people around the holidays or when a birthday is approaching. The reason we ask this is because it helps give ideas as to what that person would like, which in turn helps us in our shopping for that person. Sometimes as children of God we think we can’t ask for things because it’s selfish. We think to ourselves, “Well God knows what I have need of and He’ll give it to me when He wants to.” While that statement is true, God d

Have you ever known someone who was truly determined to do something? Someone determined enough not to give up regardless of how hard or impossible the situation appeared to be? Most likely that person achieved their goals because of their determination. In Mark 2:1-4 we read about the determination of some men towards a paralytic man. The story goes as follows: Jesus was in Capernaum preaching to such a large crowd surrounding Him that people couldn’t even get to the door to

How many times have you found yourself saying, “I’ve had enough Lord?” I have said that many times because I felt like I just couldn’t take one more thing, and then it seemed like more just kept coming. Elijah in the Bible also said “enough” to the Lord. In I Kings 19:1-8 we read the story of him coming to the end of his rope. Jezebel had sent word to Elijah that she was going to kill him because she was angry that he had killed 450 prophets of Baal. Elijah, after hearing tha

If you were to go to a bookstore today, you would be amazed at how many books there are regarding parenting. There are books ranging from trying to get pregnant to raising teenagers, plus many more. Having that first child can be very overwhelming for some and having extra guidance is very helpful. I also researched many books while pregnant for the first time to gain some sort of wisdom. I knew my child would eventually be in my arms and although I knew a natural mother’s in

Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:31 says, “What then shall we say to these things? If God be for us who is against us?” From these two verses we can assuredly understand no matter what we are facing, God is bigger than any circumstance that comes before us. God is always with us, and on our side. Now upon knowing this truth imagine if you had a

Whenever a person wants to apply for a new job, they must fill out an application. Sometimes businesses will go one step further and require a resume and/or a background check. They want to know that the person they are thinking of hiring is a capable, knowledgeable and experienced person suited for the job. They want to know when that person starts the position, they will be an asset to their company. In God’s “business” though, there are no background checks or resumes that

When we are raising our children, we want the best for them. We want them to grow up as strong, healthy, mature and responsible adults. We do our best to teach them everything that is good, and most importantly what is the true way according to God’s word. Our hope is that one day it will make a difference. There are also those times when they want to do things that are not beneficial to them, and we must say “no” to them. In those moments it becomes our will over their will,

It’s so easy to say, “I love you.” The phrase is used so much and loosely that we tend not to really walk in the true meaning of it. It is three simple words, but they get tossed around so much that it doesn’t mean what it’s supposed to truly mean. We can say, “I love you” a thousand times a day to someone, but our actions many times do not back up those three simple but powerful words. Saying I love you is so commonplace anymore that I really wonder if people realize what th

How many times have we said, “I’m not worthy?” How many times have we continued to visit our past in our minds and then feel so shameful and condemned because of our mistakes? When we recall those mistakes, we can feel more unworthy and un-loveable. In those moments we can feel such condemnation that we can’t get past it, and at times we can’t accept God’s forgiveness and love towards us because of our shame. We think, “I’ll come to God when I get myself cleaned up” or “I’ll

I have never been in fear or persecuted for sharing my faith and for that I’m thankful and blessed. We live in a free world for the most part where we can say anything – good or bad. In Daniel 3, King Nebuchadnezzar was upset that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did not worship the golden image that he set up. He told them that if they continued in not worshipping the image, he would throw them into a “burning fiery furnace.” The three of them, however, continued to say they w

When we decide to follow Jesus, we make the choice to follow all His commands – or at least we should. Some of us are willing to do all that He commands like pray, love others, give our time to the Lord’s work, but when it comes to our money, we cringe! We just can’t seem to let go of our pocketbooks very easily. The second commandment though says, “You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth below or in the water under

For any relationship to work, thrive and grow there needs to be time together. Time for two people to share their thoughts and desires, get advice and to just listen. Imagine someone in your life you’re close too. Maybe it’s your spouse, relative or a friend. Now, imagine if they were constantly coming to you and telling you all their problems and yet they wouldn’t be quiet long enough for you to respond. Imagine them being in your presence talking, crying, and then they turn

When we accepted the Lord into our hearts and lives, we acted in faith. We fully believed God sent His son and had him die on the cross for our sins. We also believed He rose on the third day, and because of that we were saved from an eternity in hell. We knew at that moment we were someday going to spend eternity with our heavenly father Jesus Christ. What an act of faith it took to choose to believe in something we had never seen, but knew we were saved. We put our eternal

How many of us have thought to ourselves, “How could God ever use me?” Sometimes when we look at ourselves all we see is our weaknesses and failures. I have been in that same boat. I truly believed I was no one special. I have no college degrees, I don’t work outside the home, and I don’t really have any specialized skills. Then, one night I prayed a short but heartfelt prayer, and my life changed. When the Lord spoke to me about Praying Wives And Mothers, I immediately obeye

What does the Lord mean to you? If He chose to walk away from you, what would you miss? What would be different in your life? Think also about a good friend you have. Think of all the time that has been spent getting to really know each other. You can even at times finish each other’s sentences, and know each other’s likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses. Maybe even at the beginning, before the friendship even took off, you knew about one another, but you didn’t really

What does it mean to walk in the spirit and how do we know if we are truly walking in the spirit? How many situations come up in one day that we have to make a choice? That choice to “walk in the flesh” or “walk in the spirit?” What are the consequences for our choices? I chose to “walk in the flesh” for many years. I chose to do what I wanted and when I wanted. Since I was walking in the flesh I wasn’t going forward, I was just going around in circles, and at times downward.

When I went to our youngest son’s parent-teacher conference, his teacher told me about how shy he still was, but that he was slowly coming around. She said that some of the parents have commented that he is cute, but so shy. Also, that this has been said in front of him. She told me that she asked them not to say that, because she didn’t think he should hear it. She then told me a story about a little girl in one of her classes who was very little for her age. Whenever people

In Luke 7:37-50 we read a story which we all can learn from. The story goes as follows. Jesus was dining with a Pharisee at his house. They are sitting down with each other, and a woman walks in. This woman was known at that time as “a sinner.” Somehow this woman knew that Jesus was at this Pharisee’s house and went there on her own to see Him. She didn’t wait for an invitation – probably because she knew, deep down, she wouldn’t get one. So, she enters the house and stands a

The story of Joseph begins in Genesis 37 and continues into chapter 50. The story is about his family, hardships, forgiveness and family restoration. Joseph’s story, in a quick version, is as follows. Joseph was the son of Jacob, and he was his father’s favorite son because he was born to his father when he was late in his age. His father made Joseph a special coat to wear, and his brothers became very jealous of him. Joseph also had two dreams and interpreted them. Th

In high school I tried out for the basketball team without any experience. I made the junior varsity team but not varsity like I had hoped. What else did I really expect! So, after one year of playing, learning, and getting some experience I felt like the next year I could make the varsity team if I practiced continually. So, the following summer I asked our neighbors who had a basketball hoop in their driveway if I could practice shooting every day. They agreed, and I practi