“All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” Matthew 5:37 Are you afraid of saying no? I am! What a gift that Scripture doesn’t condemn the word no. Rather, the Bible highlights the importance of keeping your word, whether it’s a yes or a no. Every no is a yes to something else, and vice versa. Imagine if Jesus was as uncomfortable with saying no as so many of us are. What if, instead of saying “get behind me, Satan!” to Peter, He said Continue Reading
What You’ll Find in a Stronghold {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
A refuge, by itself, is a place that offers sanctuary and safety. It is a figurative expression in Scripture describing God as our security. He offers us a place that we can retreat to for peace, quiet, and renewal. God also says He is our stronghold. “THE LORD IS GOOD, A STRONGHOLD IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE, AND HE KNOWS THOSE WHO TAKE REFUGE IN HIM.” –NAHUM 1:7 A stronghold is a type of refuge, and it's designed for times of war. When we retreat to our stronghold, we go to this one true Continue Reading
The Blessing of Endurance {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
Isn’t it interesting that we tend to count our blessings most when hard things happen? It is after a major accident that we are glad to be alive, or post-loss that we are grateful for those who truly love us. It seems that we need disruptions to remind us that life isn’t actually in our control and that there is something more important “out there”. Yet the faster we get over things, the sooner we tend to forget lessons learned. Reminders seem fleeting and unable to impact us in a way Continue Reading
What is Ruthless in Your Life? {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
The headache that comes back again and again. A chronic illness that knocks you off your feet without regard for where you’re headed or how much pain you’re already in. The thought in your head that you are not good enough, no matter how hard you’ve tried. A lie, on repeat, that you can’t ever measure up or be worthy of love. Guilt that won’t subside. The boss that never respects your time or how much has already been put on your plate on a tight deadline. A person who continues to abuse, Continue Reading
Jesus Text {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
"buuuzzzz, buzzz." "Who's that?" I ask. It's not my business. I don't especially care. I'm just being nosy (usually because I'm bored.) My husband's reply is often, "It's Jesus." I roll my eyes. He smirks. It's our bit. But sometimes when we play that little game, I think about how nice it would be to get a text from Jesus. He doesn't need to say anything in particular. It'd just be nice to be reminded that Jesus is thinking of me. That's He's with me and wants to talk. Anytime. Continue Reading
Seeing People as People {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
They didn’t see a man. They didn’t see his pain. They didn’t notice his need. They didn’t care that he was in the house of the Lord. What they cared about was entrapping their perceived enemy, the one who threatened long-held traditions and the law that elevated them to a pious, powerful place. They wanted to defend what they thought they understood. Their goal was to prove their point. So what they saw was an opportunity. “He went into their synagogue, and a man with a shriveled Continue Reading
