See then that you walk in a careful and prudent way, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. – Ephesians 5:15-17 The other day I was speaking to a man who had recently lost his wife to cancer. About a month before she passed she told him she knew her time was short. He asked her if knowing that made her want a drink and she responded absolutely not. She was a recovering alcoholic who had recently celebrated over 15 years of sobriety. She wasn’t going to finish her race giving in to the enemy.…

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. – 2 Corinthians 4:17 We all have those people, circumstances or even animals in our lives that can push our buttons in a moments notice. Over the weekend my buttons got pushed to the breaking point and I didn’t handle the blow up very well. After my own version of a volcanic eruption I had to take a time out and think about how I could have handled the situation better and definitely more Christlike. I was reminded as I read through a devotional that people, circumstances and even our pets can be character builders in…

Jesus said to him, “If you want to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.- Matthew 19:21 You’ve no doubt heard the bible story of the rich young ruler that came to Jesus and asked what he should do to inherit eternal life. After Jesus gave him an answer he said he already followed all the rules and asked what he was still lacking. Jesus’ answer was today’s verse which basically says, “I want you to give up…

 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” – John 21: 21-22 My Monday morning started with a strong dose of reality. After stepping on the scales way to many times I finally realized that it was not going to give me the number or the validation that I was looking for. Instead of stopping right there and taking my thoughts and actions captive, I proceeded to mentally complain about what my husband was doing or not doing on his time off. My thoughts then spiraled into judging others…

You are all around me—in front of me and in back of me. You lay your hand on me.. – Psalm 139:5 How do you see boundries? Do you see them as walls to keep you in and restricted? Or do you see them as fences to keep you safe? Perspective is a powerful thing and will greatly affect the way you repond when boundries are set in place. Throughout the Bible the Lord set boundries and every time He did it for the well being of His beloved children. Often those boundries were thought of as restrictions and were resented. But when looked at with the proper perspective they…

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 If you’ve every wondered if you are addicted to something try going a month without it. When I began my Royal Make Over I knew that sugar was not my friend. I depended on it to comfort me after a long work day. I used it to celebrate moments and cry over others. I saw it as a much deserved reward just because. But the truth was, I was dependent on it for many reasons and it was nothing more than a false temporary…

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. – Matthew 6:24 Over the years I have tried many different diet programs. Some have been restrictive and regulated while others have had a free for all type of approach. All have had the dreaded weigh in with suggestions of weighing once a week to weighing in daily to get over your fear of the scale. That last one not only caught my attention but highlighted a much bigger problem than fear, it broadcasat my dependence on…

When others are happy, you should be happy with them. And when others are sad, you should be sad too. – Romans 12:15 I have a sweet little friend who has decided to have her own Royal Make Over. She has several physical handicaps that prevent her from many forms of activity, but she is determined to make the necessary changes in her life to improve her health and relationship with Christ. We talk with each other every week and at the beginning of her Royal Make Over she said that she was able to go outside and walk to the end of the driveway. A few weeks later she…

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. – Ephesians 6:12 Have you ever had one of those days where everything seemed hard? The alarm didn’t go off as scheduled. The kids demanded everything and cleaned up nothing. You lost your keys. The car was running on fumes after your teenage driver borrowed it the night before. Dinner burned and the laundry pile was higher than Mt Everest. And to top it off the food temptations were endless. When you experience a day like this it’s easy to lose…