When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” 1 Samuel 17:28 The Bible does not give us the time lapse between David’s anointing by Samuel as Israel’s future king and the scene that took place in the Valley of Elah. We know, however, that Continue Reading
What You Need to Know About the Holy Spirit {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
Do you feel something’s missing in your Christian life? Paul arrived in Ephesus and met some disciples. I don’t know how long he spent with them before he noticed the Holy Spirit was missing from their lives. "'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’ And they said to him, ‘No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit’” (Acts 19:2 NASB 1995) If Paul had met me early in my Christian life, he would have noticed something missing in my life Continue Reading
Confirmation After Faith {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
Sometimes when we beg the Lord for confirmation or a sign, what we’re really saying is that: We don’t want to walk by faith- we want to walk by sight.We don’t find His direction in Scripture enough.We don’t take Him at His Word that He’ll always be with us. God’s leading often asks us to 'go' without us knowing the where. Or to follow with hope instead of with certainty. His confirmation often comes after our faith has grown. “God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the Continue Reading
Worship Beyond Music and Church {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
What does worshiping God look like in our daily life? How can we worship the Lord with our life? Because we often limit it to church services. We went to worship this morning. Join us Sunday for worship. Or it becomes about music intended to lead us into God’s presence. These are both good, good things. Gathering with the family of God for corporate worship is biblical and powerful. And anointed music that speaks directly to our hearts, carrying us before God’s Continue Reading
How to Keep a Clean Conscience {Recharge Wednesday}
As a young adult I joined a bunch of singles at a skating rink. “You must be a good dancer,” I said to my partner. “I’ve never danced,” he said. “My church prohibited dancing.” Skates allowed him to enjoy the rhythm of music without feeling condemned. Paul wrote that all people have some sense of right and wrong and awareness of God (Rom. 1:18-32; 2:14-15). However, our consciences are imperfect barometers. They can be ignored, seared, suppressed, and overly sensitized. Continue Reading
Do You Think About These Things? {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
“Bethanyland is a magical place,” I like to say to my husband when he calls me back to reality because I stopped listening and got lost in thought (again). The truth is, I spend a lot of time thinking. Most of us do. We dwell on things in the shower, in the car, at work, while we exercise, while we cook and clean, while we’re falling asleep….and yes, even while we’re supposed to be listening. God makes clear in Scripture that He wants us to be purposeful with our thoughts. We’re to Continue Reading
