Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him.  Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” Genesis 21:2,6 Sarah’s story is one that showcases the miraculous hand of God in the life of a woman who, like myself, often doubted and worried. Many years had passed since God had first told Abraham that he would be father of a great nation. Then imagine giving birth to the long awaited child at the age of 90 when according to the world’s standards, all hope was lost. But according to God, her child arrived…

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139: 23-24 The other day while I was exercising my mind was filled with thoughts of “what’s next?” Not in what’s next in this exercise routine, but what’s next on my to-do list. The instructor in the video then said, “Close your eyes and breath. Listen to my voice and just be present in the moment. Feel it. Enjoy it.” So I did. What a wonderful experience that was! The exercises were stretches that would increase flexibility and when I quieted my…

Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. Psalm 47:6 One of my favorite things to hear each morning when I wake up are the birds singing. They sound so cheerful and their melodies help to make my day start off on the right foot. As I’ve been working on taking my thoughts captive, I read that filling them with worship will always help them to align with God’s will. If my mind is full of praises to my God, it cannot be filled with things of the flesh. It’s a deliberate act to choose to worship regardless of the circumstances in your life. I tried this at work and while feeling the pressure…

 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8 After God showed me the plan He has to help me take control of my thought life, He gave me plenty of opportunities to practice. With the three bible passages in mind, I had everything I needed to experience victory. Here’s how it works. When a questionable thought comes to mind I say to myself, “take it captive.” This causes me to stop and think about what I’m thinking about. Sounds strange, but I sometimes find myself mindlessly…

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 I recently starting reading a bible study called Sugar Fast by Wendy Speake. It’s a guide through participating in a 40 day sugar fast. I started this while at my last God retreat a week ago and what I discovered was that the key to success in this area will be overcoming my thought life. After asking God to search my heart and show me areas that I need to refine and change, He revealed that my thought life is out of control…

Blessed is ___________ if she hungers and thirsts after righteousness, for she shall be filled.  – Matthew 5:6 You, God, are ____________’s God, earnestly she seeks You; she thirsts for You, her whole being longs for You, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. – Psalm 63:1     For I know the plans I have for you, _____________” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me…

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. – Matthew 5:6 What does it mean to hunger and thirst for righteousness?  It means to greatly desire to know God and understand His will for our lives. This knowledge will lead us on the path of righteousness and will help transform us in becoming more and more like Jesus.  Everything that is needed for living a godly life has graciously been given to us in God’s Word.  As we study the Bible we will become personally and intimately acquainted with the character, commandments and promises of God.  We begin to experience His character in action…

What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!  But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:21-23 While driving to a family reunion last week we were listening to a radio station that played the top hits of the 80’s. It was interesting how each song took me back to exactly where I was, years ago, when it was on the billboard…

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. Romans 12:3 In my line of work I speak with several different Travel Vendors every day. At the end of the conversations the representatives always mention that there is a survey after the call to evaluate their service. The surveys are intended to show where employees are excelling or where they may need some improvement. Today’s passage is a reminder that we too should make an honest evaluation…