God is the one who saved and called us with a holy calling. This wasn’t based on what we have done, but it was based on his own purpose and grace that he gave us in Christ Jesus before time began. – 2 Timothy 1:9 Have you ever wondered what your calling and purpose are? Why did God make you the way He did and place you in the exact location where you are? Several years ago I wondered the same thing and was directed by a godly mentor to ask God in prayer and persistently search His Word for the answer. One day that answer came in a way…

I have recently come to know a young woman who has an incredible story and heart for God. She is passionate about the work she does and when she prays and speaks you know without a doubt that Jesus is her constant companion. Her heart for the homeless and un-sheltered has lead to street ministries, community meetings and working towards solutions for the immediate needs due to the the frigid temperatures. Our conversations have made me more aware of the dire needs of the people she is called to minister too. One day while quickly walking between my home and the shop I thought to myself, “It’s freezing cold out…

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” – Matthew 16:15 At some point in our lives we have all faced discouragement and might have even questioned where God is in the midst of our suffering. Those moments place us at a crossroads of belief. Will we resign ourselves to thinking that our problems are bigger than our God or that circumstances will never change and we might as well just accept things as they are? Or do we take our stand and declare that Jesus Christ is Lord of All? In my studies this week I came across Hebrews 10:26-31 and was stunned by what it revealed.…

So then, surrender to God. Stand up to the devil and resist him and he will flee in agony.  Move your heart closer and closer to God, and he will come even closer to you.  But make sure you cleanse your life, you sinners, and keep your heart pure and stop doubting. – James 4:7-8 TPT In the movie God’s not dead there is a scene where a woman reveals to her son that he is in a prison cell. He has believed the lies of the enemy and feels comfortable there. The door is wide open and he has the choice to leave or stay. His freedom or confinement…

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease! Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. – Lamentations 3: 22-23 No, today is not Friday, but the day I wrote this post it was. For several years when I worked in the office my co-workers and I would always start the last day of the week by saying, “Happy Friday!” It meant that we had made it through the week with all its challenges, extra hours and hard work. Just saying the words brought a sense of relief and excitement. As I read through a devotional this morning the prayer at the end seemed to summarize…

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. – Acts 3:19 On the TV series Biggest Loser one of my favorite challenges was towards the end of the season when the participants had to hike a hill with a backpack carrying weight equal to the amount they had lost throughout the series. On each leg of the journey they would remove the weight that corresponded with that weeks weight loss. You could see the relief on their faces as they climb higher and higher, less hindered by the old weight. During my devotional time today…

Now more than ever we want to know the truth. We are tired of the phony, misleading, fake and outright lies that we are constantly fed by this world. We want something that is genuine, reliable and trustworthy. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth.” Centuries ago Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” The answer was standing before him – Jesus is truth. Just as Pilate’s view was focused only on his present circumstances, we too can be blinded by the troubles we face and be completely unaware of the truth that is right in front of us. Thankfully we have God’s word, the Bible, which reveals to…

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,  but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”- John 4:13-14 In the Old Testament one of the most feared events was a famine. There are many stories of how God’s people responded when famines began and often it was not in ways that helped their situations. They were so afraid of famines that they tried to get rain for themselves by looking to and worshiping the false gods of the pagan countries around them. They took “control” by trying to…

 But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them.  But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant,  and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave.  For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Matthew 20: 25-28 Today’s passage was as much needed reminder for me this week. I work in a service industry and my job is to assist others with…