I know I distressed you greatly with my letter. Although I felt awful at the time, I don’t feel at all bad now that I see how it turned out. The letter upset you, but only for a while. Now I’m glad—not that you were upset, but that you were jarred into turning things around. You let the distress bring you to God, not drive you from him. The result was all gain, no loss. – 2 Corinthians 7:8-9 MSG About 6 months ago I felt God instructing me to write out my prayers for my husband in my prayer journal. Not only would it make me more specific in…

 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” – Acts 3:6 Today’s passage comes from a story in Acts where Peter and John encountered a lame man near the entrance of the temple. The man had been lame since birth and every day he was carried to the temple gate to beg for alms. When he saw Peter and John he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!”  So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then…

You do not have because you do not ask God. – James 4:2 During my quiet time today the thought, “What are you believing God for?” came to mind. It continued with, “What are you waiting for?” “What are you dreaming for?” and “What have I asked God for?” I realized that I am just drifting along day by day without Godly expectation. I don’t have, because I don’t ask. I started to mentally go through the people on my prayer list and the prayers that I have for them, but quickly realized that I pray for these things but I often don’t expect them to happen. Not because God…

Our purpose is to do what is right, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of others. 2 Corinthians 8:21 Goodness is the quality of being virtuous or morally good. It’s associated with integrity and honesty as we do what is right, regardless of who’s watching and encouraging others to do the same. When Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph, his response demonstrated his desire to live a virtuous and morally good life. He acknowledged that this sin would be both wicked and directly against God. His integrity gave him the courage to verbally refuse and to physically run from the temptation. It was…

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,  he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. – Titus 3:4-5 My husband was telling me about a new contractor that he has been doing some work for and how the man constantly challenges him and his expertise. Perhaps it’s because he is the new kid on the block and is trying to make a name for himself or maybe he simply doesn’t know the details and he’s trying to learn. Either way, my husband asked me to pray that he would have patience for…

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”  – Matthew 7:1-3 What does biblical kindness look like? The simple answer is Jesus. Kindness is selfless, compassionate, and merciful which perfectly describe the heart and actions of our Savior. He made time to meet those in need and even went out of His way to make sure their paths crossed. No one was too…

 “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’  When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order.  Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.” – Luke 11:24-26 I was watching a woman at a small store the other day taking inventory of some t-shirts on a display rack. It got me thinking about how important it is to take an…

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. – John 8:32 Look in a mirror and what do you see? What do you want to see? Each morning I see a reflection of myself and often rush through the daily routines without taking a deeper look. At home my mirror in the bathroom only shows a portion of my body, but the mirrors in our camper are full length floor to ceiling and show a more complete picture. One day while sitting on the bed I glanced at myself in the mirror and saw the full image, rolls and all. At first it surprised me because I always see myself standing up which creates…

 Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. – Ephesians 5:19-20 On Sunday a young woman shared a short story about her experiences over the week that taught her a lesson in gratuitude. She had been camping with friends and been eaten by mosquitos. Her husband’s new iphone had been lost in the lake and she was unable to sleep due to all the itching. She began to rehearse her favorite bible verse of Philippians 4:6-7,  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your…